homesteading site - why the Midwest

Grant - thanks so much for answering all of our questions! I like what you suggested to Jen Schrock about thinking about what place she wants to be for selecting her future homestead site.
I, too, am sill planning my transition to a homestead someday. Everytime I think of a place, I think of places I have been, which are on both the East and West Coast. I havenever really visited the midwest, where you live. What are the advantages and disadvantages to this region of the country? I would like to be in a state or county that has a other homesteaders and responsible farmers, rather than large corporate farms - where are the hotspots for this in the Midwest?

SW Wisconsin and anywhere in MO have reasonable land values and lots independently-minded folks.

North Carolina, New Hampshire, and parts of Texas too, though land values can vary wildly.

I put emphasis on being close to a university, culture, and general brain trust, that's why I am where I am. Permies.com is one heck of a virtual community!

The second most important factor in my opinion is: are you homesteading or are you permafarming with need for a market (population density).
SW WI folks have to truck their produce 3+ hours for a strong market. I have 150,000+ people within 30 miles.

Interesting. My wife and I are looking for a place in Washtenaw county michigan, first because she grew up in Saline and has family there and second because of proximity to university of michigan and a large population to provide markets for what we produce.

My biggest concerns relate to legislative restrictions on what we may be able to do, and I have found it somewhat difficult to research these issues.

Peter Ellis wrote:Interesting. My wife and I are looking for a place in Washtenaw county michigan, first because she grew up in Saline and has family there and second because of proximity to university of michigan and a large population to provide markets for what we produce.

My biggest concerns relate to legislative restrictions on what we may be able to do, and I have found it somewhat difficult to research these issues.

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.”

― Henry Ford

MOSES Organic conf in LaCrosse WI is best farming/homesteading conference in the country. 3,500+ people, strong Midwest contingent but people travel from all over the world.

Bring them treats. Reactive blowhards love treats.

Peter Ellis wrote:Interesting. My wife and I are looking for a place in Washtenaw county michigan, first because she grew up in Saline and has family there and second because of proximity to university of michigan and a large population to provide markets for what we produce.

Ann Arbor is definitely a solid market for things that are organic, artisinal, or otherwise premium. If you produce incredible eggs, say, but you need $5/doz for them, lots of places won't support those prices, but AA will.

Grant Schultz wrote: Bring them treats. Reactive blowhards love treats.

I'm not following the train of thought here, but it sure made me laugh.
Was this in reply to Peter's concern about "legislative restrictions"?

Grant Schultz wrote: Bring them treats. Reactive blowhards love treats.

I'm not following the train of thought here, but it sure made me laugh.
Was this in reply to Peter's concern about "legislative restrictions"?


Yep. I've had plenty of interaction with nosy busybodies in P&Z environs. Distract them - alarmists react to most stimuli, most typically pastries.

I live near the Missouri/Iowa border along the I-35 corridor between Kansas City Missouri and Des Moines Iowa. In this area I have seen a surge of ingenuity and self reliance come partly out of necessity and partly out of disgust with "the American Dream." I am actually about 2.5 Hours from Grant's location so I can speak to the climate, however my experiences in living on both side of the border leads me to favor Missouri both for tax rates and less regulation. Both metropolitan areas of Kansas City and Des Moines have small but growing markets for independent farmers. I think that the Midwest has been largely untapped as far as the natural food markets are concerned.