Topic: Southern Exposure

Members at Acorn follow a 42-hour weekly labor quota that includes domestic tasks like cooking and cleaning common spaces. Marduk and Belladonna discuss the efficiency of communal cooking, noting they can feed 30 to 50 people on less than $1,200 a year by reducing waste and growing their own vegetables. The lack of a commute and the absence of television allows for more time dedicated to hobbies, conversation, and community management.

Acorn’s primary income source is the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, which sells organic, open-pollinated, and heirloom seeds. The business saw significant growth during the 2008 financial crisis as more people sought to grow their own food for economic security. The guests encourage listeners to support the community by purchasing seeds or even becoming contract growers for the exchange.

In the final segment of the interview, Belladonna and Marduk provide details on how to access the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange catalog, which contains over 500 varieties of seeds and extensive gardening advice. They leave the audience with a message about the abundance found in sharing resources and the importance of empathy and compassion in changing the world.