Hello from western PA!

I wanted to introduce myself and give a little background information on where I am at on the permaculture /homesteading /energy independence /food security /transportation fronts. I grew up in the suburbs but always had an interest in the outdoors, which was fueled by my time in scouts and trips to spend time in Maine with my grandma. I went to Slippery Rock University for Environmental Geoscience and spent a lot of time hanging out with the outdoor rec crew. I ended up with a company that treats abandoned coal mine drainage and have chosen that path over a resource extraction industry.
When my wife and I bought our house, it was a standard quarter acre ranch built in the 50s in the suburbs. I went to Mother Earth News Fair at Seven Springs a bunch of years and filled my head with new ideas and plans. Since then, we have installed solar panels (9.5kW), a hybrid electric heat pump water heater, an air source heat pump to replace the furnace and ac, an EV charger, all LED lights, and insulated the walls and attic. All of the energy upgrades were performed in 2020 to take advantage of expiring tax savings.
We have also begun multiple raised garden beds, planted a pollinator garden to replace ornamentals, built an herb spiral, and planted various fruit trees (pawpaw, persimmon pear, jujube and apple/quince/mulberry this upcoming spring). I plan to take out more evergreen shrubs to further our food forest with blueberries, aronia berry, serviceberry, haskaps, gooseberries, currants, and other edibles this year. I'm also actively looking for an electric car to replace my subaru with 160k miles to drive to work on solar power.
Hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, running, and pretty much anything outdoors is what I plan to share my love of with our newborn daughter.

Ryan, welcome to Permies! Such an interesting introduction; sounds like you've done a lot of work on your place. I look forward to seeing you around the forums.

Welcome aboard, Ryan, great to have you here. We love pictures!

Thank you Leigh and Artie! I am excited to learn from and contribute to the community.

Hello Ryan, I'm also from western PA and have spent some time in Maine. Oh, and I'm a newbie here! lol Where abouts in Maine? I lived right outside of Augusta in a small town called Winthrop.

Ed, a warm welcome to you too!

Hello Ryan, Ed, and everyone in Eastern PA, I'm starting a regenerative farm in Doylestown, Permaculture, and Bible following the Hebrew calendar. Anyway, if someone wants to visit let's be in touch.
The land I lease used to be GMO, conventional corn in monoculture. Any tips to start, what first? which cover crop?  

Ed Saw wrote:Hello Ryan, I'm also from western PA and have spent some time in Maine. Oh, and I'm a newbie here! lol Where abouts in Maine? I lived right outside of Augusta in a small town called Winthrop.

Ed, my family is from the Blue Hill area. I have a friend living near Augusta who just moved up there for a new job!

By the way, you bring up Papaws. How do those do where you are? I'm about level with you in NE Ohio & would consider getting some if I can get a clear cut answer on how they'd do here.

D Tucholske wrote:By the way, you bring up Papaws. How do those do where you are? I'm about level with you in NE Ohio & would consider getting some if I can get a clear cut answer on how they'd do here.

You are in prime pawpaw territory. I'd recommend just looking for the best tasting varieties, but avoiding the latest ripening varieties. Allegheny, Summer Delight, KSU Benson, NC-1, PA Golden #3, and Maria’s Joy would be my initial suggestions. Sorry for the super late response...