How to locate other permies or off-grid communities

Hi everyone,

I'm new to permies.  I'd like to find other permies or folks who have experiences living off-grid within my neck of the woods in Central Canada (i.e. Ontario & Quebec provinces).  Does anyone know where on here or elsewhere online that I can reach out to others within my vicinity?  

Thanks in advance!

Still pondering this myself ...

Post a sign, with a hidden in plain sight "mark" that indicates "permies"? Like a hobo sign? (I actually like this one, but nobody has agreed on "the sign" yet ...)

Put up a website that shows the PC planning in so much detail that most folks' eyes glaze over, they get bored, and move on? Only permies make it through the gauntlet, and actually see the locality details?

Hmm ...

I'm in New Brunswick, but i've managed to get a vague sense of my local permaculture/off-grid community via facebook groups and Youtube channels. Other places to start looking would be local farmers markets, and along the road for produce/chicken egg signs etc.
Our folk might be reclusive but they almost always have a homemade product they'd like to barter, and at the very least a sign at the road that says "Fresh Eggs" lol

Jt Lamb wrote:Still pondering this myself ...

Post a sign, with a hidden in plain sight "mark" that indicates "permies"? Like a hobo sign? (I actually like this one, but nobody has agreed on "the sign" yet ...)

Put up a website that shows the PC planning in so much detail that most folks' eyes glaze over, they get bored, and move on? Only permies make it through the gauntlet, and actually see the locality details?

Hmm ...

JT, great idea!  I love the funny spin on the hobo sign.  
I'm slowly working to get my blog website up, and I'll use that hobo sign concept to make bring attention to other off-grid folks I've been able to locate in my neck of the woods (with their consent of course).  Then when I have enough data to share, I'll post it here.   Thanks for you input, JT.

Justin Gauthier wrote:I'm in New Brunswick, but i've managed to get a vague sense of my local permaculture/off-grid community via facebook groups and Youtube channels. Other places to start looking would be local farmers markets, and along the road for produce/chicken egg signs etc.
Our folk might be reclusive but they almost always have a homemade product they'd like to barter, and at the very least a sign at the road that says "Fresh Eggs" lol

Thanks for the good ideas, Justin.  Recently, I was able to locate an off-grid farm near me while looking for postings on a www.workaway.info site.  Turns out that same farmer is also on AirBnB.  
Like you said, the off-grid folks can be reclusive but the ones who make a business from it are much easier to find.
Appreciated you input, Justin!

Submitting a "hobo symbol" for "Permaculture ... bee-cause it's better, together!"

Or something like that ...

Burn this (bee & trail) as a symbol in a discreet portion of your property signage, and the rest of us will know that Permaculture is done here!

Submit your own choice for symbols!

Jt Lamb wrote:Submitting a "hobo symbol" for "Permaculture ... bee-cause it's better, together!"

Or something like that ...

Burn this (bee & trail) as a symbol in a discreet portion of your property signage, and the rest of us will know that Permaculture is done here!

Submit your own choice for symbols!

Bees seem to make good mascots for the concept of Permaculture.  It didn't occur to me until you brought it up.  They are super beneficial to their environment, and they have a well developed system that operates like a symphony churning out beautiful music wherever they go.  I'll consider adding Bees into my design. Thanks, JT.

Serene Da wrote:Hi everyone,

I'm new to permies.  I'd like to find other permies or folks who have experiences living off-grid within my neck of the woods in Central Canada (i.e. Ontario & Quebec provinces).  Does anyone know where on here or elsewhere online that I can reach out to others within my vicinity?  

Thanks in advance!

check out the Facebook groups like what's happening (insert town here) and post a question. We've found all sorts of local beef and produce places, soaps, honey, you ne it. Then check them out. Flash some permie gang signs and see what comes of it

Awesome suggestion, David.

I've been dodging Facebook for some time, but I know there are lots of good info out there from it.

Permies gang sign....does one already exist?  If not, then I was thinking something like three fingers up & held sideways (representing the "E" for equilibrium).  I'm looking for balance in everything; leave no rocks un-turned...in search for that elusive balance.

Like that "gang" sign - the 3 pillars permaculture is built around.
Also Bee image to maybe mark your location on google maps - unfortunately that's the only great source around for working with.

