Alpha Farm records , 1970-2000

As described by its residents and members, "Alpha Farm, nestled in rural western Oregon, is a thriving intentional community founded in 1972. Rooted in a shared vision of harmonious living, Alpha sustains itself through communal enterprises such as a USPS mail contract and organic agriculture. Embracing a family-style ethos, members prioritize social cohesion and spiritual exploration, engaging in diverse practices from consensus meetings to shared celebrations. As stewards of the land, Alpha residents prioritize sustainability, practicing organic farming and mindful resource use. Today, Alpha Farm remains a vibrant example of intentional living, actively sharing its ethos with a broader community seeking holistic lifestyles and meaningful connections."

The community was established in the 1970s by Jim Estes, a newspaper editor, and Caroline Estes, a teacher. Caroline Estes, who was involved in activist movements in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the Free Speech Movement in Berkeley, felt religious inspiration to establish an intentional living community, based on Quaker principles. The Estes, practicing Quakers then living in Pennsylvania, moved west in 1971 to establish Alpha Farm, in Deadwood, Lane County, Oregon. Jim Estes died in 2013, and Caroline Estes in 2022, but both remained active in and de-facto leaders of Alpha Farm until their deaths.

At Alpha Farm, residents share nearly all assets and property. Residents must live and work on the Farm for one year before being eligible to become members. All basic needs of food, housing, toiletries, and clothing provided for everyone. The Farm itself consists of 280 acres of land. There are also no restrictions on spiritual practice, though Quaker traditions endure, or on educational or healthcare practices. Residents and members are required to work for 30-40 hours per week in service to the community.

As described by the residents and members, "Our community operates through consensus decision-making, with all topics openly discussed until agreement is reached. We follow a set of Community Agreements, subject to change for community benefit. Teams oversee specific areas, like gardening and finance for example, making decisions within their domain and presenting proposals to the whole community when needed. Weekly meetings include Business, Regular (2.5), and Important sessions (3.0), ensuring participation from all members." Only members can attend meetings specific to member business, and only members can be a part of decision-making.

By the 2020s, membership at Alpha Farm had dwindled and in 2024-2025, the Farm was closed to visitors and new members while the community underwent restructuring and reform. According to those facilitating this reorganization, the work was meant to "strengthen" the community for the long term. They worked on "refining our practices with input from current members and exploration of external practices to ensure Alpha Farm operates at its greatest potential. This period will focus on deep learning and skill-building in consensus decision-making, facilitation, and mediation, while also enhancing the structure of our internal teams."

Sources: Alpha Farm on the Foundation for Intentional Community website, accessed June 2025, https://www.ic.org/directory/alpha-farm/?srsltid=AfmBOopc4sdthRIV8fqvsT35UpffXgDNwFlYqoF9LAGvkbfURnieUegi Alpha Farm Co-operative website, accessed June 2025, https://www.alphafarmcooperative.com/