Melissa Dorn

Is there an events forum that I'm missing?   Can there be one if not?  

Thank you!

To get more women to attend your events, along with the sanitation issue, I have two magic phrases for you:

Children welcome
or
Childcare available

Having children at events signals to people that it is a safe space.  You do have to look at the space from the eyes of a child to ensure some level of safety first.  Contact a local Waldorf or Montessori school. They often have community newsletters where you could advertise to hire a qualified teacher or assistant teacher to run a parallel children’s program at your event. It could be a minimal cost, maybe $5 per child.  Or your group could provide that for families who attend, showing them that you value their presence enough to relieve them of conflicting duties that might keep them from attending. Duties that often fall disproportionately to women.

A family friendly environment can also feel safer for single people.

Lastly, the tone of your example event sounds a bit like it’s a workshop with the intent of extracting labor from the participants.  Make the focus on community, learning, and what you’re going to give to the participants.  Include an aspect of social permaculture or discussion.

Focusing on the why as well as the what appeals to me as a woman when choosing events to attend.

Mark Brunnr wrote:Hi Melissa, Paul has a couple options for becoming part of Ant Village

Thanks for the recommendation, Mark! I think I mentioned the summer smoke is getting to me.  Montana wouldn’t be a great fit personally but I hope you really enjoy it!

Rachael Ramos wrote:
Please let me know

Thanks for reaching out Rachael. Hope you find the right match for your spot.

Sara Peterson wrote:How is your search going? What is your timeline? I’d be interested to chat.

Patiently awaiting the right place.  Timeline is anytime between now and next April.  

Where are you located?  What kind of accommodations might you have available?

Feel free to email if that’s more convenient:  melid6@gmail.com

Raven Annasdottir wrote:Would love to connect.

Feel free to email me: melid6@gmail.com

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  I’m an experienced homesteader looking for a place to grow.  Must be a long term situation.

I’ve had my PDC for ten years.  Experience in design and implementing.  I do no till gardening which has always been more limited by my access to land than my ability to plant and tend it, though my maximum was an acre and a half and very manageable.  I know how to can, craft, wildcraft, grow herbs, flowers, so much food and preserve it in innovative ways.  I love fermenting and making medicines. I’ve taught classes in many sustainability subjects and helped establish a local community garden nonprofit. I use regenerative and organic practices and dabble in biodynamics.

I’ve raised Nigerian dwarf goats for 6 years and poultry half my life.  I use holistic management practices and make the most delicious cheese.  I have experience with cattle, horses, pigs, rabbits and elk as well.  I adore animals, and I’m far from squeamish in all aspects of raising them.  I can give death with honor and respect though I have lived a mostly vegetarian lifestyle as well that I may return to.  A connection with my food is very important to me.  I hope to have fiber animals one day as I love to knit.

Would love to learn more about beekeeping and the market side of market gardening, though I’m happy to be the one in the background.  I can build a fence, but that’s about all I can build though I’m happy to learn.

I have a professional background in writing, social media management, nonprofit administration, event production, teaching, and as a musician (harpist).

I am spiritual, a practicing astrologer and taking my yoga teacher training this fall.  I don’t do doomsday or prepper vibes.  I live this way because I believe it’s how nature intended us to live.  

I have experience working and living in community.

I have 4 Nigerian dwarf goats, a few ducks, a small lab mini poodle mix dog and a cat I’d be bringing with me.  

I also have a nine year old son who loves animals and helping that I have full time.  We unschool.

I’m 34, rarely drink (though I can make a great wine), don’t drink or create drama.  I’m introverted and like some space and privacy to create, read and flow.

Open to a variety of roles and situations... volunteer, work exchange, land share, rental, community, creative alternative. My only must is a flexible schedule and clear agreements.  We would need separate housing with two sleeping spaces, small is fine but no rvs, running water and laundry access.  I do some online work but my need to continue that would depend a lot upon the opportunities available and costs.

I’m currently in North Idaho and looking to relocate as the yearly smoke season is really getting to me.  I’m drawn to the Appalachian mountains though I would consider other places.

If any of these skills sound like they could be an asset to your project, I would love to have a more in depth conversation.

May this find you happy and well.

Photos of goats and last year’s gardens.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  I’m an experienced homesteader looking for a place to grow.  Must be a long term situation.

I’ve had my PDC for ten years.  Experience in design and implementing.  I do no till gardening which has always been more limited by my access to land than my ability to plant and tend it, though my maximum was an acre and a half and very manageable.  I know how to can, craft, wildcraft, grow herbs, flowers, so much food and preserve it in innovative ways.  I love fermenting and making medicines. I’ve taught classes in many sustainability subjects and helped establish a local community garden nonprofit. I use regenerative and organic practices and dabble in biodynamics.

I’ve raised Nigerian dwarf goats for 6 years and poultry half my life.  I use holistic management practices and make the most delicious cheese.  I have experience with cattle, horses, pigs, rabbits and elk as well.  I adore animals, and I’m far from squeamish in all aspects of raising them.  I can give death with honor and respect though I have lived a mostly vegetarian lifestyle as well that I may return to.  A connection with my food is very important to me.  I hope to have fiber animals one day as I love to knit.

Would love to learn more about beekeeping and the market side of market gardening, though I’m happy to be the one in the background.  I can build a fence, but that’s about all I can build though I’m happy to learn.

I have a professional background in writing, social media management, nonprofit administration, event production, teaching, and as a musician (harpist).

I am spiritual, a practicing astrologer and taking my yoga teacher training this fall.  I don’t do doomsday or prepper vibes.  I live this way because I believe it’s how nature intended us to live.  

I have experience working and living in community.

I have 4 Nigerian dwarf goats, a few ducks, a small lab mini poodle mix dog and a cat I’d be bringing with me.  

I also have a nine year old son who loves animals and helping that I have full time.  We unschool.

I’m 34, rarely drink (though I can make a great wine), don’t drink or create drama.  I’m introverted and like some space and privacy to create, read and flow.

Open to a variety of roles and situations... volunteer, work exchange, land share, rental, community, creative alternative. My only must is a flexible schedule and clear agreements.  We would need separate housing with two sleeping spaces, small is fine but no rvs, running water and laundry access.  I do some online work but my need to continue that would depend a lot upon the opportunities available and costs.

I’m currently in North Idaho and looking to relocate as the yearly smoke season is really getting to me.  I’m drawn to the Appalachian mountains though I would consider other places.

If any of these skills sound like they could be an asset to your project, I would love to have a more in depth conversation.

May this find you happy and well.

Photos of goats and last year’s gardens.

Hello Rose,

Sounds fun!  Could you tell me more about the accommodations you have available?

I’ve had my pdc for ten years, extensive animal husbandry experience, have 4 goats of my own. Also a musician with experience in event production.

Looking for a spot for my 9 year old and I and our animals to garden and grow long term.

Thank you!

Melissa

Hello,

If you’re still looking for families, my 9 year old son and I are looking for a long term place and would love to be in your area.

I’ve had my PDC for 10 years now, raise mini goats and poultry, love growing expansive gardens, make cheese and can.  I have experience living near others and working collaboratively.

Would love to talk more if you have openings.

Melissa