A Tree With a View
Shawnee Chasser Wants to Hang On to Her Little Slice
of Paradise in Little Haiti

“The farm has hosted community potlucks, Haitian festivals, Earth Day and other celebrations.”

Pictured from left inside the treehouse in Miami are Savannah Sparrow Levy-Hikel, Shawnee Chasser, Wren Levy (Shawnee’s daughter) and Jeremiah-Kai Levy-Hikel. Shawnee’s raccoon Mary J. Blige plays with her dog Goldielocks.

By Ekayani

The 1.38 acres of land on which the Earth N Us Eco-village stands has been for sale for about four or five months, says Shawnee Chasser, who is not the owner and is in the middle of a series of fundraising drives to keep the place going at 7630 NE First Ave. She has plans for a nutrition and yoga center and a community service center for women, with a focus on reconnecting with nature as its core.

Established in 1976, Earth N Us has recently become incorporated, says Chasser, and is on its way to receiving 501c3 nonprofit status, with a lawyer and an accountant on board. There are 11 houses on the property that need renovations. Plus the land needs developing to bring back the herb garden and 50 working beehives.

SunPost recently interviewed Chasser at the base of her green gem of a treehouse in the company of her golden retriever and “Coony,” the raccoon, who was a bit jealous of the visitor taking up so much of his mistress’ time. It was like talking with the embodiment of a “Lady of the Canyon” (à la Joni Mitchell) and one of the members of The Swiss Family Robinson rolled into one. Far from primitive, the farm has a high-tech compost bathroom, laundry, kitchen and an open-door policy. The environment is magical and wonderful for children and adults. The view from the top of the treehouse is sublime. And Chasser hopes to keep it that way.

SunPost: How long have you lived here?

Chasser: For 30 years I’ve lived in this little paradise in Little Haiti in Miami. For the last 15 years I’ve lived in a treehouse on this land. This majestic Pithecellobium tree is rooted in the earth I call home. It is surrounded by gumbo limbo trees, live oaks and other plants and animals of all kinds. Our family has raised seven children here and countless others from the neighborhood.

What has been going on here in the past?

In the past, the farm has hosted community potlucks, Haitian festivals, Earth Day and other celebrations, including field trips for the Dade County Public Schools. We also had working beehives and an herb garden.

What are your goals?

I am joined by a thriving network of visionaries, activists, community leaders, grandmothers, children and family who wish to open the farm to a larger community. We want to unite all who feel drawn to this special gem in the heart of Miami. Our goal is to heal a wounded community by empowering the youth who live in the community.

How will you accomplish this?

At the farm we want to bring people together to better understand our deep connection and interdependence with the natural world and each other. We will expand our organic vegetable garden to a community garden and create a youth center. … It has been documented that where youth have community activity, crime goes down.

What else do you envision?

The surrounding buildings will be occupied by businesses and organizations committed to health and empowerment. We will harness wind and solar power. We will house a nutrition center, child care center, massage and art therapy. We will have a sliding-scale fee schedule so these services are accessible and affordable to all. We also plan on hosting dance, open mike and other evening activities.

How can people get in touch with you to make a donation?

Our fundraising goal is $3 million to complete all the work and renovations. Checks can be made payable to Imagine Eco Inc. or donations can be sent to earthnusfarm@yahoo.com  through our Paypal account, or people can call me at 786-246-0211 for more information.

Comments? E-mail letters@miamisunpost.com.