hard-working wwoof'r in search of next opportunity

Hey there

I am a recent college grad in my early 20s with 10 months (over the course of 2 growing seasons) of farming/gardening experience, most of which was spent wwoofing on an uncertified but still organic CSA farm in upstate NY, plus carpentry experience and other odd jobs with Habitat for Humanity and a private landlord. Basically I am a young, hard-working, energetic, enthusiastic person wondering what my next step is. I don't have the money to buy my own land, though my dream is to create/co-create or move onto an intentional community based upon sustainable agriculture and permaculture practices. I've enjoyed my wwoofing experience but I'm at the point where I want to be starting my own projects. I still need both hands-on experience and time to read up on permaculture as I have yet to take a PDC...maybe that's the next step but ideally I'd be able to spend half the day getting my hands dirty, half the day with a book between em, not really a fan of classroom learning at this point and not sure if I want to put more money into learning when it can be done fo free and with a little elbow grease. I'm from Toronto and would love to end up somewhere in the states (I am a us citizen) with milder winters yet tolerable summers and sufficient water (which is why I'm wary of the West) for this reason I've been interested in western NC, I <3 mountains. But beggars can't be choosers so if anyone has advice for what to do next or any affordable opportunities to learn in the field as well as with books, particularly something that could develop into a long-term project and from which I could make a living, please do let me know!

Grow on,
Claire

I always recommend Tillers International. They're an animal-powered teaching farm, and they do paid internships. I met a great friend while he was there. It was a wonderful experience for him, so maybe you'd like it as well.

(Especially if you're into learning traditional skills that aren't necessarily permacultural- timber framing, chair caning, soapmaking, etc.)

Www.tillersinternational.com

Hi Claire.

Total newb here... I'm moving into a farm in northwest Arkansas mid June. I know it sounds scary but it's actually a nice place and there's a need for permies here, might be a little too temperate actually but there is some hills and valleys. There's a nice swimming hole close to the property.

I plan on turning the 25 acres into a swaled out, food forest centered around a chestnut orchard slowly evolving to a pasture pork and poultry set up. I have a little experience with tractors and cattle, but none in farming. Thankfully there is a small fruit orchard, chicken coop and about 10 raised beds already built.

There's plenty of living space. I got a video of the house I can send ya if you want to see it. PS I love Canadians.

Best of luck to you, Will

Email me at wglover923@yahoo.com

Lew Cassiel wrote:

Total newb here... I'm moving into a farm in northwest Arkansas mid June. I know it sounds scary but it's actually a nice place and there's a need for permies here, might be a little too temperate actually but there is some hills and valleys. There's a nice swimming hole close to the property.

I plan on turning the 25 acres into a swaled out, food forest centered around a chestnut orchard slowly evolving to a pasture pork and poultry set up. I have a little experience with tractors and cattle, but none in farming. Thankfully there is a small fruit orchard, chicken coop and about 10 raised beds already built.

Welcome to permies, Will....Northwest arkansas is a wonderful place! We are a few counties south....in the mountains still and on very productive land. I think the Arkansas Ozarks are under utilized by permaculture. Many areas were homesteaded by back to the land folks (including us) in the early seventies...time for an influx of permies! good luck on your farm...maybe start a project thread here when you are settled.

Judith Browning wrote:

Lew Cassiel wrote:

Total newb here... I'm moving into a farm in northwest Arkansas mid June. I know it sounds scary but it's actually a nice place and there's a need for permies here, might be a little too temperate actually but there is some hills and valleys. There's a nice swimming hole close to the property.

I plan on turning the 25 acres into a swaled out, food forest centered around a chestnut orchard slowly evolving to a pasture pork and poultry set up. I have a little experience with tractors and cattle, but none in farming. Thankfully there is a small fruit orchard, chicken coop and about 10 raised beds already built.

Welcome to permies, Lew....Northwest arkansas is a wonderful place! We are a few counties south....in the mountains still and on very productive land. I think the Arkansas Ozarks are under utilized by permaculture. Many areas were homesteaded by back to the land folks (including us) in the early seventies...time for an influx of permies! good luck on your farm...maybe start a project thread here when you are settled.

Thanks Judith. I wish I would have found this site earlier. It's such a great resource and full of good folk. Good luck with the sale of your place!

And I definitely will post some topics.

