Unique Opportunity for Homesteaders who are ready to build their dream homestead but don't have $$.

Hi all,

I'm new here, and not sure if this is in the right section or not.  If not, please feel free to move this post to wherever as you see fit.

I'm in the early stages of something that I think might appeal to some folks here, so I thought I'd post and see if there was any interest, and if I'm in the right place.  I think I might be, but not entirely sure.

So, forgive the evasiveness of some of this post, as I cannot yet disclose certain key details for various legality reasons, but I'll reveal what I am allowed to at this point.

We are looking for people who would be seriously interested in joining a homestead that is being built completely from scratch.  There will likely be absolutely nothing on the property, except what is naturally there.  If there IS anything on site that's "man made" it most likely would be suitable for salvaging purposes, or would need extensive repairs.

The land will be fully paid for, you don't have to worry about contributing to the purchase of the land.  Yes, you read that correctly.  

Any person (or family) who is selected and who joins, stays, and successfully homesteads for a certain number of years, will end up owning a part of the property, and will be put on title as an owner.  Certain key pieces of equipment will be provided to the homestead.  You are also welcome to bring whatever items you wish as well, but that would be at your own expense.    

Exact location is yet to be determined, but we have several sites picked out in places like Idaho, Ozark Mountains of Missouri, and some others.  Most likely, we're looking at Idaho, the southern part, in the mountains.  

The property will be at least 50 acres, more likely over 100, and will have a constant, steady water supply, and ample mature trees for harvesting for building purposes.  The property will be remote, but within an hour or two of a major city or mid sized town.

You'd need to bring your skills, labor, and love of doing something, well, life changing and amazing.  You'd also need to be able to afford to do this, as there are certain things that obviously require money... but the property will be paid for entirely.  Taxes would be the responsibility of the participants when those come due, after the first year.  There will be a lengthy official application process, along with a background check, and other requirements to be considered for this opportunity as well.

The question we are trying to determine is, if there is anyone here who would be seriously interested in this.   The key word being SERIOUS, meaning you'd also be able to pack up and come within a few months notice you'd been accepted.  (Of course you'd have an opportunity to talk with and possibly meet the other participants as well.)  Anyone chosen will have the option to leave if they decide it's not for them, but we're trying to find candidates that would see this through as a long term plan and who are serious.

We already have selected several candidates including a builder/mechanic/jack of all trades/ who's married to a nurse practitioner, a veterinarian and her husband who are both retiring, an ex military special forces guy, and a couple of others.  Skills desired would be those with mechanical abilities, gardening, health (doctors, paramedics, etc. always good to have folks on site who know what to do in an emergency), hunting, fishing, animal husbandry, gardening, etc, and the normally expected skills for building a homestead.  

The candidates we seek will not be faint of heart.  This will be extremely difficult, both physically and mentally demanding, and we want candidates with strong minds and relatively healthy bodies who will stick it out until they can get it built.    

No drama wanted or needed, and we don't want people who create drama be being overly sensitive or who need everyone to be "PC".

We do NOT care about your race, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, political beliefs, etc.  We do care about WHO you are as a person.        

Each participant (or "participant family") would be able to select their own area to build, and there would be a communal area where the group can get together and where "shared" items would be stored for the use of the group.  

I realize there will likely be a LOT of questions... and I'll answer them if or when I can.  For now, I simply need to know if anyone here would be seriously interested,

If so, please answer the following questions:

Who are you?  (single, couple, small family..full names not necessary at this time.)

Ages of applicants?  

Skills possessed by you?

What would you bring with you that you currently have?  (Ie, a backhoe, tractors, etc.)

What do you do for work?  How will you generate an income on the homestead?

What state do you currently live in?

What type of home would you build?

Can you afford to do this?  (Ideal candidates will be debt free, so as to ensure that they won't need to quit due to financial obligations.)

