Patrickf Smith

Within the next year I would like to take a pdc. How important is it to take get a pdc in somewhere with a similar climate? I am in northern Michigan and I was thinking going to finger lakes permaculture in upstate New York because they are also in the snow belt and figured it would be the most relevent to where I am. They are not teaching a pdc in 2015. Is it worth waiting or would anywhere do?

Thank you Peter. It is good to know there are more people in the mitten on the same path. Where in Michigan are you? We are in Traverse City. I'll keep you updated on our project, what's working and what isn't. I hope to hear more about your journey.

I'm in northern Michigan. I don't think I need a wind break. There is forest 50 yard past that truck and the picture is taken from a deer blind 15 feet up in a tree. There are much older and taller trees than these small pines surrounding this clearing on every side.

I am moving onto some new land and there is a dense patch of small pine trees that I really want to take out. Can goats and maybe pigs to this?

Thanks for the reply

There is a lot of much taller trees surrounding this otherwise open patch near the cabin. I would really like to be able to use the land, plus if I let keep growing it will shade most of the land that is open and I will be growing a garden there.

Would giving pigs and goats access to this land help?

I am moving onto some new land and there is a dense patch of small pine trees taking up about half an acre of my zone one. What can I do with them?

William I think our biggest obstacle is just getting through the first couple years. Once we have established our gardens we are really getting into a great market at a great time. There are at least half a dozen farmers markets within 45 minutes. On top of that this is a very foodie place with lost of restaurants interested in finding new interesting local produce and within the next couple years our co op is opening a second location and a lucky's natural food store.

Danielle I tend to agree with R Scott, about using pigs and chickens to prepare the land. Plus we just obtained the land so last fall we did not have the chance to amend the land. We will only have about half of a growing season, another reason to do animals this year.

Thank you for the responses

So my best friend and I will be starting a farm this year. We both have apprenticed on an organic vegetable farm and have some livestock experience. We are in the northern lower peninsula in Michigan. Our plan this year is to raise about 10 pigs, 100 broilers, and 50 layers as well as some herbs and vegetables. Mostly we want to be work on the land a little our first year and make observations. Long term we want to do more perennials. I will document our journey here. Any advice would be great.

Topher Belknap wrote:
There are a number of opportunities in Maine for up and coming farmers. There is a local teaching farm which sometimes needs a new teaching farmer to run the farm. There are plots of land zoned for farming only. The farmer's markets and food coops are doing good business. There are even a number of old dairy farms squeaking by, that might be willing to pass on the reins to a young upstart. It can be done. Good Luck.

Thank You Kindly,
Topher

Thank you Topher. I apprenticed on a farm in Maine and found that there are a lot of amazing opportunities there. If following my permaculture dream means relocating permitly than so be it but northern michigan is home. I'm not aware of anything big in permaculture happening in that northern michigan and I would like to try to make it work there. On top of I have more support there, friends to help with big projects and maybe connections to get me on land.

Thanks Dave. I believe the cliche is true and I'm honestly not too worried about it. There is no clear path to the life I want and that is fine. I'll get to where I want to be, I'm just hoping someone or multiple people on here will share things they have done that may help people like us find our paths.
Good luck with the post high school decision making!