About the New Roots Society
In a world that often feels disconnected, the New Roots Society is here to foster belonging, build local connections, and nurture regenerative living practices. We’re reimagining community as a place where everyone can thrive by reconnecting with nature, supporting local small business economies, and embracing regenerative living.
Our Mission
Our mission is to cultivate a thriving, local community network that empowers individuals and small businesses to live sustainably, trade resources, and connect deeply with nature. We aim to foster cooperation and mutual support through alternative economies, regenerative living practices, and collective learning, all while promoting a healthier, more intentional way of life.
Our Vision
We envision a world where communities are self-sustaining, people are connected, and our actions nourish the planet. By shifting focus from profit to well-being, we hope to inspire other communities to embrace a similar path, one that prioritizes health, happiness, and sustainability over profit-driven pursuits.
Our ultimate goal is to be a model of community resilience, where people from all walks of life come together, trading skills, goods, and support in a way that makes the world a better place.
About The Founder
Hi! I am Sarah, a chronically anxious nature lover who can’t seem to stop being perpetually disturbed by the direction the world is heading. On my quest for the relief of the endless gnaw of generalized anxiety I found myself finally planting firm roots. Quite literally. On 24 acres in Butler, PA. During a series of strange events and a global pandemic my husband and I found ourselves the stewards of a bigger swath of nature and more animals than we had ever before. In the midst of this experience I found myself, and the antidote to my anxiety. Well, at least a soothing balm. I still struggle with the anxiety. What I found deep in the heart of rural Pennsylvania was the answer I needed. Turns out my dad was right and I really did just need to touch grass. Kidding! Sort of.
My time so closely observing the land through the changing of now so many seasons taught me how to observe the intelligence of nature itself and apply it to my own life. I have learned a lot of lessons from simply observing nature. From the way trees and fungi interconnect, to the way my dog interacts with her environment, totally in her element. To observing the chickens as they go about their day, and the bugs crawling through the garden. I learned how to be still and really listen to what the land always has to say. There is no moment where nature is not speaking. You only need to remember how to listen. The truth is I knew how to listen from as early as I can remember, but slowly forgot as life moved on. Moving to the countryside allowed me to remember how to tap into the wisdom I had forgotten was always available. I started not only observing nature but creating mental frameworks for how to apply these lessons to my own life.
Now I have come to a point in time where I feel the urge to share my thoughts with the world and see if there are any other people who feel similarly who want to team up with me to make the world a better place. I realized that these lessons aren’t just applicable to me but to many systems throughout nature and society. I am certainly not the only one to come to these sorts of realizations, there are many, much smarter people who have come before me and who will come after me. But I believe in the power of making an impact, and the power of grassroots. I live in Butler County, PA. I have no intention to change the world, but I do believe I have the power to make a positive impact on my own life and land, and because of the inevitable interconnectedness of life on earth this impact can ripple out. I believe each one of us has the chance to do our part and I would love to meet more people who feel similarly and feel a pull towards holistic living, regenerative living and regenerative agriculture and creating a better way forward for humanity than the one we are on now. I am an event planner and host by profession so I would eventually love to be able to host various events and workshops as well. I’ll be honest, I have no clue what I am doing. I am just a person chasing the dream of leaving the world a better place than I found it, in the way that I know how.