having spent a few afternoon winter hours clicking around on permies forums, this thread has caused me to de-lurk, as I may have some information to add.
I've lived in the Kamiah / Kooskia area, most recently last year, and I believe that "permaculture institute" is no longer viable - I tried to get in touch with them, no reply, and was told by some locals that one of the founders had passed? their online presence was up last year, but appears to be down now (unless I'm wrong and it's been re-named or?).
as to the area, it definitely has its quirks, and is drawing in many different types of people - but overall, there is a substantial "older" population living on SS or similar smaller incomes - which is fine, of course, I'm merely noting that not a lot of business or services are in the area, mainly because there isn't the "income" amongst the locals that would support these things. check out the "main streets" of Kamiah or Kooskia, and you'll find most businesses have gone under in the past five years or so, the bars are the last to go. the mid-summer tourist season is their main draw, Hwy 12 "scenic route" that attracts lots of biker groups, etc.
of course, you're talking of land "off grid" and not in town services! I'm just sharing some impressions of the area over time. there are some truly friendly, helpful people the sort one would expect in "small town" settings - there are also some, shall we say, strongly held beliefs the further out of town one gets. the area drew in a few "apocalyptic" types around Y2K, congregations that bought up tracts of land named "Almost Heaven" (search: Bo Gritz) etc. - many of these "sub-divisions" have undeveloped small acreage for sale now, I would only advise doing some homework, as "real estate agents" in the area vary WIDELY when dealing with buyers from "out of state" - particularly the ubiquitous "California" buyers flipping high priced real estate to buy Idaho acreage. those folks are not very popular, and are often sold, shall we say, less than ideal areas - mainly because most don't stick around after a few years. . . there are MANY "dream homes on acreage" or "prepper type" set-ups on the market that have been up for sale for YEARS now. . .
the "city-data" web-forums have some interesting threads on gravel pits opening up across the street from people's "dream retirement spot", etc. I've seen them "abandoned" for a few years, then re-opened for a month or so, 24-7 unreal noise and dust, trucks, etc. oh, and apparently "personal cannons" are legal too - those jaw-dropping *booms* echoing through the narrow river valleys, ahh yes, memories.
best wishes in your search - don't narrow your "real estate agent" choices, they do come in all stripes. a good question to ask when interviewing is "what are the most recent water rights agendas?" - because there was a LOT of noise about the Nez Perce tribal elders securing their status in the future (who can blame them!).
