Virtual Communes - Better than the real thing!

I was recently added to a "secret" group on facebook (I didn't know these existed, so they are REALLY secret!) that is comprised of some folks from the area that are into homesteading and other activities.

It is SO inspiring, most of my friends just have this "Oh, she's at it again," attitude about my "hobby farm" and it has been so exciting to have a group of people who are really into a sustainable lifestyle as well.

We have begun to schedule big events on a voluntary basis and are excited to pool our products at the winter markets coming up, at big group swaps and attending ag. extension classes.

I learn so much from these people and everyone is so inspiring, and I don't have to share property with them or get sick of them! I don't even live all that close to the group, which I think is great. We all can manage our property our way and still help the one another.

Next year two members will raise turkeys for the group, some will raise meat chickens, we have 2 people who raise meat rabbits, I will be raising ducks and providing hatching eggs to those who want ducks as garden helpers, etc. It is so wonderful because I thought I would have to add turkeys over the next few years to my flock, but like how small and manageable my little yard is now. Now, problem solved. We meet every month - if we feel like it - and bring things we have too much of to trade with others - canned goods, laundry soap, candles, etc. It is a wonderful alternate economy. We also usually pick a group project that is lead by one or two people who have more experience than others. For example, we're doing a rooster culling day in 2 weeks, I am the only one who has done this and the rest are too nervous to do it alone the first time. Everyone is kicking in a few things they have made to trade for my help.

Have other people tried this kind of thing? Am just I late to the Virtual Commune party?

The thing I am most excited about is next spring, we're going to do a series of coop raising parties (or fence raising, or what have you) to help one another make our set ups bigger and better - we'll need to to raise the animals for one another. It has made me like facebook again. That alone is incredible.