Ben Brownell

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since Sep 12, 2024
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Most active on the creative edges of regenerative development in temperate to arid western US states presently; keen to create more and better long term relationships between humans and their landscapes through apt engagement with/toward healthy whole systems.

I can help find, assess, and strategize optimal rural live-work real estate or land tenure situations if interested!
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Klamath-Siskiyou CA
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Recent posts by Ben Brownell

Appreciate the replies and welcome input!

Even/especially critical views and concerns, as this gets into some touchy subjects and areas like money, debt, property rights, "development" etc that are rather charged for many of us, for good reason.

My attitude, as with much in Permaculture, is generally to endorse thoughtful safeguarded experimentation while gathering quality evidence of what works and how. To that end, I think it's worth looking closely at the existing real estate "industry" to understand which parts are relatively sensible and functional, and what is more questionable, predatory, and degenerative. I won't go into that now, but have been on my own for some years to get to this point in pursuing alternatives.

I think there are some existing well established alternative models, like co-ops and co-housing, however these are typically slow to evolve and require lots of preparation and commitment. I'm particularly interested here in an 'agile' approach that empowers capable individuals to bring context- and systems-aware approach to site-specific [human] habitat creation as a service to others that value these outcomes and aren't in position to fulfill it on their own, or just want a helpful head start.

What I'm seeing is the potential for an organization with some parallels to a Land Trust that can apply, based on their own mission, vision and planning process, a set of guidelines or parameters to identify good candidate properties within their region which can be acquired, improved, and resold or repurposed in an economical manner, under explicit regenerative principles and objectives. This org manages a fund to loan to any qualified individuals that want to take on said project, under their own guidance but within some conditions and oversight similar to how a construction loan works from a bank, with performance controls and milestones.

That kind of funding is basically unavailable anywhere now, unless you know some trusting people with resources! I've been struggling myself to find lenders to complete very reasonable appealing rehab/development projects that just fall outside the bounds of conventional, prescriptive housing within populated areas. Yet it is very meaningful, rewarding, and transformative work to do, that I think a lot of people on all sides of the equation would benefit from going forward!!

So, I'll go into some more specifics in another post perhaps, but for the moment what I'll finish on is this could start very simply (per my 'experiment' mindset, above) through some privately negotiated 1-1 loans to enable a handful of projects in different areas and settings. There is a template called a "trust deed / deed of trust" loan which puts any legally owned parcel up as collateral for a private loan, similar to a mortgage, which allows people without a lot of up front capital to take on larger property development projects under their own steam, which is exactly what many property "flippers" use to get started. I'd like to look at specific cases where and how this could work with a permie mindset.
Hey, tricky moment for a life-changing reset, but I hope there's some element of choice/intent/intuition that brought you to it!

Amazing setting to land in, but it's pretty big, rugged, semi-wild country and will take time to orient. Especially with regards to community, unfortunately, I don't think there area  lot of strong centers and gathering points, outside of what people do for employment (usually either tourist/hospitality related, or federal agencies).

I wonder if you would like to share what you would hope to offer to the new surroundings, in terms of like work, skill, knowledge, creative knack, hobby, activity/experience...might be a good way to solicit reciprocal connections.

Even if it's not your habit or preferred approach, I strongly recommend making a practice of exploring the adjacent outdoors as well as reading up on the deep human and natural history of the area - it's an extraordinary, world heritage landscape and worth getting intimate with! If you're near the south entrance, go meet some giant sequoias and stroll up to Chilnualna Pots as soon as it warms enough for a brisk dip

Take some time with it, lots to feel and process but remind yourself to keep moving and interacting in small ways until you are in the swing of it. And post some snapshots here as you go!
4 days ago
Sounds like a nice idea right about now, huh?!

I want to put some options forward and invite input (feedback, more ideas, solicitations, and actual monies) to explore and demonstrate the prospect for "financial mutual aid" that delivers a win-win-win to further permie projects and goals in different forms and contexts.

I think this is both doable and sensible, even for not super finance-literate people who want sound alternatives for e.g. conventional IRA tax sheltered savings - especially in light of increasingly insecure and unethical mainstream investment paths.

One that I'm immediately focused on is creating a lending pool to support regenerative development of suitable undervalued private properties. This looks similar to the conventional real estate "flip" model which often uses higher interest short term private loans, with the property as collateral, to allow owner-builders to spend a year or so making improvements and then selling or refinancing with a significantly more valuable/appealing product out of their sweat equity. Loans are paid back with premium, owner gets their due, property stays in good hands, and surrounding community/enviro benefits too. Not *always* perfect, but this model is widely utilized and proven, and could well be adapted to a permaculture lens or angle.

Can you imagine if just a small fraction of your surrounding community pulled their savings out of stocks and other extractive vehicles, and with the same tax benefits and comparable (6-10% annual) returns, applied it to community driven regenerative development projects and the capable motivated people willing to take the lead and be accountable for it?? And that, in turn, created attractive niches for more good neighbors to land?

I'd really like to see this and other strategies refined and replicated widely. Let's hear your thoughts, plus minus or neutral!
Hmmm, my initial thought is perhaps overly cynical, but I'd suggest that this kind of paradigm shift won't fly at high levels unless/until people stand to make lots of money and cachet off it. So, what kinds of industrial scale earthen-like construction methods could be near-term commercially viable, while also providing  openings or cover for many more crafty hands-on vernacular approaches to slip past the permit desks? I would probably want to look closer at the potential for "3D printed" building systems, mostly cement based now but of rather similar massing and engineering standards to earthen methods. CEB would be another easily scalable, standardized system with ample advantage.
2 weeks ago
cob
Hey, great to see this gathering momentum Paul!

Very much hope to make it along for one or more occasion this year; and perhaps similar initiative down this way. Keep up the great work and reporting thereof~
2 weeks ago
Interesting links Kevin! Thanks for that diversion. Led me to this excellent looking (didn't watch yet) documentary film surrounding several inventive projects in 60s Cuba:

https://www.ajnafilms.com/work/unfinishedspaces
2 weeks ago
Aha, well good to know...

Taking a quick look around there's some nice larger parcels like this one with both creek/wash bottom and an elevated bench area over 200ac a little NE of Reno:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/0-Left-Hand-Canyon-Rd-Reno-NV-89510/2075843440_zpid/

Also you might be interested in contacting folks at https://www.rosewaterranch.com in the vicinity, neat looking new permie community project!
3 weeks ago
Hi Erika, one other important topic is to investigate the official flood plain maps that counties will often use to determine legal building sites. From that photo, it appears much of the property may in fact be essentially flood plain, given the greener vegetation and lighter colored surface sediment. Even if you haven't seen it rise above the bank yet, there are statistical models that determine what a 100-500yr flood event will look like and this is often what designates flood prone areas which can't be built on or insured.
3 weeks ago
I am experimenting with 'top dress' charcoal or (if i'm diligent) biochar, a light half inch or so at a time so that it works into the surface in/around existing sparse grass cover. Theory or hope is that it helps create a much sturdier, chunkier turf mat over time that is easily walkable if not drivable.
4 weeks ago
I'd go visit this place near Rumney and see what you can learn:

https://www.streetermountainfarm.com

Used to be a more active permaculture farm community ("D acres"), seems to have shifted a bit but should still have some useful knowledge and demo's on site from around 20 years' effort.
4 weeks ago