There will be more questions on the full applications when we get to that point.  Right now, we are trying to feel it out to see if there's anyone on this site who would be interested, and what the level of said interest is.  As I said earlier, we've already selected several great candidates, we just want a few more.  

If you have questions, I'll answer if I can.  If I don't respond to your particular question, it is because i cannot answer it at this time, but I will glad do so later.

Thank you.  

Phil.




 

wow Phil, this was posted a month ago and you have no responses? Hm...pretty unbelievable. Wonder why?

We're in a similar situation. We have the land and want more people to join us. Can we open up some dialogue via email? michael(at)thepoosh.org

Hi Michael,

I guess people aren't interested in it.  We're still moving forward, albeit slowly.  We've put posts up elsewhere, and had good responses, but are open to speaking with anyone who's seriously interested.  Somehow, we thought this might be that place, but so far, I guess not.  

If I were to hazard a guess, some of the lack of response might be due to your asking a lot of info of others, you didn't provide any info about yourself or the community your trying to build. As well as being pretty vague about locations. Not knowing if it will be located in Idaho or Missouri can be a huge thing. Folks might have relatives near one, but not the other. Or prefer one climate over the other.

Just a thought, some more info could help bring in more interest.

Unfortunately, I cannot divulge any more info at this time due to a number of reasons, some of them contractual in nature, others due to proprietary reasons.  

While I understand folks concerns, at the same time, it would take someone a few minutes to answer some simple questions, (and they could ask questions, but only one person has bothered to).  

Frankly, if i saw a post offering me an opportunity to get a homestead for little or nothing, I'd be skeptical, but I'd also inquire, because, one never knows, and if, in fact, it is real, it could be a massive opportunity.  But, I take leaps of faith all the time...

I can't speak for anyone else, but the offer from your post seems like this:

-Agree to drop everything on short notice to move to an undisclosed location
-Have plenty of cash
-Pay to build a home and infrastructure out of my pocket, or build someone else's home with their money and my labor
-Pay the taxes on the land
-Once all that is done, at some distant point in time I may be allowed to have partial ownership of the land and buildings.

While it's certainly tempting to work and pay taxes on land someone else owns, with the possibility of someday being able to 'own' what I built, it doesn't exactly seem like a dream arrangement based on what you've written.

On the other hand, if someone wants to come work on my land for a few years I'll also think about someday letting you be a part owner.

Mark Andersen wrote:I can't speak for anyone else, but the offer from your post seems like this:

-Agree to drop everything on short notice to move to an undisclosed location
-Have plenty of cash
-Pay to build a home and infrastructure out of my pocket, or build someone else's home with their money and my labor
-Pay the taxes on the land
-Once all that is done, at some distant point in time I may be allowed to have partial ownership of the land and buildings.

While it's certainly tempting to work and pay taxes on land someone else owns, with the possibility of someday being able to 'own' what I built, it doesn't exactly seem like a dream arrangement based on what you've written.

On the other hand, if someone wants to come work on my land for a few years I'll also think about someday letting you be a part owner.

You've made a LOT of assumptions on your response, but thank you, so I'll clear these up:

!) No.  Not expecting anyone to "drop everything on short notice"  In fact, just the opposite.  We're planning this out very carefully.

2) "have plenty of cash".  No again.  But one does need to be in a situation where they can afford to do something like this.  HUGE difference.

3) "Pay to build a home and infrastructure out of my pocket, etc":  WRONG again.  The plan is to utilize the resources the land gives us, and to have much of the stuff we need donated.  

4) "Pay the taxes on the land".   Yes, at some point, ANY LAND would have taxes due.  Do you expect to be given free land AND have someone else pay the taxes???  That's a bit ridiculous, don't you think?  

5) As for your last comment, again, completely incorrect.  There will be a very clear and fair contract.  If one joins, then decides to leave and quit, then they wouldn't be a part of the community.  IF they stay, and continue to build and grow with the community, then they end up as an owner.  

Instead of assuming the absolute worst, perhaps ASKING questions instead of ASSUMING you know what then situation is might be more prudent.

