Welcome to The Earthway

In Somartin’s timeless hills, The Earthway invites you to slow the rush: where clay soil and shared stories mend the spirit.

We’re so glad you’ve found us—whether you crave mornings wrapped in mountain mist, tables heavy with garden-fresh feasts, quiet trails where the soul unclenches, or nights lit by firelight and shared stories. If you love wild places and honest food, you’re already home.

Nestled in Șomartin’s timeless hills in Transylvania’s rolling heart, The Earthway is a living sanctuary: restored Saxon stone breathing again, clay soil turning abundant under careful hands, community weaving around shared bread and laughter.

Here, regenerative living unfolds daily—earth care in thriving gardens and mycelium, people care in fire-circle connections, fair share in seasonal abundance steps from the table: wood-fired ovens, small-batch brews, plum brandy warm, cheese carrying meadow scent.

We promise grounded healing, one intentional connection at a time—not mere escapes, but returns to what matters: profound harmony with nature, self, and others.

Through Earthway Chronicles and photography, step into the slow magic: crisp rye mornings, pollinator walks, intimate dinners under stars, hands-on workshops tending soil and spirit, respite in our emerging barn & cottage stays.

The path is open—step gently; the land is listening.

The Earthway Vision: Creating a Sustainable, Nature-Connected Way of Life
The Earthway project began with a vision that grew from a deep connection to nature and a respect for traditional ecological knowledge. This vision is shaped by years of study in naturalism, permaculture, and ecopsychology, as well as my time learning from a Lakota elder. Each experience reinforced the belief that caring for the land means caring for all living beings, now and for generations to come. Rooted in the Native American principle of thinking ahead “Seven Generations,” The Earthway seeks to create a model for resilience, balance, and community cooperation.

Our work combines principles from Zen philosophy and Indigenous wisdom with sustainable farming practices like permaculture and homesteading. Every step is about integration: balancing our needs with those of the earth, using resources wisely, and taking time to build meaningful community connections. These principles guide our hands-on practices, from renovating historical buildings with locally sourced materials to implementing permaculture zoning to maximize the yield and health of our gardens. It’s a holistic, practical, and intentional approach to sustainability that we hope will inspire others on their journey toward a more interconnected way of life.

Future Projects & Emerging Offerings As the sanctuary unfolds, we’re weaving in ways for you to step onto the land and feel its rhythm firsthand:

• Eco B&B Retreats: Settle into our remodeled Saxon barn and cottage—cozy private singles to family accommodations—where crisp mornings welcome you with fresh rye bread from the local baker. Each stay blends solitude with community: firelit evenings, guided reflections inspired by timeless wisdom, and walks through the landscape. Lodging, including breakfasts featuring our regenerative garden produce.
• Regenerative Agriculture & Permaculture Workshops: Engage in practical sessions on permaculture design and earth-healing gardening, designed to deepen your connection to the land. Explore sustainable techniques with hands-on activities in the garden and fields, or learn to cultivate resilience for your own space. Half-day or full immersion (group discounts)—ideal for individuals or teams seeking transformative growth.
• Punct Gastronomic Local (Small House Services): Our gastronomic point honors Transylvanian traditions with seasonal meals from local sources: garden-fresh dishes, house-made cordials, and 100% regional plates. Private dinners or event catering with optional pairings to enhance the experience.

Our Current Work: Purpose-Driven Renovations and Building Community Spaces
Right now, our primary focus is the renovation of our historic barn, house, and a nearby structure we call “The Ruin.” Some of these buildings are over 400 years old, crafted with local brick, stone, and an architectural style that reflects centuries-old Saxon craftsmanship. Restoring these structures to preserve their history is important to us, but so is making them functional for modern needs in a way that respects the environment.

