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.