The community I live in have been doing things together for a very long time. My great grandparents lived at the farm oner ech (catty corner) from our fields, and they had a community bldg where large things were processed, or large quantities of fruit were processed and canned. Sausage made, that sort of thing. The building and old huge pots are still there, a cousin lives in it. Even now, people get together to help. Just talked to our neighbor yesterday about a painting party to paint our add on. Food is always involved.
I think there is a difference between community and working in a group.
Take my Amish neighbors for example. They do not rely on each other for everything. Each has their own plot of land or farm. Each has their own business. They may buy or trade for somethings, eggs, milk, some veggies etc.
But when it comes to a big project, like putting up a home or barn, the whole community comes together and they put the house or barn up in a day. I have seen it twice. But at the end of the day, they go home to their own places.
My one neighbor, when first starting out, did not have much and did need some help from their community. Later as he became more established, he now has a cow, a goat, and chickens.
Before he got the cow, he needed his goat serviced to keep getting milk. We made a trade: I kept his doe in with my billy to get her knocked up for a few months to include hay and watering her, he gave me lumber from his mill.
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