Clearing my bit of land

I just discovered Permies.com. and, WOW! I have just begun to take steps to turn my little 1/3 acre situated in a rural development into a self-sustaining place to live and share. Even though tiny, my vision imagines a place to grow lots of food, some ducks for eggs and meat, maybe even a mini goat for milk, cheese, kiefer and yogart. Within the next few weeks, all the tall, evergreen trees are coming down to let in the sunlight. I have been plowing through "Gaia's Garden" to learn more about permaculture and how to grow as a companion with nature. So much to learn and it seems there is so little time. Oh well, I just keep plodding along. Looks like after the logs are down I will have lots of branches left around for firewood and hugelculture, anyway. The ground is still partially frozen up here in the PNW but it seemed a good idea to throw down some cover crop seed as soon as the machinery leaves to compete with all the weedy stuff I see sprouting up where others have cleared land. Any ideas on which types to choose?