Haven Village
The Haven Village is located in Old Fort, Tennessee on the Georgia state at the foothills of a pristine national forest at an elevation of 1000+ feet. Our 216 acres of beautiful nature is tucked away from immediate view, nestled between several ridges offering breathtaking views at the end of a dead-end road offering a feeling of privacy and autonomy. We are a private residential model with a strong focus on education and economics which we accomplish through our on-site natural building trade school. We are not only growing our own internal economy, but the local economy as well. The agricultural region features a variety of local food producers as well as outdoor activities from hiking, foraging and white water rafting. It is truly a place of peace and tranquility where we can reconnect with nature and ourselves.
About Us
Imani Mamalution and Paul River Richardson met in the Fall of 2020 to connect people at this revolutionary time with a shared mission to return to the land. From the onset of their partnership, they realized that their journeys and the synchronicity of their union amplified both their individual and shared visions. They established the Haven Earth Trade School and began teaching hands-on courses for natural building and educating others about Healthy Hemp Homes. In June 2021 they set up Haven Earth PMA (Private Membership Association) and began actively looking for land with their members. Two years later, they made an offer on the perfect land in East Tennessee, which is now the home of Haven Village which serves as a beacon of hope shining their light in a world seemingly shrouded in darkness. Together, we are building a new model of resiliency outside of the public domain.
As a Private Membership Association, we are only open to our members. All visitors and overnight guests are required to purchase a $22 monthly pass as well as sign our Guest Guidelines and Liability Waiver upon arrival.
Our Mission
We knew on our first visit that this land would be the perfect home for the Haven Earth Trade School where we could create a model of a new way of living focused on getting back to nature by building healthy hemp homes and growing our own food resiliency. We established the Haven Village Trust, secured funds, and started working on our residential member living agreements as River began developing the Masterplan to serve as a guide for the vision to manifest into reality. The Masterplan served as the roadmap for the immediate development strategy when we arrived on the land full-time in September 2023. Our immediate focus was to establish initial infrastructure to secure energy, food, water, and immediate shelter to include temporary dwellings in Zone 1 of the property. Another part of our strategy during the first year was to involve residential members, students, and builders so we could be ready to start building healthy homes for our residential members in year two.
Our Culture of Care
Haven Village is an emerging model for these times. We nurture a culture of care that forms the foundation of our human ecology. Built on principles of mutual respect, support, and a deep connection to the land our residents and members are committed to harmonious coexistence with nature and one another. Being clear on the relevancy of a culture in which caring for each other creates a space where well-being allows our senses to feel at Home and signifies a place where all of you is welcome. All residents and members that come to Haven Village sign our living agreement so that thriving on the land together is possible and harmony is truly experienceable. Welcome Home.
Visiting Haven Village
Whether you are a potential residential member, workshop participant or just checking us out, we invite you to not only experience our homestead but the natural beauty of our land and the surrounding area. There are so many forests, mountains and rivers to explore - popular activities include hiking, wild food foraging, white water rafting, star gazing and more.
Guests can only book two-night stays Friday - Sunday unless they are attending one of our training or special programs. Haven Village is a private nature-preserving fellowship. As a Private Membership Association, we operate in the private realm and all guests must be members of Haven Earth PMA (which is a $22 monthly fee added to reservation or event) as well as sign our Guest Agreements and Liability form.
We do not allow drop-in visitors or pets. All guests must be registered for an event or have a reservation. Bookings are limited to specific dates and times and all bookings must be pre-approved. Member-led tour, Community Cookout and/or Brunch and Q & A with Imani and River is available for an additional fee (add it on to your reservation).
Glamping in Style
Take camping to the next level with these wood-framed glamping cabins and enjoy the richness of our landscape while keeping the modern comforts. With a lockable entry door, this private suite offers a spacious 180 sqft of living space for 1-2 people, fully fitted out with top-of-the-line healthy natural furnishings including wool mattresses, pillows and linens as well as other ecological sundry items. Each cabin has electricity, a ceiling fan, and an electric heater (please note these cabins are not air-conditioned).
Our five Guest Glamping Tents are located in the heart of the village with easy access to the shared community kitchen space and our indoor/outdoor bathrooms. From your private deck, enjoy the large pond right at your doorstep which leads to several of the trails on the land. A great option for those wanting to experience Village life while enjoying an immersion in Nature. These cabins are reserved for workshop participants and potential residential members. We welcome visitors on our off weeks based on their availability. Three of the cabins are fitted out with queen-size beds and the other two have two twin beds.
Yurt Village
Our Yurt Village is for Residential Members (we currently have 2 for sale for those with carpentry and/or homesteading experience) as well as Families or Potential Residential Members looking to book longer stays. These 24-foot iconic round yurt structures are fully adorned with architect-designed Interiors, full bathroom, and kitchen as well as a hemp wool queen size bed in your private suite. Enjoy morning coffee overlooking the pond while being invigorated by the morning sun rising over the breathtaking Cherokee Mountains with acres of forest behind you.
Tiny Hemp Home
Come experience a healthy hemp home firsthand in the first fully off-grid, natural healthy Hemp Tiny Home in the United States! Designed and built by Architect Paul River Richardson as a showcase home for our model here at Haven Village. A year in the making - the Tiny Hemp Home was part of our Hemp Builder Training in Kingsbury, Texas in December 2022 and traveled all the way to Tennessee (not recommended btw!) to serve as the Welcome Center at Haven Village.
Our Tiny Hemp Home is only available for bookings Friday- Sunday on an as-available basis for private and special staycations. Imagine yourself in a one-of-a-kind Healthy Hemp Dwelling that boasts a fully fitted kitchen, full-size bathroom and shower, full-height loft sleeping quarters, and much much more. From your large private deck, you can enjoy the mountain views while breathing the fresh air of this revolutionary building material that is taking the world by storm. You have to experience it to believe it - but once you do you won’t want to go back to the conventional.
Reservations for the Tiny Hemp Home can be made HERE
Watch a short video tour here
Camping Among the Stars
Our Seasonal Star Tents provide a comfortable and affordable option for workshop participants to experience a day in the life at Haven Village. A full-size air mattress is provided - sheets and towels are available for an extra cost. Shared bath house (with showers and flashing toilets) as well as composting toilets nearby. Guests can store food items in the community fridge and access our tea/coffee stations in both the office and community kitchen.
Interested in Residential Membership?
If you're interested in joining us as a residential member, we invite you to visit our Haven Village Residential Membership Application page to learn more about the process and determine if it might be a good fit for you. We look forward to welcoming you to Haven Village!
Haven Earth Trade School
Haven Village empowers and inspires a renewed model of community life grounded in a healthy, syntropic, connection with the land and each other. We secure a positive future timeline by cultivating abundant agro-centric lifestyles that are creative, resilient, and honor the natural world. It is also the home of the Haven Earth Trade School where we foster education, innovation, and resiliency for those seeking to return to the land. We started our first residential Heathy Hemp Home build September 2024 and host hands-on training focused on natural building and homesteading . Join our mailing list and register for courses online at the Haven Earth Trade School. You will be redirected back to this site to book your accommodations.
