Locations to do PEP/PEX

As I write this I am thinking that in a few years I may be open to such a thing, but I have a lot of work to do first. And PEP is set up for a place that's a little less flat than it is at my place... so accomplishing some badges would not be possible here.

I don't really have the acreage but maybe some badges could be done at my place.

Wouldn't it be nifty if 5-10 people around the country/world picked up some remote land and set up satellite labs of their own?

Just let me know what is needed for a site to host people and I may be able to offer a space in the coming year.

Would anyone be okay with me starting to compile a public list/wiki of places for PEP/PEX, so that more people than just me are aware of where they could do PEP/PEX at?

I could make the list/wiki as:
-People Open to PEP/PEX on Their Land
-People Thinking About PEP/PEX on Their Land
-Currently Full Locations, Contact Landowners for Available Spots
*and possibly other things in between

Great idea Dave!

I posted some in a new thread, not seeing this one. My phone doesn’t copy blocks of text very easily, so here is what I wrote before:
https://permies.com/t/119824/Sites-complete-PEP-badges#967433

Here, I'll quote it for you:

Lina Joana wrote:I will start: we have 5 acres, partially wooded, in Maryland, USA, near Annapolis. We are just getting started on it. In the next few years, we will be planting lots of stuff, felling some trees, digging some ponds, probably ripping some boards with an Alaskan saw mill, putting in fences, building a shed, building a rocket stove, building a rocket mass heater, and probably other stuff as well. At least some of it should fit into the BBs that have been established. So, if you live an easy distance from Annapolis md and want to complete a BB that you don’t have the space for, PM me and maybe we can schedule a time for you to come and complete a few of them. I don’t pretend to be an expert in any of this stuff, but I can muddle through most things.

Thanks Shawn.
Btw, has anyone thought about liability for landowners? Since we are talking about people using sharp and power tools in the hands of beginners?
Some sort of release form would be a good plan.

Lina Joana wrote:Thanks Shawn.
Btw, has anyone thought about liability for landowners? Since we are talking about people using sharp and power tools in the hands of beginners?
Some sort of release form would be a good plan.

My farm insurance covers both visitors and occasional helpers (not regular employees) so check policies they may cover anyway.

It would be possible to complete some badges at my place, we have 5 acres of mainly flat field but lots of smaller (and a couple of bigger trees) for felling badges bring your own bowsaw but we have a chainsaw. hugels would be possible as well and many other smaller things, as I said on the other thread that was started I'm not about to turn someone away who wants to clean my gutters :p

We can also provide accommodation in the house (with real beds and everything!) or camping space if that would be preferred.

I'm in Northern Denmark so I am not expecting a queue!

I'm withdrawing the possibility of PEP/PEX space for the foreseeable future.  Too many unknowns in life these days.

I am not in a position to do any big official programs at the moment, but perhaps in the future. That said, I am willing to work with individuals who are needing space, materials, projects, etc. If someone is in the tennessippi area and would like some help on PEP stuff, we can try to schedule something. I love the concept of PEP, and I want to support it anyway that I can.

reposting from other thread--some general ideas of places that might want a hugel bed:

--nonprofits that have a bit of land around an office building
--primary and secondary schools with a garden, colleges with a meal plan
--senior centers?
--churches/places of worship
--government facilities
--armed forces, a fair number of soldiers have an interest in preparedness and food production, in my experience
--permaculture projects that don't have enough volunteers...
--anyone who balks at the price of having a tree taken down on their yard (tree felling badge...it's saving them maybe a thousand dollars, from what I've heard) or if the tree's already fallen then the price of sawing it up and chipping it.  You might have far too much wood for one hugel bed but could make a dent in the problem for the landowner).

Some badge bits could be done at my place.

Ash Jackson- Denver, CO

Skandi Rogers wrote:My farm insurance covers both visitors and occasional helpers (not regular employees) so check policies they may cover anyway.

It would be possible to complete some badges at my place, we have 5 acres of mainly flat field but lots of smaller (and a couple of bigger trees) for felling badges bring your own bowsaw but we have a chainsaw. hugels would be possible as well and many other smaller things, as I said on the other thread that was started I'm not about to turn someone away who wants to clean my gutters :p

We can also provide accommodation in the house (with real beds and everything!) or camping space if that would be preferred.

I'm in Northern Denmark so I am not expecting a queue!

Hey Skandi Rogers, I'm just north of you, and I'd be interested in doing some badges at your place.
My goal was to be in Montana all summer this year, but well... that didn't happen! So, shoot me a message if you want some help later on in the fall. I've had a lot of experience in building, renovating, landscaping, etc., have my PDC and have had countless volunteers at my family's place in Sweden. Totally into food forests, too. I think it's fun to help out although this particular journey is primarily to start collecting badges so I can head into the BB20 and such in coming years.