A number of folks have contacted me directly about this,.  They see it for what it is.  a POSSIBLE opportunity worth ASKING about, and exploring.  If it goes nowhere, they've lost nothing but a few minutes of their time by asking.

But when you assume the worst, all you see are the negatives, and you loose sight of the opportunities.  But each to their own.  

I would be interested in this type of situation but for me location is key, as is the property. Building infrastructure takes time so does Building business. Taxes must be paid and you're looking in different places 2 hours away from the city. So for me the hurdle is there is no work to make money until a year or 2 in. Im debt free but can't simply trust that the nearby town/whatever it may be will have enough of a job to pay unknown taxes for an unknown property in an unknown state to live with unknown people with unknown skills for an unknown number of years.

I wish you luck and hope you are successful.

Phil Shenke wrote:
Instead of assuming the absolute worst, perhaps ASKING questions instead of ASSUMING you know what then situation is might be more prudent.

A number of folks have contacted me directly about this,.  They see it for what it is.  a POSSIBLE opportunity worth ASKING about, and exploring.  If it goes nowhere, they've lost nothing but a few minutes of their time by asking.

But when you assume the worst, all you see are the negatives, and you loose sight of the opportunities.  But each to their own.  

Phil Shenke wrote: Unfortunately, I cannot divulge any more info at this time due to a number of reasons, some of them contractual in nature, others due to proprietary reasons.

Phil, I think part of the problem is that, from the very first post, you said you can't really give details about this project, but then you seem offended that someone would make assumptions and not ask questions.  You even went so far as to say you can't divulge any more info.  That being the case, why would anyone ask questions?  Regardless, I hope you find people and the situation works out well for all involved.

If you choose Idaho, I'm in, depending on the details.  I'm living on Social Security, so unless....

If you were doing this in Grand Marais, Minnesota, we'd be in, hook, line and sinker because what you're describing is something we've had in mind for our own area. We'll be building a cordwood home this summer - a tiny home - that we'll over-winter in until next year when we build our bigger home. Or, we'll decide that we're okay with the tiny home and we don't need anything else! (With two kids and two dogs, that's probably a slim chance, but hey, anything can happen!)

I wish you the absolute best with your project!

[size=12]Phil,

Greetings.   We have already sold our house in the city.   We are traveling around looking for a homestead or community or neighbors who are in line with the permaculture lifestyle.   We may be interested in your proposal if you decide on the Ozarks.    For anyone else reading this this response we would be interested in Tennessee also.

first posting of any kind.   Sorry if any errors.

Single male here, 28 years old, ex-military (wide range of skills) VA compensation $ due to wounds received in combat takes care of living expenses, ready to pack up and head out as soon as possible. Would prefer Ozarks territory as I was born and raised here but no stranger to mountains either. Please reply as soon as you can with any and all details if you decide I would be a valuable      asset so I can get things moving forward and start building our shared American dream.  Thank you and God bless.

I'm very interested in this opportunity. I have an independent source of income. I have carpentry a d masonry skills,  was raised on a farm sinuses to working with and caring for various types of poultry and livestock, and am a certified master gardener. I grow and can my own fruits and vegetables. I have various garden tools, a tent and camping supplies for roughing it for awhile, and will bring along whatever I can physically haul with me. I have been collecting items to start my own homestead for awhile now. I can easily teach others how to preserve their food and ways to earn money on the homestead. I can bring poultry with me to start a flock. I have materials to build a chicken tractor upon arrival. I also would prefer Tennessee, but Missouri would work, too. A longer growing season and milder winters makes these preferable to a northwest location.

