________________________since 1965____________________________
Heathcote
Community Farm and Education Center
Our Journey and Destination
School of Living
The School of Living was started by Dr. Ralph Borsodi in the depths of the Great Depression of the 1930s. Mildren Loomis, “the grandmother of the counter-culture”, established Heathcote as School of Living’s national headquarters in the 1960s.
School of Living is now a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational organization and community land trust with six land trust communities in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The Heathcote Education Center is a fiscally sponsored entity of School of Living, now focused on educational and inclusive activities that promote sustainability and social justice.
Our Education Center
The Heathcote Mill was constructed in 1842 by Thomas Wantland as a grist or grain mill. It was purchased in 1862 by Martin Heathcote, giving this historic building its name. Currently, the mill is undergoing renovation to serve as an education center with indoor classroom space for workshops.
This year, we will be conducting a series of outdoor educational activities on our farm including permaculture workshops, community gardening, farming internships, and more. But we still need your help to complete our indoor space for workshops. You can help.
Membership
Since the 1960s, Heathcote has been a member and donor supported organization with a 44-acre center. Resident members serve as faculty and staff of the education center and have full access to the site. Non-resident member benefits can include community garden space, project participation, and social gatherings.
Residents have a choice of three residential spaces, including our strawbale house, Polaris, and the Farmhouse.
Educational Activities for 2025
Activities
We schedule workshops and volunteer days centered around environmental education, sustainability, permaculture, holistic health, nutrition, and garden projects. The Heathcote Education Center, a fiscally-sponsored project of the School of Living, helps our community be of service to the larger society by offering opportunities for participatory active learning.
Our 2025 schedule has not been set. Check our calendar below for upcoming offerings.
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Community Day
Heathcote sponsors child-friendly day events and always needs help. Our Community Days, featuring a volunteer project, potluck lunch, and tour of the property, are scheduled on the second Saturday of the month in 2025. Use our community day contact form to learn about availabilities and activities.
The volunteer work is needed, and the activities are meant to be educational. Community Day provides an opportunity to let you meet us, experience our farm and education center, and participate in our community.
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The Land
Heathcote is located in Piscataway territory on 44 acres of forest, stream, and farm land. Accessible all year long, take a walk in nature, sit by the running stream that feeds Bee Tree Run, or tend the garden plot you have planted and will harvest. We have a small community farm with several organic vegetable, herb, and flower gardens; hiking trails; and stream-side hammocks.
Residency homes are in secluded forest areas, safe for children and pets, highway-close for commuters. Events in 2025 will be outdoor activities for people of all ages.
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For more about the calendar of upcoming workshops and events: See our Facebook and Instagram pages linked at the icons at the bottom of the page.
Upcoming events:
- Our 2025 Community Days will be on the second Saturday of each month.
- Our outdoor workshops are coming soon!
News at Heathcote:
We recently updated our mission statement:
Heathcote is an intentional community, farm and education center that works towards social transformation through
holistic self care, cooperative economics, earth care, spirituality, and experiential learning.
The New Heathcote Education Center
Heathcote aims to expand resident and community activity at its sustainable living center through urban and rural initiatives, outdoor activities, and renovation of the old mill into a new education center.
Major focus areas for Heathcote will include hosting permaculture workshops, community gardening opportunities, and farming internships.