An intentional community that doesn’t just talk about a new way of living sustainably—it lives it, every single day. A place made not just of earth and timber, but of real relationships—slow, intentional, and built through time and listening.

The Story of Strohplatz

It all began with an old barn. A large, cracked house full of silence. And a forgotten plot of land, where time seemed to stand still. But in the eyes of those who arrived, there was already a vision: to breathe life back into this land and turn it into a haven for those dreaming of a different path.

That’s how Strohplatz was born. Not from a perfect plan, but from a deep need. To slow down. To build with our hands. To rediscover the value of simple things.

In the beginning, it was just a few friends. Some tents. A wood stove always burning. Then others came—drawn by word of mouth, by the desire to step into something new and live a free life without depending on the system.

So they planted trees. Built straw-bale walls, spiral gardens, and solar showers. They made mistakes, started over, and kept learning. Always together.

Year after year, that patch of land became a living experiment in self-sufficiency, permaculture, and conscious living. Today, Strohplatz is a community in motion. A living lab for the future—rooted in the Earth, open to the world.

Off-Grid Living

At Strohplatz, self-sufficiency is the foundation. Every detail is designed to reduce environmental impact and increase independence. Food is grown on-site, energy flows from the sun, water is managed through sustainable systems, and warmth comes from high-efficiency wood stoves.

But Strohplatz isn’t a refuge for extreme eco-activists. It’s a place that shows how sustainability can be simple and accessible. A way of life that nourishes, restores, and gives back.

Permaculture as a Way of Life

The beating heart of the project is the garden. A complex ecosystem where every plant has a role, every insect is part of the greater natural balance.

At Strohplatz, permaculture isn’t a technique—it’s a language. A way of observing the land and responding with respect. According to this holistic science, every gesture begins with listening.

You learn to read the signs: the flight of bees, the feel of the soil, the silent rhythm of the seasons, the elements already present. You don’t grow food to dominate—you grow to participate in a bigger design.

Here, days are filled with seed care, compost transformation, and studying lunar cycles. Everything is connected. Everything matters.

A Center for Authentic Relationships

At Strohplatz, it's not just about growing food. It’s about growing relationships—real, vulnerable, alive—through the practice of Nonviolent Communication.

A way of being. A way of relating. A way of speaking without harm. Of listening without defense, and talking from the heart—not from fear. Every talking circle is a sacred space where words become tools for collective healing.

At Strohplatz, people learn to be with one another without losing themselves. To say “no” with love. To say “yes” with presence. To feel before reacting. To name needs without blame. To transform conflict into bridges for deeper connection—with others and with ourselves.

To create relationships that nourish, liberate, and heal. Because even communities, like soil, need care, listening, and regeneration.

Learning by Doing: Volunteering

Want to learn how to grow food through permaculture? Build a straw-bale house? Test yourself with off-grid life? At Strohplatz, you can.

Throughout the year, the project opens its doors to volunteers and curious travelers, offering food, accommodation, and a wealth of hands-on experience in exchange for time, energy, and the desire to learn!

In Conclusion

In the heart of Germany, Strohplatz is a grassroots ecological community nestled among the trees of Trier. At its center lie the practices of permaculture and nonviolent communication, offering a vision of the future built day by day through deep listening.

A place that proves change isn’t a distant ideal, but a daily gesture. A reminder that we can live with less—and live much better!