I'm a massage therapist, my BF is a delivery driver/manager. We're developing a significant communal garden and chicken flock with several neighbors where we rent, but realize paying $700/mth and working away the better years of our life is a dead end.
I have tax and student debts I have no intention of paying (long story), but his credit and accounts are good. I have an adult son who would have no interest in a homestead life, my BF would like kids but we haven't had luck on that front for two years so we would have no one to inherit. My point is that I wouldn't want a share in ownership, just a place to build a life and work happily until I die.
We have no way of knowing how serious this offer would be, and 'unable to disclose due to legal BS' doesn't instill confidence.
I've been studying permaculture and associated homestead skills for several years, and would joyfully build an earthbag/greenhouse earthship home, tend livestock and plants, and drop off the grid until I'm buried in a grove. (Maybe visit family every couple of years?)
As for generating income on the homestead, I can breed some excellent animals.
But as part of the community, 1) Making myself available to relieve muscle pain/dysfunction from non-ergonomic activities and older injuries via therapeutic massage would be an on-going task. 2) I could prepare meals for the entire group. 3) skills to help where other participants may lack.
Yes, there are serious people who would be interested. We're in Idaho now, and real estate is ridiculously expensive (per acre/production potential) compared to Virginia (our current target area). Looks like you'd get more for your money in the midwest.

I'd be interested in Tennessee.

HI Phil,

I'm Daniel and I'm interested. I'm also interested to know more details about how all this would work. I would be with my significant other, and possibly my Dad. I'm 42, my significant other is 33, and my Dad is 68. I'm a climbing arborist by trade. I have also worked in construction, mostly residential building, some construction landscaping, commercial fishing, and yard maintenance too. I'm typically very handy due to my upbringing. My wide array of experience, and the specialties of those fields that includ some fabrication and engineering skills for everything from fixing everyday problems with limited resources, to innovative problem-solving for more complex issues in various aspects of production under rigorous and dangerous conditions. Other skills I possess are as a hunter, fishermen, tracker, trapper, mechanics, gardener, animal husbandry, including soil sciences and much of the biology that goes along with agricultural in organic and conventional processes including the principles of permiculture, which to me are really just common sense in working with nature and physics.

The tools I would bring would be basic hand and power tools, with the power tools ranging from gas to electric power.

As I said I'm an Arborist by trade; however, the circumstances of the location could drastically effect the way income was generated. Trapping fur bearers in winter may be an option for seasonal income generation. Spring and fall wild mushroom harvesting may have a potential. The potential for agro-production and sale of summer time seasonal crops, like surplus veggies, mushroom production, eggs, meat birds, or even live animal sales of breeding pairs or laying hens. Late summer early fall could be a opportunity to sell any surplus sheep, goats or cattle that won't be needed for breeding stock or winter food supply. Then there's always creative ways to generate income by building or creating what others need from recycling or up-cycling what's no longer needed, or salvaged. Of course this is speculating the commute will be to far and impractical for everyday travel to areas of typical employment.

I currently live in Western Oregon and growing up where I did, as a child without even realizing it, I was already practicing permicultuer and homesteading. Since to me commen sence, self sufficiency, self reliance, applied knowledge, practical applications of low imputed, low maintenance, high production and practical living. Essentially is the basic underlying fundamentals of permicultuer and homesteading, as I've always practiced those principles.

Both me and my significant other are debt free, and plan on keeping it that way.

As far as what type of home I would build, would depend on location, materials available, and the geology. When dealing with nature everything is fluid, so sometimes you go with the flow, in the direction best suited for your immediate practical advantage and adapt to better your situation when feasible. Ideally the dwelling would be as deep in the ground as practical, and with the most durable well insulated material available. Dimensions would be dependent on available materials, and the practical application for engineering with those materials under the circumstances at hand. Homesteading is about survival, and continually bettering your situation, for ease of survival, and as I said, in survival everything is fluid.

Thank you for your response.


Sincerely,

                   Daniel

Phil, are you able to tell us about any project, be It building, farming or anything else, where you have had success getting a number of people to work together toward a common end? Are you able to provide any concrete information concerning any other project, including photographs, real names of people involved and the location of said project?