Restoring the Barn
The barn is set to be the heart of our production activities. Over the last seven years, we’ve worked with local artisans to carefully restore its walls using a durable lime-mud plaster, a traditional material that breathes and prevents dampness, unlike modern concrete. The north end of the barn will be home to a microbrewery where we’ll craft small batches of beer using local ingredients, alongside facilities for cheese and butter production and a distillery for apple and plum brandy and Gin. By creating these goods onsite, we’re able to preserve and celebrate regional flavors while reducing reliance on imported products.

Further south in the barn, we’re planning to modify our existing tool room to serve dual purposes: it will store tools for our homesteading activities and house a walk-in cooler for kegs, cheese, butter, and fresh produce. Another section of the barn was designated and used for animal care, with separate stalls for chickens and pigs. This room will be converted into a "bunk house" style room.

The Ruin: A Future Summer Kitchen & Communal Space
In the courtyard, we have plans for “The Ruin,” an open structure that will serve as a summer kitchen and gathering point. Here, we’ll install a traditional wood-fired pizza oven and a large open-fire cooking area—perfect for bread, seasonal meals, and shared stories. This blend of practical function and cultural tradition is what The Earthway is all about: creating spaces that meet human needs sustainably while fostering a sense of belonging—ideal for workshops, intimate gatherings, weddings, reunions, and village celebrations.

Homesteading as a Way of Life: Canning, Soap-Making, Brewing, and More
Homesteading is at the heart of our everyday practices. In a world where convenience often overshadows connection, homesteading helps us slow down, become more self-sufficient, and connect deeply to the land. Every week, we’re hands-on with activities like canning our produce, making natural soaps, brewing small-batch beer, and distilling brandy from apples and pears. These aren’t just hobbies—they’re ways to close the loop on waste, preserve local resources, and embrace time-honored skills.

For example, our soap-making process uses natural, locally sourced ingredients. It’s free from harsh chemicals, safe for the environment, and gentle on our skin. When we can fruits and vegetables, we’re extending the growing season and ensuring that none of our harvest goes to waste. And through cheese- and butter-making, we’re able to enjoy fresh, homemade dairy products that reflect the richness of the land.

Each of these practices brings a sense of fulfillment and self-reliance that deepens our relationship with the earth. It’s about seeing the resources around us as gifts and using them responsibly to create a life that’s as nourishing to us as it is to the environment.

The Permaculture Landscape: Designing with Nature
Our land is organized into permaculture zones, designed to work in harmony with the natural world. Around our home and barn (Zone 0) are herb gardens, berry patches, and flowers that attract pollinators and provide fresh ingredients for daily meals. This zone is the heart of our homestead, a place we visit and work in daily.

In Zone 1, we have a kitchen garden with easy access to frequently harvested crops like lettuce, radishes, and herbs. As we move outward into Zone 2, we encounter the chicken coop, compost bins, and our beehives. The bees pollinate our crops, and the compost bins return nutrients to the soil, completing a sustainable cycle.

Further out in Zone 3, we’re planting orchards and experimenting with grains. Zone 4 will be dedicated to firewood and lumber trees to reduce our reliance on external resources, and Zone 5 will remain an undisturbed area where we can forage and observe wildlife. Each zone builds on the last, creating an interconnected landscape that sustains itself and provides for us.

The Future Vision: A “Zen-Type” Monastery of Mindfulness and Resilience In time, we envision The Earthway as more than a homestead—it will be a space for mindful living, community learning, and ecological restoration. Drawing inspiration from Zen philosophy, we want to create a “Zen-type monastery,” a place where people come to practice mindfulness, learn sustainable skills, and reconnect with nature. The teachings of Alan Watts and the interconnected wisdom of ecopsychology inspire us to live intentionally, to see each task—from planting seeds to baking bread—as a form of meditation and care.

This vision includes not just ecological sustainability but also community resilience. We want The Earthway to be a model of village life, where resources are shared, cooperation is prioritized, and local culture is celebrated. As Mohawk elder Jake Swamp once said, it may take 100 years to restore true community, but by building spaces like The Earthway, perhaps we can speed that process along.

Thank you for being here as we embark on this journey—together, healing the great-grandchildren we will never meet.

Mitakuye Oyasin

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