2009
June 15: Active recruitment of potential core-community members of Burr Oak Farm Center for Durable Culture (BOF) commences, launched via an interview with Iowa Public Radio, then via internet listings, newsletters, newspaper and magazine features, paid ads, direct-mail, etc.
June/July/August: Michael Luick-Thrams visits 20 intentional communities or related projects in Northern Italy, Southern France and Germany, to see which of their experiences to emulate and which to avoid, in creating the Burr Oak Center for Durable Culture. Drafting of "Project Principles".
Labor Day weekend: As—respectively—Director and Project Manager of the Burr Oak project, Michael and Amy Kielmeyer arrive in the area and prepare to close on the two houses in Turin.
September-October: Michael and David Emerson move into the Turin homes and, with others' help, begin to organize the future campus, as well as prepare the homes for winter. TRACES staff interview prospective community residents for suitability and qualifications; selected candidates spend weeks on-site as a “test drive” of personality, compatibility, skills, commitment level, etc. Construction of initial out-buildings of the Turin campus will include: chicken coop, greenhouse, etc.
Thanksgiving: Michael visits Twin Oaks community, near Washington, DC, for ideas and support.
2010
March: Those who can, move to Turin to start readying the campus for the arrival of those who are to come in the next weeks or months. Tasks include: finishing home renovation for core-community residents, sorting through the two basements, cleaning out the long-neglecgted yard, starting seed trays under grow lights in the converted two-stall garage, etc.
April: Specifications drawn for how to best plot gardens, lay fence lines, divide work, etc. Orders completed for seeds and plants; purchases of initial livestock made; tools and supplies bought.
May: First significant outdoor work possible, preparing gardens, repairing fences and buildings, cutting trees, etc. Planting commences, livestock program expanded.