 Hi y'all, i am new to the site..
   I live in Tennessee and am very interested in something like this... I would love an opportunity such as this, or somthing very similar... I do not have much money at all but i do have an income.. I struggle somewhat
 however i am grateful to have a roof over my head.. I rent a room from an older couple, i am seeking housing at this point. I have been here for a year and 6 months.. It has been tough just simply because of
 the fact i wanted to be helpful and also kind when i first moved in, well after a couple of months or perhaps about 3 months after i moved in i had to explain to the man of the house that i wasn't paying them rent
 to work for them... I just felt that i was being taken advantage of.. Both my room-mate and myself found ourselves cooking, and cleaning along with many other chores such as painting, layingn tile, yep! Believe
 it.. The man of the house had almost suckered me in to laying tile in a bathroom that is next to the room i rent til this very day, but didn't workout that way.. I simply had to inform him if i lay that tile after you paid
 someone to redo your bathroom, you're going to have to pay me or deduct it from my rent... Needless to say he ended up laying that tile and it looks horrible.. I could had done a better job..

   I am interrested in finding something along the lines of a co-housing community, and i am interested in tiny homes and the homes that Paul Wheaton talk about.. I am a simple person, i love coming up with new
 ideas on doing things.. I really like learning new things and i pick up on things pretty quickly when shown... I am in my late 40's.. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth, i have had to struggle for most of
 my life.. I know hard times, so i would love a chance to become a member of a small community where we all are a part of.. I just have never felt like i belong in a world where i am to keep up with the " Jone's."

                                          Thanks for reading, wishing you all a good day and may God bless you..
                                 
                                                                E.D.Langley
                                                                  ( Diane )

 Hi, me again.. I didn't mention that i am part of a couple... I have a sgnificant other that is a full time student working towards their bachelor's degree in healthcare management..

Devin Lavign wrote:Not knowing if it will be located in Idaho or Missouri can be a huge thing.

Yes, there is a major difference between being willing to move to Missouri or being willing to move to Idaho.

Sounds real interesting but yea, would need to know a bit more. Even vague ballpark more would help.

I hope Phil did not take his ball and go home.

But a friend of mine who has been on a few misadventures, with his young family, that started like this would look askance.

If it sounds too good to be true, them perhaps that is reality. I do not know why Phil did not wait
until things were in place and then promoted it with the ability to answer any questions.

Fredy Perlman wrote:I hope Phil did not take his ball and go home.

But a friend of mine who has been on a few misadventures, with his young family, that started like this would look askance.

Not sure exactly how you meant that

I found myself smiling and shaking my head as I read the OP.

They should have a form letter on IC for this. It sounds like so many others.

Anyone who "...cannot divulge any more info at this time due to a number of reasons, some of them contractual in nature, others due to proprietary reasons." is blowing smoke. (And not the kind of smoke with any appreciable benefit.)

Sounds to me like Amway. Come live the Amway lifestyle and sell product. You will be rich in 5 years and all will be well. Multi-level marketing...the wave of the future. (I needed a good hearty laugh this afternoon.)

Families, couples, people in general do not give away their sovereignty.

There need be no dictator. Adults who wear big pants, either do...or don't. People who need parents should never leave their childhood home.

Phil, you have to understand that many people on this forum have read fifty or more posts like the one you opened with. Less than 2 out of fifty are more than the musings of a dreamer, wishful thinking while doing bong hits late at night in their parents basement.

I'm interested. I am building my homestead and microfarm sometime within the next couple of years. I want to live near others with like interests / goals. I want to be at about 7,000 ft altitude in the mountains. I am looking in the SW Utah area. I might be persuaded to consider southern Idaho, but that really is stretching it. I want to be near my kids and grandkids. I am on social security disability so my income is stable and my social security high enough to provide for my basic needs. My health is poor but stable. I have considerably recovered from the health problems that landed me on disability but I will never have normal strength and energy. I am not expecting a free ride. I have a small amount of money. With the health issues, I would prefer to buy my land outright in a community of like-minded individuals and share community structures such as a barn, etc, rather than a 100% sharing opportunity. I don't want to be a slacker contributor because of limited energy, but I can contribute to building community structures and funding things such as a well. I can't do hard physical labor all day, every day, though. I am skilled at engineering, music, teaching, health, herbs and natural medicine, water and sewage treatment (municipal, though).

