Manitoba Permies?

I'm heading to Winnipeg on a training thing for work.  I'll be there for two 10 day work/training sessions, but will have the weekend of 4 days in between from Feb 24th to 27th.  I'm presently taking Geoff Lawton's online PDC course, and have 40 acres in the B.C. Rockies of my own to play with.  I will be visiting my friends Chad and Nancy at Hollow Reed Holistic.  If any permies would like to meet up at Hollow Reed, and have a tea and chat, please send a purple moosage my way.  Peace.

Alternately I might be available some of the evenings of my 10 day training sessions.  I'll be staying near the airport at the Best Western.

Hi all. Just found this really old thread on Manitoba. Originally from BC, I’ve been here about 9 years. But missing a milder climate and longer growing season, the mountains etc. So... I’ve been checking out cheap land in South east Arizona and thinking about pulling the trigger on 4+ acres. It turns out that in Cochise county you CAN build alternative housing (nonpermitted) with some minor restrictions. I’ve really become entranced by both Hempcrete and earthbag building and am jonesing to take a course or 2 on the basic methods. Anyone else in MB interested in these building methods or with some experience? The reason I ask is I’m trying to network with some fellow northerners who want to learn more about this and want building experience. Yes, it means a week (or so) in Southern AZ getting really dirty!
So as yet im wide open to finding my way in both the design and construction, but would like to get to know others who might be interested in this experience in the future (say next winter...baring any interruptions via the universe).
Send me a line or 5 if you find this interesting or want any questions answered. I’ll do my best! 👍

I just bought some pasture land with the intention of growing a food forest.

To help me get started, I'm wondering if anyone can point me towards a blueberry patch where I could dig some off-chutes (without hurting the main plant) or some highbush cranberries from which I can take cuttings.

Next fall I'll want to collect hazel nuts to germinate, so if you know a good spot to do that please let me know. For now anyways, the berries are higher priority because I think I can get them growing this spring.

Note: I live in Winnipeg and the land is near Erickson. I'm willing to travel a bit to get plants with good genes, but I'm not likely to go out of province or up to Thompson for example.

Thanks!