Resilient Homestead in Oregon

Hello everyone! I first wanted to thank you all for sharing your wisdom - reading these boards has shaped the course of my life for years as I searched for land I could steward, live on sustainably, and someday pass along in better shape than I found it.

I now own over 100 acres in the middle of the National Forest, on the cleanest river in SW Oregon, in the foothills of the Cascades. It was a historic homestead, and the couple who originally lived there before electricity only went into town once a year - about as close to self sustaining as possible. It has abundant gravity flow water from a private creek, two springs, a dozen+ mature fruit trees, and a south facing exposure. Also an Olympic lifting setup in the barn, for those who enjoy weight training! There are 5 legal homesites on the property, although only two are currently livable. The rest need varying levels of rebuilding. There is also an existing RV or tiny home site with full hookups. Approximately 12+ acres have access to grid electricity and two septic systems, while the remainder are timbered and off grid. No cell service, no high speed internet, and about an hour to the closest city with Costco and a hospital. Below the snow line, with relatively mild winters. It is a functional homestead now, but my goal is to return it to its former glory and improve its resilience.

So, I am opening up this enchanting place to another person or persons. I would like to propose work trade hours in exchange for rent, to include space for your own personal gardens and personal animals, if desired.

What is needed? There is some deferred maintenance I would like to address. Fences are needed to transition to a regenerative agriculture/rotational grazing system. Irrigation lines to be run. Hundreds of fruit trees to plant. Perennial gardens to get established. Dry farmed trials of various staple crops. Thinning of the timbered acreage, in order to increase the health and diversity of the forest. Eventually grey water systems, a root cellar, wood-fired sauna, and outdoor kitchen. Three cabins to rebuild. When I travel for work, I would need someone to do light animal care: let the animals out to pasture promptly at sunrise, feed and water, and put them back in the barn at sunset (less than an hour per day of animal care). When I am home I will do this myself. The rest of the work could be done at your leisure, with no required schedule. If you are interested in cash work, there would be additional projects available on top of the agreed upon work/trade.

I was burned in this attempt at building community before. Found a candidate who stayed for several years, they said they wanted to stay forever, and I liked them so much I offered to rebuild one of the cabins to their specifications for them to live in. Sadly, (hard) drug addiction struck, and in spite of many offers to help, the lying and shirking and stealing started shortly thereafter. Because of that, I am thinking it would be best to start off with someone who would live in their own RV or tiny home in the full hook up site, or establish another off grid site of their choosing. Once trust has been established, then transitioning to the existing guest cabin would be an option, if desired, or even rebuilding one from scratch. The land is zoned rural commercial, meaning that someone who runs a cottage business would be welcome.

I am fiercely loyal once you’re in my tribe, and I look forward to supporting someone in their dreams, while they share in mine!

I have the utmost respect for all of the different preferences and triggers we all carry, so I want to be upfront about several things so as not to waste anyone’s time.

The homestead animals will primarily
be kept for vegetarian goals (ie, ducks for eggs and slug control and their tank water to fertigate the garden). That being said, excess males, culls, and those at the end of their productive life will be harvested for food. I give all animals under my care the most amazing natural life possible, and then at the end they have one bad moment.

Legal hunting takes place, both to obtain food and to improve the health of the local herds. However, if you are a trophy hunter or enjoy bagging apex predators, this is not the situation for you.

I train working K9s. Some of these are search and rescue dogs, finding lost people in the woods. Some are fungal detection dogs, identifying fungus attacking endangered tree species in Hawaii so as to save the trees. Some are peanut detection dogs, preventing children with allergies from eating contaminated food or even walking into a bakery with peanut dust in the air. Some are also police and military apprehension K9s. Due to this, there are regularly law enforcement, military, and police teams on my property, for day training, for overnight stays, and for socializing. If this will make you uncomfortable (either due to your personal beliefs or “illegal” activities - and I acknowledge the subjectivity inherent in that word) then this is definitely not the place for you. If you are offended by traditional masculinity or the presence of guns, this will also not be a good fit for you.

