Community Agreements and Liability Waiver
We are consent-based, family-oriented community. We ask that you honor the following agreements while on our premises:
Consent is essential in all activities, conversations, and interactions. Hate speech is not allowed.
The ecovillage is a community, villagers live here, please respect it as a home. Do not go into anyone’s private space unless invited (yards/cabins/tents/vehicles.)
No smoking in any common areas (common house, deck, beach, gardens, basecamp, the central walkways).
Sexual activity is not allowed in public / common spaces. Nudity is not allowed when minor children are present.
Proselytization is not allowed – that is, promotion of a personal belief or way of thinking without consent.
Motorized vehicles will not be driven on the premises, except for approved uses such as tractors, excavation, delivery or removal of large objects, mowing, plowing, tree moving, or for accessibility purposes. All vehicles must be parked in designated areas (no parking in common / residential areas). Speed limit is 5mph.
Visitors / volunteers/ seasonal guests may not possess guns on the premises.
Visitors are strongly discouraged from bringing their pet due to the well-being of all the animals already living here. No visitor pets in common spaces or tents. Dogs must be on leashes at all time. Big Dipper is the only pet-friendly cabin; please keep pets out of all over guest cabins. All mammals belonging to members or seasonal guests must be spayed or neutered. Flea and tick treatment prior to arrival is recommended. All pets must maintain vet recommended vaccine requirements for the safety of all animals present. Anyone seeking an exemption to these guidelines should make a request at a main meeting.
Please do not approach horses without the supervision or permission of a qualified member / resident. Beware of electric fences. If you open a gate, close it behind you please.
Hunting/trapping or removal of animals is not allowed anywhere on this property, with the exception of mice and bug removal and prevention.
Guests and volunteers may not cut, damage, alter or remove any plants, trees (living or dead), rocks, or bones without explicit permission.
Guests may not start fires without member / resident supervision. All fires must be fully extinguished when finished.
All garbage, recycling, and compost must be disposed of through the community waste system or packed in/packed out by individuals.
Food in the common areas is shared, but check with a resident first. Food marked with a name or initials etc should be respected.
Participation Agreement and Liability Waiver
In consideration for receiving permission to participate in the activities of the Minnesota Ecovillage Project I, on behalf of myself, my family members, my heirs, personal representatives, or assigns, do hereby agree to RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the Minnesota Ecovillage Project and/or the Tamarack River Land Stewardship LLC, located at 60612 Tamarack Pine Drive, Sandstone MN 55072, their officers, members, agents, volunteers, or employees (hereinafter referred to as ECOVILLAGE) from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me, or to any property belonging to me, while participating in such activity, while in, on or upon the premises where the activities are being conducted, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH LOSS IS CAUSED BY THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE (ACTIVE OR PASSIVE) OF ECOVILLAGE.
AND that except in the event of the ECOVILLAGE’’s gross and willful negligence, I agree not to bring any claims, demands, actions and causes of action, and/or litigation, against the ECOVILLAGE for any economic and non- economic losses due to bodily injury, death, and/or property damage sustained by me in relation to the premises and operations of the ECOVILLAGE.
I am fully aware and understand there are inherent risks involved in recreational and agricultural activities, which risks include, but are not limited to, bodily injury, physical harm and even death to participants and spectators from which may occur in normal participation of such activities. I acknowledge that the operation of equipment, harvesting of produce, behavior of any animal, and customary agricultural or agritourism activities conducted at a farm is contingent to some extent upon the ability of the operator and participant. Further, I understand that “inherent risks of recreational and agricultural activities” shall mean those dangers or conditions which are an integral part of recreational and agricultural activities, including, but not limited to:
operation of equipment and machinery that may result in injury, harm, or death to persons on or around such implements ;the propensity of any animal to behave in ways that may result in injury, harm, or death to persons on or around them and/or damage to personal property in their vicinity; the unpredictability of an animal’s reaction to such things as sounds, sudden movements and unfamiliar objects, persons or other animals; certain hazards such as surface and subsurface objects: exposure to biological, environmental, and chemical hazards; hazards related to climbing ladders, repetitive movements (such as cultivating or picking produce),and exposure to outdoor weather conditions; injury or death from drowning; collisions with other individuals or obstacles; hazardous terrain or debris; hazardous weather conditions; insect bites and resulting insect related illness; loss or damage to personal property;the potential of any participant or spectator to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to injury to the participant or others; and the condition, construction, maintenance, instruction, or malfunction of facilities or equipment used to engage in some of the above-described Activities (the “Risks”).
