It's an old joke around here already. Still, as analogies go this one seems all too apt. Yes, we're multiplying like rabbits around here as we've added eight new members (including three children) in the past month, and we're considering membership for more. 
This doubles the number of our members just this past winter, and we also have numerous interns and visitors here now. The new members are: Kurt and Alline, a couple in their 40s from California; Deborah and John and their three boys, newly arrived from Little Rock, Arkansas; and Tony 'Kalen' Prince, who's been visiting Sandhill and DR for the past several months.
Integrating all of these new folk into life at DR has been a lot of work, even as it's been a joy. We're finalizing our lease agreements which we've been slowly working on since last Fall. We had to convene our long-awaited building approval team, which helps new construction projects find sustainable resources and considers the ecological ramifications of the building designs. Also our concepts and planning for town development now have to be put to the test as we mark out leaseholds (called warrens) for our new members. Suddenly all of our theoretical ideas seem very real indeed and we can begin to see our village being fleshed out as we choose homesites and layout paths and roads. It's a complicated procedure. We are trying to create a clustered village feel, even with our few buildings, that will feel vital and lively to the residents and businesses that will build here. We're planning for the people here now and for the people to come later.
Moving anywhere can be difficult. Imagine the additional difficulties of moving to a whole new way of life in a rural ecovillage! Fortunately we all get along great and make a lot of effort to make each other feel welcome in our lives. During these early stages of growth, it has been important that new members be socially compatible with our existing membership. While we imagine the membership selection process will be less rigorous in the future, in this early stage of the project, it is still very important for us all to get along well since we have to work so closely together. When we reach the winter and find ourselves staying indoors more, when the community's usable "common space" is just a few rooms instead of 280 acres, then good social cohesion becomes especially important. Still, our ranks are already feeling more diverse, which is exactly what we want. Our age range has increased. Aaron and Halle are no longer the only family with kids. Skyhouse is no longer the primary source of people or work for the community. We now have enough people to make a lot of social activities happen that we simply didn't have the critical mass for earlier, be it morning yoga, game night, art night or our moon gatherings.
There is an amazing sense of accomplishment in the air this summer. Several groups are working to build houses and establish incomes. The village is beginning to take shape. The project is sweeping into the future. And with these new friends joined together, we'll have a great time along the way.
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