Building Community and Sustainability: How Rooted Northwest is Creating a Revolutionary Co-Housing Farm Model
In episode #896 of the Urban Farm podcast, host Greg Peterson interviews Dave Boehnlein, who is pioneering an innovative approach to sustainable living and farming through permaculture and regenerative design. Dave shares the inspiring story of Rooted Northwest, a 240-acre project in Arlington, Washington that combines co-housing communities with regenerative agriculture to create what he calls an “agri village.”
Dave’s journey into permaculture began in 2002 when a chance encounter in Panama changed the trajectory of his life. After studying natural resources and working in environmental education, he discovered permaculture and was immediately drawn to its holistic approach. This led him to the Bullocks Permaculture Homestead on Orcas Island, where he spent seven years learning and teaching before co-authoring the book “Practical Permaculture.”
The heart of the interview focuses on Rooted Northwest, an ambitious project built on three pillars: farmland preservation with regenerative agriculture, intentional community living through co-housing, and education. Dave explains how they’re creating a model that preserves 93% of the farmland while building two neighborhoods totaling 70 homes, all made possible by working with local government to create a new “Rural Village Housing Demonstration Program.”
What makes this project particularly compelling is how it addresses multiple contemporary challenges. The co-housing component directly confronts what the Surgeon General has called “the epidemic of loneliness and isolation” by creating intentional spaces for community interaction. Meanwhile, the agricultural model supports nine farmers practicing everything from no-till farming to culinary herb production, providing infrastructure that would be financially prohibitive for individual farmers.
Currently, Rooted Northwest is at a critical juncture – they have preliminary plat approval and are seeking both future residents and social impact investors to bring the vision to life. Dave’s passion is palpable as he describes the possibilities: farmers supported by community members who can help with websites and event planning, tech workers taking breaks to weed carrot beds, and shared meals in the common house.
Throughout the interview, Dave articulates a profound philosophy about the power of community-scale solutions versus individual efforts. “Human beings have never been super successful at ‘I’m gonna do it all by myself,’” he notes, advocating for self-reliance at the community level rather than the individual level. His vision for Rooted Northwest exemplifies this principle – creating a place where diverse skills and resources are shared, strengthening resilience for everyone involved.
This episode offers listeners a blueprint for reimagining rural development, addressing food security, and building meaningful community connections – all through the lens of permaculture design. Whether you’re interested in sustainable agriculture, innovative housing models, or creating resilient local communities, this episode provides both practical insights and inspirational vision from someone who’s putting these principles into action.
For more information visit RootedNW.org
