We are happy to announce that the Utah OSR Land Cooperative is closed and in our name. Their plat map should be completed in a few days. Preparation and the construction of agricultural buildings will start immediately. Brenda Christensen, Joseph & Kalea Scelso, and Mark Miner will be the first to have their homes constructed and we salute them as trailblazers.

Others such as the Jones, Goodsons, Kilpatricks, Sampsons,  the Weavers, and others are right behind them. The bulk purchase for Sol-Ark is being coordinated this week, so if you have not been notified, please contact me or Erik Eades.

Also, “1st Call,” a preferred vendor is providing 9.5’x 8’x 40’ shipping containers at a discounted rate for shareholders. These storage units are being staged, prepped, painted and in some cases loaded with one's personal property while waiting for homes to be sold and or built.

The Academy has begun hosting the Path Coaching Sessions for Utah OSR Land Cooperative Members and subscribers to the Path Series on Tuesday nights. (see scheduling on Facebook) These sessions will incorporate 6-10 families with a facilitator. Topics discussed include those found in the Path Series and topics or questions related to creating individual transition plans. This is a great opportunity to get to know your future neighbors, ask questions, and share with one another.

All in all, the Utah OSR Land Cooperative is coming alive. Tours of the Ranch continue on Saturdays with interest growing each week. The Path Series Webinars on Thursday nights, and the Introduction Presentations on Wednesday nights. Furthermore, Tuesday nights are filled with multiple OSR Coaching/Focus Groups. We salute all those that are making the OSR Initiative a reality. Thank you, each and every one of you.

God speed,
Philip J. Gleason
Director

COMMUNICATIONS AT THE RANCH

Will we still have internet access out there?

What's the plan for emergency communications?

Will I be able to use my cell phone?

You've got questions, and we've got answers! Join us this Thursday!

*Please note that after you register, you will receive an email invitation with a website link and info with instructions on how to view the live webinar.

Do you have a gift, talent or experience with being self-reliant that you could share among us?

If so, we invite you to submit an article to be published in the Academy Newsletter. To help you submit your article, Coleen Gleason, one of our editors, will be happy to assist you. You can contact her or send your articles to her at coleen@academyosr.com. Upon review and acceptance, you will be notified when your article will be published.

Thank you for sharing!

Here's what we've got going on!

Want to learn how to achieve greater self-reliance in our 250-family modern homesteading community? Then check out our Intro Meetings where we discuss what you can do, and where to start!

Would you like a personal tour of the site of a 250-family homestead community being built on the Utah OSR Land Co-op's 1,245-acre Riverbed Ranch in Juab County, Utah? Then join us for our Munch & Mingle Tour! We'll show you what we're doing now, and what we have planned for the future!

For more details and information about each of our events, click the button to visit our Events Page.

Join us this June for our very first tree planting event!
 
There are several projects happening at the Riverbed Ranch involving planting trees and shrubs to begin regenerating the soil and providing forage for bees in areas around the Welcome Center, the 40 acre Special Projects Center (The Academy Campus, Rescue Home, Therapy Barn, etc.), and eventually the future Green Belt/Waterway. Initial planting projects will begin where water is already available to keep plants alive, and many plants and cuttings are already being gathered to get this started!
 
In mid-June, 2020, we will be inviting OSR shareholders AND the interested public to come to the Riverbed Ranch for a 1-day mass tree planting event. The primary goal of this 1-day event is to plant 2,020 trees and shrubs in one day, and of course, the secondary goals include socializing and gathering public interest in regenerative agriculture and the mission of the Academy of Self-Reliance and Utah Land Co-Op!
 
Crowdfunding and Advertising campaigns are launching soon to gather funds and participants. There is additional help needed, of course! Below is one specific role we are looking to fill, but of course this 1-day event will only be accomplished with many helping hands.

Please contact Sarah Vezzani at loftium4@gmail.com if you are interested in filling the below role or would like to help in other ways.
 
POINT PERSON NEEDED FOR DAY-OF FESTIVITIES:

Responsibilities include planning and coordinating the people-related logistics of the day: checking participants in, distributing water bottles and T-shirts, directing families to different stations (rest areas with snacks, bathrooms, baby changing/feeding area), ensuring everyone has necessary equipment (and training if needed!) to help out, organizing activities for younger children, and entertainment (can simply be music playing - we have a volunteer for supplying the sound system)

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Have you heard? We're building a ropes course!

The Academy OSR Ropes Course will offer a unique series of team-building exercises that will have a variety of activities and programs that will challenge you, your friends, family, coworkers, and teammates to master challenges and conquer fears.

This state-of-the-art facility incorporates a continuous belay system that provides for maximum safety as participants learn and internalize concepts such as:

• problem-solving   • leadership skills   • communication   • self-confidence

. . . and so much more! We truly believe this will bless the lives of the young, and the not-so-young. 

GRANT UPDATE: We have completed the preliminary two steps necessary to qualify for committee consideration for a grant from the State of Utah for the Ropes Course. We finished the application and the final committee will meet May 6-7 to determine who will be awarded for this year.

Are you on social media? Then let's connect!

We'd love to have you join our Facebook Group, where we post about upcoming events and meetings where you and your friends can learn more about what we're doing! It's a great and easy way to help spread the word!

We are in the process of providing a discount for solar-energy equipment.  We have selected Sol-Ark as a supplier.

To increase our discounts, we are needing to combine our purchases.  We can get improved discounts if we place an order for 10 or more units.  And at 20 or more units, we receive an even larger discount.

If you are thinking of purchasing solar-energy equipment, whether for your new home, existing home, friend’s home, camping, etc…, please fill out our online questionnaire so that we can combine our orders and get big savings.

This is not a commitment to purchase at this time.  We are only getting a list of potential buyers.