Newsletter—Meeting the Community at Nashville Earth Day
BVF members John & Rebecca at our Earth Day booth
We were excited to be part of Nashville Earth Day on April 18 at the Centennial Park Bandshell. This event brought the Nashville community together to celebrate our planet and support sustainability in Middle Tennessee, with more than 75 exhibitors including local growers, nonprofits, sustainable small businesses, and more.
It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with families and share what we're building at Burns Village and Farm. With 17 acres of protected land and sustainable farming practices at the heart of our community, BVF is more than a neighborhood. It's a commitment to living lighter on the land. We loved talking with people who care about conservation just as much as we do and showing them how a green lifestyle and genuine community connection can go hand in hand.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth. If we met you there and you'd like to learn more, we'd love to keep the conversation going! Join us for an upcoming Zoom information session or RSVP for a site tour to roam our lovely property.
Around the Table: Shared Meals in Cohousing
Many cohousing communities include shared meals as part of everyday life. Several Burns Village & Farm members have previously lived in cohousing communities, and we asked Barb and John what common meals were like where they lived.
This is Part 3 of a 3-part series exploring community meals in cohousing.
Part 3: Where the Community Happens
While shared meals make life easier, many cohousing residents say the real value is what happens around the table.
At Blueberry Hill, John remembers that every meal brought a slightly different mix of neighbors. “Every meal you’d end up sitting with a different set of neighbors, talking about world events or personal experiences,” he says. “It made for an interesting dynamic over good food.”
Over time, traditions naturally developed. Holiday meals became annual favorites—corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day, King cake for Mardi Gras, and community barbecues on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day.
Children added their own energy to the gatherings. “With little people in the community,” John recalls, “there would often be spontaneous skits or songs that would pop up amongst giggling and jostling.”
Even when people couldn’t meet in person, the sense of connection continued. During the pandemic, Barb’s community experimented with “cook-alongs.” Neighbors shared ingredients ahead of time and then logged on together to cook the same recipe in their own kitchens. The meals were wonderfully varied—one evening featured a Vietnamese dish, another included learning how to make a Korean fried egg, and another time the group baked fresh baguettes together.
For many people who have experienced cohousing, shared meals are where community truly takes shape—through conversation, laughter, traditions, and the simple act of gathering together.
At Burns Village & Farm, we look forward to creating our own traditions around the table. If you’re curious about life in a farm-centered cohousing community, we’d love to meet you at an upcoming intro session.
Find Us Saturday at Nashville Earth Day
Each year, Nashville Earth Day Festival brings together thousands to celebrate sustainability, community, and care for the planet—and Burns Village & Farm will be there again this year on Saturday, April 18.
Held in Centennial Park, the festival is a lively gathering of local organizations, growers, makers and neighbors, with opportunities to learn, connect, and be inspired. Alongside booths and speakers, you’ll also find live music and great local food, making it a fun and welcoming day for all.
We’re excited to host a table and connect with others curious about cohousing, shared living, and land stewardship. Come by, say hello, and learn more about what we’re building at Burns Village & Farm.
And if you’d like to go deeper, join us the next day for a site visit in Burns. Walking the land together offers a real sense of what’s possible!
“All flourishing is mutual.” — Robin Wall Kimmerer
With spring unfolding all around us, this truth feels especially visible. New growth doesn’t happen in isolation—it's the result of countless quiet relationships: soil and seed, rain and root, sun and leaf.
At Burns Village & Farm, this idea is more than philosophy—it’s a way of living. When we invest in one another, in the land, and in the systems that sustain us, we all grow stronger together. Flourishing isn’t individual; it’s a collective act.
Ready to Begin?
Join us for an event or sign up for an info session to discover how Burns Village & Farm is redefining modern living
Newsletter—Around the Table: Shared Meals in Cohousing, Part 2
Many cohousing communities include shared meals as part of everyday life. Several Burns Village & Farm members have previously lived in cohousing communities, and we asked Barb and John what common meals were like where they lived.
This is Part 2 of a 3-part series exploring community meals in cohousing.
Part 2: Always Too Many Desserts
Not every cohousing community organizes meals the same way. Some keep things more casual—and sometimes a little more delicious.
Neighbors typically signed up in advance so the host knew how many people were coming, but the atmosphere stayed informal. Sometimes two or three households would take responsibility for a meal. Other times someone would simply announce they were cooking something and invite everyone over.
There were also special occasions. Super Bowl Sunday might turn into a community gathering. On another night, someone might decide to cook lasagna for the whole group. The flexibility made it easy for people to participate in ways that worked for them.
