At first glance a simple community lifestyle is very attractive. But realistically, for me, there would need to be several modern gadgets to survive:
Electricity (locally generated)
Internet, probably (still need my hit of BCUK)
Tractor and ploughs or at least a rotavator
Locally produced fuel for the tractor/rotavator
For farming it would be nice to use a horse or horses to plough, harrow, haul trees etc. Not sure at what scale horse power gives way to tractor in terms of time for tasks, acreage in a given time and cost of running. As a kid I remember a plank saw running with belts from a tractor. Perhaps the tractor could be used for electricity generation too?
Wind and Ground source heat pumps (my favourite) could also be used for electricity.
The first year would only be practical if there was money/stocks of foods and fuel to keep the community going until crops come to harvest. If we have a season like this one the security of our crops would be in grave danger. If the woodland is large enough to sustain harvesting for our needs and provide a surplus, then logs sales will bring in cash.
A sustainable woodland is probably the best solution for fuel.
Ideally we will have a collection of artisans why can shoe the horse(s), beat metal into usable shapes, build our beds, tables and chairs. More likely in the early days we will either have to muddle through or use money to buy in the skills/products.
My gut feeling is that a self sustaining community has a minimum number of members and a maximum, largely based on the land and woodland size.
So whose putting up the land and woodland?