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Photos: A weekend of intentional living

December 7, 2014 5:00AM ET

A look at Twin Oaks, an intentional living community established in 1967 in Virginia

Topics:
Economy
Virginia
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Twin Oaks
Twin Oaks was established in 1967 on the land of a former tobacco farm in Louisa County, Virginia. Lexey Swall / GRAIN for Al Jazeera America
Twin Oaks, Virginia
Two Twin Oaks members make bookshelves inside the woodshop located in the building called Harmony. Each of the 10 buildings on the property are named after intentional living communities around the world. Lexey Swall / GRAIN for Al Jazeera America
Twin Oaks, Virginia
Shal, who only goes by one name at Twin Oaks, moved to the community in 1979. Some of Shal's jobs include teaching hammock making and managing the hammock business, Twin Oaks Hammocks. Lexey Swall / GRAIN for Al Jazeera America
Twin Oaks, Virginia
Twin Oaks Hammocks is one of the businesses run on the Twin Oaks property. The business used to supply hammocks to Pier 1 Imports, but the deal was terminated in 2009 after the economic downturn. Lexey Swall / GRAIN for Al Jazeera America
Twin Oaks, Virginia
A machine shop on the Twin Oaks property is in a building called Modern Times and is where the community's cars are repaired. Lexey Swall / GRAIN for Al Jazeera America
Twin Oaks, Virginia
A shared community room at Twin Oaks. Lexey Swall / GRAIN for Al Jazeera America
Twin Oaks, Virginia
Brooke Appler, 35, babysits two children living at Twin Oaks. Babysitting is one of the jobs where residents can earn labor hours. Every parent at Twin Oaks is allotted a certain amount of babysitting hours for their children. Lexey Swall / GRAIN for Al Jazeera America
Twin Oaks, Virginia
Today, tofu-making is Twin Oaks' biggest business. Mike Muzilla, 20, fills containers full of soy beans with water to soak in preparation for making tofu and soy milk. Muzilla has lived at the Twin Oaks community for nearly two years. Lexey Swall / GRAIN for Al Jazeera America
Twin Oaks, Virginia
Jayel Tober, 70, has lived at Twin Oaks for 24 years. Tober had back surgery in October and, since returning, has had six people who are a part of a care team to take care of her as she heals. Working on a care team goes toward labor hours. Lexey Swall / GRAIN for Al Jazeera America
Twin Oaks, Virginia
The central communication board between the kitchen and dining room is where general announcements, thank yous and messages are placed. Lexey Swall / GRAIN for Al Jazeera America
Twin Oaks, Virginia
Jars full of herbs and spices fill shelves in the communal kitchen. Lexey Swall / GRAIN for Al Jazeera America
Twin Oaks, Virginia
Twin Oaks members practice for a holiday concert that will take place in January. Lexey Swall / GRAIN for Al Jazeera America
Twin Oaks, Virginia
Jonah Tupelo, 13, and Willow Falcon, 12, play video games in Falcon's bedroom. Both were born at Twin Oaks. Lexey Swall / GRAIN for Al Jazeera America
Twin Oaks, Virginia
Several residents of Twin Oaks have died while living in the community and are buried on the property. The community is set up with the idea that a resident could live there from the cradle to the grave. Lexey Swall / GRAIN for Al Jazeera America