I understand that the ECOVILLAGE does not require me to participate in this activity. I voluntarily assume full responsibility for any risks of loss, property damage, or personal injury, including death, that may be sustained by me, or any loss or damage to personal property owned by me, as a result of being engaged in such an activities, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF ECOVILAGE or otherwise, to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Indemnification: I also AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS the ECOVILLAGE from any loss, liability, damage, or costs, including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees that ECOVILLAGE may incur due to my participation in said activities, whether caused by ECOVILLAGE’s ordinary negligence or otherwise, to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Acknowledgements, Assertions, and Agreements: I warrant that a full and fair disclosure of my ability to participate in the above noted activities have been made, and further:
Health Status – I assert that:
• I do not have any undisclosed chronic physical or mental conditions that would contra-indicate my participation in agricultural or recreational activities; and
• I possess sufficient physical fitness and skill to enable safe participation.
Emergency Care – I authorize or agree:
• For the administration of emergency first aid, CPR, and use an AED as may be deemed necessary;
• For ECOVILLAGE to secure emergency medical care or transportation (i.e., EMS) as may be deemed necessary; and
• To assume all costs of emergency medical care and transportation for myself and/or minor child(ren).
Rules & Safety Equipment –
I agree to abide by the rules and regulations established by ECOVILLAGE; and
• I acknowledge that the ECOVILLAGE is conducting all activities in good faith and may find it necessary to terminate my participation if it is determined that I am incapable of safely meeting the rigors of the activity. I accept the ECOVILLAGE’s right to take such actions for the safety of myself, other participants, and/or the animals on the premises.
Covenant not to Sue; Mediation; Venue; and Severability Clauses:
I covenant not to sue ECOVILLAGE for any present or future claim arising directly or indirectly from my participation at the ECOVILLAGE. This includes claims resulting from the inherent risks of agricultural and recreational activities and the active or passive negligence of the ECOVILLAGE.
This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.. Any action brought under this Agreement shall be brought within one (1) year of the incident or dispute giving rise to said claim in a court of competent jurisdiction in Pine County, MN. I further agree that prior to litigation, such incident or dispute shall first be mediated by a trained Mediator knowledgeable in agricultural or recreational activities from a list acceptable to the ECOVILLAGE.. Costs of mediation shall be shared equally by the parties. In the event of litigation, the prevailing party shall be entitled to costs and fees associated with the litigation, including reasonable attorney fees and reimbursement of any mediation fees.
I also expressly agree that this Participant Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Minnesota and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full force and effect.
With full knowledge of the above-described Risks, and in consideration for being allowed to participate in the Activities at the Property, I, on behalf of myself, my heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns, hereby hold harmless and release Tamarack River Land Stewardship, LLC. Minnesota Ecovillage Project, and their agents, employees, owners, instructors, assistants, independent contractors, sponsors and the affiliates (the “Released Parties”), from any claims, liabilities or causes of action of every kind and nature whatsoever, for injuries or damages which I now have or which may arise out of or in connection with my participation in the Activities and which are the result of the ordinary negligence of the Released Parties. Nothing in the Release waives any claims I may have against the Released Parties based on the reckless or intentional wrongful acts of the Released Parties.
I acknowledge that I have been given adequate time to review this Release, and the opportunity to ask any of the Released Parties questions regarding any aspect of the Release contained herein, and by signing below, do acknowledge that I have carefully and completely read and fully understand all aspects of the Release and agree to these terms in their entirety.
IN SIGNING THIS PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT, I ACKNOWLEDGE AND REPRESENT THAT I fully understand its terms and conditions. I understand that I am giving up substantial rights, including my right to sue ECOVILLAGE for injuries resulting from the inherent risks of agricultural or recreational activities or the active or passive negligence of FARM. I further acknowledge that I am signing this agreement freely and voluntarily, and intend my name to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability, including that due to ordinary negligence by ECOVILLAGE, to the greatest extent allowed by the laws of Minnesota.