Ramsey Black

Will, it is a work in progress because other projects took precedence over this one. I managed to uncover and “develop” this spring mostly. It is stable and ready for more developments. I routed pipe from the “spring box” and was able to run a ram pump 1/4mile distance and 90ft of elevation gain to deliver to top of property. Unfortunately a storm surge washed the pump away and delayed the project. Currently, rainwater is our primary source of household/livestock/irrigation water. I’ll be sure to revisit this thread with future updates.

Well, I guess it’s clear that the “search” for my partner has come to a beautiful close. I am filled with excitement for where this chapter of our lives might lead.

Ben Gorski wrote:James really nice place you have seems like pleanty of land and water...hopefully clean spring water...?

Alan Watts..yup that'll do it. "only if the game is worth the candle"..

I really enjoy this land; it has become extremely sentimental to me, especially as I learn more of its story. I do have spring water on this property. I drank it straight from the source throughout my childhood and teenage years. However, I’ve become a little more cautious as time goes on, and I now filter it through a berkey filter.

One spring on this land has a tremendous flow rate60-100gpm. I suppose this can be viewed negatively or positively. I believe I have located a total of 8 springs on this land. I have played around with a ram pump and managed to deliver 1/4gpm to the highest elevation out here, though it isn’t sustainable without a better pump/more “hands on deck” during setup. Admittedly rainwater catchment is probably the simplest solution for plumbing. And we get 40-70”/year here. Avg.50ish inches.

I’m loving that other people are digging the Alan Watts reference. I’m certain that I can get on with anyone who finds some entertainment (or more)in his words. City life is certainly not worth the candle. I’ve also learned that the hard way; a “bought” lesson as some people would say.

As for the climate (and yes I was referring to weather in that message) NE MS is prone to the extreme heat and humidity that the rest of the state/southeast is familiar with. We are also prone to random bouts of winter weather. Summer heat and humidity would be my biggest complaint...though it could be viewed as sultry, it is sometimes oppressive. This can largely be mitigated IMO by planned activities and a body of water to seek solace in; hence my plans to rebuild our lake. If I were to “cherry pick” the perfect climate for myself I would probably land somewhere further north in Appalachia. Eastern TN/SW VA. That area has slightly more mild summers and more evenly spaced rainfall throughout the summer months.

I DO think this property is adaptable and capable of handling lots of people. In fact, I think lots of people *could* really make this land sing. Of course, I have come to realize how important a certain level of privacy is and I would want to ensure that for myself/ family and future inhabitants.

As for social climate, there are certainly people around here who share a similar vision. They aren’t the majority, though are they anywhere?  This is mostly raw land however and too big of a leap for most people to take. I can reasonably access utilities if necessary for future inhabitants, but it’s difficult for many to see the potential.

And the food: last year was my first full garden. Without irrigation I grew more tomatoes than I could eat, many sweet potatoes, peas, beans, and the most delicious muskmelons. I tend to focus more on the woods than I do in the garden. From the woods I harvest berries, chanterelles, a few morels, oyster mushrooms, occasional lions mane and the star of the show currently—venison. Most of my calories come from my laying hens and the venison that stuffs my freezer. I’m working towards planting many thousands of chestnut trees and other mast bearing trees in an alley cropping/silvopasture grazing setup. I think this supports wildlife, livestock, and has the potential for being food for humans should those fail. I do see ethically raised/hunted meat as an essential component of a human diet, but I don’t disparage those who see differently.

On to you and your wife and the scope of my thoughts for the future....I don’t think that can be summed up very well over a keyboard, so I’ll send you a PM and we can go from there; I just thought the rest of this might be valuable info for people who might want to engage with me in similar conversations. Thank you for encouraging me to flesh out some of my ideas with your questions. I hope you and your wife land in a place that lets you live out your full potential.

So, I’ve been absent from this thread—life, you know?  I just wanted to take a minute to appreciate the kind, uplifting and thoughtful responses you all gave.

I also thought it would be wise to clarify that while the easiest route for me is to set my roots on the land that I already live on, I am also toying with the idea of selling and relocating for a better climate, community etc. Essentially, most of my plans are flexible as of my writing this post.