Potluck culture had one funny side effect. “When you’re at a potluck, you feel like you have to try a little of everything,” Barb laughs. “If there are three desserts, you try all three.” After leaving cohousing, she joked that she actually lost ten pounds.
The meals were plentiful, but what people really remember is the sense of sharing. Everyone contributed something, whether it was a dish, conversation, or simply showing up to enjoy the evening together.
At Burns Village & Farm, shared meals will likely evolve in their own way—shaped by the interests and creativity of the people who live here. Future residents will help decide how often meals happen, what form they take, and how the tradition grows over time.
Find Us Saturday at Nashville Earth Day
Each year, Nashville Earth Day Festival brings together thousands to celebrate sustainability, community, and care for the planet—and Burns Village & Farm will be there again this year on Saturday, April 18.
Held in Centennial Park, the festival is a lively gathering of local organizations, growers, makers and neighbors, with opportunities to learn, connect, and be inspired. Alongside booths and speakers, you’ll also find live music and great local food, making it a fun and welcoming day for all.
We’re excited to host a table and connect with others curious about cohousing, shared living, and land stewardship. Come by, say hello, and learn more about what we’re building at Burns Village & Farm.
And if you’d like to go deeper, join us the next day for a site visit in Burns. Walking the land together offers a real sense of what’s possible!
“All flourishing is mutual.” — Robin Wall Kimmerer
With spring unfolding all around us, this truth feels especially visible. New growth doesn’t happen in isolation—it's the result of countless quiet relationships: soil and seed, rain and root, sun and leaf.
At Burns Village & Farm, this idea is more than philosophy—it’s a way of living. When we invest in one another, in the land, and in the systems that sustain us, we all grow stronger together. Flourishing isn’t individual; it’s a collective act.
Ready to Begin?
Join us for an event or sign up for an info session to discover how Burns Village & Farm is redefining modern living
Newsletter—Around the Table: Shared Meals in Cohousing
Many cohousing communities include shared meals as part of everyday life. Several Burns Village & Farm members have previously lived in cohousing communities, and we asked Barb and John what common meals were like where they lived.
This is Part 1 of a 3-part series exploring community meals in cohousing.
Part 1: You Don’t Have to Cook Every Night
Our member Barb hard at work!
One of the most practical benefits of cohousing is something simple: you don’t have to cook every night.
In many cohousing communities, shared meals are part of the weekly rhythm. At Blueberry Hill Cohousing, John remembers that common meals happened several times a week. “We averaged two or three meals weekly,” he says, “usually two dinners during the week and a potluck breakfast on Saturday morning.”
The system was surprisingly straightforward. One person—or sometimes a small team—would propose a menu and recruit a few helpers. The meal would be posted in advance so neighbors could RSVP, giving the cook an idea of how much food to buy. A couple of hours before dinner, the cooking team would gather in the common house kitchen to prepare the meal together.
Households would complete a line on the bulletin board form saying how many people from each household attended so the cost of ingredients could be divided fairly. Every month or so, neighbors would settle up their meal tabs.
The real advantage of the system was how it spread the work around. With many cooks sharing responsibility, individuals only found themselves serving up the meal every so often. Most nights you simply showed up, enjoyed a good meal, and spent time with neighbors.
Of course, every cohousing community develops its own approach to shared meals. Some are highly organized, while others are more casual. Burns Village & Farm will decide together what works best for our community—and future members will help shape that rhythm.
If the idea of shared meals and neighborly connection resonates with you, consider joining us for an upcoming information session to learn more about Burns Village & Farm.
Building a Resilient Community
What helps a community weather challenges, adapt to change, and stay connected over time? At Burns Village & Farm we believe that resilience doesn’t just happen—it’s something communities intentionally build.
Rebecca speaking at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tullahoma
BVF member, Rebecca Selove, recently gave a talk at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tullahoma titled “Governing to Build Resilient Community.” In it, she explored how the way a group organizes itself—its governance—can strengthen the resilience of a community.
Resilient communities are able to navigate disagreements, respond to unexpected challenges, and adapt as circumstances change. Rebecca emphasized that governance plays an important role in this. Clear agreements about how decisions are made, how responsibilities are shared, and how people communicate can help communities stay grounded even when things become difficult.
As she explains in the talk, “Governance is how we organize ourselves to accomplish what we care about together.”
For a forming cohousing community like Burns Village & Farm, these ideas are especially relevant. We are not only imagining homes and shared spaces—we are also building the social structures that will support the community over time. The ways we learn to make decisions together, communicate openly, and build trust today will help determine how resilient our neighborhood can be in the future.
