Hey Ryan,
I'm a lonely permie in Gladwin county, probably an hour and half south of you. I've been living with my dad here for the past 2 years. I'm also a transplant from Southeast MI.
Since the day after thanksgiving I've been fervently working on building a Rocket Mass Heater in a pole barn. It's a slow process. I've learned that if you build a RMH in an uninsulated building you might as well just use a "traditional" wood stove. I finally have the walls insulated where the RMH heater will sit. Yesterday I did a dry fit layout and will be installing the chimney in the next few days. My goal is to have the heater built by the end of the month but I don't know if that's realistic. I hope to boil down some Maple syrup this spring.
Aside from that I'm obsessed with permaculture. I've been sheet mulching, composting, worm farming, brewing up
compost tea and living frugally.
But like I said it's a lonely endeavor. Most folks around here don't know what permaculture is and are outright ignorant/skeptical of it's potential. I've tried to find permaculture people in the area through social media and craigslist but have come up short.
If you're ever passing through the area feel free to stop by. I'd love to show you around our homestead and talk permaculture.
Rich