Meet Jeff Hood

I’m known as a poet, carpenter, soulful facilitator, and wild man. Fortunate, I’m the human the land has chosen as midwife to its rebirth.

This adventure is the culmination of a lifetime. Back in 1972, a buddy and I bought a five-acre farm in rural Maine for $12,000. Our partnership quickly melted down amidst differing visions and non-existent communication skills. Fortunately, fifty years later, our friendship has survived and I’ve kept the dream of sustainable living alive.

Over the years I’ve designed and built multiple homes using all manner of alternative technologies. I’ve sat in encounter groups learning how to listen and feel and express it with some of the visionaries of our age. I’ve watched the sunrise from 17,000 feet on more than one big mountain and paddled a canoe 400 miles down a river to the Arctic Ocean. I’ve been a life-long skier, more at home flying down the mountain than sitting here trying to remember passwords. I’ve been a corporate trainer, sent a few thousand people flying off cliffs on a zip line, published a book of poetry, burned wood, grown tomatoes, and not the least, raised a couple of great kids.

Now, just over seventy winters, I’ve found a place inviting all that and more, and in return I think my soul has finally found its song under a cottonwood tree on the bank of the Rio Grande.

Meet Ananda

I am a teacher, author and lifelong student of shamanism.  Ever since I was a boy, I have sought refuge in nature, wisdom from the standing ones and the stone people.  It is a tremendous honor to live on the banks of the Rio Grande, directly across from the powerful being, Black Mesa.  Joy is my religion and I am blessed to be living in such a sacred sanctuary with such wonderful beings, human, animal, stone and plant.  Working on the land, building with my brothers and sisters, growing and harvesting our own food is the answer to my prayers.

Meet iishana

I am a Holistic Career and Empowerment Coach and entrepreneur. Living in community and close to nature is deeply important to me. I founded and ran a spiritual community center from my land in Vermont while sharing the center with 25 residents over 14 years.At Rio Grande Refuge, I cherish the beauty of the land, river, and sky, deep conversations, working on outdoor projects together, and shared purpose. I’m passionate about holistic health, lifelong learning, and finding ways to support and uplift those around me. I love being a part of a community that values living in harmony with the land and each other.