Rebecca’s talk offers a thoughtful reminder that strong governance isn’t just about process—it’s about creating the conditions for a community to thrive, adapt, and endure.
Interested in diving deeper into these ideas? Rebecca’s full talk is available here.
February’s Meet the Members Lunch
The BVF gang at the Taproom lunch in February
In February, our members came together for a lively Saturday lunch at the 51st Street Tap Room! It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up, share stories, and connect over good food.
Joining us at these lunches is a great way to meet fellow members, learn more about Burns Village & Farm, and experience the community in a relaxed, social setting. Everyone—current and prospective members—is welcome!
Ready to Begin?
Join us for an event or sign up for an info session to discover how Burns Village & Farm is redefining modern living
Newsletter—Surviving Winter Storm Fern Together at Burns Village
Surviving the Freeze, Like Blueberry Bushes in Winter
Winter storm Fern gave many of our members a week to remember. For some, it meant hunkering down at home as roads became impassable. For others, it meant finding warmth in a neighbor’s heated home to escape single-digit temperatures without power. It was a difficult—and at times unsettling—stretch. And it reminded us why we’re building Burns Village & Farm in the first place: because community isn’t abstract.
Our frozen blueberry patch hibernating for the winter
It shows up in moments like these, when people check on one another, share resources, and make sure no one is weathering the storm alone. Despite our cold fingers and spotty internet connections, we were able to stay connected as a community without even leaving home: texting, phone calls, and Zoom get-togethers, nourishing our community spirit and making plans for when the great melt would finally let us gather in person once more! Like our previously snow-covered blueberry patch, we were quietly gathering energy beneath the surface, ready to bloom when the sun returns.
We’ve been busy making plans for our future community, when getting snowed in means shoveling our way from our front doors to the Common House, turning a stormy day into games, movies and creative projects. A place where you’re never more than a few steps from support, friendship, or a warm conversation, even on the iciest days of the year. We’re already picturing sharing hot cocoa and warming up our hearts through the cold, cold winter, together!
What Are Intentional Communities and How Do Their Members Make Group Decisions?
An intentional community is a model for living that, at its heart, is about living with purpose with like-minded people. Intentional communities can be based around socializing, working together, sustainability, or other ways of living in close connection with others. They generally have a central theme, agreements or core values that everybody agrees upon.
Cohousing, like Burns Village & Farm, is one type of intentional community, where our shared values include sustainability and group decision-making. Every community, big or small, needs a way to make decisions or navigate conflicts. The way we do so is with “agreements”.
The graphic above depicts the process we have for developing community agreements about our shared spaces and lifestyle. We ask for and encourage community input on decisions that affect us all, such as a pet policy, smoking in shared spaces, and steps for addressing any potential conflicts. These agreements allow us to address concerns, questions or conflicts regarding any aspect of our shared life in a smooth and guided way.
Honoring the Past, Cultivating the Future
This photo, captured by our friend Sheila, looks out from the eastern edge of the 17-acre property we currently have under contract. It’s land with a story: it’s been lovingly cared for by the same family for three generations. Their commitment to preserving agricultural land inspires us and entwines itself with our own hopes for the future of Burns Village & Farm.
Together, we envision this acreage continuing to serve as working farmland, stewarded in ways that not only produce nourishing food but also restore health to the soil. Our goal is to help lease portions of the land to farmers whose practices prioritize regeneration, sustainability, and long-term care for the earth. As we live off the land, so too can we give back to it.
Ready to Begin?
Join us for an event or sign up for an info session to discover how Burns Village & Farm is redefining modern living
Why Tom & Sandy Chose Burns Village & Farm
Sandy first discovered cohousing more than 25 years ago while raising her three boys in a small Missouri subdivision. Surrounded by chain-link fences and cookie-cutter houses, she sensed that life could be lived differently, more connected, more supportive, more joyful.
A Long-Held Vision
Sandy first discovered cohousing more than 25 years ago while raising her three boys in a small Missouri subdivision. Surrounded by chain-link fences and cookie-cutter houses, she sensed that life could be lived differently, more connected, more supportive, more joyful. When she stumbled across the concept of cohousing online, she was captivated. For years, it remained a “back-shelf dream,” but never disappeared.
By 2023, the timing was finally right. With their children grown and financial logistics aligned, Sandy once again began searching, and that’s when she found Burns Village & Farm. The rural setting, the emphasis on community, and the concept of an agrihood sealed the deal.
