East Wind Community is an income sharing community, whose land, labor, and resources are held in common by its members. Founded in 1974, it continues growing and changing while staying true to the ideals that inspired its founding.
East Wind is a proud member of the Federation of Egalitarian Communities. We are one of six egalitarian communities that have joined together with a common vision to create a lifestyle based on equality, cooperation, and harmony with the Earth.
East Wind community is owned and operated by its members, who share all income and expenses, and are communally responsible for all the needs of the community members, including food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, and other needs and amenities. East Wind is more than just a cooperative business. East Wind is a community of nearly seventy idealistic individuals living and working together; it is a farm with thriving gardens, orchards, a ranch, and a sustainable forestry program situated on over 1,000 acres in the Missouri Ozarks; and it is a way of life that emphasizes cooperation, equality, and personal freedom.
All members are equal co-owners of our businesses, our land, and our other assets. We make decisions as a community, and members are able to discuss and vote on all of the decisions we make. All of the profits made from our businesses are held in common and allotted into annual budgets discussed and agreed upon by the members of the community. Members vote on annual budgets for things like our yearly kitchen expenses, medical expenses, agricultural expenses, recreational expenses, etc. Our businesses, primarily East Wind Nut Butters, provide a comfortable lifestyle for all of our members and supply the finances needed for our many pursuits.
All of community is expected to help out with our businesses. From working in our offices, our factory or our warehouse, all East Winders are expected to do what needs to be done to keep our businesses running smoothly. Whatever the role, all receive the same salary and benefits, and we treat each other with mutual respect.
We hope that our cooperative model sets an example that will inspire others. To learn more about East Wind Community, please visit our community website here.