If you are uncomfortable being around people who have not been v*ccinated, you will not be comfortable here.

A drug test for illegal drugs will be required prior to start. In Oregon, cannabis is legal, both to possess and to grow for personal use.

On the glowingly positive side, if you have light construction/remodel skills, enjoy working outside, enjoy the satisfaction of seeing your work grow in front of your eyes, and want to be in on the ground floor of a permaculture homestead where you can make your forever home - I would love to speak with you :)

Please contact me via private message rather than commenting on this thread. In the spirit of positive vibes and mutual respect, if something about this post disturbs you or if it isn’t right for you - please just continue scrolling rather than bringing negativity into my search. My sincere wish is to find someone for whom this is a mutually beneficial win/win. Thank you all for your time, and I look forward to speaking with you!

Hello Brittney,

Thank you for your kind words. I try to build my on my skillset every day.  Your place sounds very nice and I love the path your on.  We share the same values and desire to steward a piece of our earth leaving it better than we found it.  I'm sorry to hear about the setback with your last homestead helper. It's sad that so many people fall waste to the ravages of addiction, and I understand your desire to prevent a future occurrence, but I'm not sure beginning a working relationship with a drug test will hinder or help. I enjoy a social lubricant and marijuana on occasion but my days of any other drugs or drug testing are gone decades ago. I do believe people should be able to put or "not put" whatever they want in their own body but I also believe in personal responsibility and accountability. I despise predators, and thieves and support all people that serve the permies.

If I had gotten your offer several months ago I would probably be there right now.  However, I am about to take possession of 40 acres along a creek near Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee Forest here in Illinois.  I've looked at vintage aerial photos and it's been the same since at least the 1930s. It has a mix of leased soybean crop, timber, bush hogged acreage with room for a nice 1/2 acre pond and well maintained old horse and buggy trails throughout;  power, water, cellular, and high speed fiber at the road if I find a need for it. However, I'm installing 13kW of solar w/ 30kW of lithium batteries, rainwater catchment, and plan on keeping it off grid.  It's 30 minutes from a Krogers and Rural King.  It's a beautiful place to start but I will still have much to do and right now it's just me.  I just wish Winter wasn't upon us now.

I'd love to see your place. How long have you been at it ?  Perhaps,a trip with the camper, I've always got tools with. and willing to lend a hand

Thank you for your kind words, and for the tactfully delivered feedback. And congratulations on your new land in Illinois! I wish you all the best in your new adventure.

Good afternoon. I know I’m a bit late on reply but just saw your post. Are you still looking for someone. I also noticed in your post that you wanted a personal reply. What is the best way to get in touch with you?

Sincerely,
Katie

Katie West wrote:Good afternoon. I know I’m a bit late on reply but just saw your post. Are you still looking for someone. I also noticed in your post that you wanted a personal reply. What is the best way to get in touch with you?

Sincerely,
Katie

Hi Katie,

There is a semi-private message system embedded within this site. It is referred to as “purple moosage” - feel free to contact me there, to start!

Hello, I'm 29 and have always had interest in a homestead. I was a roofer for a couple years in my you get days, then I worked in concrete, onto welding, and for the past 5 years I have been a glazier (commercial window installer) and became a journeyman in the union. And now I'm a foreman. As I grow in life and knowledge I constantly feel like there is more to life than what I see. A dream of a free people from the system and government, taxes and headache of financial burden. I long to live a life of peace and harmony as our ancestors did. I watch shows, documentaries, read books and learned skills. But I don't think I could do this alone. I am looking for like minded people to make this dream a reality

James Kimmel wrote:Hello, I'm 29 and have always had interest in a homestead. I was a roofer for a couple years in my you get days, then I worked in concrete, onto welding, and for the past 5 years I have been a glazier (commercial window installer) and became a journeyman in the union. And now I'm a foreman. As I grow in life and knowledge I constantly feel like there is more to life than what I see. A dream of a free people from the system and government, taxes and headache of financial burden. I long to live a life of peace and harmony as our ancestors did. I watch shows, documentaries, read books and learned skills. But I don't think I could do this alone. I am looking for like minded people to make this dream a reality

Thank you for sharing your sense that something better is possible. It is indeed difficult to accomplish alone.

