How to learn permaculture/build a homestead/find community as a single mom with no land?

Hi everyone! I recently found this forum and I'm so glad to have found this community. So, I thought I'd introduce myself and hopefully pick your brains for some advice!

A little bit about me: I'm 37, mom to a 7-year-old, recently moved back to the PNW (Portland area) in hopes of buying a little homestead in the Columbia River Gorge area. Sadly, those plans fell through, but more on that in a bit.

I'm an RN (not currently practicing) and studying herbal medicine while homeschooling my daughter. More than anything, I love to garden, forage, preserve food, ferment all the things...and teach others about wild foods and how to be more self-sufficient. I love plants and being outside.  Both my daughter and I are dual US/Canadian citizens, and I'm open to moving. However, I love the West Coast, especially WA, OR, and northern Cali in the redwoods or just a milder climate than Canada in general.

I want to raise my daughter on the land, preferably out of the city, to have space to breath and time to focus on what matters, to build a homestead, and live as self-sufficient as possible. However, I am at a crossroads, and would love some life advice on my options...my former partner is no longer in the picture, and I don't have a clue how to proceed alone! I'm not afraid of hard work and am a quick learner, but I know my limitations physically, especially with building things.

Financially, I have no debt and decent savings. I would love to learn more about permaculture, creating a food forest, living off-grid, and to just get my hands in the soil. Ideally I'd love to join someone who already has a homestead, and help out in anyway I can. I grew up living off-grid, growing our food, milking goats, etc.

So, my question is, if you were in my situation, how would you proceed?

How did you get started, for those of you who have achieved your dream? I want this lifestyle more than anything, I don't want to just work to live.

I'm skilled in:
Foraging wild foods and medicine
Herbal medicine  
Preserving food, fermenting foods and drinks, healthy cooking
Gardening
Photography, and to a lesser extent, videography

I have considered Woofing/interning this summer to gain practical experience but can't afford to do it long term without income. Plus it's not super feasable with a child.

Any advice/recommendations are welcome! And sorry for the rambling post...

~Serena

Welcome to Permies!!

You could learn about permaculture at Wheaton Lab with the SEPPer Program.

I posted the possible numbers for making videos for Paul to cover the SEPPer rental.

Hi!

My name is Faeryn. I'm a mamabear as well. I have 3 littles, 10, 6 & 9 months.

I'm happy you're here, networking and reaching out. That's awesome. Sounds like you have some magnificent goals and know what you want. Sounds like you're also a wonderful mama!

I have a question though...

Why on Earth do you think a partner's presence in your life dictates one single iota of your forward momentum, your ability to procure land or do all the things?! I mean, let's be realistic here... You've already accomplished two of the greatest feats ever... Growing a human & educating yourself. Did you need a partner for that? (Aside from the spermies, I suppose...) Heck no you didn't! Your partner didn't carry that perfect human, grow brand new organs for that human... Your partner didn't do your homework or turn in your papers or show up to class for you. YOU did that! YOU earned it!

So why, my dear, can't it be YOU to be the one to find you some land and homestead the heck out of it?

Your gender and your marital status have absolutely ZILTCH to do with your possibilities. Nota-one, sister.

Find yourself a PDC. Attend a Convergence. All of them, for that matter. Teach your daughter. Grow things. Be happy.

If a homestead is what you desire, my dear, then it's a homestead you shall have. Nobody is going to chase your dreams but you!

Tons and tons and tons of love,
F

Hi Faeryn!

Thank you for your encouraging words. Perhaps I chose my words poorly, because I didn't mean to imply that I need a partner in order to achieve my goals. Far from it.

Rather, I meant to convey that I am looking for like-minded folks to connect with who are living this lifestyle and have done so successfully. What steps they took to get there, with the cost of land being what it is and the amount of work it takes to build a homestead.

In my circle of family and friends, I don't really have anyone who truly desires to live a self-sufficient wholesome life. Some do parts of it, like gardening or have a few chickens, but more on the hobby level, not so much in an intentional way that I am seeking to.

It's been my goal to shift my life to a simpler, more fulfilling life for quite some time, in truth I've lived a pretty conventional life for the past decade or so.

So, in order to make the transition to the kind of life I want for myself and my daughter, I'm seeking connection and community with others who have achieved this dream. To learn from them, to get to see how they are building a homestead, growing food, and working to achieve their goals.

I enjoy learning from others and also sharing the work with others who also find joy in this lifestyle. Especially as a mom to a young child it seems overwhelming to me to attempt to purchase land and try on my own, though I admire the badass mamas who are doing it, and if the opportunity arose I certainly would be game to try it.

Serena

Learning permaculture through an online PDC would be economical option. Wheaton Labs has just re-released their online PDC and ATC (Appropriate Technology Course). It's a tiny fraction of the cost of an in-person PDC and you can do it on your own timeline. The permaculture & appropriate technology course trailer will give you a taste of what it is all about.

Serena
It sounds like we are at the same point in our permaculture journey. I hope that you find what you are looking for.