John Dorst

I purchased a plant last year, some berries, but birds got them, this year no berries.  I took a few cuttings & just put them in soil, now transplanted a couple beside original goji plant, will see what happens next year I guess.

For the most part Skandi the barn aspect will be for winter, so not much out for the goats.  With on skid idea, they could be put on the harder ground for winter, & like you mentioned, then put on the peat part in summer as Timothy like hay was planted on it we found, so foraging aspect there.  Or, we may scrape off some peat & then place fill in greenhouse/barn area only to build on & man make some pasture around pens to take care of wet feet aspect.  

Arrghh...just reading your to do list made me tired... LOL

Wish you well in your new endeavor, an awesome opportunity to make it your own (well, both of you)...take your sweet time smell the coffee, I mean roses during your observations regarding winds, sun, etc... TAKE DAILY NOTES!!! Even just the word rain or sunny.  But then again, it's me who forgets what did I do three days ago... sigh...

Things that make you go hmmm...

Thank you Jay, will have to look into that further, appreciated your time.

Jay
Your comment relating to find someone with similar was a good one, as I am having difficulty on how to help my son as his property is unique.  
About 5 acres of land aside from house with part of property peat (very dark) & water table within 2' deep, other part of property is sand.  Tried to clear a small section to build a greenhouse/barn combo as seen in these threads, but tractor got stuck, so guess will need fill first for this...  Have idea of what want to accomplish based on great articles/videos, but, as mentioned here...How to start with this?  (cannot build greenhouse on sandy side as under power lines & at other end of property near a not so good neighbourhood unfortunately)
Need to get structure up to house the animals they have.

Not meaning to preach, just each has their thoughts on this subject, mine, which I battle daily in this world, is to try to live by principles mentioned at Galatians 5:22,23
The Do Unto others mentioned actually comes from the Bible Matthew 7:12

To A Good Day  :)

Update...Like I see it in forums here, my question just relates to overall (not here per se) why not a recommended easy system for those who can have compost set up...for those who don't, maybe a system of bucket pick up with someone who does.
Thinking about doing that as we have power outages in this area during wind storms, one area was for 7 days without power last year.

Just wondering why Lovable Loo's are not suggestions as you can have them inside with no problem or smell.  Goes into buckets you seal & then you compost it.  Look at website, you need two bins & hay/straw, one bin you fill & leave for a year & then safe to put on gardens.  I am going to build one soon out by back shed, I know of a person who believes in sustainability & has had one for over 8 years & works great.  Easy to make.

Just google Lovable Loo for website as I do not have handy...

Second Topic on which I am trying to steer son in right direction

He has a few acres that has huge potential.

Dig down a couple of inches & there is black soil/peat, we plan to skim some of that off to set aside & dry, unfortunately (but absolutely not a bad thing), just underneath a couple of feet is water. So how to "play" with that.  This part I put out to you experts, as we are trying to start in a sustainable manner.

We cut down a bunch of dead cedars, & in a couple of weeks are going to get a bunch of them milled to use to aid in construction of greenhouse & outbuildings - Suggestions???  Others will be made into split rails for income
For above greenhouse, basically simple in design to begin with so we can protect for the winter - Pole, with plastic roofing (I inherited old commercial greenhouse plastic), bit of support siding/windows, open bottom for now, but protection a couple of feet from rabbits.

Currently has meat chickens (trial ones butchered without any one of them diseased so can continue), a few goats penned for now until a section of field can be fenced

Edge of property is a bear path, sometimes cougars...

Need a tractor, but need money for that, so for now have to work within means.

His/Our Goal, but we are new to permaculture aspect, that is why comments/advice so welcome... :)

Continue to harvest seeds/seedlings from out jobs (currently successful in dogwoods, lavender, and a few others)
Grow vegetables for self initially to see what does well for both sustainability & eventually market
With water easily accessible, build a natural pond near the greenhouse for ducks (saw a great video from France on permaculture with pond, greenhouse with both growth & animals & above stalls a seed starting area)
Have told him about permaculture forests (fruit/nut trees & shrubs)
Be smart is main goal

So, idea is to put rip rap fill & then a layer of crush on top of space dedicated for greenhouse
Then what?
There is a creek that dries out in summer, but as mentioned, water not deep, how to take advantage of this water blessing with swales in peat base?  Other benefit for future soil, there is a sand hill on property that we will be mixing with the peat when ready.

I know, I rambled...So in conclusion, The question is, How do we start forming/farming land given peat/water?

Thank you & ahead of time want to say, very much appreciate your posts

I'm not quite so smart, so I will stay here between Qualicum Beach & Qualicum Bay...  :)

But a big hello to you two "neighbours"