Once the construction phase of roads and infrastructure was completed in 2012, SEED created the opportunity for individuals and families who wanted to be part of a sustainable project, to purchase half hectare lots that had been segregated on the property.
Once lots are purchased, 30% of the area can be used to construct sustainable homes and buildings.
Lot owners are required to pay an annual maintenance fee which covers shared road maintenance costs and the cleaning of their lots three times a year. This fee provides lot owners with the privilege of enjoying access to parts of the farm such as walking trails, the lookout, a beautiful waterfall, access to the community ranch and various pools in the river. Currently the annual maintenance fee is $1000 USD/ year due March 1st of each year.
In 2016, one of the SEED founding families began to live full time at SEED to oversee the farm development. Four other lot owners have built or are in the process of completing homes on their lots and live at SEED at various times throughout the year.
Currently over 3 hectares of land is being dedicated to sustainable food production including rice, beans, cassava and plantain production. The integrated farm is a living laboratory, to integrate minor species with agricultural activities within the expertise of the community.
Design of SEEDs project
The property in its totality is comprised of different areas:
Integrated sustainable farm (stables, corrals for sheep, corrals for chickens, ducks and other birds, pig pens, and pastures for cattle grazing.)
Lookout
Trails to waterfall and rivers
Swimming ponds in two rivers
Fruit orchards in full production
Two houses and a warehouse for administration purposes
Approximately 90 hectares of primary and secondary forests with a wide range of biodiversity
As part of the project’s development and the creation of the community, SEED decided to segregate a section of the property for a sustainable farm and to create lots for future lot owners on which to build homes. Each of these lots is segregated and has a value established in accordance with the local market. The SEED company segregated 20 lots, of which 16 have been sold. Four lots are currently available for purchase. There is potential more lots will be segregated in the future. Lots currently cost 62.000 USD, this price included the deed.
Within our conceptualization of environmental and economic sustainability SEED is focused on the following goals:
Property sales providing the opportunity for lot owners to build sustainable homes
Experimentation with the development of various agriculture projects and conduct investigations with respect to sustainable land use