“It was new to me, and I got really, really excited because everything was just kind of perfect about it at that point,” she recalls.
Building Connection, One Porch and One Table at a Time
For Tom, cohousing took a little more convincing. At first, he admits he thought it was “hippie commune weirdness.” But over time, Sandy’s patience and his own reflections shifted his perspective.
Two things changed his mind: porches and tables.
“The front porch shouts community and welcome,” Tom says. “You can’t sit out on your front porch and not engage with a neighbor walking by. And then there’s the dining room table, so many conversations, values, and memories are built there. At Burns Village & Farm, the common house feels like one big dining table for everyone.”
Aging in Place, Welcoming the Future
Sandy and Tom are deeply drawn to the idea of aging in place within a multigenerational community. For Sandy, that includes offering support to younger families, whether babysitting a neighbor’s child or simply being present for a new mom who needs a break.
Tom points to the research on loneliness among older adults. “Relationships are key. Building and maintaining friendships over the rest of your life is essential. Cohousing creates those natural, daily connections.”
Food, Farming, and Shared Work
A big part of Sandy’s excitement centers around food and sustainability. From preparing healthy, home-cooked meals together to sharing skills like composting and gardening, she sees Burns Village & Farm as a place where nourishment extends far beyond the dinner plate.
“I love to cook, but it gets tiring doing everything just for two. I look forward to preparing meals with others, nutritious, healthy meals that we can share. And when I think about food security, I know we’ll have the farm right here, feeding the community in a sustainable way.”
Finding the Right Place, Together
For both Tom and Sandy, Burns Village & Farm is more than a place to live—it’s a place to belong. After years of waiting, exploring, and imagining, they’ve found a community that matches their values and offers space to grow alongside others.
As Sandy puts it, she’s excited for the simple joys ahead: “Puttering in the garden, walking in nature, making meals, and eating together with friends and neighbors.”
If this interview peaked your interest, take the next step and schedule a free virtual information session with John, a founding member of Burns Village & Farm
Ready to Begin?
Join us for an event or become an explorer to discover how Burns Village & Farm is redefining modern living
November 26th at 7:00 - 8:00 pm (CT)
December 7th at 2:00 - 3:30 pm
December 20th at 12:30 - 1:30
Meet Some BV&F Founding Members
At Burns Village & Farm, our vision is to cultivate a community where neighbors are more than just acquaintances—they become an extended family. As we embark on this journey, we'd like to introduce you to some of our founding members whose diverse backgrounds and shared passions are shaping the foundation of our cohousing agrihood.
At Burns Village & Farm, our vision is to cultivate a community where neighbors are more than just acquaintances—they become an extended family. As we embark on this journey, we'd like to introduce you to some of our founding members whose diverse backgrounds and shared passions are shaping the foundation of our cohousing agrihood.
Meet John & Rebecca
John and Rebecca are no strangers to cohousing and sustainable living. Having spent seven years at Blueberry Hill Cohousing, they know firsthand the power of collaboration, shared responsibility, and community connection.
Meet Rebecca
🌱 Background: Grew up on a dairy farm in West Virginia.
📚 Career: Psychologist and public health researcher.
🏡 CoHousing Experience: Former Blueberry Hill Cohousing resident.
🍲 Passions: Cooking with fresh ingredients, community meals, and landscaping.
Rebecca brings a deep commitment to holistic well-being—from mental health to sustainable living. She looks forward to sharing meals, engaging in community gardening, and fostering meaningful connections at Burns Village & Farm.
Meet John
🌿 Background: Raised on a farm in Arkansas.
🌎 Career: Retired from the Environmental Protection Agency; currently a School Board Member in Cheatham County.
🌞 Sustainability Focus: Installed solar panels in local schools, secured a USDA Farm to School Grant.
⚾ Fun Fact: Lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan!
John is passionate about sustainability and education. His work with school solar projects and farm-to-school programs aligns perfectly with the mission of Burns Village & Farm. Alongside Rebecca, he envisions a community that supports regenerative agriculture, environmental responsibility, and lifelong learning.
Why We’re Building Burns Village & Farm
A Vision for Community & Sustainability
For Rebecca and John, founding members of Burns Village & Farm, cohousing isn’t a new idea—it’s a way of life they deeply believe in. Having lived in Blueberry Hill Cohousing near Washington, D.C., they experienced firsthand the benefits of intentional community living and sustainable farming.
“We moved down to Tennessee to be closer to John’s children and grandchildren, but we quickly realized we missed cohousing. We wanted to create a Tennessee version of Blueberry Hill.”
