Heartbeet Property

Heartbeet Lifesharing is one of 13 Lifesharing communities in America under the umbrella of the Camphill movement that nurtures individuals with developmental disabilities in a licensed therapeutic environment. It occupies 150 acres of the former town farm tucked off Route 14 near Hardwick’s northern border. In 2011 the community conveyed to NRLT a conservation easement on half its biodynamically managed land.

Seventy percent of the conserved land comprises managed forest, providing significant wildlife habitat. More than three acres constitute state-mapped riparian wetland that abuts VT Department of Fish & Wildlife property along Rte. 14. The rest is hayfield, open meadow, or pasture that Heartbeet uses in its farming operations.

The property is a prominent hillside with expansive views west toward Jeudevine Mountain and sits in close proximity to other privately conserved lands. The easement protects 1,800 feet of undeveloped land along Alder Brook.

Heartbeet has expanded to six extended family homes that each serve ten “friends.” Subject to Hardwick zoning regulations, Heartbeet has clustered its residential and communal buildings while protecting half of its forest and farmland through the NRLT easement.