Looking to start/join a sustainable living group in Montana.

I'm brand new as a poster in these forums, but I've used them as a source of information for some time. My wife and I are interested in a more sustainable lifestyle. We have purchased a plot of land north of Laurel, Montana (near Billings). We intend to go there and build a "starter cabin" to live in while we build what we call our "forever home". But I believe that community is as important as what one does on one's own. So I'm looking for people who are or want to be in the area who want to be part of a sustainable community. Not necessarily all living in the same spot, but in the same general area, so we can call on each other and help each other. I love the idea of a barn raising, of being invited over for the slaughter of a cow, of knowing that there's someone I can call for advice when my goat is feeling sick. Construction is the big one for me; I love the idea of several families getting together and buying a press to make earth blocks, then working together to build homes for everyone. So please reply, if you are in the area or want to be, and are interested in this sort of thing. If you're looking for a place you can live, at least for a while, I've got land. If you're looking for support, I'll give what I can. If you want to get goether and build homes, drop me a line. I love the idea of a co-op, a time bank, a tool library, sweat equity, and much more. Let me know what you're into.

Howdy Alexander, welcome to permies ! Are there other parcels of land for sale near you for others to buy? How much land do you have, unless you would rather not say.

I have a hair over 20 acres, and there are various other plots in the area.

Alex,

Hi, my name is April, I am from Woodland Park Colorado. My family and I want something more for our family. We want to live where there is a community that sticks together, builds together, and works hard together. I have been working in the retail business for 15 years and I am tired of corporate indecency. We want to live where hard work is appreciated, and wanted. Where the work we do with our hands brings us the simplicity of life and the notion of self worth. What you have accomplished seems wonderful. We are now looking at selling our property, which is only a 1/3 of acre, and heading to a place where we can be better off for what we do. We want to homeschool our daughter, boycott TV, and live like we were suppose to live days and years before our birth. If you want to talk more you are welcome to contact us at aprilsalsman@ymail.com. I would love to hear more and know more about your adventure and way of life. I have lived in Billings for a short time as a young adult, so I know a little about the area. Thank you!

April Salsman

I'm looking to move to Montana asap.. just might need a little help.. I grew up in Ogden, Utah on a small farm.. these are my abilities and talents that I could bring to the community: Auto mechanic, Commercial HVAC engineer, plumbing, some electrical, a year of training as an emergency medical technician, I speak 4 languages, I know how to grow crops, harvest, dry, and can food.. I do interior design, Feng shui, color psychology, energy healing, reiki, I play piano, paint, make things more beautiful. I can cook food from most countries, I'm half Greek, so I mostly do Greek, Iraqi, Mexican, South American, and Chinese, and I'm good at baking. I've worked hard in men's jobs for many years, but I'm very versatile and can be a great homemaker as well. I've written a few books. I have raised cows, chickens, and was a beekeeper. I'm a single mother of three children and life has been very difficult for me as I do not have a partner to help out. I want to be in a community that completely cares about one another and takes care of each other.. if someone needs help, we all band together and get it taken care of.. not being afraid if my kids want to hang out at the neighbor's house.. I can do anything, and learn anything, and I know that I can be a great asset to any community. I just got laid off my job and lost my home, spirit told me that Montana was my next stop, and then synchronistically found you guys. Very grateful. Very willing, very ready for this.. just tell me what to do next. How can I get involved? How can I get started? What do I do? This is my path. Thank you thank you thank you.

We're over here near Bonner.  Not exactly next door.  But we love making connections, helping others out, and trading and swapping!  We're up in the mountains, off grid and are in year 3 of establishing our farm and attempting to build community.  We've got pigs, goats, all kinds of birds, and rabbits.  I'm an artist and farmer, my partner is a carpenter and gardener.  We're endeavoring to produce 100% of our food needs here, and then some for sharing and storing, plus ween ourselves off of petroleum products and consumerism.  It takes time getting the systems in place for all that

Hi Phoenix,  I see you wrote that about a year ago.  I’m feeling the same draw and wondering if you found what you were looking for in Montana?
Sonja Knight 435-714-1122