With a commitment to sustainability and a desire to preserve farmland, they decided to start their own cohousing community near Nashville—a place where people can live closer to the land, to their food, and to each other.
-Built-in community for deeper connections
-A farm that provides fresh, organic food
-More sustainable living with fewer resources wasted
For those searching for cohousing near Nashville, Burns Village & Farm is a model for a healthier, more connected way of living.
Diane: A Love for Nature, Community, and Pickles
Diane has called Tennessee home since the 1980s, though her Long Island roots still influence her cooking—especially her dream of making New York-style deli pickles from fresh farm cucumbers!
🏞️ Passions: Hiking, gardening, and restoring native Tennessee plants.
🐾 Companion: Her Yorkipoo, Teddy (the unofficial Burns Village mascot!).
♻️ Sustainability Focus: Habitat restoration and conservation.
Diane is excited about living in a vibrant, multi-generational community where she can share her knowledge of native plants, enjoy morning farm strolls, and participate in yoga at the common house. She envisions Burns Village & Farm as a place where residents can enjoy both social connection and peaceful solitude.
“I grew up in a neighborhood where people truly looked out for each other. I want to recreate that sense of support and community here.”
A Neighborhood That Felt Like Home
Diane Scher grew up in a small, close-knit community in New York, where kids could roam freely, eat dinner at their friends’ houses, and parents never had to worry. But as she moved through life, that sense of true community became harder to find.
“I never found that again after we moved. When I was raising my child in Nashville, everything was so isolated. You go into your garage, close the door, and that’s that.”
This longing for deeper connections, safety, and shared experiences led her to Burns Village & Farm. She wanted to create the type of environment she once knew—where people look out for one another and kids can safely grow up with a village around them.
Burns Village & Farm isn’t just about housing—it’s about reviving the spirit of community in a world that often feels disconnected.
Brian & Barb: A Musical Heart and a Cohousing Spirit
Brian and Barb bring a blend of creativity, experience, and enthusiasm to Burns Village & Farm.
Meet Brian
🥁 Musician at Heart: Started playing drums at 14, joining the Musicians Union.
🛠️ Hands-On Worker: Enjoys juggling multiple projects and staying active.
🌄 Vision for Retirement: Wants to live in nature without feeling isolated.
Meet Barb
🏡 Cohousing Enthusiast: Lived in Germantown Commons CoHousing in Nashville and was involved in a cohousing project in Austin, TX.
🌱 Passions: Gardening, cooking, baking, and canning.
👩🍳 Excited About: Having a real working farm on-site.
Together, Brian and Barb are looking forward to a lifestyle that blends independence with community—where shared spaces, collaborative decision-making, and a farm-to-table lifestyle create a thriving, connected environment.
💬 Why Brian & Barb Chose Burns Village & Farm:
“We love the idea of having our community right outside our door. There’s something incredibly special about living in a place where neighbors are like family.”
For Barbara, living at Burns Village & Farm is about more than just having a home—it’s about reconnecting with nature and being part of a community that values shared experiences.
She imagines a typical day in the village starting with a morning walk on the trails, greeting neighbors, and maybe stopping by the community farm to pick some fresh vegetables. She envisions a school bus stop filled with children and families, making the community a vibrant, intergenerational space.
One of the things she’s most excited about is the opportunity to live in a place where people truly know each other. Whether it’s working together on the farm, gathering for community meals, or simply enjoying the quiet beauty of the land, Burns Village & Farm will be a place where connections happen naturally.
Barbara believes that being surrounded by both nature and a supportive community will enhance her quality of life in a way that traditional neighborhoods never could.
At Burns Village & Farm, she’s looking forward to a slower, more intentional way of living—one that embraces simplicity, sustainability, and the joy of everyday moments.
Discovering a New Way to Live
When Brian O’Hanlon first considered moving to Burns Village Farm, he wasn’t entirely new to the idea of cohousing. His partner had lived in a similar community, and he had previously experienced the beauty of rural living. But there was something about this specific place—a sustainable, community-driven farm near Nashville, Tennessee—that drew him in. Brian also likes the convenient location of Burns Village and Farm which is about a 30-minute drive from Nashville, Tennessee.
Brian is not alone. More and more people are seeking alternatives to traditional neighborhoods and suburban sprawl. Cohousing near Nashville is gaining traction as individuals look for community, sustainability, and a deeper connection to nature.
🌱 Curious about joining? Become an Explorer and meet like-minded individuals at our next online event. As an Explorer, you'll have the chance to engage with our founding members, participate in virtual meet-ups, and help shape the future of Burns Village & Farm.