Cohousing is not a commune, a timeshare, or a development where everything is shared. At Burns Village & Farm, each household will own its own private home and land, with full independence to live as they choose. The community is designed to encourage connection, not require it and residents will decide how much or how little they want to participate in shared meals, activities, or farming.
One of the most exciting things about life at Burns Village & Farm is that residents get the best of both worlds when it comes to farming. While our community is rooted in the traditions of an agrihood, a neighborhood built around shared farmland, it doesn’t mean every member is required to wake up at dawn to harvest vegetables or tend to crops. Instead, we’ve adopted a model that makes fresh, organic food accessible without making farming a full-time job for anyone but the professional farmer we employ to care for the land.
Every community begins with a vision, and the founding members of Burns Village and Farm are excited to share the concept plan for Burns Village & Farm. This marks a major step forward in shaping our dream of a thriving, intentional village surrounded by farmland and preserved landscapes.
If you’ve ever considered living in a place where neighbors know one another, meals are created together, and a farm is part of daily life, then Burns Village & Farm might feel like home. Located just outside of Nashville, this intentional community blends cohousing with a professionally run working farm, creating a lifestyle that’s sustainable, connected, and grounded in shared values.
When you meet Kathleen, you quickly sense a life lived in service, reflection, and community. A retired hospital chaplain and social worker, a Quaker, and now a part-time seamstress, Kathleen has spent decades weaving together threads of connection, in her work, in her spiritual life, and now at Burns Village & Farm.
We believe choosing this lifestyle is not just about where you live, but how deeply your surroundings support your well-being. Let’s explore five surprising, research-backed health benefits of living in a natural setting; Nature Strengthens Your Immune System, Nature Restores Mental Clarity, Nature Reconnects Our Microbiome, Nature Inspires Awe (and Connection), and Nature Heals Through Sound
In reflecting on his family’s history, Eric, a Burns Village & Farm member, shares a story that spans multiple generations, each one experiencing a gradual shift away from deep-rooted community living. What once was a way of life built on interdependence has, over time, given way to more isolated lifestyles.
At Burns Village & Farm, we dream of sharing meals in our Community House, the air filled with the scent of herbs just picked from the garden, neighbors laughing over steaming bowls of fresh, seasonal food. Here’s a taste of what we imagine we’ll cook together, three simple, nourishing recipes inspired by the vegetables we’ll grow right here on our land. Garden-Fresh Vegetable Frittata, Charred Vegetable & Herb Past, Roasted Root Vegetable & Kale Salad
On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Burns Village & Farm had the honor of serving as the Presenting (Diamond) Sponsor of Local Table: TN Local Food’s Summer Supper at Hachland Hill Retreat. Hosted by TN Local Food, this fundraising dinner brought together farmers, chefs, educators, and community leaders committed to strengthening Tennessee’s local food movement.
Imagine waking up to the sound of a stream trickling nearby. The morning light filters through a canopy of trees, the air feels fresh and clean, and there’s a quiet hum of life all around you. This isn’t just a pretty picture; it’s a way of life that science says is genuinely good for your body and mind.
Donna, a member of Burns Village & Farm, has a personal vision, a thriving medicinal garden filled with plants that heal, soothe, and nourish in her yard at Burns Village and Farm. Luckily, the climate in Burns, Tennessee, offers the perfect conditions for such a garden to flourish.