Opportunity for nomadic and/or tiny home dwellers who want to dig in- NorCal

I'm interested in connecting with folks who have a self-contained van/rv or even a tiny home on wheels that need somewhere to land and practice permaculture/homesteading. I'm developing a new site on the grounds of an 800-acre land co-op just outside of Ukiah, CA. I have 10 of that to work with, and am in the early stages of building a strawbale home. Construction will likely begin in earnest in Spring of 2026. Once that begins you'd be invited to help with some of the aspects of building. But before that there's plenty else to do and I would also like some land mates on my site to enjoy some company. I don't believe in rent, but I would ask for some kind of work trade as a token of mutual aid for having a place to live. I have off grid power and water, wifi, a woodshop, a small garden, and lots of space to hike and enjoy the beauty of nature. This could be an opportunity for a single person or a couple who have the right set up. I don't have the infrastructure to house anyone at the moment. I myself am living in an RV until the house is finished. Traveling four-leggeds would be welcome so long as they're not aggressive with my cat Moose.

A bit about me an my values which are essential: I'm an anarcho-pagan who strongly believes in the abolishment of capitalism and the settler-colonial paradigm. I'm stewarding this land with a mix of permaculture practices and Indigenous-led fire-positive practices. I believe in collective ownership of the means of production, and that no one is free until we all are free. My activism is pretty strong part of my personality and certainly comes into play with anyone I co-habitat with. You can read a bit more on my bio, and I also have a post up on permaculture singles page.

If this sounds like a good fit for you, hit reply or send me a DM and let's chat. I envision that we'd do a 1, 2, and 3 month trial period check in. If after 3 months it seems like the relationship is working and you'd like to stay longer, or at least be using this space as a homebase you'd be required to sign a Residential Agreement with the co-op. I might have some kind of internal agreement that we'd negotiate as well around that time.

I think permies is a good place to search for people who could potentially fit with you.  Perhaps also consider the forums over at ic.org as an additional place to inquire.

Riona Abhainn wrote:I think permies is a good place to search for people who could potentially fit with you.  Perhaps also consider the forums over at ic.org as an additional place to inquire.

Thanks Riona, that's a good reminder. Actually IC.org is how I both came to California and found the current co-op I'm in.

Hey Patrick I came across your post as I was searching for off grid homesteading communities and trying to figure out why this subject is so difficult to pin down and search for?  My guess is to identify someplaces like the Earthship Community websites or similar groups and read how they identify themselves and get a better idea of words that will get you closer to the types of people you need to be around to better understand all the things going off grid entails.
After reading your post i identify with your situation.  Ive been exploring what its gonna take to buy property in Nor Cal and do what your doing.  Congrats for getting that far, I never seem to hold onto the money long enough, or everytime I've saved a good amount, bang, $12,000 in vet bills, a car breaking down, or something, but i have managed to build up a lot of things, materials, tools, generators, compressors and just useful stuff.  So much so I'm feeling the weight of it when I contemplate what its gonna take to move someday soon.   I was hoping to start my search next year sometime, once I had met all my personal goals of having everything in place so all I had to do is pack up and move.  The closer this reality gets the more nervous I'm getting.    I currently have 3 full sheds of tools, solar panels, batteries, and most of the hardware needed to complete a pretty good system, a 30' travel trailer not yet converted for off grid living and it still needs the systems dialed in. Its currently only working on 110.  Ive got a good running older 4x4 Chevy pickup with 300,000 plus miles on it, a reliable car, a Harley and about 10 yrs worth of stuff mainly focusing on prepping. I guess the prepping grew so big I finally realized I'm just weighted down but in a good way considering my assets are all things that a person needs if ever starting over off grid.
Just a little bit about me and my back story.  I did some time locked up earlier in my life, if thats an issue let me know.  And if this goes anywhere feel free to ask,  have no problem being an open book.  But its had a profound effect on my life. Ever since coming back which was 2015,  ive noticed people have become real detached from reality and truth. Also what's important in life. Every one is strayed so far from living clean healthy self sustaining lives that its scary to think what life's gonna be like out here once society imploded. I'm sure your well aware of what's going on in the world. People have lost their minds.
So that's a bit of where I'm coming from. I'm probably minimum of 6 months until id even be capable of trying to move, and thats once i figure out where im gonna go. . And that's probably a conservative estimate.  I'm just starting my search and my vision was to do what your doing but saving is getting harder and I'm kinda in a state of Limbo trying to figure out my next move.
If you could explain the co-op thing and how your ten acres ties into the other 800 im interested in knowing more about what you've got going on. Also how you came about doing what your doing and if you've got any other people out there with you? Pretty nice concept doing straw bale house. Ive got some house ideas myself.  How big is your workshop and  how's that working out? I've got a heavy duty 12 x 20 carport frame i was thinking of covering with tin roof panels and it would make a good tool  shed and work area.
Anyway, your the first person I've responded to after years of looking and learning. Would definitely like to know more.

Hi Todd,
I'd be happy to chat more directly. But in short the way my co-op situation works is I own a 1/10th of a share of the whole project. No one has title to their space, we all have certificates of ownership that the co-op itself owns the title to the whole 800. That share entitles me to live on and develop the 10 acres attached to my share of the co-op. We can basically do as we please within certain ecological parameters. We're all a bit spread out, and there is no communal area really- though one share site has just a large pond in the center of the property that the shareholder lets everyone use whenever they want. The community is not permaculture based, but there is some going on here. As I mentioned upthread I found this through the Intentional Communities Directory. If you're looking around for places to land that could be another search area.

As far as co-habitating here, that would be a process and a protracted conversation between us. It sounds like you have a lot of stuff which I don't necessarily have a lot of space for. I have 10 acres but it's divided up between multiple plateaus along a ridge. The main plateau where I'm planning the house is about a half acre and the only spot where there's solar power. There's more down below that I don't want to over develop too quickly, I have plans for that area being a sort of gathering/camping event space. But we could still chat if you're interested to learn more. I think we'd start with a conversation around values and what our goals are to make sure that's all in alignment. Then if that goes well continue the conversation, if it seems like we're still in alignment you could come visit sometime. More on that later, but I think that's a pretty good starting point.

~P

Hi Patrick! I just saw your post and had to reach out, your scene sounds awesome. My name is Charlie and I'm from Montana (growing up) and Oregon. My friend Pete and I are both really into the vanlife thing, and have tried it out off and on for years.. We are both 43.

I thought your values sounded great.. They way the government has society set up, it seems like they just want everyone so divided and secluded and broke! I don't believe in everyone spending massive amounts of money just to live in a constricted city where no one even talks to their neighbors. Plus, you can't even see the stars lol.

I have always traveled around sort of by myself though, I never knew about offgrid communities actually. This is my first time to the site and I thought your post was so cool. I love the straw bale house and think that's the best too. Learning how to build that with you would rock.

If things sound good, I would hope to make it down that way and meet you and join in, but it's Pete who would be looking to try out your area first. I'm taking care of my sick dad, but Pete is on his way out of Montana and definitely looking for a place to off grid and grow his skills.

I was wondering if it might be okay for him to call you? He’s a bit nervous about it, haha, but it would be so good for him to get that little push to go out and actually live the way he’s always wanted to. He talks about off-grid life constantly but hasn’t taken the leap yet, though he has his van all set up perfectly for it now! He's always thought he would have to buy land. He loves gardening and anything to do with self sufficiency and would be a great help. You could email me at wolfeskate@gmail.com, take care and be well down there!

Hi I'm a permaculture teacher and interested in learning about how to build a cobb home. I would love to travel there.