Where is the promised land? Skilled laborer here, looking...

Hi all!

I'll try to make my story short. I used to be a full-time bassist and toured around in cruisehips and Asia until Covid hit. Before that, I took time off to get my PDC in northern Thailand not far from Jon Jondai's home base. Anyway, I did some work-aways in Australia for a short stint on some permaculture homesteads (2016-2017). That was awesome.  But when Covid hit (I was performing full-time then), I returned to the US and switched my career and became a union carpenter. Did that for almost a year, mostly trim work, then I installed closet systems for a private company, then worked at a small cabinet shop and also installed cabinets, too... now I'm in construction dealing with fiber optics and running cables through rafters and all that "fun" stuff.

Point is, city life isn't my style, and looking to find a place/situation with like minded folks who might need some help! I would love to work more with plants/farming, but I do love building, and I'm good with tools. I also have some knowledge on natural building (but mostly theoretical). I'm pretty much open to learning new things, I love challenges.

Not sure what else I should include here, so feel free to ask anything. I'll be 42 this summer, would like to find a situation where I can possibly earn an income as well (doesn't have to be too much) - even though I have no debt and have saved up some.  So, if it is in a place in an area where I can pick up side work from time to time? I am open to ideas!

It would be great to find a situation where I can earn a modest little bit of land to build a little shack on (or yurt? depending on location?), with some sweat and elbow grease and all.

Maybe I am being idealistic here, but I don't see the harm in being somewhat specific as this would be a major life change. I think the main priority is finding a place/land that I resonate with and especially people I resonate with, too! I think all the details and logistics are minor compared to 'the people' and 'the land'... you know?

I'm in the Twin Cities now (Minnesota), but I'm open to go to many places in the US... such as: other areas in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Montana, Arizona, New Mexico, Washington, Missouri, Arkansas, Maine, New Hampshire... anywhere in Appalachia (but ideally high up in the mountains). Doesn't necessarily have to be those places... but I generally want to stay away from coastal regions or heavily populated areas, just a preference!

Thanks for reading, and all the best to everyone here!  Also... if there is someone else reading here that is in a similar boat as I am, please feel free to contact me, too!

-Kyle
kjimbob@gmail.com

p.s. that's my real name... I noticed someone else on the forums that has my full name already... hence the alternative spelling

Kyle,

I think you've found your community right here. Permies are awesome human beings to call friends, and Paul, the site owner really knows how to keep the sense and feel of an intentional community (digital version). You couldn't have written a more on-point intro if you'd already known about this thing called SKIP and gaining permaculture experience. SKIP is a program (and a printed book) that teaches you how to gain SKills to Inherit Property.

https://permies.com/wiki/skip-pep-bb

I've explained it in a couple of ways. The first is the most relatable, I think. Think of SKIP as an Eagle Scout program for permaculture skills. To get that coveted badge, you have to earn Merit Badges. Here on Permies they're called Badge Bits or BB's.

Look under my name to the left of this post. You'll see some colorful icons and on the first one it currently says "BB20" which means I've earned 20 Badge Bits. One of the icons is darker than the rest because I've completed the second level of mastery, called a Sand Badge. I'm just getting started. You'll see folks with BB40, 60, or 80. Others will have PEP1 or PEP2, which is a higher order of magnitude and means they're further along on the journey.

There are people out there who are looking for help on their homesteads, so search the threads because they pop up frequently. There are also permaculture bootcamps and opportunities to learn at Paul's place outside of Missoula, MT.

I'm glad you found Permies. Get active, get involved, start working on your SKIP journey, and on your profile, there's a scavenger hunt (actually more than one) that will quickly acquaint you with the site, introduce you to new people, and get you several steps closer to your goal.

j

Hi and welcome to Permies!

What I'm reading from your post.. It sounds like the Permaculture Bootcamp at Wheaton Labs might be a thing for you! It's located in Montana.

Check out this thread for getting an idea of what it's about: https://permies.com/wiki/bootcamp#507365

I almost did not write, because you seem determined to stay in a fairly confined region of the world. But consider that the "promised land" might be farther afield. Since moving to Puerto Rico, I've become quite aware of how difficult it is to find skilled tradesmen of all sorts. Home improvement contractors of any merit can have a year of backlog because the population here is more elderly and because natural disaster (Hurricane Maria in 2017, primarily) created an economic upset that drove the most skilled workers away - they could work anywhere BUT Puerto Rico, for a while. That sort of dynamic plays out around the world in various forms, of course. It can be on big and small scales. Where a major employer has closed shop can also be like a natural disaster for a community. The more open-minded you can be about where to go, the more choices you will discover. You've been around the world some - you are among the rare few that know how possible it is.

I, too, like more mountainous terrain and I was gratified to find it in quite many places people don't think of as mountainous. Here in the tropics, where everyone knows it is hot and mosquito-infested, I have several months of jacket weather because I live up high; and I've never even briefly wished for air conditioning (well, it is pretty important in the car when we go down to the beach - 12 miles away).

Thank you for the warm welcoming  I will definitely check those resources out, Jim and Saana... and if time permits, the bootcamp does sound great, too.

Cade, you bring up a good point in terms of location. I suppose I am more or less flexible with regions, but it really depends on the specific place, like anywhere. I'm a US citizen, and after spending quite some time outside of the country, it was a real setback working with visas. At least that was my experience. PR wouldn't have that issue, so, that is a plus. And you are higher up in elevation, and that is great, too. And yes, "promised land" is quite subjective!  I'll be more open minded about these things.

Kyle,
I have an off-grid property in southern Oregon. Even though it’s not on your list of places, kind of fits your criteria; non-coastal, mountainous, not a big metro area but also has close-by towns of Ashland/Medford, to earn some income.
We have all 4 seasons here. I’m looking for folks to help build up and maintain some infrastructure. Incredible opportunities to implement permaculture practices. If you’re interested in talking more, reach out. It’s a great time of year as the snows will be melting quickly.

Kyle, being a carpenter is great and really matches well with permaculture.
Strength and skills and tools and being good at thinking practical solutions and making something with nothing and transporting free waste/building material, you're 500% better off than most.
Make sure people do not abuse you, many lazy bones will try.
Good luck.

I just finished writing a post...  feel free to look it up.  We would be open to inviting the right person (possibly people) to come join us on our homestead adventure.  We have 160 acres of wilderness we are caring for.  Read the write-up I posted, and then drop me a line if you might be interested.

Pick where you want to go first.  Then find work and community.  There are farm and ranch jobs in most of those locations and every builder I know in this area is looking for reliable, hard working help.(be aware expectations are high as in showing up daily and doing the work)  The pay in this area will not be on par with fancier areas.  But there are millions of acres around of forest and badlands as public lands.  I am at about 4000 ft right here and I can crawl in the car and be at will over 9000 without ever leaving the highway in just 30 to 45 minutes drive time