I for some reason can't send you a personal message?!
I am 200% the person that will help you raise this property right. There's SO much to talk about, I'd preferably want to talk to you on the phone. I'm really excited about everything you've shared, I share all the same beliefs. I've been living off grid for a loooong time as a single female. I have a lot of experience in everything your looking for. Going through a divorce and looking to bury myself in an awesome project! Please contact me!
Email me @ heatherb.freeman88@gmail.com and we can share phone numbers and go from there!
Hope to hear from you soon!
HB

P.s. I'm 33, I have a TON of killer references. My last landlord said "she litters beauty wherever she goes" 😂

Heather.B. Freeman wrote:I for some reason can't send you a personal message?!
I am 200% the person that will help you raise this property right. There's SO much to talk about, I'd preferably want to talk to you on the phone. I'm really excited about everything you've shared, I share all the same beliefs. I've been living off grid for a loooong time as a single female. I have a lot of experience in everything your looking for. Going through a divorce and looking to bury myself in an awesome project! Please contact me!
Email me @ heatherb.freeman88@gmail.com and we can share phone numbers and go from there!
Hope to hear from you soon!
HB

P.s. I'm 33, I have a TON of killer references. My last landlord said "she litters beauty wherever she goes" 😂

I love your enthusiasm, Heather! I sent you an email.

Hi
I’m currently living on an off-grid homestead in central Oregon south of Eugene looking to transition. Your land and values sound similar. Send me a personal email so we can get in touch.
Mymarvey@gmail.com
Also I just finishing building my 80sq ft rustic tiny home on wheels and it’s looking for a home
Thanks
Emily

Hi Brittany, I sent you a Purple Moosage. I was wondering if you are still seeking people to join you on your homestead. What you had mentioned is most definitely in alignment with what I am interested in being involved with. I would love to discuss with you more in detail about myself if you are open to it. Please get back to me at your earliest convenience.

Take care,

-Karimah

Hi Brittany, I've been thinking recenly that maybe I can find a way to reduce my hours and get more done. I saw something recently about a woman who died from being over worked, after logging 159 hours of over time in a month. I'm sure I've exceeded that many times. Average for me is probably around 80 hours a month.

I really don't want to work this much, and never did. I don't do it for money, nor do I do it because my work demands it. My problem is I have a plan that will end poverty and bring about World Peace, and even worse, it will prevent the extinction of mankind. This means, I'm absolutely required to work, and there's no way out of that responsibility. This, however, is very bad for my health, and I am having some problems from that. Very bad digestion.

The one thing that I believe can be changed, is the fact that I work 40 hours a week on a regular job. If I could trade this in for maybe 10 hours a week, that would be great. I would still work probably an extra 24 hours a week on my world peace project, but at least I'd take Saturday off then. So I'd work around 40 to 50 hours a week on my world peace project, instead of about 26 as I do now.

I'm a self taught engineer and basically an expert at just about everything. There is very little I don't know how to do, and even if I don't know how to do something, I can teach myself how extremely fast. 'Course, I'm talking anything mechanical, electronic, computer related, programming, and stuff like that. I don't know so much about plants, but I'm not totally ignorant about them either.

I do kind of like propagating trees and other perentials. I would kind of like to have a small garden to play with as well.

I would like to have internet, but it might actually be a whole lot better for me to go without it. I waste time talking to people online, which tends to be an energy drain.

Not fond of the idea of cops being there, but I can put up with it. I'm not fond of dogs either, but I'm assuming those are well behaved dogs. If they are larger attack dogs, and running free, I'd be somewhat uncomfortable with that, unless they are extremely well behaved and I feel I can trust them. I actually get irritated when I see dogs kept alone in pens, living an unbearibly lonely existence, but I'm sure you don't do that.

I do not do drugs, of any kind, and don't even drink. That makes a lot of people uncomfortable. The world peace thing also makes people uncomfortable.