/Kate

Kate McRae wrote:

Skandi Rogers wrote:My farm insurance covers both visitors and occasional helpers (not regular employees) so check policies they may cover anyway.

It would be possible to complete some badges at my place, we have 5 acres of mainly flat field but lots of smaller (and a couple of bigger trees) for felling badges bring your own bowsaw but we have a chainsaw. hugels would be possible as well and many other smaller things, as I said on the other thread that was started I'm not about to turn someone away who wants to clean my gutters :p

We can also provide accommodation in the house (with real beds and everything!) or camping space if that would be preferred.

I'm in Northern Denmark so I am not expecting a queue!

Hey Skandi Rogers, I'm just north of you, and I'd be interested in doing some badges at your place.
My goal was to be in Montana all summer this year, but well... that didn't happen! So, shoot me a message if you want some help later on in the fall. I've had a lot of experience in building, renovating, landscaping, etc., have my PDC and have had countless volunteers at my family's place in Sweden. Totally into food forests, too. I think it's fun to help out although this particular journey is primarily to start collecting badges so I can head into the BB20 and such in coming years.

/Kate

Hey I sent you a message. would be great to have someone likeminded around for a bit.

Trish's site was just listed in Bulgaria!!!

Mike Haasl wrote:Wouldn't it be nifty if 5-10 people around the country/world picked up some remote land and set up satellite labs of their own?

Well, I DO plan to set up a PEP/PEX labs down the line, when I actually have land to do so. But I imagine it won't be for a WHILE. Gotta finish PEP myself, after all!

To further explain our listing above (JT Lamb - BonCarbo, CO) ...

We would like to initiate an offer of "space to create" on our 40 acre tract of pine-forested land in the southern Colorado foothills as a full PEP/PEX lab; our listing would be "pending", until staff verifies we have "the right stuff" to complete such an offer.

What could you create, if you had the space? How about a piece of dirt to build that Hugelkultur bed? Or a pond or other water feature of a certain size and construction method? Anything is possible, up to and including building your own "shed on skids" or "tiny home on wheels" projects. Interested in sylva-forestry or other land management efforts? Want to go large, and turn a ravine into a water feature complete with dam, hydro, and more? It's all possible, and our part is to provide that space to create, and get out of your way!

We feel that Permies' permaculture efforts are complimentary to our own plans to help folks get mortgage-free (a no-profit, bootstrap-yourself program), and we can provide areas on this 40 acres where pretty much anything can be done, as long as it meets a master-plan (partitions the land into compatible functions) and you accept all conditions of working on this land.

The land is unrestricted and off the beaten path, but still accessible year-round; you are welcome to camp out on the land, for short periods of time only, while doing whatever it is you need to do. Otherwise, drive on up for the day and get things done on your project. We don't want this to devolve into unplanned confusion, so there will be rules and regulations (many of which are still being written) to guide everyone onto a good path for what goes where, how things get done, and so on. At our elevation of 7400', there are plenty of considerations for whatever you do (weather extremes, predators for room-mates, etc.), so planning is key to successfully completing any project.

We have a caretaker facility (a homestead) for the land that is mortgage-free, off-grid, and the caretaker family is available 100% of the time to point folks at critical-need resources (tractor, specialty tools, generators, etc.) that would help them complete BB's, PEP's, etc. ... The caretaker family is skilled in many areas of homesteading, so you'll have a source of advice for most any topic if you need it. There is no permaculture master design, and to be honest, we wouldn't know how to do one that accommodates both Permaculture and Homesteading, but we feel that it could be complimentary; come do it for us!

You would provide your own "basic" toolset (hand tools, ryobi-like power tools, etc.), and of course, your own materials for most projects requiring materials. Most importantly, bring your drive to create!

We would also require personal details (people paperwork) and one or more money "deposits". The deposits are required for each project that you undertake; they are refundable, but required such that all parties are protected. The size of the deposit varies based upon your projects. Building a hugelkultur bed is deposit-free, as there is little "grief" you can cause to everyone else with this project. Building a shed or tiny-home could be more grief-causing, and you'll be taking up a "slot" on the land, so the deposit for that project would be what is required to undo any grief caused by abandonment or such. All deposits are refundable if no grief was incurred, assuming you left the property in the same or better state than when you came on. Again, we don't want to make money on you, we just want to see you succeed, or, undo any damage you might have intentionally or unintentionally caused as you move on.

There is one area where we *would* "make money", and that is in the purchase of the land use handbook and other books that support the land and projects. For example, you'll be required to purchase our "community handbook" (for land use), which lays out the ideas, rules, and such that are necessary for "space to create" projects. This handbook spells out how to use the land, how the caretaker family will assist, and other rights and responsibilities of all parties. For this effort to succeed, everyone must understand how the community operates, how folks will work together, and how problems get resolved. Any money made from the sale of any books goes towards offsetting caretaker costs (they operate salary-free), which, along with property taxes, are the only annual expenses we foresee; the land itself is fully paid for. Only the community handbook is a *required* book purchase, all others are optional, but will be designed to help you in a project.

