Reimagining Community: How Rooted Northwest is Transforming Rural Living
In the latest episode of the Regenerative Real Estate Podcast, we dive deep into the world of Rooted Northwest—a co-housing community with permaculture farms. This conversation goes behind the scenes to explore what it truly takes to bring a visionary project to life, from assembling co-founders and navigating complex county codes to developing a supportive framework that empowers people and farmers to become true stewards of the land.
From Dairy Farm to Visionary Community
Nestled in the foothills of the North Cascades in Arlington, Washington, a groundbreaking project in community design is taking shape. Rooted Northwest is not just another housing development—it’s a radical reimagining of how we live, farm, and connect with the land.
What happens when you combine innovative housing concepts with regenerative agriculture? The answer is unfolding on a 240-acre site that was once a traditional dairy farm. Today, it is becoming a model for regenerative community living.
Imagine a community where:
Over 90% of the land remains conserved as pastures, farmland, and mature forests
Two housing villages coexist harmoniously with the land
A collectively managed regenerative farm anchors the community
Agriculture and residential life are seamlessly integrated
The Visionaries Behind the Project
This isn't just a theoretical concept—it's being brought to life by two remarkable leaders in regenerative development:
Katie McCamant: Co-Housing Visionary
Katie McCamant is more than just a consultant—she's a fundamental architect of the co-housing movement in the United States. Her decades of work have been instrumental in introducing and normalizing collaborative living models that challenge traditional housing paradigms.
Dave Boehnlein: Permaculture Expert and Community Builder
As a co-founder of Rooted Northwest and a permaculture expert, Dave Boehnlein brings a holistic approach to community design. His expertise bridges ecological systems thinking with practical community development strategies. He's the author of Practical Permaculture and a professor at Bastyr's Holistic Landscape Design program and Alderleaf Wilderness College.
The Complex Journey of Creating a New Community Agrivillage Model
Bringing a project like Rooted Northwest to life is far from simple. It has required assembling a visionary team of co-founders willing to invest in the pre-development work. This is no small feat, as they not only had to be in right relationship with each other but also needed to invest significant financial resources in the early stages.
"What gets projects built is when people really make a financial commitment," Katie emphasizes. "They're using their money to back their values and say, 'I want something different than what the development world is providing.'"
The Rooted Northwest team has been navigating county planning ordinances to create a new code that would allow "super clustered" housing, enabling a mix of housing types from townhomes to single family instead of the traditional one single-family home per five acres. This innovative approach is now part of the Rural Village Housing Demonstration Program in Snohomish County Code.
The key to their success so far? Finding champions within the system. As Dave explains:
"The keys to our success have been in our relationships and finding advocates within the planning department and county council—people who truly understood our vision and were willing to help push the project forward."
More Than Just Housing: A New Approach to Living
Dave’s journey has taken him through diverse landscapes—from the lush permaculture fields of Bullock’s Permaculture Homestead on Orcas Island to apartment living in Seattle. Each lived experience contributed to his larger vision: people are yearning to reconnect—not just with each other, but with the land that sustains them. Dave and his founding partners were ultimately responding to a modern epidemic of disconnection.
"Learning how to be in community is needed now more than ever," Katie shared. "People are less involved at every level—whether it's local clubs, city councils, or schools—and so the need for connection is ever greater."
Why This Matters
In an age of escalating environmental challenges and increasing social disconnection, projects like Rooted Northwest present a much-needed alternative. They show us that it’s possible to design communities that are ecologically responsible, socially supportive, economically viable, and deeply rooted in their place.
Rooted Northwest has grown into something much more than just a housing development. It has become a living laboratory—an experiment in new possibilities—exploring bold, innovative models of human connection, including:
Reimagining community living
Pioneering collaborative governance
Practicing regenerative agriculture
Stewarding farm and forest ecosystems
Creating community-centered designs through unprecedented partnerships between farmers, nonprofits, government, and local indigenous tribes
As Rooted Northwest continues to evolve, it provides invaluable insights for urban planners, developers, environmentalists, and anyone interested in exploring more sustainable and connected ways of living.
Whats Next?
Rooted Northwest is welcoming people who are excited to live in a community like this. If you're interested in buying a home, consider joining one of their upcoming virtual or in-person information sessions.
Feel free to reach out to us at Latitude too — team@chooselatitude.com —we’d be happy share more about this amazing community.
