Off Gridders where are you?

I just read that one study reports that there are 280,000 offgridders in the US alone. Astounding!
Who are you ? Where are you from? What are you doing?

As a suburban Fresno- ite I salute you!

You are amazing!

That huge amount of off-gridders, and depending on how someone defines off-gridding it could be even more.
About twice as many people (half million) are homeless: foraging/living in the forest/park/dumpster diving. Maybe there is some overlap?
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/whats-behind-rising-homelessness-in-america.

How about farmers with a well, septic system, maybe a few solar panels for electricty, and they grow their own food. They usually don't count as off-gridder. But to me they are? How about ranchers, they do the same and I assume they have alot more practice with a gun. To me that also qualifies as an off-gridder?

If an off-gridder buys fossil fuel and drives to work everyday do they count as an off-gridder?
If an off-gridder buys fossil fuel and uses it to cook/heat and make electricty and also buys his daily food/clothes/electronic/etc does that still count as off-gridding.

I guess the answer is that it really just depends, its like asking if an apartment renter is a permie, or if a suburbanite is a permie. In the end it isn't a competition with others. Its all about getting better/improving year after year.

Absolutely agree! And thank you for referencing the homeless! The spirit of this post was not to enhance competition or say that those of us off grid didn’t count or to be ambiguous. Just an innocent question posed to those who consider themselves off grid.
Sounds like maybe you consider your endeavors to be off grid so thank you for sharing your story:)

Kimberly Agnese wrote:I just read that one study reports that there are 280,000 offgridders in the US alone. Astounding!
Who are you ? Where are you from? What are you doing?

As a suburban Fresno- ite I salute you!

You are amazing!

I agree! I had no idea that number was so big but it is amazing to think of so many people off-grid. I don’t think I could do it haha but I’m very interested to hear responses

Since I asked for the stories of others I thought it might be good to share a little of mine as well. Low income single mother to 4,  former youth  pastor to street / homeless children, counselor to group home teens , in home literacy  coach for low income second language learners, Special Ed teacher, published environmental advocate among other advocacies such as for those without homes, those with special needs …

I could go on … but who wants more of that lol? Just trying to say this post meant no harm and was only born out of curiosity and  community building hope.

Additionally… while I am duly impressed with traditional offgridding I also believe that there are untapped challenges and responsibilities for urban and suburban permies.
Since I fall into the latter category I had hoped to hear stories from the former.

Being very new to this site I am starting to wonder if my question is controversial and triggering to some.

I meant no harm.

Blessings:)

Kimberly Agnese wrote:Since I asked for the stories of others I thought it might be good to share a little of mine as well. Low income single mother to 4,  former youth  pastor to street / homeless children, counselor to group home teens , in home literacy  coach for low income second language learners, Special Ed teacher, published environmental advocate among other advocacies such as for those without homes, those with special needs …

I could go on … but who wants more of that lol? Just trying to say this post meant no harm and was only born out of curiosity and  community building hope.

Additionally… while I am duly impressed with traditional offgridding I also believe that there are untapped challenges and responsibilities for urban and suburban permies.
Since I fall into the latter category I had hoped to hear stories from the former.

Being very new to this site I am starting to wonder if my question is controversial and triggering to some.

I meant no harm.

Blessings:)

Wow, Kimberly! What a beautiful life story :)
I’m new to the site, too. I thought your question/comment was kind and encouraging! It seems like Permies is all about having opportunities for education and your post definitely opened the door for that!