New to permies as well, but based in Europe, so I'm considering a similar set-up for more regional connections.

Also based in Europe, at the moment Germany, as well!
Love the permies gang sign, but quite difficult to do, just tried it

Lana Weldon wrote:Also based in Europe, at the moment Germany, as well!
Love the permies gang sign, but quite difficult to do, just tried it

I had no idea I was gifted in this particular gang sign.  I'll try to find one that might be easier to flash.    

Annette Flinterman wrote:Like that "gang" sign - the 3 pillars permaculture is built around.
Also Bee image to maybe mark your location on google maps - unfortunately that's the only great source around for working with.

New to permies as well, but based in Europe, so I'm considering a similar set-up for more regional connections.

Welcome to Permies, Annette.  

If you ever want to share ideas on setting up locations for those off-grid farms I'd be open to collaborating with you.  At present, I'm just in the infancy stage of my website design.  So nothing substantial to share. But I'm open to ideas and sharing what I do know.

I am glad I checked this and saw the idea of a sign for permies and those offgrid, and the idea carried through, with the sign becoming accepted. This will really help, when we should be able to find one another, with ways for recognition. Maybe the sign of the fingers will work, time will tell.

Serene Da wrote:Awesome suggestion, David.

I've been dodging Facebook for some time, but I know there are lots of good info out there from it.

Permies gang sign....does one already exist?  If not, then I was thinking something like three fingers up & held sideways (representing the "E" for equilibrium).  I'm looking for balance in everything; leave no rocks un-turned...in search for that elusive balance.

I just saw this...  I was kidding...Did Serene just invent a gang sign for permies? if so great!

Nope, I can't do that hand sign either.  Never could do the Vulcan "live long and prosper" sign either.  

greetings,
late response.
i know of a place 2 hours from Quebec border.
i order maple syrup from their trees on farm, and spelt flour they mill themselves
(i have a lot of food allergies, theirs is great!)

moving toward alternative heating,
many of them musicians, so they like to play music at the end of every week
kevin,
gad@saphar.net

Jt Lamb wrote:Still pondering this myself ...

Post a sign, with a hidden in plain sight "mark" that indicates "permies"? Like a hobo sign? (I actually like this one, but nobody has agreed on "the sign" yet ...)
Hmm ...

Just socialize on here!

Here's my info.
I have land in az.  Remote.
You can work on the land.  Please do.


I will give you the location. If I think I trust you

If you build something there ( by all means do
Then that part belongs to you.

Let's talk about it in texts

There's my number below
I am heading to another area

Where's there's more  trees

My contact info

escstudios3@protonmail.com

Please text me to my phone
Before emailing
Or just text me or call

323 542 0744

Mike

Also.
310 801 3460
Text or call there
If you can't get through

Serene Da wrote:Awesome suggestion, David.

I've been dodging Facebook for some time, but I know there are lots of good info out there from it.

Permies gang sign....does one already exist?  If not, then I was thinking something like three fingers up & held sideways (representing the "E" for equilibrium).  I'm looking for balance in everything; leave no rocks un-turned...in search for that elusive balance.

Ditto
When I read a few years back facebook took down the dorections for a planned anti monsanto demonstration in cali I remminded myself never to use them

You are right about many off gridders being reclusive

Thankyou for the bee tip

I replied to the QC thread and forgot to mention I grow echinacea, wild red monard (bee balm), ASTER, and agastache medicinal perenials etc for the monarch butterflies and diverse bee population -- oh and the hummingbirds of course (we dont bother filling our feeder)

Maybe I should post a thread on turning the septic tile bed into a bee paradise and forget mowing forever
I discovered from trial and error it really is safe to grow sunflowers on there too
And I noticed hummingbirds prefer the red monard because it is taller than the pink cultivates variety and they dont like to feed low to the ground
So I grow some scullcap in a pot in standing water in a feed bowl and stick it up high on a curbside scrounged container and they come all summer for that

Hi Serene,
Another late reply- I figure we must be in the same area of eastern Ontario, at least sort of. My approach to finding like-minded people is community events. Anyone pushing "buy local" at the fair, giving away seeds...
Send me a pm if you are near the 401 and want to compare notes.