Heading to the Ozarks!

I've been a reader and lurker for a while and since we are officially started I had to share with people who get it! I have loved this site for a while now, the whole concept of permaculture resonates with me.

The plan has been set in motion, finally took a huge step forward and bought our land after years of dreams. 5 acres in the Ozarks!!! We'll be headed to Missouri in a couple months for a bit to connect with the land and take a much needed breather.

We are finally going to build our space! It already has an amazing forest that we will be leaving mostly intact, we'll just be adding more food to it and harvesting as needed. It has potential for amazing water features and space for growing a good sized kitchen garden cleared. The part that I love most is the lack of building codes!

We've got lists and plans, tons of research and practical experience in a large variety of skills. We are in the process of acquiring all the basic tools we'll need. We are trying to do everything in a sustainable, earth friendly, inexpensive manner using as much recycled material as possible. We'll be part time at first, and we'll see what happens from there! At some point we would love to welcome fellow permies who want a place to play in the dirt, probably once we've got a home base established, so hopefully next year. We would also be open to possible long term residents at some point.

We are so excited to do this, it's been a long time dream that's only felt more possible the more we did.

We are super excited, and seeking all knowledge about Missouri. We're in Boston currently and just want some of those odd tips you know when you live somewhere for a while.
Any advice is welcome!

Mika n crew

Welcome, Mika and all
I am farther south in the Arkansas Ozarks...maybe similar climate but land could be totally different.
There are a number of folks here from the Missouri Ozarks. Try browsing the Ozarks forum and see if anyone is around.
It's great to hear your enthusiasm! We'll look forward to a 'project' thread once you get settled.

Are you there/here yet?

No, not yet! We are planning on getting there in the early spring. We are headed out on a road trip for the winter and will make our way slowly to Missouri. Looking forward to our next adventure!

Hope that the road trip is going well if it has started already.

Hi Skip!
It's going pretty well, although we've had some rough patches. We are in Louisiana at the moment. So far my favorite part was spending a week in the mountains in Georgia. Thanks for asking!
M

Hi-
I have been watching this site too...and will be ready to buy in the Ozarks this Summer/Fall. Where did you land? In Omaha now. Looking for 5+ acres. I need excellent internet for work. Did you have trouble finding internet service or are you going off OFF grid? Thanks.
Shelley

Mikah Holt wrote:Hi Skip!
It's going pretty well, although we've had some rough patches. We are in Louisiana at the moment. So far my favorite part was spending a week in the mountains in Georgia. Thanks for asking!
M

Mikah,

Are ya'll there yet? And concur on where'd you land?

Hi I'm in the Ozarks too. Pulaski County Missouri. Here we grow Red clay, Sand, and Rocks. Topsoil is nearly nonexistent, but I'm hoping good dense cover crop and heavy mulching will be at least part of the answer. I'm also looking into soil biology, maybe the biology of nearby forested areas can increase the speed of topsoil production.

I joined the Master Gardeners, which is connected to the University of Missouri Extension Center, (http://mg.missouri.edu/) so I could help local residents with their planting needs while I learned the local ecosystem and how to work with it. I am originally from Michigan, a land of abundant topsoil, and nearly zero rocks at least around where I was. So I have a very large learning curve.

I will try to bring my story here, or in a new thread as I go along.

Missouri Master Gardeners do like Comfrey! I was glad to hear that.