Jonathan Burger

My wife and I recently purchased 20 acres in the Columbia River gorge that we hope to develop into our homestead.

I've written about our entire process at length here: Forest & Field Journal

The short version is this:

-We went from $20 in our bank account to $50,000 in three years making around $30,000/year.
-After exhausting all of the options on the market, we mailed letters to property owners.
-After getting a thumbs up from one of the property owners, we worked through the entire process, obtained financing, and purchased the land.

I imagine many folks out there are in a similar situation as we were. With the right amount of hard work and creativity, most anyone can make it happen, especially permies.

My wife and I just bought land in the Columbia River Gorge. Its about seven miles out of town off a paved road. South facing gentle slope, half woods, half field, undeveloped. $6400 / acre

Any tips for finding available or potentially available degraded land? Is there a www.cheapdegradedlandforsale.com? Is there any more direct way than simply sifting through all of the land for sale or driving around and looking?

My goats love pine. The like to eat all types of fir needles as well.