Free labor & possible investment in OR, WA or northern CA

We are a mid-30s couple seeking opportunities to partner with a farm. We've been looking for land to start a homestead/farm, but before running off to Georgia where we can afford to buy outright (not interested in bank loans), we thought it'd be worth seeking potential partnerships/investment in a farm here in the beloved northwest. Having voluntarily abandoned our careers and the 'standard American lifestyle' and selling nearly everything we own (save the tools and kitchen gear), we're ready to work for ourselves and our community to transition to a more sustainable future. He is a 19 year arborist, experienced in assessment, pruning, and removal of trees, sales, crew foreman, and general management. She is a highly (mis)educated business professional specializing in project management and sales. Besides tree care, he's mechanically inclined, builds a mean raised bed or chicken coop, is experienced in/fascinated by natural building and is a highly skilled carpenter/handyman. She's done limited gardening, but is eager to learn everything about organic farming, animal husbandry, permaculture and loves to cook what she grows. Between the two of us, we have a lot to offer. We'd like to consider potential arrangements. We'd need a place to live (not much) and would love to get to work helping on the farm asap. If egos mesh well, then we can consider options for financial investment in the farm for a more permanent partnership. Please note, our family includes 2 well behaved dogs (lab mixes) and a gregarious cat. Our dogs go everywhere with us, so are highly socialized, and got along fine with the chickens we had briefly. We would ensure that they are a pleasure, rather than a burden. If you have room for a couple extra farm hands, even temporarily while we search for such a partnership (and/or affordable land), we'd love to hear from you.

If you're not interested, but might know of a better place to look for such partnership opportunities, let us know!

You can also email us at msharter at yahoo dot com.

Hi Fern,

Helpx.net has work-exchanges. So does wwoof. So does ATTRA. Rodale's classifieds sometimes have postings of elderly couples looking for younger couples to partner up and take over their land. Some of the previously mentioned websites do as well. Most of the listings on those websites are not offerings to partner financially, only work-trade for room & board.

Good luck!

Hi - I sent you an email with Permies in the title/subject box from amazinggrasses@...

Hi Fern, I have been thinking about finding permie type people to partner with in a homestead type situation. Have been starting for a while sort of here in northern Ca. I own half the 80 acres, but the ex wants her money out so it is for sale right now. It is not very developed, but there are all sorts of interesting possibilities. I have been leaning toward a communal ownership idea, probably an llc sort of thing with an apppropriate charter.. There is a lot to consider and a lot to learn about potential partners. Can we come up with a set of rules that will let us do what we want, and work out the inevitable problems? Want to talk some more? sounds like maybe we could be on the same page.
Steven