A Chance Encounter That Changed Everything

Discovering Cohousing & Agrihood Living by Accident

For Rusanne, joining Burns Village & Farm wasn’t something she had planned.

“I had no intention of joining Burns Village and Farm. But then I ran into John Patrick at Earth Day, and I just kind of stumbled upon this idea of cohousing and agrihoods.”

She was drawn in by the vision of communal care, sustainability, and access to fresh food. Living steps away from the farm means waking up to the scent of fresh herbs, picking your own produce for dinner, and knowing exactly where your food comes from, every single day. But the real turning point?

“I went to a meeting and I loved all the people. Well, most of the people,” she laughs. “I thought, ‘Wow, this is a group of like-minded individuals. This could be something I’m interested in.’”

Like many who first heard about cohousing, Rusanne didn’t immediately see herself in this lifestyle. However, through small steps, like attending a virtual information session and then a site visit, and finally meeting the community, she found herself intrigued and ready to become a member.