Experienced homesteader looking for home

Thanks for taking the time to read this.  I’m an experienced homesteader looking for a place to grow.  Must be a long term situation.

I’ve had my PDC for ten years.  Experience in design and implementing.  I do no till gardening which has always been more limited by my access to land than my ability to plant and tend it, though my maximum was an acre and a half and very manageable.  I know how to can, craft, wildcraft, grow herbs, flowers, so much food and preserve it in innovative ways.  I love fermenting and making medicines. I’ve taught classes in many sustainability subjects and helped establish a local community garden nonprofit. I use regenerative and organic practices and dabble in biodynamics.

I’ve raised Nigerian dwarf goats for 6 years and poultry half my life.  I use holistic management practices and make the most delicious cheese.  I have experience with cattle, horses, pigs, rabbits and elk as well.  I adore animals, and I’m far from squeamish in all aspects of raising them.  I can give death with honor and respect though I have lived a mostly vegetarian lifestyle as well that I may return to.  A connection with my food is very important to me.  I hope to have fiber animals one day as I love to knit.

Would love to learn more about beekeeping and the market side of market gardening, though I’m happy to be the one in the background.  I can build a fence, but that’s about all I can build though I’m happy to learn.

I have a professional background in writing, social media management, nonprofit administration, event production, teaching, and as a musician (harpist).

I am spiritual, a practicing astrologer and taking my yoga teacher training this fall.  I don’t do doomsday or prepper vibes.  I live this way because I believe it’s how nature intended us to live.  

I have experience working and living in community.

I have 4 Nigerian dwarf goats, a few ducks, a small lab mini poodle mix dog and a cat I’d be bringing with me.  

I also have a nine year old son who loves animals and helping that I have full time.  We unschool.

I’m 34, rarely drink (though I can make a great wine), don’t drink or create drama.  I’m introverted and like some space and privacy to create, read and flow.

Open to a variety of roles and situations... volunteer, work exchange, land share, rental, community, creative alternative. My only must is a flexible schedule and clear agreements.  We would need separate housing with two sleeping spaces, small is fine but no rvs, running water and laundry access.  I do some online work but my need to continue that would depend a lot upon the opportunities available and costs.

I’m currently in North Idaho and looking to relocate as the yearly smoke season is really getting to me.  I’m drawn to the Appalachian mountains though I would consider other places.

If any of these skills sound like they could be an asset to your project, I would love to have a more in depth conversation.

May this find you happy and well.

Photos of goats and last year’s gardens.

How is your search going? What is your timeline? I’d be interested to chat.

Sara Peterson wrote:How is your search going? What is your timeline? I’d be interested to chat.

Patiently awaiting the right place.  Timeline is anytime between now and next April.  

Where are you located?  What kind of accommodations might you have available?

Feel free to email if that’s more convenient:  melid6@gmail.com

I have land you could live here and get an RV. You could live off grid. I could charge you 400 a month and you can have a garden area for the farmers market..make soaps etc.

or get a wall tent something safe for a child.
I just received my PDC. I am working on a diploma and PHD in Permaculture as well.
Please let me know
4696854553
Delayrachael2@gmail.com

Rachael Ramos wrote:
Please let me know

Thanks for reaching out Rachael. Hope you find the right match for your spot.

Hi Melissa, Paul has a couple options for becoming part of Ant Village via bootcamp: https://wheaton-labs.com/bootcamp/ and/or deep roots: https://permies.com/t/168047/permaculture-projects/Deep-roots-wheaton-labs-rent where you can trade either time or money for access to an acre or more of the 200 acre lab which has a running well and several people are building homes there. Being western Montana it's a short drive but doesn't help with that fire season air quality.

I'm heading up there in March after early retirement to start building and growing, and Fred has been there for years and is getting his acre up and running. I think there is one other person (maybe more? not sure) who comes out during the warm months to build, and spends winter in town earning money, and I think there are a couple people in the bootcamp working towards their rent-free plots as well. Bootcamp is like a full time job, and they have a way to earn money called the reverse kickstarter. Essentially you post at least 3 pictures or a short video once a day (when you want), and after you hit 100 such days you earn the current list of rewards, like a pledge list. It's around $1500 give or take a few, and there's a couple really large ones for hitting a higher number. So it's a way boots can earn spending money (room and board is free in bootcamp).

In the past people have had cows up there to graze and you have access to the whole space not just your acre, so I'd expect goat browse is an option there. There are also a couple of mostly/totally built cabins on the lab others have built, as well as a teepee, and those can be rented while you build if you go deep roots. It's highly recommended to listen to Paul's podcasts first to get a good idea if he and his building codes are a good fit of course. If you're a fan of organic or better food and truly natural building then it's an option I'd suggest.

Good luck with whatever you find!

Mark Brunnr wrote:Hi Melissa, Paul has a couple options for becoming part of Ant Village

Thanks for the recommendation, Mark! I think I mentioned the summer smoke is getting to me.  Montana wouldn’t be a great fit personally but I hope you really enjoy it!

Hi Melissa,
I may a place that could work for you. Problem is, I’m in southern Oregon and the seasonal smoke is likely to return this year. You can check out my older posts to learn more if you’re interested. Good luck with your search.

I like your post Melissa.  Perhaps one day we will live in community together.

hi melissa,
if you like to live in a farm,still close to a major metro and start a tropical fruit farm,with diversity,text me at 5412409104 or email me at npskumar@yahoo.com.good luck and thank you.
saravana kumar