Alec Buchanan

We were able to generate 200-250 watts with a medium pedal speed. I’d typically ride it only for the duration of whatever we were charging - ten minutes while my partner showered, maybe a half hour if I was trying to charge up a drill battery, etc. The bike we used was a 21 speed, so we could shift gears to adjust the amount of resistance.

A few years ago, I lived off-grid in Washington state. We had a small solar system that struggled to provide enough power in the dark days of winter. To help with the problem, I got myself a bicycle generator thingy - it was essentially a stationary bike stand that generated power as you pedal. We wired it to our battery and used it to provide electricity in times that the sun wasn’t enough. It came in really handy when somebody needed a shower on a dark, cloudy morning, or if I was in a hurry to get a tool charged up, or anything like that. It also doubled as a regular old stationary bike when I wanted to get some exercise.

Just saying… it was a cool way to supplement our tiny photo-voltaic system. I’d highly recommend it to somebody struggling to rely on the sun for electricity through a gloomy winter.

So... how are other permies (legally) catching their rainwater? Or (legally) using off-grid solar? Or (legally) composting humanure? Any natural builders that have gone through the trouble of permitting and regulations? Are people really waiting until they find a place with "no restrictions" before they begin their permie lives?

It seems like it'd cost a fortune for me to do things by the book. I also wouldn't be allowed to have an off-grid solar setup. Building a permittable home, with all its requirements, would be completely impossible without joining the rat race.
Am I the only person here that thinks it is just as important for people to live responsibly (earth care, people care) as it is to follow the rules? I'm not advocating for recklessness or ignorance, but I do think that waiting for laws to catch up with the permaculture world is unrealistic. I doubt permies are going to change the world by following the rulebook, and since there is so much urgency to repair and nurture the planet, shouldn't we reprioritize? I'm not worried about getting a slap on the wrist from an official if it means I get to live the life I am supposed to live. Totally worth it.  

Just saying.... I don't think I would have ever become a permie if the motto was "follow the rules".
Also, just saying... you CAN get away with permaculture - just DO IT! There are lots of ways to make it happen, and you don't need a place with no restrictions.

This is planet Earth. Can I get an amen, or am I really that radical? Anyone?

If your intention is to do everything legally, I'd guess it's going to be difficult to find a place with NO restrictions. It is pretty easy, however, to find places where codes aren't strictly enforced.  
I learned the phrase "you can do anything you want as long as you don't get caught" when I was little. I also believe in personal responsibility. So for me, the right thing to do has been to get away with living off grid, growing food, catching water, composting, permaculturing.  

Here are a few pictures of what is going on in the garden...


Message me with any questions!

I just raised a flock of ten broilers in an 8x4 PVC and chicken wire tractor. It worked well. I moved the tractor once a day (usually first thing in the morning), and harvested a bird or two at a time as they got large (or started to crow loudly) in order to allow for more space per bird. The tractor was moved through our main sheep paddock (the sheep come in at night to it), the thought being that they'd "pick up" after the sheep. The grass is taking it well, and the chicken manure is making the grass noticeably greener.

We will be taking down our primary dwelling at the end of the season (a big yurt), which will leave a garden shed, chicken coop, and hoop house. There is also a vintage, partially renovated "canned ham" travel trailer perched on top of the forested hillside that will stay on-site. It could be used as a temporary housing setup, or you could throw it up on Hipcamp or Airbnb. We've had caretakers and renters in it for about a year now. There is also a big red barn that (ideally) would be used communally between the existing neighbors and the new buyer (that arrangement would need to be negotiated).

This land has been our focus for the last few years. The main "homestead site" started as cow pasture, and is now well on its way to becoming a productive food forest. We have done our best to plant a large variety of edible perennials, as well as your typical vegetables and insect-attracting flowers. We also raised chickens and have installed some fencing our recently-acquired sheep. The property is about 1/2 forest, 1/2 pasture - a great mix. Plenty of space to set up a home, graze sheep, garden like crazy...

I'll get some pictures up soon.

Thanks. Aloha!

We are putting our homestead on the market soon, and I thought it'd be a good idea to post about it here first.

We have a beautiful 5 acre lot outside of Langley, Freeland, and Bayview. We've spent three years developing a permaculture homestead. It's looking and feeling wonderful, and we'd love to pass it on to someone that can keep the spirit of the land alive. This is a special place, and I'm sure you'd love it!

We are asking $200k, and would finance to the right person(s) with half down.

Let me know if you are interested in more info, including pictures!

It's been a productive season on the homestead. We found a sweet couple to stay with us, acquired a few sheep, added a couple of water storage units, got some meat birds, and gather about 14 chicken eggs a day. Spring was mild and wet, so the vegetable garden is green and lush.
That said, we aren't exactly in "search mode" right now. Still, anyone interested in being a part of our project can send me a PM. Who knows what the future holds..

I can vouch for what Libbie Hawker mentioned a couple of years ago about crows being a defensive asset against eagles and other birds of prey. We have a duck area with 10 indian runners. It's covered with  bird netting. One morning I was sitting outside (about 100ft from the duck area) and a golden eagle swooped down, right into the bird netting. Not even two seconds later, a huge raven appeared, swooped in right behind the eagle and totally chased it off. It was an exciting moment, and I am grateful that we had a raven around to defend our flock.