Jason Hower

I've lived in rural Shasta county and worked all over N.CA for the last few years and would have to agree with the observations mentioned above. While I sympathize with those that would say "skip CA and proceed to OR" (I'll put myself in that category), every choice has compromises. How remote do you care to be, and what is a reasonable sum of money for you? Do you need internet access and/or a cell signal on the property? Oddly enough, sacrificing these things in certain areas doesn’t bring the price of land down very much. There is very affordable land in Shasta and Tehama counties. Some even have springs or creeks, but they’re completely off grid and HOT in the summertime. Yes, Lassen & Modoc counties have very cheap land, but not much precipitation and VERY sparsely populated. Coming from Santa Cruz, you may find that way of life very depressing. None of these are deal breakers, but you’ll find some counties are not fond of issuing permits if you choose to live off grid and harvest rainwater. I know several in Shasta county who have done the bare minimum (well & septic) to be issued a mailing address, and then built a cabin or outbuildings without permits. However, all it takes is one flyover by officials looking for pot grows to rain on your parade. I don’t know if I could sleep well with that kind of risk involved. Also the costs of permits vary wildly from one place to the next. While I consider my permit fees to be outrageous($3-5K), I know some in Redding who have paid the city 3-4 times that amount for the privilege of building a home. I would research your options heavily before you buy – even if you do go to OR!

Yup.

Frank De Block-Burij wrote:why don't you use recycled shipping containers?
Frank

I would be VERY hesitant to bury shipping containers. They are designed to support loads vertically; I doubt the walls are able to hold back the weight of soil for very long. I know some have done it, but I've seen firsthand how easily the sides can cave in from shipyard abuse.

I think the idea of burying a log house comes with more problems than it solves. That said, I think a well-designed Oehler structure solves all of those problems, looks and feels like a log home on the inside, and is probably easier to construct when you consider having to move logs around. Here, I speak from experience - I am currently trying to build a butt & pass log home with several 8000+ lb. logs. If I thought I could get the local building department to "permit" me to build an Oehler structure or the like, I'd take the chainsaw mill to my logs TONIGHT!

Hey all!

I tried posting this in the resource forum to no avail, so I'll try this here:

I'm looking for a permaculture design consult on my newly-acquired, 5 acres. The property is in Shasta county, forested, and currently has a mobile home which will serve as domicile for the fam & I whilst we build a log cabin and barn.

I am specifically looking for help with structure placement and water harvesting design (i.e. swales, hugel beds, pond(s),etc.) I'd also like GENERAL guidelines for prep & plant/tree selection. I do NOT expect step by step instructions on how to build the ideal homestead - just some help to get the most out of what we have.

I'm not made of money, but I'm willing to pay a fair price fo good advice. Also, I'd prefer someone who is familiar with the southern Cascades or similar climate & environment.

Please respond to this thread or shoot me a message and I'll contact you directly.

Thanks!
-Jason

Hey all!

Just as the sign says, I'm looking for a permaculture design consult on my newly-acquired, 5 acres. The property is in Shasta county, forested, and currently has a mobile home which will serve as domicile for the fam & I whilst we build a log cabin and barn.

I am specifically looking for help with structure placement and water harvesting design (i.e. swales, hugel beds, pond(s),etc.) I'd also like GENERAL guidelines for prep & plant/tree selection. I do NOT expect step by step instructions on how to build the ideal homestead - just some help to get the most out of what we have.

I'm not made of money, but I'm willing to pay a fair price fo good advice. Also, I'd prefer someone who is familiar with the southern Cascades or similar climate & environment.

Please respond to this thread or shoot me a message and I'll contact you directly.

Thanks!
-Jason

T

Thanks for the welcome! 

K.B. - we originally had our heart set on Ashland/Medford, but the job market says otherwise. I'm happy to take option B, though - huge improvement from our current locale.  I'll definitely drop you a line when we get up there.

Brenda - Nice blog! I grew up in IN and spent my summers at a lake near Kalamazoo. Those pictures remind me a lot of those days (dear & snow).

I've been lurking here for almost a year and thought now was a good time to dive in. I'll be moving my family to northern California this summer and plan to start a homestead on a few acres near Shasta Lake. We currently keep a small flock of laying hens and do some simple gardening, but can't wait to jump headlong into permaculture once we have our land. We're also hoping to raise pigs and sheep soon.

I grew up near an Amish community and am hoping to dig up many of those forgotten skills. I'd really like to connect with other homesteading families in the area, especially those who may be homeschooling young ones.

These forums are an amazing resource - I can't wait to put all of it to work!

-Jason