Partners to grow, build, create, live...!!

Who we are:
A middle-aged couple w/ grown children. Healthy, happy, family oriented and committed to a peaceful life (peaceful is different than quiet). We have established a community of friends who enjoy joining us often for food, beer, wine, music, conversation...
He (Rick)= Semi-retired from construction trades, artist, builder of beautiful gardens, not a plant person, visionary, amazing cook, very handy guy...
She (Elizabeth)= Fulfilling work as a consultant, small business owner, loves to garden and preserve food, nurturing, exceptionally busy, amazing cook, local food fanatic...

What we have:
20 acres in the forest - deciduous/fir
Off-grid w/ solar
Spring gravity-fed water and additional undeveloped springs
Columbia Gorge area (OR)
Old garden area
Old orchard
Amazing opportunity for creating a space that sustains a more self-sufficient lifestyle
Large house w/ building opportunities.
Lots of house projects
Great existing wood shop and metal shop in development w/ potential living/guest quarters above shop

What we need/want:
A plant person(s) w/ some experience
Someone(s) looking to grow food for personal consumption, possibility for chickens and/or ducks, too
We love to share meals, chores...
Someone(s) looking to establish a home
Someone(s) who can help develop and maintain gardens, orchard
Someone(s) with energy to put towards developing the land in a respectful, caring, connected way
Your thoughts, ideas, energy to make this a more sustainable endeavor
Interest/experience in construction projects a big plus

What we offer:
A space to live w/ shared kitchen
Opportunity to pursue your business ideas that might utilize property, shop, surrounding area...
Possible opportunity to pursue business ideas collectively w/ our mutual financial investment and joint efforts
Supportive environment to try different "things"

When:
As soon as we find the right fit

An actual partnership with one or two additional couples, singles or small families will likely be the best approach.
We are interested in talking to folks who have some life and practical experience, a possible source of outside income (or on property income) and the ability to communicate effectively and openly.

The space really needs someone who can grow food! Maybe someone with a desire to raise a few ducks or chickens for eggs (and meat), rabbits for meat and pelts, or?
We have preserved a lot of fruit, some veggies and foraged mushrooms and would love to expand this to provide more of what we need to survive and thrive.

We offer a comfortable space, opportunity to take responsibility for a share of the on property tasks and expect that you will have a desire to actively help direct our collective future in community.

Be open to strongly connecting with this space, desire a sense of community, enjoy sharing tasks, have a quest for knowledge and continued learning, enjoy people and communicate effectively and openly.

Open to a trial or try-out phase and really looking for long term with the right folks.

Let’s have a conversation!

Cheers,
Eliza

Hi I'm Ann, a 50 yr old master gardener from md with food growing exp (still so much to learn). Am starting my journey deeper into permaculture. I have a 23' motorhome and am looking for hands on work. Can also wield hammer and other tools. Rehabbed a 35' school bus a few years ago and toured the mid Atlantic. Hope to hear from you. petnamaste@gmail.com

Hello, my name is Kristen and I'm definetly energetic! I'm very interested in growing plants, but I love taking care of animals and would enthusiastically accomplish daily chores You can email me at kristentabor@rocketmail.com if you're interested. I am a 19 year old female looking to learn as much as I can in an enviroment such as yours.

Thanks to all who have made contact!

We have had a couple of great visits with folks interested in this life / lifestyle.
While we are looking for someone(s) who are very specifically a great fit- and, while we have not yet found that, it is nice to meet others on the journey to greater sustainability.

A connection to the land, a desire to work with the natural rhythms of the space - this is our main focus.

Our quest continues...

Elizabeth

Hi Eliza, my husband and I of 11 years (along with our boys) have been living in cooperative, organic/permaculture work share positions for the last year and previously owned/operated a live power heirloom produce CSA in upstate NY. We raise and butcher our own meat animals and are familiar with the marketing of niche farm products. I'd love to send you my resume if the position is still available. We are currently free of obligations and can be mobile at any time. Cheers!

Lis

Hi. Not interested...as we are trying to do the same thing on our property...but...I just wanted to say, That Was A Fantastic Ad!!!

Its my natural tendency to tell everyone the bad news first so people have a realistic assessment on which to make extreme life changes.
Like, we are sort of grumpy. LOL. There is little employment here. Most of the locals are unpleasant. The winters are brutal...and we will be one of the first provinces to go bankrupt...But the place is really friggin cool and worth putting up with all that....

Your ad is way better. LOL.

I am swf 58 and I am searching a place similar to this one.
At The Present I Live In KY Abd Farmland Is Expensive And I Have Not Found Anything For me.
I Was Going To Look Into The Appalachians Next.
Your Request For A Person To Help Out sounds Wonderful To Me.
I Have Grown Gardens Off And On All My Whole Life.
I Am A Healer Of Reiki Master.
I Am An Artist
I Am An Author.
Dreamtree2011@hotmail.com
Let Me Know
Tonya

Summer is rushing past and we awoke to a morning in the 40's multiple times in the last week. A welcome relief, though the days remain very warm.

Sorry to be mostly away the last coupe months - wrapped up some big projects and now home quite a bit more - hooray!

Ross Raven - thanks for the funny comments. Truly gave me a good laugh!
Hope things are progressing well on your property...

Tonya - feel free to message me with a bit more info.
We would anticipate a phone call and visit before someone moves more permanently to the space.
This is a different way of life, interesting, challenging and amazing!

Lis - if you are still looking, send us a bit more info about what you are looking for and we would love to have a deeper conversation.
Again - a phone call and visit would be great before moving to something more permanent.
Always good to see how well we mesh, even initially, before making big decisions!

For anyone looking at this, as stated in previous post, a willingness to connect deeply to the land and "place" is really key to us. Allowing the space to guide what we do is. in my opinion, important for a true connection!

Cheers,
Elizabeth

We have successfully harvested, traded for and preserved about half what I was hoping to have for the year - ha!
Never seems we quite get to 400 jars...

We butchered a hog and have this in the freezer. We did all the actual cut and wrap this year, no sending to the butcher shop this go-round.
Cure happens as we go for bacon and hams.

Continuing to cut firewood and prep for winter.

And, we are still looking!
Drop us a line for more info or to schedule a visit.
Cheers,
Elizabeth

Eliza McNannay wrote:We have successfully harvested, traded for and preserved about half what I was hoping to have for the year - ha!
Never seems we quite get to 400 jars...

We butchered a hog and have this in the freezer. We did all the actual cut and wrap this year, no sending to the butcher shop this go-round.
Cure happens as we go for bacon and hams.

Continuing to cut firewood and prep for winter.

And, we are still looking!
Drop us a line for more info or to schedule a visit.
Cheers,
Elizabeth

Still looking - many years into the process.
Are there people out there that REALLY want to live like this??...