In uncertain times, this tiny home community offers self sufficiency in the spirit of permaculture

A rapidly changing world and growing uncertainty is leaving many Canadians feeling helpless and anxious about the future. The concept of self sufficiency, both at the national and individual levels, is now top-of-mind.

“Big Calm was, in many ways, set up to be both an oasis from the commotion and an ark for the storm,” says Steve Hardy, co-founder of Big Calm Tiny Homesteads, a permaculture-guided ecovillage located in the Slocan Valley, British Columbia.

Steve and his partner and project co-founder, Abby, left Calgary in 2020 and founded Big Calm as a refuge, a reconnection to nature, and an antidote to isolation and helplessness. Their vision for Big Calm is an ecologically sustainable, self-sufficient community guided by the principles and ethics of permaculture.

“Permaculture informed the ethos of the community because it provides a framework for thriving in the face of adversity. Nature is inherently wise, highly interconnected, antifragile, and bestows abundance. If we take care of it, it will take care of us,” says Abby.

Steve points out that if permaculture is the guide, it’s community that truly makes self sufficiency possible: true self sufficiency, paradoxically, is only possible through interdependence with others.

“A functional, connected community shares resources, distributes labour, and collectively tackles challenges. This model mirrors nature, where ecosystems rely on diverse species working together for mutual benefit. One community member might specialize in gardening, while another provides carpentry or medicinal knowledge. Together, they create a resilient and sustainable network that no individual could achieve alone.”

These ideas and concepts are at the heart of this growing community, which already has 4 tiny house rental pads, including an Airbnb rental.

Big Calm Phase 1 Rental Pad.

Big Calm is gearing up to begin Phase 2 of its development, which includes 8 new tiny house pads distributed on a beautiful 4-acre bench overlooking the valley. Any type of tiny home on wheels is allowed as are skoolies – there is already one on the property.

“An important permaculture concept is the physical edge between ecosystems, which is rich in biodiversity and is often where the most interesting events take place,” Steve says. “We’ve purposely avoided a RV-park-like layout, where homes are closely packed, because the edge space between house and homestead provides privacy, a place for personal gardens, and an area to extend living space to the outdoors, which is especially important for smaller dwellings.”

The 8 tiny house pads in Phase 2 will be available for long-term lease—Big Calm has explored co-ownership and is open to transitioning leaseholders into co-owners in the years ahead.

“We’ve been intentional when it comes to skill building, tool gathering, food security, energy systems, and community; things that increase resilience and antifragility, or the phenomenon of improving from adversity,” Steve says. “We’re focused on finding the right mix of individuals with a breadth of skills and knowledge so we can build a community that is strengthened by collaboration, mutual support and the diversity of its members.”

The 8 Phase 2 pads include fresh mountain water, wastewater management, high-speed internet, garbage and recycling removal, and snow plowing. They also include access to shared laundry facilities, a shared tool library and the community greenhouse and garden, which boasts a 4000-litre gravity irrigation system.

Big Calm Site Plan – Phase 2 will add pads B through I.

The budding community has plans to incorporate various systems that contribute to self sufficiency at both the individual and community level. Big Calm is looking to add a four-season greenhouse so the community can produce and enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables year round. It also has plans to add a root cellar for food storage, to further increase food security; and a shared community space with a bathroom, wood stove, and kitchen.

As far as energy systems, Steve says that Big Calm wants to incorporate a grid-tied solar-powered microgrid with the ability to provide backup power to each pad, in addition to EV charging capability. “We’re also looking into installing a geothermal loop system. These two systems will reduce electricity and heating costs, and protect vulnerable tiny house hookups from freezing in the winter.”

Photo: Big Calm Tiny Homesteads

The community’s longer-term vision is abundant with permaculture-inspired ideas. Big Calm hopes to integrate an apiary to support pollinators while enjoying the honey they produce, a pond to further diversify the ecology, and chickens and other small animals.

Big Calm also encourages potential ventures through which members can generate discretionary income, to complement what they earn from their remote jobs or other sources. Ventures such as permaculture workshops, yoga, herbal medicine, or numerous other ideas can create a powerful micro-economy.

Photo: Big Calm Tiny Homesteads

Abby says, “I wholeheartedly agree with the well-known quote by Bill Mollison, the father of permaculture.‘Though the problems of the world are increasingly complex, the solutions remain embarrassingly simple.’”

“Some movements are focused on finding ways to use technology to solve the world’s problems of climate change, food insecurity, fragile supply chains, and political and economical unpredictability. The truth is, these problems are too complex and intertwined for technology to solve,” she points out.

“I think the best way to face these challenges is to return to basics, and meet as many of our needs as possible as close to home as possible. A diverse community working toward the same goal is what makes that achievable.”