Hello everyone
My name is Claire, and I don't care -- just kidding, I really do care, that's why I'm posting here!
I am 25 and looking for a new home,
community and place to practice what I already know while learning much more by helping to build a
permaculture oasis somewhere in the northeast -- I have heard great things about Vermont (Montpelier, anyone?) and have yet to really explore the area.
Like probably all of you I dream to live and work on
land that I've designed to meet all of my needs and those of my community and planet; closing the loop at every opportunity with plants and animals serving many functions: food, fuel, fiber, fodder, fertilizer, farmaceuticals, fun and, of course,
fungi -- yes, I did complete Dave Jacke's 9-day Forest Garden Design Intensive in Helena, MT this fall and would love the opportunity to practice what I've learned (*more on skills and
experience a little further down).
I grew up a dual citizen in Toronto, ON, and escaped the
city to attend St. Lawrence University in (way)
upstate NY, not far from my family's summer
cabin in the Adirondacks (my second home, though unfortunately unsuitable to farm). Canton is where I first--finally!--got my hands in the soil, and though I did earn my bachelor's in neuroscience in 2013, I've been
wwoofing ever since. The North Country is still my home and I feel it is time to set down
roots somewhere in the general vicinity.
The really impatient, somewhat prepper part of me (small but loud) just wants my own piece of land to turn into
permie paradise and live happily ever after, but I know better than that. I don't have the money to buy land (
thankfully no debt!) though I have
enough savings to live comfortably for a while, as I have been, working for room and board. If I continue living frugally and maybe making a little more, I'd consider buying land myself or with the right
people in the future. So then the more rational part of me thinks if I spend enough time in the 'right' area(s), establish myself in a community, then sooner or later an old farmer and I will find each other and combine our resources to continue the legacy. Either way it seems like I'm still on the same path: live cheaply, work for rent growing food and gaining skills. Just looking for the right place to do it
...Because after two years spent running around with my partner, seeing the country, backpacking and wwoofing on both coasts, I am looking for a community of like-minded individuals who I can call family, for a while at least.
Skills & Experience:
2011: helped start an annual veggie garden from scratch in Canton, NY
2013: Apprenticeship on an annual veggie CSA farm, Canton, NY; pigs and
chickens for meat, quail eggs. Some
perennial fruit experience (planting, maintenance,
cider pressing).
2014: shorter stays on several farms/homesteads in Appalachia (GA, NC, PA), NY and northern CA. Winter 2014-2015 caretaking at the
Solar Living Institute, Hopland, CA: learned
solar PV installation, helped maintain the
permaculture garden and intern village
2015: Internship at Fern Hill Nursery & Botanical Sanctuary, Cottage Grove, OR; helped prepare for Farmer’s market, garden work, workshops and open houses; performed all daily chores involving
chickens, ducks, and
irrigation for gardens and
greenhouse. Also completed a 5-day mycoremediation course with Fungi for the People (Eugene, OR) in June.
*For a more specific list of the farming, homesteading and interpersonal skills and further interests I've developed over the past 4 years, please send me a message as I was unable to attach the file
- please note that I do not have a
PDC, nor certifications in yoga or nonviolent communication, though I am always practicing and expanding my understanding of these skills.
Also, being Canadian, I am fluent in French (though quickly losing it - used to know some Spanish too), if that's a game-changer for anyone
What I'm Looking for:
Not necessarily trying to find the spot to spend the rest of my life--though if that happens, heck yes! Just looking for a good place to set down some roots for the time being.
I have many skills and interests and though I would like the opportunity to practice edible forest design & implementation (& maintenance..?), I
think community is most important at this point -- e.g. maybe someone here is already well into their design implementation and could host me for a time in exchange for my help, teach me a thing or two, and knows someone in the area who can't accommodate me but would like to establish a design. Whatever works!
I have never built my own house but I am willing to learn how, in case that's a prerequisite to living in the right place.
I don't have a car and don't particularly want one of my own, though I am a competent driver. For this reason living outside of a town really suits me as I'll probably bring my bicycle wherever I end up.
...another idea is to set out on a bike tour of the northeast in the spring and see what I can find...
You may have already gotten an idea of the activities I enjoy apart from
permaculture - I do like to stay active in my community and surroundings, engaging my mind-body-spirit through a variety of activities on a regular basis.
That's all I can think of for now! Please shoot me a message with your questions, comments, concerns, curiosities... If you or someone you know is interested in establishing an ecological design for your property but unable to pay a professional, maybe I'm what you need! A professional work trader, that's me. Even if you just want to share some wise advice, I'm ok with that too
Gratitude, blessings & may all your permie dreams become reality,
Claire
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