40 year old Decolonizing My Family Ranch

Seeking Comrades — builder, land-nerd, teacher, DJ, and long-game homesteader (South Dakota)

I’m posting in “Singles,” but my main intent is broader than romance:
I’m here to meet my people —
friends, co-creators, neighbors, mentors, students, co-conspirators for land repair, and yes, maybe eventually a partner if the universe feels generous.

I have 20 acres that I bought from my family in South Dakota. Centered within 1,000 acres of wooded canyon land still owned by the family.

The place is now "Sovereign Tree": a practical, phased homestead "village" aimed at ecological restoration + energy/food sovereignty + skill-building.
Think water harvesting earthworks, shelterbelts, habitat/food forest establishment, soil building, and a culture of competence. (Andrew Millison style.)

Why you might care: my credibility (highlights from my “lifetime resume”)

I’ve basically spent my whole life collecting “real-world operator” skills across food systems, education, and infrastructure as a 7th generation farmer/rancher in this watershed:

Land + livestock + ranch ops: horse training, fencing, tree trimming, berry farming, plumbing, equipment repair, tractor operation, grazing work, herd work, feeding, maintenance, budgeting/bookkeeping, staff training.

Construction + fabrication: framing/trim/roofing, plus welding (TIG/MIG/SMAW) for ag equipment and field repair.

Farm/homestead operations at scale: I’ve owned/operated a farm project where I renovated outbuildings into Airbnb units, installed multiple RV/tiny hookups, built outdoor bathrooms/showers, managed comms/marketing/budgeting, and managed animals + a market garden.

Education + writing + systems: tutoring/library work, curriculum design, research/writing, grant writing, and some tech/data work (scraping/mapping/JSON).

Hospitality + events: I’ve done over 100 weddings as DJ/MC, which oddly trains you for leadership under pressure, logistics, and reading a room without losing your soul.

So: I’m not coming at this as a tourist. I’m coming as an operator who’s trying to build something that lasts.

What I’m building with Sovereign Tree 🌲

A land-based project that prioritizes:

Ecology first: water harvesting, erosion reduction, habitat restoration, perennial systems, social forestry

Competence: practical skills > aesthetics; measurable improvements over theory

Service + teaching: people leaving stronger than they arrived

The Emerald Podcast... I really hope you've listened to them all

Hospitality: welcoming guests, workshops, retreats, and learning events over time

Sovereignty: personal sovereignty, and deep respect for tribal sovereignty and local context

I’m influenced by social ecology thinking (Murray Bookchin-style: land health and human systems are linked), and I also take group dynamics seriously (limits and structure matter). Early-stage Sovereign Tree is intentionally structured and agreement-based — stability first, then expansion.

What I’m looking for (in all relationships, not just romance)

If we’re going to be close—friends, collaborators, or partners—these are my non-negotiables:

Horses, must be able to ride and work with horses

Routine that protects the nervous system: bedtime, nutrition, training/fitness (I unironically love CrossFit)
I cook like my grandma's taught me: at least 3 meals worth of food at a time, saving me time in the kitchen.

Friends/community: I don’t want an isolated or codependent life.

Music: singing/dancing, and events— music is medicine for me 🎶

Grit + outdoors: backpacking, dirt, weather, work, real movement

Service: I’m at my best when I’m useful, serving others

Teaching & skill-sharing: I love helping people get stronger, calmer, more capable. I need people who love teaching. True extroverts.

Business sense: Fiscal responsibility

Reading: At least a book a week

Not a luddite: I like tools, systems, and technology used wisely

I’m into astrology but not too serious about it.
Also, I would love to have my best friend give you a human design reading.

If you're a nerd, an academic, a healer, a yogi, a veteran, an backpacker, a hunter, a plantsmith, a gardener, a carpenter, or anything else, I'd love to meet you!

If any of this resonates…

Message me here on Permies and tell me:

Where you’re located and what you’re building in your life

Your top 3 skills (or the 3 you’re hungry to learn)

What kind of connection you’re looking for (friendship, collaboration, relocation someday, etc.)

If you’re also curious about the Sovereign Tree living/caretaker/operator opportunities, tell me that too and I’ll point you to the details in a separate message/thread (I’m keeping this post as an intro, not a classifieds dump).

Either way: I'm glad you exist.

I am rooted all the way in Michigan, but just wanted to commend you on the amazing life it seems you’re building over there in SD.

What a thoughtful, detailed post you’ve written! I wish you much joy and success in finding all of which you seek ❤️