My wife and I are new to word permaculture, but not self-reliance and independent living, I don’t really like labels, but my family better described as old-school prepper/urban homesteaders than as a permie, but it is all relative and complimentary. No matter what the label, we are interested in learning and applying permaculture techniques
Our Situation:
We currently live in Dickson TN (45 minutes interstate drive time West of Nashville), but recently bought some land in Wayne County (Middle TN, on Alabama Border). Since the land is over 1 ½ hours drive time from our home, we cannot stay there full time, but we want to begin the process of learning the land, raising livestock, and beginning the building process.
In addition to our full time jobs, we also run a small training company that teaches self-reliance skills and provides firearm training (We respect those that do not like guns, but those passionately anti-gun are not a good fit).
We bought the land with the goal to build out a small training center, working homestead, and eventually having a bed/breakfast type facility consisting of cottages built of the differing sustainable building techniques – cob, cordwood, wofati, earthship, strawbale, tiny home, Yurt. That way people can try before they build so that they can make more informed decisions about what they actually need.
Who we are:
A middle-aged couple with a very cute one-year-old son.
I (David)= am a full time emergency manager, author, podcaster (The Shepherd School Show on the Preparedness Radio Network), I am overly educated, but have come to realize book knowledge is second place to actual hands on experience. I am willing to learn from anyone with something to teach, and not afraid to get dirty.
She (Genny)= My long suffering wife, she is a gentle soul whose life’s work is teaching students with special needs – specifically medically fragile and children with Autism. The only thing she asks is that we can create a place that autistic children can visit to experience outdoor life (and a milk cow). She also demands the home-site is beautiful so that she can have company over and be proud of her home.
What we have:
• 15 acres of raw land, mostly flat/rolling with a large pond, year round creek, and a possible undeveloped spring
• A location in a county without zoning, lenient building inspection process (electrical and septic only) The county was quite excited when I outlined the project – they are active in “Agro-Tourism”
• 3+ years of experience in raising rabbits, chickens, bees
• 1+ years of aquaponic experience
• 5+ years of experience with goats
• Some solar/alternative energy production capability
• Huge library of reference material
• Road frontage on one side/federal land (Natchez Trace) on back border
• “good” roads on property for easy year round access[/list]
What we need/want:
Someone to live on the land, with knowledge of sustainable agriculture, animal husbandry, and alternative construction (or the capability and willingness to learn with us).
What we offer:
• Rent-free long-term (5+) year lease to build whatever type (sustainable) home you desire.
• The $$ to make the initial improvements (garden, springs...) and to buy seed, trees, tools, and other necessities
• Opportunity to pursue your business ideas that might utilize property, shop, surrounding area... (we can offer free hosting and website support if you want to run a website/blog)
• Opportunity to become a firearm instructor and teach on site (once range is built)
• Opportunity/Support in running sustainable living workshops of any type you wish (and are qualified to teach) on site.
• Ability to renegotiate longer terms once initial lease is up (we have a very specific home type in mind and have no intent to uproot anyone from their home after they build it) – We are not interested in money to any extent greater than what it takes to create and sustain our lifestyle, so as long as you are pulling with the team, the successful person would have a place with us.
• We have experience in YouTube/Blogging/Podcasting/Book Publishing and will be documenting the experience – Can be very helpful if this fits your goals. [/list]
When:
As soon as we find the right fit.
We do not plan on building anything more than a small (50yard pistol range) and classroom, plus fencing and livestock housing for the first couple years. However, we plan on having house built in the next 5 years so that we can sell our current home so David can stay home and homeschool our son when he reaches “School age”.
Other
We are very laid back; we are not judgmental or nosy into other’s personal lives. As a gun guy I know that not everyone likes my lifestyle choices, and since I do not tolerate others telling me how to live, I give everyone else the same respect.
That being said, fitting in with the family, and having goals that are cooperative and compatible to ours is vital, so you need to understand we are Christian, conservative, fiercely independent, and have been working on this idea for over 20 years.
We are open to single people, couples, and families of any race/gender/age but since it is raw land, your personal situation must be able to accommodate this fact while building your home.
We are able to take advice, criticism, and open to learning, but expect good intentions, competence, and openness. The only thing I hate more than armchair critics/online trolls, are the willfully ignorant.
In the interest of openness, I would suggest that you visit our main website “The Shepherd School” at www.tngun.com and read the precepts we live by, explore our posts, and listen to our podcast (we recently interviewed Paul and THAT was an enjoyable show
http://www.tngun.com/preparedness-radio-network-shepherd-school-episode-9/). If you are still interested, please contact us, either through a PM on Permies, by replying below, or through our website – we don’t care HOW we find the right partner, as long as we find them…
David and Genny Nash
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