I'd love to know if this is still happening...if it is in fact happening in Missouri, i'd really like to ask more questions or get involved...it's been a while since the original post and I'm wondering if a location has yet been decided or if any more info is available.

I have spent some time, off and on, in an intentional community called The Farm...in Summertown, TN over the last 2 years. I've taken workshops in photovoltaics(solar power), learned various forms of natural building, and even co-hosted a bottle wall workshop there. I've also spent some time at The Dancing Rabbit, near Rutledge, Missouri, this year and learned quite a bit about the governance of an intentional community, conflict resolution, non violent communication, alternative currency and natural building vs green building techniques. I've visited and work exchanged at the 1st Tennessee earthship, in Galatin,TN and also spent a weekend at The Tennessee River Arts Village,in Parsons,Tn. 


I've dedicated the past 2 years and the upcoming year to learning as much as i can about intentional communities, off grid living and natural building.

I'm intending to either find a community in which i can happily exist and feel comfortable moving my family of 3 into...or finding a pc. of land in which i can build my own community. Either way,  I'm absorbing as much info and experience as i can and I'd love to find out more about your vision and community perhaps.


I am a glass blower/glass artist and educator...i teach glass art...glass blowing and kiln worked glass... from my own studio for the last 18years...i currently live in Memphis,TN...i identify as female, sexual orientation is lesbian, and i have a wife and one male child who is 8 years old. My family of 3 is looking to get out of the city and live a sustainable life off grid and in a simple and natural way.

My website is blownfuseglassart.com, email is blownfuseglassart@hotmail.com, phone number is 901-336-6555.


Please feel free to contact me and send me any info about visiting your community, including costs, fees, items to bring, applications to fill out, work exchange opportunities, volunteer gigs, scholarships or grants to offset costs, or anything else you think may be useful to me.  

 Thanks for your consideration,  Teresa/Fuse is my nicknane.

Man, the level of negativity here is kind of surprising, especially since I've read various threads here that talk about the "love" and about the site being for the designed for people who were sensitive and tender.

Yes, we are still moving forward, and have interest from a few sources which would fund most, if not all of this.  At some point, hopefully soon, I can divulge more information, but due to a non-disclosure agreement, I cannot release anything else yet.  

Franky, I'm surprised no one has figured out what we're doing, I figured it would be obvious.  

To all who have written, I thank you for taking the time.  We have your info, and will touch base with every single person that's contacted us once we know more on our end.  

Franky, I'm surprised no one has figured out what we're doing, I figured it would be obvious.  

Now THIS would be a fun thread. "GUESS WHAT WE'RE DOING?"  
I would partake in that one.

*Puts on Moderator Hat*

"Wow, this hat's kind of uncomfortable and scratchy"

*Clears throat*

I'm posting a gentle reminder for everyone to stay on topic, and that here on permies we like to keep all relatively controversial subjects (religion, politics, etc) in the Cider Press. The Cider Press is a spiffy little place reserved for those who've earned enough apples to show that they know how to "be nice" according to Paul's publishing standards. Eight apples is the usual number to gain access. Post a lot of helpful, informative, or even funny stuff, and you'll have 8 apples in no time!

So, let's try to stay on topic here, and focus on the aspects of the homestead.

Thank you!

Is this going to be televised?

For those who mentioned they were interested in Tennessee, look up The Farm, which is about 200 folks living on 1700+ acres in eastern TN. Seems to be a fully functioning community, has an extensive trial period to make sure you fit. Not sure how much land you get after the 2 year probation though, and no raising animals for slaughter.