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I would like to start an Intentional Community.

 
Posts: 23
Location: NW Nebraska
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I have land, critters, some equipment, and a bit of knowledge, a job in town and not enough time in the day. I would like to start an Intentional Community. Or at least find a like minded person or two that is interesting in working together so we can live a sustainable lifestyle. I have had WWOOFERs here and they were great while they stayed but I am looking for more... The land is 70 acres of mostly grass pasture, there is 26 acres that was dry land wheat but I'm having it planted into a dry land hay field. I also intend on putting in 6 acres of fruit and nut trees. This is an old homestead on the place with a small house, tiny garage, chicken coop, barn, and shop. All the buildings are built within a large old tree shelter belt. Sadly there is no "live" water on the property however there are 2 wells and a couple of great areas of run off that a stock pond could be put in. It is currently off-grid, as in no electric and no running water. However I am leasing a place just a mile down the road that is on the grid, so this place can be used as a "base camp" for now. I'm located in NW Nebraska, the pretty part of the state. It is 5 miles from a tiny town and 25 miles from a small town with a State College located in it.
I'm not sure what else to put here. So I reckon I'll post this and see what happens next?
 
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Hi Heather-
This is one of the hardest things i ever attempted
For nearly 6 years I have helped my female farmer friend TRY and do just what you are attempting
We actually had it going for about 2 years with an ingenious small cash crop, about 8-10 people living there on the 84 acre broke down farm in Southcentral Virginia
but people come and go
drift away
usually they have personal demons...even the very best of them
we dealt with abuse, wiccan witches, drugs, pregnancies, laziness, video game/cigarette/booze addictions
you name it
have posted all over including intentional community sites, survivalist sites, homesteading, permaculture, forums, Craigslist

please let me know if you find some magic formula that finds people that REALLY can live off-grid
no wifi or no AC or just wood heat
yes it is not for the weak
even in southern rural Virginia
blazing hot in summer
freezing cold in winter
the donkeys and rabbits and poultry always need care
the gardens go unattended
this is difficult
we are starting over YET again

I have recently come to a conclusion that maybe the best way is to try and attract RVers...retirees
or this new TINY HOUSE movement where little groups of 5-10 people in these TINY HOUSES (108-280 say) square feet...on trailers...tho not cheap
well they are banding together it seems successfully in many cases
maybe try and market to this group??
if you're not familiar just look at some YouTube videos and Google TINY HOUSE forums
anyway
just my latest thought of SOMETHING that might work
Good Luck
mike
 
Heather Ahrens
Posts: 23
Location: NW Nebraska
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Thank you Mike for your input on this matter. I agree this is a very challenging endeavor to take on. Perhaps I put out to bold/broard of a statement as an opening one-liner. My end goal is to have a place where I and others can live, learn, teach a lifestyle at combines the best of "old school homesteading" with "modern technical".
What I'm really looking for is someone interested in room & board in exchange for doing chores around the place. Such as a WWOOFER, however more long-term.
 
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