Jeff Walton

Caretaker.  This role would help me maintain our 28 acre Wedding Venue property in exchange for 20 – 25 hour per week work .  Most of the work involved for the caretaker position is basic work doing gardening, watering, cleaning etc.  We provide very detailed guidance, but also allow people the freedom to work their own schedule with some exceptions.  The caretaker receives a brand new fully self-contained tiny home (20 hours).  If the caretaker would like a $200 per month stipend for food, they would work an additional 5 hours for a total of 25 hour per week.  The tiny house is very nice.  This opportunity is for one person and no animals.  I would be open to having two people apply for this position, but this would need to be discussed.  The tiny home is really ideal for one person.  Two people might be pushing things.  If a couple has their own trailer, we could possibly set them up near the farming plot.

Land Share.  When the caretaker isn’t doing their weekly work trade, they can walk the ¼ mile to the other portion of the property where the ½ to 1 acre farming area is located.  This person can do whatever they want with this portion of the property.  Because the farming plot is a grass field right now, I will work with this person to turn it into a productive farming plot.  I will provide all tools and financial investment to get them going.  All that they need to do is present me with their plan, help me get the plot set up, then they will be off and running doing all of the daily work maintaining the farming operation. They will be able to keep any money they generate from their efforts.  I am willing to do this because I want to see this area of the property become a viable small scale farming operation.  This will increase the value of the property.  I have all of the equipment (tractor, excavator, tiller, and every other tool imaginable) necessary to make this happen.  I also have enough brand-new deer fence to surround this area.  I am financially secure and can afford to do whatever it takes to make this happen.

For me it comes down to whether I am going to use the tool often.  If I will continually use it ... no brainer buying it.  I bought 28 acres 11 years ago and have been building everything 1 board at a time as money allows.  Some tools are indespensable.  For the first 6 months I actually thought I would build this place without a tractor.  It nearly killed me.  I bought a 33 hp kubota tractor and it was a game changer.  Without it I simply wouldn't have been able to build this place.  Investing in tools that will make you more efficient are important.  When money is tight like it was for me ... these decisions were very difficult to make.  In retrospect I wish I would have invested in more tools early on.  Now I litterally have every tool I need and my life is so much easier and enjoyable.  Another example is a wood splitter.  All of my heat comes from firewood.  I actually hand split all of my firewood the first three years.  I then bought a killer splitter for $1000 ... what the hell was I thinking?!

Tara Swenson wrote:I'm in the process of learning permaculture with the hopes of eventually teaching, and I'd be interested in any future course offerings or volunteer opportunities! I'm located in Portland, so not too far.

Thanks Tara.  By the end of the year I should have all of our permaculture related workshops on the www.vernoniasprings.com calendar and would appreciate some volunteer help.  Let us know if you see a workshop that interests you.

John Saltveit wrote:I would contact Marisha Auerbach or Jordan Fink.  They might be interested in that.
John S
PDX OR

Thanks.  I will run it by them.

When would you like to do this class?  What do you think the price point should be for a two day class?  The price will include one night of camping and all meals.  As mentioned you would get the cabin or yurt and all meals at no charge and could use the cabin until the next event also at no charge.  What do you feel is fair compensation in order to make this worth your time and effort?  You can call me so we can discuss the details offline at 503.320.0988.  Thanks Jeff

I think your class sounds awesome and is exactly what I am looking for! Let's definitely chat. How many students do you normally teach at one time? How many day/hours is your class? You can reach me at 503.320.0988 if you want to talk further. Thanks!

Vernonia Springs (Vernonia, Oregon) just received its conditional use permit making it a private park. Now that we can legally provide services to visitors of the property (camping, food service, bathroom/shower services etc.) we would like to begin filling out our schedule with permaculture related classes/events/activities for this summer (a bit late we realize) and next summer.

To this point the focus has been on building the infrastructure required to allow the public to legally visit the property for extended periods of time. See: www.vernoniasprings.com. We have completed the following thus far: 3500 sq. ft. straw bale lodge, commercial grade food cart, public (ADA) bath and shower building, campground, hiking/walking/mountain bike trail on property, cabin and yurt for instructor(s) and much more. Starting next spring we intend to focus a considerable amount of time and energy on five acres of the property where we will begin to build/demonstrate specific permaculture related elements/techniques etc.

If you are an instructor/trainer/teacher with a class/subject/activity you would like to teach that can attract students from the Portland, Oregon market (we are 38 miles from Portland) and beyond please contact me so we can discuss putting you on the schedule for this summer or next.

If you can provide information on how we might find a list of active permaculture instructors that would be much appreciated too!

We look forward to chatting with folks who are interested.

Jeff Walton
Vernonia Springs