Ultimately, I would love to live in/ help foster an inclusive community of people who care for each other and the land they call home. Ideally this future of mine includes having a large family of my own.

Also, lots of chickens:

Maybe a little odd for a straight man to reply here. I just want to comment and say that I know particularly well the richness of experience that you offer to a potential partner.
A simple kindness is visible in your eyes.
And your home looks like a dream.

Nothing but good vibes coming from my direction.

I actually am considering sending you a letter. I think we would relate in many ways.

Take care.

Thanks for your warm response, Sonja. I’m certain that the right people will enter my life at the right time. I just want to be open to that. And the beauty of current technology allows us to reach further out. Im sure lots of people are looking for a place to land and reconnect with the natural world.

I’ll probably use this thread to post some progress pics of the farm and make a similar post in the regional forum in the spirit of “perennial” conversation.

Hey Permies!
I’m finding myself in an interesting place during this socially distanced pandemic, like many other people are, I’m sure.

I have a great handful of extremely close friends that have mostly moved away for greater economic opportunity. This has left a gap in my social life that I deal with fairly well due to my mostly introverted nature but I do miss their companionship. Some of them have hopes to return and build a community with me once they have a solid financial footing to invest into their respective projects, but this is likely years away from being manifested.

I am located in north MS on 100 acres with plans (in progress and on paper)for many different and related permaculture ventures.

Mostly wooded—60%wooded acreage 40%wild pasture. Two 1acre ponds and a 20acre lake bowl with a broken dam that I hope to repair in the next few years.

I am totally offgrid here in a tiny house and improving quality of life daily. I have faced many of the setbacks that people who have attempted offgrid life know very well. This lifestyle isn’t for everyone but the right person/people would appreciate its rewards and strive for a better future with me.

Now, with that out of the way, I’ll try to define myself after a quippy quote from Alan watts: “Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.”

I am an intelligent (sometimes), hardworking, fiercely loyal, and giving person. I work just 3 days a week and play in the woods/pursue my dreams on the other days. I place a huge value on recreational time which is mostly spent with a chainsaw or shovel in my hands.

I am a hunter (bow and rifle), a woodsman, an animal/nature lover. Jack of all trades, master of none.

I am in the flow of expanding my own consciousness while pursuing a more wholesome and peaceful future for myself, friends and family.

For those that care about this type of thing I am an Aries—sun moon and rising. While I laughed these things off in the past, you could probably learn everything you’d ever want to know about me from my natal chart so I’ve been forced to concede that there might be some strange validity to it.

Enneagram type 5,8,2 in that order.

I’m perfectly content with my life in the woods, but I’d love to connect with people that want to pursue a better future with me. And if a loving compassionate partner results from one of those connections, I think that’d be a beautiful thing.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. If nothing else, maybe it’ll be good for others that share my path. It may be lonely at times, but we know we’re doing the right thing. Stay strong and keep building a better world.

Hey Jay. I’m located only 1.5 hours away from you with a 100 acre homestead in MS. I’m seeking similar things as you as we slowly develop this raw land. My lady’s parents live just across the Bankhead forest from carbon hill. We’ll be visiting them for christmas. Maybe we could get together and talk sometime. Feel free to direct message me on here. There seems to be precious few like minded folks in this area. I look forward to hearing from you.

I used to live and work in the Tallahassee area for a premier landscape construction company. I knew of an organic farm there named “Orchard Pond”. I got the vibe that they were probably permaculture inspired. Though, as we all know, practice can change a little bit after a business grows. It might be worth reaching out to them. Take a look at what they have going on....or maybe they could give you a lead on individual gardeners in the area. Good luck in finding everything you seek .

I appreciate all of your responses so much.

They have given me lots of “food for thought”.

My current plan of action is to excavate a couple of feet out to the side of this channel of spring mouths. Then I’ll construct what would essentially be a box culvert with an open bottom. This would would lead into a conventional concrete spring box. The whole culvert would be reinforced concrete surrounded by drainage aggregate and drain tile. All but the spring box could probably be covered back up with native soil.

I’ll be sure to document so others may learn from my successes/ failures. And I’ll keep my ears open to any suggestions here.

Once again, thank you all so much!

I look forward to reading more on these forums and potentially sharing some of my ongoing projects.