Landowner Resources

Sacred Stewardship: Giving Land Back to Life & Community

Introduction

WHOLEFAM’s land philosophy is rooted in matriarchal ecology, recognizing the sacred interconnection between land, life, and community. Inspired by the teachings of Vandana Shiva and the many around the world already acting from the lived reality of land not as a commodity, but as a living, regenerating force that must be nurtured, protected, and returned to its highest purpose.

By donating or leasing land, you contribute to projects that uphold Dharma—right action—toward the land and the humans and animals who depend on it.

Land can be:
1. Retained by the owner, who partners with WHOLEFAM stewardship councils for administrative management and care of the property.
2. Donated in full to a WHOLEFAM non-profit trust managed by local board of Indigenous land protectors alongside founding circle members, ensuring long-term land stewardship.
2. Leased for 10, 25, 50, or 100 years, allowing landowners to retain ownership while supporting regenerative initiatives and enjoying land improvements.

WHOLEFAM offers template agreements, with all final legal terms determined by the donating landowner, ensuring flexibility to the desired legacy while aligning with WHOLEFAM’s mission of ethical land stewardship.

Our Approach to Land Donation

In the matriarchal view, land is not owned but borrowed from future generations. WHOLEFAM’s land donation program ensures that every parcel serves the greater good, aligning with best practices in community restoration, food sovereignty, and sacred stewardship.

Key Focus Areas:

1. Community-Centric Regeneration: Donated lands are transformed into spaces that directly benefit local communities, such as:
   • Residential sanctuaries for self-healing and
   • Animal sanctuaries and rescue ranches
   • Community gardens, regenerative agriculture and permaculture sites
   • Affordable cabins and community facilities for on-land stewards
2. Indigenous-Led Stewardship: All fully donated lands are deeded to a local WHOLEFAM board composed of a majority of Indigenous land protectors. This ensures that land is cared for as a living ecosystem, not an asset. This approach:
   • Respects traditional ecological knowledge
   • Ensures culturally appropriate land use
   • Promotes sustainable environmental practices
3. Long-Term Land Use Agreements: Landowners who prefer not to transfer ownership outright can enter into long-term leases (10, 25, 50, or 100 years), allowing for regenerative land use while maintaining their legal rights.
4. A Framework of Sacred Reciprocity: Inspired by matriarchal agricultural principles, our stewardship model follows:
   • Non-Harm: Land use must restore, not deplete.
   • Selfless Service: Land must serve the many, not the few.
   • Right Action & Cycles: Stewardship aligns with natural rhythms.
   • Gift of Nourishment: The highest offering is to ensure land provides food and sustenance to all.
5. Transparent Process: We adhere to a clear, respectful, and legally sound donation process, ensuring that all parties are informed and engaged.

The WHOLEFAM Matriarchal Model

WHOLEFAM integrates matriarchal perspectives into practical frameworks.

• Key Principles:
  • Land is a sacred trust, to be regenerated rather than extracted from.
  • Human communities must live in harmony with natural cycles, not against them.
  • Food sovereignty and seed protection are acts of liberation and responsibility. (Vandana Shiva, Earth Democracy)
• Conservation Easements: We utilize voluntary, legal agreements to protect land’s conservation values, limiting specific uses while allowing others. (Land Trust Alliance)
• Community Land Trusts (CLTs): By adopting CLT models, we ensure that land remains a community asset, preventing displacement and fostering long-term affordability. (National League of Cities)
• 4 Returns Framework: Our projects aim to deliver four key returns:
  • Inspiration: Revitalizing wellbeing in mind, body, spirit, and collective
  • Social Capital: Strengthening communal bonds
  • Natural Capital: Restoring ecosystems
  • Financial Capital: Creating sustainable economic opportunities (Commonland)

Benefits of Donating or Leasing Land

• Legacy & Dharma: Ensure your land’s long-term use aligns with community empowerment and environmental restoration.
• Flexibility & Choice: Choose between full donation or long-term leasing to maintain ownership while supporting regenerative projects.
• Community Impact: Enable local initiatives that address housing, education, and ecological restoration.
• Tax Advantages: Depending on your jurisdiction, land donations may offer significant tax benefits.

The Process

1. Initial Inquiry: Complete the form below to express interest and will contact you to discuss your vision and how WHOLEFAM may assist.
2. Assessment: Discuss the property’s suitability for community projects in light of your interests and land details.
3. Consultation: Collaborate with our advisors and the local community to determine the most beneficial use of the land.
4. Formalization:
   • If fully donated, legal ownership transfers to the local WHOLEFAM board of Indigenous land protectors.
   • If leased, we formalize a 10, 25, 50, or 100-year agreement, maintaining the landowner’s rights while supporting WHOLEFAM’s mission entirely under WHOLEFAM administration and funding.
   • If stewarded, a WHOLEFAM project will be administered and operated on your land under mutually agreed upon benefit with little to no transfer of capital. All improvements remain under donor ownership.
5. Stewardship: The local WHOLEFAM board assumes responsibility for the land, initiating projects that reflect community needs and values.

Begin Your Legacy

If you’re considering donating or leasing land to WHOLEFAM to benefit your community, please complete the initial inquiry form below. Our team will reach out to explore this meaningful opportunity with you.

Final Thought

“The land is not ours to own, but ours to care for. When we restore the land, the land restores us.”
– Vandana Shiva

By working with WHOLEFAM, you’re sowing seeds of hope, resilience, and community empowerment for generations to come.