Eastern Tennessee - Ideas and helpers too maybe?

I live in Eastern Tennessee, and I have 15 acres of raw, wooded, steep (ish) south facing hillside that I want to begin making my own place on. I have goats currently and 2 LGDs protecting them (and me).  My income is just disability, so very limited, but I do have the use of a tractor and several implements for heavy projects. There is also a working sawmill (that I have no idea how to use), and a shop of woodworking tools that may come in handy.

The plan I have in mind is to begin with clearing the area in mind for the home base, set up some fencing for the goats, and get started on a house!! Still not concrete on what type of house, but thinking earth berm, maybe cob, wattle & daub, wofati, or anything that combines many of those concepts. After tamping down a small area for my latest goat barn project, I have given up on earthbag, because just 2 days of tamping left me pretty much chair bound for 2 weeks.  I do have to deal with radon measures for safety, so will need to plan my home building around that.

I'd like to maybe add a couple pigs next spring for the ploughing and fertilizing they can offer, as well as some nice pork in the freezer next fall.
Chickens will be set up for by springtime to do their part as well.
The 'end game' envisioned here is a permaculture homestead, most likely off grid.

Being in an area that is "unrestricted" means I can almost do anything I want. Being disabled with a back injury means I can't do everything I want all by myself.

It's winter now, and right into the rainy, can't really work on anything season, so I'm brainstorming!!! It also occurs to me that there may actually be folks out there that may be interested in learning with me as we work on building a structure I can call home, and get the farming portion of the homestead underway.

Am I in the right place to begin this kind of brainstorming and getting ready?
Anyone interested in my ideas?

You’ve come to the right place. This type of opportunity is exactly what I’ve been looking for. I’d be interested in being a useful set of hands in exchange for a small section to build my own habitation. I’ll send you a PM and we can discuss further

I’m currently planning to move from Colorado in March/April  and looking into Eastern TN, close to Tri Cities area.  

Do you know of any sites (that aren’t big real estate companies) where I can look for land for sale?

@Mary Burns
No, I sure don't. I'm sure they exist... What are the options of checking out property are you currently using?

I’m leaving Colorado in March… no desire to remain here.  Too expensive and many other issues.

Did some searching (just a quick search while I 'm on break from working on my goat barn) and found this site that lists several for sale by owners websites. It's at least a start:

The 5 best Tennessee flat-fee MLS companies

Sandy Cromwell wrote:Did some searching (just a quick search while I 'm on break from working on my goat barn) and found this site that lists several for sale by owners websites. It's at least a start:

The 5 best Tennessee flat-fee MLS companies

😢
That’s for those wishing to sell their properties

My mistake, got the wrong link, very sorry... Check this one out. . . .

The 20 Best Home Buying Websites in 2021

I'm exploring opportunities too,  it's difficult to do from long distance!  I'm looking to sell my house and business here in MA and use it to relocate to TN or similar, and invest to get out from under a mortgage/rent payment.   Plus after 50 years of winter up here,  I'm ready to be done with that too.  Have you looked into tiny homes or yurts or "shed to cabin" conversions?   Those are some of the things I've been looking at to get off to a faster start and not have to worry about all the up front labor.  

Heather Staas wrote:I'm exploring opportunities too,  it's difficult to do from long distance!  I'm looking to sell my house and business here in MA and use it to relocate to TN or similar, and invest to get out from under a mortgage/rent payment.   Plus after 50 years of winter up here,  I'm ready to be done with that too.  Have you looked into tiny homes or yurts or "shed to cabin" conversions?   Those are some of the things I've been looking at to get off to a faster start and not have to worry about all the up front labor.  

Yes, long distance makes things difficult for sure!

I could see why you're tired of the winters in MA, I have friends up that way and shudder at every winter update. Definitely not a place my body would be kind to me.

Yurts - wouldn't mind living in one in the summer. Lack of insulation would be a problem for my arthritis in the winter as I can't see it would be much warmer than living in a trailer.
Shed to cabin conversions - yes, I've daydreamed of how to convert a shed to a tiny home for many hours. I've even gone shopping around locally and there are several that I think would be able to be a great little home.

In all of these options (Tiny homes) there is one recurring theme - the up-front cost of obtaining them, then the added costs of making them livable and comfortable. Money that could be used for the eventual home now gone. Being on a limited income (Disability doesn't pay much!) means I need to save every penny, scrounge any resource, and be creative.

My current plan is to use the small tent I have in my camping gear already, add a tarp to create an outdoor kitchen/living space and use that as my base of operations while clearing and constructing. Being a very small footprint and free because I already own the resources, I can set up right where I want to build and get a real feel for what it will be like. I can then move my camp around as needed or wanted to be convenient for any project in process.

So maybe I won't be as comfortable as I would be in a yurt or shed conversion, but I would be comfortable enough, and have a little extra cash for my projects. Because I literally worked myself into my disability, and divorce took everything from me, there is no nice savings account, or business/property to sell to add funds, etc. But I am doing okay with what I have, and expect to become very comfortable once I have a home built, which I will be most motivated to do to avoid a life of tent living (ha ha!)

Hi Sandy, my name is Dianna this is exactly what my family's been looking for for a family of three. My husband my 13 year old daughter and I would absolutely love to come help you on your land. We have many skills to offer we both have own landscaping companies and tree services. Experiencing some carpentry and electric electric. Don't know much about animals but are excited to learn. Recently bought a 3 8 ft RV and currently live in Okeechobee Florida and wanting to help someone just like you in Tennessee. We will be leaving here at the end of April if you can call me at 772-209-0605 we're very interested
Sincerely, Dianna

Howdy! I sent you a PM message, I am very interested in talking further. I might be of some help.
Take care,
Cam