Where to find young folks

Colin McGee wrote:I'm following this thread. Good luck, I hope you find good people!

Robert Bizzarro wrote:Hello all,
   I'm new to this site, but not new to the life style. Currently living in an off-grid solar home, (Unfinished of course) in the interior of Alaska, but we are relocating to New England. After 36 years of living in Alaska I've decided it's time to move to Maine. Need to at least dial down the air-conditioning as it where.      

The wife and I are getting on in years, but are still able enough. We plan on building a sandbag/cob/round house with a reciprocal roof once we get back. WE plan to spend the rest of lives developing one last homestead. We have all the tools and knowledge, So...... Here is the question.

When I was in my early 20's I would have given anything to have a piece of ground to live "The life Style". You know, back to earth, agricultural community, sustainable, organic, etc. Now we have the land. In fact plenty of it. It's on a lake in Down East Maine about 1/2 mile from the ocean. It's paradise or could be. So how do I find young folks that would like to trade some sweat equity for a piece of paradise? I tried going the "family route", but the young people I know are just not interested in this life.

We want to build a sustainable community, do a CSA, Small Farm, sawmill, homestead art, crafts products Co-Op type thing. We need help though. Young motivated people that want a piece of their own earth and will help build toward the end goal. I've seen 99% of all commune type endeavors fail in my life, because let,s face it there are workers and there are non-workers. Ownership motivates, building your own thing, motivates. We want to give a helping hand up, not a hand out, but we also don't want to get stuck with unwilling, hard to motivate, lazy kids.

I haven't worked out all the details yet, but there is 65 acres to use, 22 of which are in our name (read sub dividable and can be sold) so it would seem to me we have the foundation. How do we find the help to build the rest of it? Where do we find kids that will contribute to the whole for a piece of earth that they own?

Anyway thanks for reading and any advice is appreciated.



Hello, im an 18 year old female living in asheville nc at the moment, but I've been dying to get out there, travel and learn about how to live simple, natural, and just knowing how to cultivate the land in a clean way. I'd absolutely love to be apart of learning from you and helping out best I can.

Pascal Paoli wrote:Hi Robert,
this forum is probably one of the best places to find people. Other than that you should try the regional craigslist forum for the region you are moving to.
There is a lot of young people on craigslist every day.
Also, I do not know if you use facebook, but if you do - use the search field on top to look for a group in that region. You need to click "see all results" on the bottom, than choose "groups" from the tabs on the top. For example: I searched for "maine homestead" and I instantly found a group that is called "maine homesteading". Post your offer in these groups and those people might share it for you. Since they are locals you might find people from there. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/958948104186318/?ref=br_rs ) - there should be a lot of other groups that you could search for and connect with people. just search for words that are related.
Good luck!

Sam Potter wrote:As a young homesteader your place sounds like a dream, if my hubby was more into the homesteading spirit I'd be up there in a jiffy. But he is a stubborn Iowan and wants to stay that way so I wish you lots of luck to find good hard working people

Miles Flansburg wrote:Howdy Robert, welcome to permies! Sounds like a great place.
Are you saying that you can/will subdivide off smaller lots and sell/work trade them to young  hard working permies?

Tyler Ludens wrote:If you intend to have a community, I recommend you read Creating a Life Together by Diana Leafe Christian, which examines how some intentional communities succeed and why most fail.