To start a homestead on my property in Sierra Foothills (California)

Hey Permies,

I'm Andre, a single 26 yo male with a huge passion for nature and sustainable living. I currently reside in Southern California (Ventura) working for my family's manufacturing company but i would like to set out on my own path and start a farm on the family property which is located in the Western Sierra Foothills. The property consists of 50 acres of gentle rolling hills and a communal lake that is shared with several other properties. The property was used for cattle ranching but as of now, it is vacant and could use some regenerative farming practices to bring it to the beautiful oasis i have been dreaming of.
I would really like to set out with a team of passionate hard working individuals working towards the same goal of creating an abundant food forest in the middle of what seems to be a food desert.
i have many ideas of how i would like to manage the land but i would like to hear what you might have to offer.
i know i am leaving many details out but for now i really just want to see if this sparks anyone's interest.
If this interest you at all, reply with a short introduction of yourself and we will see if we can make some magic happen.


Thank You,

Observe and make a earthworks design for the entire site, with lots of rows of swales on contour.

Then I would try and increase the amount of carbon in the soil
Biochar, woodchip, straw - grass clipping, depressions filled with logs (inverted hugelkulture) and regular hugelkultures.

Next I would try to increase the soil life, manure/compost, mushroom slurries,

I would them cover the site with 90% legumes (dutch clover, regular clover, alfalfa, etc,etc) I would also add adler it also fixes alot of Nitrogen.

While the entire site is getting an upgrade, I would focus intensively on just 1 acre, planting out 180 trees (Fruit/nuts) at 15ft centers.
You can have a shallow swale infront of each 'row' of trees, that extend outside the '1-acre', have all of those extended swales funneling water into the core 1acre.

I would also get 3 warre bee hive, with a once a year, start of season visit to split hives to restart the hive that died (odds are you will get a 33% death rate).
That is also time to harvest all 3 hives, after they have made it thru winter and nectar flow is coming from wild flowers and they need space.

I possible I would build a aquaponic greenhouse, remove 4 trees to get a 15ft by 45ft greenhouse.
I like the idea of grow bed(1), then walkway(A), then grow bed (2), then walkway(B), then grow bed(3). Each of them 3ft.
The grow beds are actually 3ft deep and wide swales that have a pond liner then filled with water and fish, the excavated dirt is the walkway. And above the swales you have tables with grow media and vegetables.

I would also grow oyster and wine cap mushroom in the greenhouse area in hanging burlap 'towers'.

If you are going to visit weekly, You could try a super animal proof chicken coop with a automatic feeder, then just come and harvest weekly (eggs+meat chicken+manure), and refill/check (water, battery, straw, feed, baby chicks?)

So with vegetables, honey, eggs, chicken, fish, herbs, fruiting shrubs/canes harvest able the 1st 12months and with the nut+fruit trees in the ground with fruits possible in 2 to 4years, you would be looking good.

Thanks for the input, i actually have a very similar idea in mind.
My biggest obstacles are acquiring funds for a project of that scale and also finding labor or building a team whom is willing to put in the work.

Check out Joe Salatins You Can Farm and successional grazing in addition to what was posted. We are looking at doing this in the foothills as well in the near future. Old post, hope all has been well. The grazing will amp things up.

How are things going?
Are you making progress?
Where in the foothills are you?
We are in Amador County, Ione area, and have 7.77 acres to work on...

Currently raising sheep in Catheys Valley (Mariposa County).
Making slow progress in regards to developing food production systems, since i’m doing this venture solo.
Looking to implement an electric fence system to rotationally graze the sheep.

Have lots of ides for projects but have to take it slow and one project at a time.
Would like to open space to a working partner to assist with load here and to create their own.

You have taken on almost a hermits task with that project but I am sure its doable.
Have you listed any plans etc to share with anybody?
I think 50 aces is small enough to not need a 'commercial ' partner, but I guess it depends on your resources.

40 acres here, in Coarsegold. How have sheep been handling for you? We've been looking at getting goats. Started with mostly untouched land, parents live on the property in a trailer at the moment, trying to find a contractor to build their house, but it's been a wild 3 years. Also thinking of an electric moveable fence for rotational grazing, and to keep predators at bay. lots of plans for the land, but same boat of needing a little capital to get the ball rolling. 3 years in and still removing dead brush and downed trees (for chip and Hugel-ish beds eventually. Poison oak slows down the work. )

John, Yes it is very doable without a commercial partner, hence why I’m seeking a partnership with a like minded person, maybe a fellow permie.
I’m in a rural town, 20 mins to the closest convenience store.
I relocated 5 hours from my hometown/network so meeting new people with the little available free time is challenging, But its not going to deter me.

Chris, The sheep have been doing great here. My property is mainly pasture and oaks on gentle rolling hills which seems great for them
If you have more brush, then maybe goats might be better but make sure your perimeter fencing is stout and secure.
One advantage to sheep over goats is they stay together and they’re less likely to test boundaries and escape but they will rub a lot against fencing and can cause weak fencing to fall over.
I think a moveable electric fence is a great idea. I am looking to install a system in the coming weeks. I’ll post updates.
I highly recommend a LGD or donkeys to help with predator control.

Start small and get a few goats to start clearing up the brush. You’ll be happy you did, they will save you a lot of hard work and in turn give you meat or just good company.

If you weren't so far I would come for a visit and help out. Currently in Los Angeles for family needs, our land is in Llano / Pinion Hills.