Hi Y'all — I’m seeking capable residents for my rural property in Bennett County, South Dakota as we build out Sovereign Tree, a land project focused on regenerative infrastructure and practical skills (water harvesting earthworks, soil building, shelterbelts, habitat/food forest establishment). Inspirations include the practical earthworks approach you’d recognize from Andrew Millison, soil/aggregation thinking from Gabe Brown, and the land-ethic humility of Robin Wall Kimmerer—translated into real, measurable projects.
My family has run a calf/cow operation here for over 50 years, but they have all retired so I'm finally able to open up without family interference.
This 20 acres is surrounded by +1,000 acres of family land (wooded canyons with creeks and ponds) available for timber/firewood harvest, hunting, foraging, and exploration.
I have over 20 years of experience practicing permaculture/regenerative ag, mostly on this ranch, but practicing with mentors elsewhere as well.
This is a private landowner / tenant (or site-license) arrangement at this stage, with clear written agreements and clear boundaries.
The goal is stability first, then accelerated development.
Timeline (important)
Applying / outreach: now through March 2026
Filtering & calls: Feb–Mar 2026
Text: (605) 315-7799
Tours: April–May 2026 (appointment only)
Move-in window: May 1 – Sept 1, 2026 (must be moved in by Sept 1)
Security: No public address posted. Address/coordinates are shared day-of tour after pre-screen + confirmation.
Housing options (choose one track)
Track A — Furnished House Lease
Furnished 5BR / 3BA + garage
$2,500/month (utilities included)
Includes 7 beds, big living area upstairs and downstairs; good base for a stable household or a small team
Track B — Basement Operator Track
Basement has separate entrance + kitchenette
Intended for a resident-operator who can support property standards and operational readiness while keeping the upstairs STR-capable (seasonal)
Possible rent credits/rebates and/or paid project work only via separate written addendum with measurable standards (not guaranteed; STR revenue is seasonal)
Track C — RV / Tiny / Site License
$1,000/month (utilities included) for approved setups
Best fit: tiny house on wheels / RV / trailer / self-contained
Other options (yurt/teepee/tent) considered only when appropriate and with clear sanitation/safety rules
Naturally built structures (cob/log/etc.) considered only with prior written approval and only if safety requirements are satisfied.
Utilities & self-sufficiency expectations
Well water on site; water lines may be extended to approved sites as feasible (phased).
Each site is expected to be power self-sufficient (solar or other approved off-grid systems).
Community-use showers/toilets/kitchen areas may be available depending on operations/season; self-contained lodging is strongly preferred.
Governance & land use (clear boundaries)
This is not a cooperative or shared-governance community at this time. (A Community Land Trust is the goal)
Residents manage only their assigned dwelling/area as specified in writing.
Common areas, roads, infrastructure, and broader land projects are managed by the operator via groundskeepers and/or contractors, unless a resident is formally contracted in writing for a specific scope of work.
No pads, hookups, earthworks, fencing changes, permanent plantings, utility work, or structures without prior written permission.
Economics
Rent/site fees are due in full and on time. (While I want to be laissez faire about this, I must be a stickler until I complete paying off the family estates)
Any credits/discounts/rebates or paid roles are separate written agreements with documented standards.
Intent: As development costs decrease and seasonal guest/retreat/event revenue increases, resident costs should trend downward over time, but reductions are implemented only at renewal (year-to-year) through new written agreements or documented credit programs. Nothing changes mid-term unless signed in writing.
Enterprise, tools, and shared spaces
Independent enterprise is welcome when aligned with safety and neighbor respect, but any business activity using land, barns/workshop, utilities, guest traffic, equipment, or branding requires a written Enterprise Agreement (scope, access rules, insurance/liability, cleanup/storage, fees/cost recovery if applicable, and termination terms). Tool/equipment access may require training, checkout rules, and responsibility for damage/loss.
Food logistics (rural reality)
Full grocery options can be far (often ~100 miles). Residents should be prepared for bulk staples, storage, and meal planning. There may be opportunities for collective local beef purchases. Hunting/trapping/foraging must follow law and property permission/safety rules. Auxiliary freezer space may be available by capacity/rules.
Healthcare reality (competence matters)
Clinic is roughly 30 minutes away; hospital roughly 1 hour away and serious cases may require transfer. This is a rural working property, so safe tool use, winter readiness, and basic preparedness matter. Possible rent credit for residents with current medical/first-aid training (EMT, nurse, WFR, CPR/AED, etc.) via separate written addendum.
Who tends to do well here
People with stable income (remote employment/self-employed/retirement/savings buffer), practical competence, and interest in land stewardship and skill-sharing. We’re building a place that is orderly, well maintained, and welcoming.
How to inquire (Permies-friendly)
Please message me through Permies with:
Your Interest (House / Operator / Site)
Intended move-in month (May–Sept) + desired length of stay
Household size + pets
Income stability type (remote/W2/1099/retirement/savings)
Relevant skills (land care, repairs, animals, hospitality/ops, admin, teaching, tech)
After the first message, I’ll share the pre-screen and tour scheduling steps.
Notice:
Sovereign Tree is a secular, skills-centered land project. Our shared “coherence” comes from practice: we encourage residents to develop a broad range of practical capabilities (that means growing across many domains—land care, building/maintenance, food systems, fitness/readiness, communication, leadership, service, and more). Daily life is oriented toward being outdoors, staying active, improving the land, learning and teaching useful skills, and building dependable systems.
We are located in a region shaped by Lakota history and ongoing tribal sovereignty. Residents are expected to approach local people, places, and traditions with humility and respect. We have connections with local ceremony communities (including sweat lodge/ceremonial circles). Participation is always voluntary, and Sovereign Tree is not a religious organization and does not present itself as an Indigenous spiritual institution. Cultural curiosity is welcome; appropriation, disrespect, or performative posturing is not.
Philosophically, the project is aligned with ecology-first stewardship and a decolonial respect for sovereignty—including recognition of tribal sovereignty and a commitment to operating responsibly as neighbors in this landscape. We aim to keep the community’s attention on the real work: land restoration, food abundance, fitness/health, hospitality, education, and service. We do not host political campaigning, partisan organizing, or identity-based conflict as part of community life. People are welcome across many backgrounds and viewpoints; what matters here is competence, dignity, mutual respect, and follow-through under written agreements.
Community life may include shared meals, skill shares, land projects, foraging knowledge (where lawful and permitted), horsemanship/animal systems (where safely managed), music, song, and other forms of healthy culture-making—always grounded in respect for neighbors and the land.
Political campaigning, harassment, or any conduct that undermines neighbor relations or resident safety is not permitted and may be treated as a breach of agreement.