Tony

Hi Brittney,

I enjoyed reading your post and would love to hear about where you are with your project.  

a bit about me -

studied exercise science, 18 years exp and business owner in wellness industry
carpenter apprentice with family business
certification in photovoltaics (solar)
previous property owner and landlord
volunteer with workaway  

I can provide resume as well as references.  

I look forward to hearing from you!

Jason Berner

Hi Brittany!
I don't know how to send you a personal message? We actually spoke last summer and it sounded like a good fit, then promptly found a caretaking position in the town I live in currently. Our goals and farming practices are vastly different and I feel I need to make a move toward something more in line with my farming morals. I do not have my own rv, but i have a yurt style tent that I'm happy in.
Heatherb.freeman88@gmail.com
Please send me a message and I'll give you a ring so we can chat.
Look forward to talking with you 😃

Hello there my name is Sheri thomas I'm a 47 year old woman with lots of experience in all aspects of remodeling to homesteading. Kinda the jack of all trades. I was born in fairbanks Alaska and came into this world homesteading sense day one. Over the years I've worked in all kinds of construction from plumbing to building homes from the ground up. I'm a very hard worker and would love to get out of the rat race and get away from all the madness. I've had my days of run and gunning doing stupid things when I was a kid growing up but now that I'm all grown up I want to live the homestead life. Work a good hard day then go to bed and get up and do it all over again. I was raised to do this type of work and would thrive in the type of space. Please tell me how I can get ahold of you I'd love to come out n help. Thank you for yr time.

Hello,
I can't private message you but my husband and I are very interested in this, it seems like the perfect place. It is our dream. If you could shoot me an email or a text or phone call if appreciate it. My email is Laura.martinez.sjc@gmail.com
My phone number is 505-360-9487

How can I message you , I would love to talk

Hey! I know this post is old but I’m curious where y’all are in the in the process of this project. I have a family of 5 and we have been living communal/homesteading lifestyle for the most part of the last 4 years.

We have various skills and continue to learn more in our mid 30’s. I have taken raw land and designed/built homestead homesites. Can operate heavy machinery, chainsaws, design/build food forests and ponds, tend to animals, butcher and process birds, I’m an electrician by trade, and have built multiple successful holistic coaching (personal training with functional focus, nutrition, and lifestyle coach), and more.

If you’d like to talk more please feel free to email me at brandonbrown9113@gmail.com

Hey Brittany! I also don’t know how to private message you, but if you’re still looking for some help, my email is hongaliisa02@gmail.com!

UPDATE:
I have met and hosted some amazing people through this site. Some have stayed for a season, others for a year or two, before continuing onwards. I am still very open to permanent team members if the fit is right, but also happy to speak with those who only wish to stay for a season.

The home acres are fenced, a large garden is established (including a perennial area), 75% of the irrigation lines are installed, the old barn is rehabbed, and we have top quality breeding groups of a heritage breed of ducks and dairy-line sheep with grass-fed genetics. The third cabin is just a few finishing touches away from being completely renovated. Six acres of forest have been thinned of overly-dense Douglas fir to ensure the survival of the native Oregon white oak stands (Quercus garryana). Fifty Antonovka apple seedlings were planted this season, along with several rows of cane fruits and hardy kiwiberries. I have continued my permaculture education with coursework, reading, and involvement in local regenerative agriculture research.

The most pressing need at this time is someone with forestry/logging experience, to continue the thinning project (with the goal of increasing the health and biodiversity of the forested acres). A medical background or construction experience are always welcome. Veterans and law enforcement officers receive respect and gratitude here. Also open to someone with agricultural experience who wants to create a Salatin-style farm business or “fiefdom” which they manage independently.

Our property is not entry-level homesteading. It is very remote, and this lifestyle involves extensive physical labor. I personally love everything about this land and this life, but people who “have always wanted to homestead” but have never worked outdoors tend to have a rude awakening upon arrival. If you reach out, please be prepared for the realities of rural agrarian life. As a reminder, please message me directly rather than commenting on this post. Thank you all!