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Have land and a vision; curious if anyone else might share it

 
Posts: 36
Location: Central PA, gradually relocating to Central Upstate NY
20
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We're building a landscape tree farm!  In upstate NY, 30mins north of Binghamton.  This means our raw land will be (gradually) turning into a private arboretum of edible and ornamental cultivars intended for clonal propagation,  I'm organizing these first by edible value vs ornamental use, then in various rainbow designs to showcase a wide variety of flower and leaf colors to make great online visual records possible.  Eventually as these cultivars grow, I hope we'll end up with more food stuff than we could ever use (naturally, to share with our connected community!), and more propagating material than I could ever use (which would make possible the active support of many livelihoods beyond our own).

We are a 50 yrs old couple, he's in a wheelchair from spinal cord injury (but technologically savvy, and able to run large landscape machinery to really help this effort move forward), and the kids are grown and not specifically interested in this aspect of farming; they'll prefer to pursue their own complementary farming and/or technology niches elsewhere on site.  All in all we're each inclusive and spiritual (can you honestly be one without the other?) and would love to coordinate with others who are as well.  We enjoy truly supporting one another in being free and loved to pursue our highest aims, even as we feel supported and loved by every other participant so as to ultimately create a wholesome and welcoming reality that is genuinely inspiring for us all to run with.

Since I'm kind of the one leading the design of all this, in summary my vision for this includes: Flowers in every season, Unique & exceptional cultivar qualities, a Full range of showy colors, Variegated & laceleaf foliage, High-taste edibles, Non-invasive characteristics, Rare & Favorite plant finds to make more available; Regenerative Agriculture, Rainbow Landscaping, Living Sculpture Masterpieces, Off-grid Technology, Own-root Propagation by Cloning, Disability Accessible Construction and Planning, Authentic & Loving Creativity, Natural & Organic Low Maintenance Design, an Honestly Inclusive Vibe, Friendly Community Outreach, A Safe Space for people trying to get on their feet again (especially after religious or traumatic upheaval), Service & Therapy Animals, Whole & Homemade Foods, Aesthetic Aquaponic Greenhouse setup, Hardy heirloom livestock species, Child-friendly Homeschooling Environment, Classical Ballroom Dancing, Writing & Profound Introspection, Sewing & Fiber Arts, and inevitably more things I didn't think to list... all while building up to creating our dream home(s) in the process.  If this sounds like a vision you could truly share, even if just in some small but important way to make it real, please contact me!

"...somewhere out there, out where dreams come true!" (lyrics from An American Tail)

Thank you.  
 
steward and tree herder
Posts: 8457
Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland. Nearly 70 inches rain a year
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Sounds lovely Marianna! I do hope you can share your progress with us at the very least. I did consider designing some patterns into my tree planting, but ended up with quite a quite boring albeit functional design. It would be cool to have some sort of image visible from the air for example. The planting process I followed didn't lend itself to a more complex pattern (it was hard enough work for me getting the trees in the ground) but it is great to have a vision like this and I wish you and your family success on every level.
 
Marianna Marinda
Posts: 36
Location: Central PA, gradually relocating to Central Upstate NY
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Thank you, Nancy!    
I was just wondering, yesterday, how I was going to arrange all the different daffodil cultivars I want to plant.  While there's a very wide variety of cultivars, and bloom times that don't always match up, they don't make much of a rainbow or fit within the color spectrum I have set up.  So how to arrange these?  And I came up with a sunbeam design.  I have a classic rainbow theme going along our street frontage (for perennials mostly, but also some shrubs and trees), and yellow shows up right about in the middle of it.  So if I arrange the daffodil colors in a ray design that radiates from that point, it could still work with the rainbow theme while adding a whole 'nother fun effect during that part of the spring... a sunshine visual that can extend throughout the meadow space into the park-like forest areas as far as can be seen.  

You know, it's just really fun to be creative.  

And yes, it's also a lot of work to plant.    Patience, patience (breathe in, breathe out)... just keep swimming...  Definite 'job security', lol.  And beautiful in the spring!!
 
Nancy Reading
steward and tree herder
Posts: 8457
Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland. Nearly 70 inches rain a year
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That sounds like it will work really well, Marianna. The effect as the different bulbs come into bloom and fade will be interesting - Try and take a daily photo drone shot when in season - that might make a cute little film! I love daffodils - they may not be edible, but they are good for pollinators and are just so cheerful in the spring. They also grow really well here :)

Slightly off topic, when I was a student and the union elections came round one candidate had had the idea of planting his name (vote Steve!) in bulbs in the central lawn on campus. I don't think he got elected but I was impressed by his foresight (the bulbs must have been planted well in advance) and I have never forgotten it.
 
Marianna Marinda
Posts: 36
Location: Central PA, gradually relocating to Central Upstate NY
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 Daffodils are amazing.  And it's incredible how cheerful they make my current yard in the spring when they come up for almost 2 months straight.  (Without any fantastic pattern this time, but still.)  It's a nice change after winter, and they're bold about making it.

I think that student's foresight - and creativity about it - was impressive, too.  
 
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Hello!

I believe in the universe pointing us in the direction we are meant to follow.
I am interested in speaking with you further about any volunteer work I might be able to offer to you in exchange for being able to experience this project you are embarking on. I would find it most valuable to observe what you are doing and learn from you.
(You sound very knowledgeable)
I am a spiritual person currently following the teachings of Buddha.  
I am living off grid currently and am most interested in living simpler and helping others.
 
steward
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Location: USDA Zone 8a
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I am a little late though a belated welcome to the forum!

If you are looking for help with your farm you might look at our Experiences Forum:

https://permies.com/c/experiences

Folks post ads when they are looking for work.

Some want to volunteers for a spot to park their RV.
 
Marianna Marinda
Posts: 36
Location: Central PA, gradually relocating to Central Upstate NY
20
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Thanks for the suggestion, Anne, but until we're even there full time, it would not be a great idea to invite a stranger to do so.  We're not looking for help as much as we're looking for friends that we can call family.  It's not something that is put well into an ad.  Don't get me wrong; help is welcome, too,  But mostly we're we're playing it by ear.  The quality of any relationship built is of utmost importance when you're talking about sharing your private space.  Our efforts will take whatever time they take.

Julianne, it would be great to talk with you.  Are you located in or around upstate NY?  Frankly, it would be wonderful to have someone to work on the plant stuff with.    (Farm-wise, that's my forte.  As is deep spirituality conversation.)  What interests you most?  Please 'moosage' me!  
 
Marianna Marinda
Posts: 36
Location: Central PA, gradually relocating to Central Upstate NY
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Nancy, we actually have started a youtube channel that will be following our efforts, called  Honeymoon Tree Farm.  It's early yet; so far it is mostly just silent drone video of our progress, but even regular drone video will be able to showcase fantastic blooming effects over time.  No doubt as we get comfortable with recording it and plants get organized and established, more types of content will be possible to add.  I hope to eventually cover topics such as ornamental and edible cultivar comparisons, color themes, rainbow visual effects, living sculpture projects, propagation techniques, and who knows what else (like disability accessible farm planning).  It sounds fun, being able to share what we create... especially when my/our approach to these topics is not something I've seen out there available already.  
 
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