Hey all,
We own 10 acres in central south Tennessee that we hope to homestead one day, and the land next to us is up for sale. It's from the same owner and he's asking $1500 an acre for it, but he just took $1000 an acre for the land on the other side of us. To cut a long story short, the owner's had cancer and he's trying to sell the land quickly. It's good land, mostly rolling hills with a few flat spots. It was used for grazing cattle for a long time and was cut for timber before that. Some of the soil is good topsoil; some of it is hardpacked clay. Most of the land is currently pasture with a few trees. There's one pond in the back. Some of the land is partially fenced. There's about 30 acres left, but he'll sell it by 5 and 10 acre pieces.

The land will sell quickly since he's dropped the price so much, and we'd much rather have other permaculture minded folks move in than anyone else. There are no services on the land; you'd either have to bring in power or be off-grid from the start. Water would either come from a well and/or a cistern. You'd also have to put in your own driveway. This land is not in the middle of nowhere either; it's just outside a (very) small town and bout 30-35 minutes from two decent size towns. Nashville's just over an hour away. Employment opportunities in the area are limited.

If anyone wants more information, let me know. I can send you some pictures and give you the contact information for the realtor who's handling the sale(s).

This would be an excellent way to find land; neighboring homesteaders alerting potential buyers to land that is for sale. When I do purchase rural land I hope to be in an area that doesn't have commercial agriculture nearby that could pose runoff issues. I also think that an area where many homesteaders live could make for a wonderful permaculture community if an IC isn't in one's vicinity.

I agree with Susan- what a great way to get a 'heads up' about available affordable land. It's nice that Rebecca knows the land and area and has shared the opportunity. If I was in the position to buy in Tennessee it is exactly what I would be looking for. Having a like minded neighbor who was farming using Permaculture methods means that:
1. The buyer would not have the concern of the adjoining property using chemical -cides.
2. Barter opportunities abound- share abundance and not have to plant 'everything' because you know your neighbor has extra to trade.
3. '2' was referring to planted abundance, but equipment of any nature could be shared (You borrow my cider press, I borrow your pigs to root out my stubborn stumps with drilled corn)
4. Information- watching how each others attempts at solving local problems work, and sharing suggestions.
5. Not being the only "them there peoples nice but a little different" on the block, having others live like you lends 'normalcy' to the lifestyle.

Maybe there's room on the forum for these posts?

J

I was looking at several properties in that region last year, and I can tell you, you can buy a lot of good property there for little money.
Most counties provide few services, which means that property taxes are low.
The government is quite laid back in most areas, which mean you do not have a lot of people telling you what to do/how to live.

Don't expect to get rich selling organics locally, as the locals are not into it yet, and Craig's List is full of people selling $1 farm fresh eggs.
You may need to work that clay soil a bit, but the climate will grow just about anything.

If you are there (or going there) be certain to check out the West Tennessee Poultry Club - great bunch of people.

http://www.poultryclub.proboards.com/index.cgi

I'd be interested in hearing more about this. I live on the Tennessee Plateau.