Magic Forest Main House Restoration

Keeping the magic alive…

The house was already old and worn when the folks from Berkeley first arrived back in the late 60’s. It was the only house on the property. It was the main house. It has been a communal house ever since.

The dream of a new Magic Forest Farm main house is as old as the Farm itself. The building that nearly fulfilled that dream was destroyed by fire in 1976. Since then, while the Farm has aged and evolved, the original main house, patched up and expanded, has remained the heart and core of MFF.

It is still the people’s house; a communal kitchen; a place to process and store garden produce, do laundry, take baths, pick up mail; a place for meetings and parties; a frequent gathering place for our community of friends and family. It remains an important part of daily living at the Farm.

This humble house, home of so many stories and so much living, is now, literally, composting into the ground. To quote long-time Takilma resident and respected elder Helen Kauffman…” at some point, it gets so funky, you just have to deal.” We are at that point. With tree roots buckling the floor, and water dripping from the ceiling, the time has come to deal.

We love the Farm and want it to continue to be a communal/cooperative place to live and gather, for us, for our community, and for future magic farmers. Having a shared main house is a core part of that vision. So, our plan is to refurbish/remodel/rebuild most of the house while maintaining use of its key functions. We plan to do this in stages as time and resources allow. We have already started the first phase of the project.

Yes, it is necessary. Yes, it will be difficult. And yes, we will need help.

Many friends and neighbors have already pledged their support. If you too feel some affection for that heroic little house at the heart of the magic forest, and care about the future of the Farm, and have some resources or energy to contribute to keeping the magic alive, please contact using the contact button below or donate here.