Well Claire, though we are far from warm and wet, you might consider moving out to Montana to live and work at Paul Wheaton's place. Wheaton labs is rife with opportunity for a young, talented, motivated person such as yourself. We are searching desperately for able bodies who are willing to sink their teeth into our long list of projects. We have something like 350 acres of sloping woodland and only a small handful of people to develop it, so the world really is your oyster here. There are even opportunities to earn some cash (in your spare time) prepping roundwood stuff for deep roots folks. We collectively have a library of permaculture books large enough to feed the mind for years on end. And there may be no perfect substitute for a PDC, but the tutelage of the one and only Paul Wheaton is worth even more in many respects. Stay as long as you'd like - the longer you remain here the better! Ten years from now, this place will be among the most epic permaculture demonstration sites the world over, and now is the time to get in on the ground floor.

More info at the gapper thread: https://permies.com/t/34633/labs/gappers

Hey Claire,
New here. Not new to permaculture. If you are still looking for a sustainable living/permiculture "intentional Community" you can really get involved with, you might want to look into Windward...It is in the Cascade Mtns in Washington. They are online. Take a look. You might be a good fit for this place. I am not associated with Windward, but do encounter some of the great folks from there at the Farmers' Markets in the Columbia River Gorge. Look at www.windward.org/
- Converse

Hi Claire

Have you found a place yet?
Interested in cold climate permaculture? (probably not, but will ask anyway).
Plenty of hands on available here!

K

Wow! I've been so busy reading Gaia's Garden, I almost forgot I posted here! Thanks for your input!
Will, no plans on going to Arkansas anytime soon, but who knows what the future holds, I'll keep it in mind.
Justin, I did check out the gapper thread, and I'm interested...I guess for right now my plans are to head west (Cali) this fall, so I'll see where that takes me...
Converse: Windward definitely looks like a cool place, and one that I'll be sure to check out if I end up making it up to Washington from Cali
Kate: still exploring the states, for now...I do love Canada, and Ontario, but not psyched about the cold climate!

Thanks everybody! There's a big huge world of permaculture out there, so happy I found it

Claire Arrowsmith wrote:Hey there

I am a recent college grad in my early 20s with 10 months (over the course of 2 growing seasons) of farming/gardening experience, most of which was spent wwoofing on an uncertified but still organic CSA farm in upstate NY, plus carpentry experience and other odd jobs with Habitat for Humanity and a private landlord. Basically I am a young, hard-working, energetic, enthusiastic person wondering what my next step is. I don't have the money to buy my own land, though my dream is to create/co-create or move onto an intentional community based upon sustainable agriculture and permaculture practices. I've enjoyed my wwoofing experience but I'm at the point where I want to be starting my own projects. I still need both hands-on experience and time to read up on permaculture as I have yet to take a PDC...maybe that's the next step but ideally I'd be able to spend half the day getting my hands dirty, half the day with a book between em, not really a fan of classroom learning at this point and not sure if I want to put more money into learning when it can be done fo free and with a little elbow grease. I'm from Toronto and would love to end up somewhere in the states (I am a us citizen) with milder winters yet tolerable summers and sufficient water (which is why I'm wary of the West) for this reason I've been interested in western NC, I <3 mountains. But beggars can't be choosers so if anyone has advice for what to do next or any affordable opportunities to learn in the field as well as with books, particularly something that could develop into a long-term project and from which I could make a living, please do let me know!

Grow on,
Claire

Hey Id love if you check out my post !

https://permies.com/t/38711/ontario/pursue-life

Though I wasnt entirely clear (even with myself) when I wrote it .. I think I seek the same things as you, and also very dedicated, passionate, hardworking and young ... just turned 17 !

And I also live in and am from Toronto !!!

Id love if you messaged me to be honest, but in any case. I wish you the best !

Jake

Claire,
We have a 2.5 Acre land in Malibu that we are converting via Permaculture into a food forest/native habitat. We are looking for an estate manager who could live on site in exchange for managing the land development in according to permaculture principles. I just completed Geoff Lawton's PDC and have a design for the property, but we are still in the early stages of earthworks and implementation. There is opportunity for selling fresh produce to local restaurants depending on what you can produce, in addition to other earning opportunities. I would be happy to discuss more with you-- the possibilities are open depending on your interests and energy.

Thanks--Sunder
720-224-7182

Hi Clair
We are looking for an energetic individual to commit for 6 months on a 1000 fruit tree permaculture farm. We have world class teachers come Like Geoff Lawton and Elain Ingham come to teach and use us as a demonstration site. Check out www.greenfriends.org and email me if your interested.

Much love and gratitude
Guinevere
email me at infinite8gratitude@gmail.com