By Catie Hofmeister
Have you ever dreamt of living closer to nature, growing your own food, and truly knowing your neighbors? While many people desire this wellness-focused lifestyle, their biggest concerns surrounding the idea of an agrihood community are ACCESSIBILITY and AFFORDABILITY. Luckily, agrihood living does not have to take place in rural/remote locations or require outrageous financial investments. Red Barn in Bentonville, Arkansas is paving the way for a new agrihood experience: one that includes apartments and townhomes in an urban setting!
Red Barn is the first Agrihood community of its kind in the state of Arkansas and places a strong emphasis on preserving the natural environment, incorporating green spaces, and promoting local food. What’s the best part? This urban agrihood is only a mile from downtown Bentonville, so residents can walk or bike to local shops and restaurants. Red Barn is perfect for young professionals, families, and outdoor enthusiasts who crave the connectivity of this community but can’t fully commit to building a home or maintaining a farm.
Here are the top 3 reasons we think Red Barn is a super unique place to live:
Community
Every month the Red Barn team hosts neighbor night events that foster and create a supportive and inclusive environment where neighbors become friends, sharing common values and enjoying the best of Ozarks living. At the heart of Red Barn is the farm. Farm dinners, yoga, music, and workshops are right outside of residents’ doors. Red Barn encourages residents to connect with the farmland, whether this means strolling by the flowers, attending a farm dinner, chatting with the farmers, or even engaging in an internship/apprenticeship.
In addition to farm events, Red Barn has incorporated community spaces such as fire pits, a library lounge, a tree house, and many green areas. Residents can gather together casually and unwind in a serene environment!
Sustainability
At the core of Red Barn’s mission is to close the gap between residents and farmers. Not only do residents have the option to order fresh produce from local farms and have it delivered, but they also have access to locally roasted coffee! Red Barn is happy to now be roasting premium, ethically sourced, organic coffee beans from independent farmers in Central America. Red Barn Coffee is sustainably roasted on the farm in small batches using their leading-edge Bellwether Roaster producing zero emissions.
Red Barn farmers also produce crops without relying on chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or practices that degrade the soil, water, or other natural resources. By growing a variety of plants and using techniques like crop rotation, cover cropping, livestock husbandry, and minimum tillage, their urban farm is working to protect this special ecosystem.
Wellness Amenities
The apartments and townhomes at Red Barn are built with big windows and open layouts, so residents can enjoy natural light during the day. It’s pretty easy to reduce energy consumption and costs when you live here.
Another huge draw to this community is its access to 150+ miles of hiking and biking trails. According to Red Barn, “Northwest Arkansas has a huge infrastructure of greenway and mountain bike trails, with dozens running through Bentonville. Three miles pass directly through the Red Barn property, linking you to both city life and natural escapes via the Bentonville City Trails, Razorback Greenway, and road rides.” If you aren’t a big fan of bike riding, you can walk your dog or run to downtown Bentonville.
Interview with Red Barn
What sets Red Barn apart from other communities, making it unique and special?
Red Barn stands out among other communities due to its unique blend of sustainable living, close-knit community, and natural surroundings. What sets it apart is that at its core it is a working farm, rather than having a pool or golf course. Red Barn is the first Agrihood community of its kind in the state of Arkansas and places a strong emphasis on preserving the natural environment, incorporating green spaces, and promoting local food. Residents enjoy a serene and peaceful atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, while still being just a mile north of Downtown Bentonville, AR. Every month the Red Barn team hosts neighbor night events that foster and create a supportive and inclusive environment where neighbors become friends, sharing common values and enjoy the best of Ozarks living.
How does agriculture become a natural part of everyday life in the Red Barn community, making living there even better?
In the Red Barn community, agriculture becomes an integral part of everyday life, enhancing the overall living experience. The community embraces the concept of Agrihood, where agriculture is seamlessly integrated into the residential fabric. Each residential building is surrounded by lush green spaces, and residents can enjoy having a paw-paw orchard, blueberry patch and 2-acre farm right in their backyards. The benefits are abundant: access to fresh, certified-naturally grown produce and the opportunity to connect with the roots of the land. Living in Red Barn offers a unique chance to learn about sustainable farming practices, engage in farm-to-table experiences, and participate in workshops or events focused on gardening and agricultural education. This holistic approach to agriculture fosters a deeper connection between residents and the environment, promoting a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.
What do you think is the big draw for people who are attracted to Red Barn? What makes them choose it as their place to call home?
People who are drawn to Red Barn are often seeking a simpler, more sustainable way of life. The community provides an escape from the fast-paced urban lifestyle, offering a tranquil sanctuary that is surrounded by nature and some of the area’s best recreational trails. The community's commitment to sustainability and local food, coupled with its focus on fostering a close-knit neighborhood, creates an appealing environment for those seeking a meaningful and fulfilling place to call home.
Can you share any upcoming projects or plans that Red Barn has in the pipeline to further promote wellness, health, and sustainability within the community?
Red Barn has an exciting lineup of upcoming projects and plans to further promote wellness and health within the community. Red Barn is actively making partnerships with local farmers and food cooperatives to expand their year-round farm delivery program within the community. This program aims to provide the freshest possible produce and products to Northwest Arkansas neighbors, all at the ease of ordering online. In addition, Red Barn is happy to now be roasting premium, ethically sourced, organic coffee beans from independent farmers in Central America. Our mission has extended to coffee as we continue to support farms, close the gap between farmers and you, and work to consistently do more good in the community and less harm for the environment. Red Barn Coffee is sustainably roasted on the farm in small batches using our leading-edge Bellwether Roaster producing zero emissions. We are certain you can taste the difference!
Thank you, Red Barn for inspiring a new, healthier way of living within an urban environment! Agrihood living doesn’t seem so far out of reach when a variety of housing options such as apartments and townhomes are provided. Check out the Healthy Home Media directory for our list of Agrihood communities. Even if there aren’t any agrihoods near you, consider trying out a few new healthy habits in your own community! Whether this looks like shopping at a farmer’s market, gardening, taking nature walks, or even saying hello to our neighbors, we can all strive towards living more connected to the earth and each other.
By Catie Hofmeister Sustainable Blogger & Intersectional Environmentalist
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