Mission
Housing, food, skill-building, and community repair are treated as one connected system.
Every builder creates the next builder.
Since its beginning, 500 Acres has led a new movement in American community building. We revive the tradition of learning by doing and building together.
Mission
Train young people to build homes, grow food, and repair communities.
On donated land, 500 Acres trains young people to design and construct affordable homes, grow food, and create businesses that strengthen neighborhoods.
“From the Greatest Generation to the Comeback Generation, we’re proving America can still build back better.”
Michelle Crosby
The model
A practical path from skills to ownership.
About
500 Acres blends project-based learning, maker culture, land stewardship, and real building work.
Timeline
The model moves from fellowship training to prototype builds, community partnerships, and repeatable housing systems.
Get involved
Support the mission or become a fellow.
Support our mission
Partners and sponsors help fund equipment, supplies, student projects, machine time, and fellowship access.
Ways to helpBecome a fellow
The fellowship is built for young people ready to learn by building and contribute to the first phases of the work.
Become a fellowMeet the fellows
Fellows bring different backgrounds into one shared mission: build useful things, learn together, and leave a trail for the next cohort.
Meet fellowsTeam
Builders, educators, advisors, and operators.
The Yellowstone team includes leaders, master builders, workshop facilitators, design thinkers, engineers, AI contributors, and educators.
Board of Directors
Advisors
Build Team
Fellow Mentors