How else will we be paid? In community, as in, good people coming together to make things happen! The first community festival, where we celebrate achievements on all fronts, will more than pay us back personally, and is our personal metric for "did we succeed". We may also do "kickstarter" type efforts, or pursue grants, to raise money to complete other trust functions (pay legal expenses), buy better community services (user-friendlier heavy-equipment and specialty power tools), complete "maker" spaces (containers full of shop equipment), and so on.

Examples of what we think you can do, if you just had the space to create:

 - accomplish anything in the permaculture list of BB's, PEP's, etc., in a self-guided fashion. This means you can build a hugelkultur bed, or build a (temporary) fenced-in area, and garden in it, and so on ... whatever it would take to complete the item, document it, and achieve your "badge", all without having to own the piece of land upon which to do the task.
 - build a shed on skids, a tiny home on wheels, or whatever you want to achieve, as long as it gets done in a timely fashion and you take it with you; this is actually part of our "mortgage-free" program. If you want an outbuilding or fencing project, it has to meet a master-plan need before you can start on it.
 - alternative construction methods can be done (cob, cordwood, etc.), but these would by definition (being non-portable) have to meet the master-plan requirement. For example, there will have to be a need for a permanent structure at a location per the master-plan, before you can build that structure utilizing alternative building methods.
 - maker space, as in, we'll do our best to create versions 1.0, 2.0, and so on of maker spaces that you can use to do your "maker" thing in. These might be a maker space that you build for yourself, and take with you, or it might be a property maker space (in a shipping container), that all can make use of.

Legal-wise, the land will be placed into a trust (details of which are being hammered out to try and fit this proposed land use), and until that is complete, the caretakers (the original property owners) have the final say in all things. The trust will exist to provide services (via a master plan) and cover expenses, and has no profit motive. When the trust is completed, the caretakers become an "employee" of the trust themselves, making just enough money to cover expenses; the community handbook will detail what anyone can and can't do to participate on the property. In fact, the caretaker family hopes they will get "fired" at some point, and a professional caretaker can step in, as the trust and community evolve!

The only building codes are county and health department, and are somewhat lax, so as long as we break no major rules, we should be off the radar. If you're building your own structure on skids or wheels, you will be code-free; if you're building an "outbuilding", it's generally code-free because of the farming/outbuilding status of such efforts in this county. Other rules and restrictions might apply, but again, there are no HOA's or LOA's to cause gross interference; all property neighbors are on their own 40-acre or larger tracts of land, and everyone does their own thing.

Systems- and utilities-wise, we offer the following:

1. water: hauled from a county-provided water source nearby; this means we have the facilities and equipment to "haul water" up to the property. From there, it has to immediately go into your own water storage tank. Hauling water is an expense, and has to be paid for by you (price per gallon, hauled), if your projects require water.

2. wastewater: a common septic system is provided (to meet health dept. code), and any temporary toilet waste can be put into the septic system. However, we practice humanure techniques, so we expect waste to be diverted to an appropriate composting location. Other than your own toilet equipment and supplies, this should not be an expense item.

3. electricity: this will need to be met by your own (propane-only) generator and/or solar capability. we can refill your propane bottles onsite, at cost (no profit motive). we can also offer advice in completing a solar energy system (inverter, panels, batteries, etc.), such that you can build your energy system yourself. we suggest that you use the sequence that was successful for us, which is 1.) propane generator, 2.) inverter/charger and batteries, and 3.) solar panels and such. This is a materials expense for you, and a propane expense item as well (propane bottle refills, price per gallon, delivered onsite), depending on your power requirements.

4. trash: we have a system of recycling and reuse that strips things down to base components, and redirects everything to a purposeful stream. What little garbage is leftover is compressed and hauled to the dump. Construction (wood) scraps are burnable (as a fuel), plastics/metals are recycled, food waste scraps are destined for chickens and/or compost, and true remaining trash will be destined for compression/bagging for a dump run. This is an expense item (per bag hauled to the dump).

Anything not listed as a service is assumed to be something you provide for yourself, so there should not be any expectations that we will provide something for you, other than what is listed above. Our goal isn't to do *for* you, but to permit you to do yourself by providing the space (land) to create (your projects). You cannot do anything that "harms" the land, so no drug labs, waste-dumping, and so on; caretakers are touchy about such things.

We expect the first land use slots for big projects (shed on skids, tiny home on wheels, etc.) to become available in the spring of 2022. Other land use slots (permaculture projects) can become available anywhere from immediately (depending on weather) to whatever time frame called out by the master plan and any infrastructure necessary to implement that portion of the master plan. For example, there is still time to do hugelkultur beds this year, up until the ground freezes solid (around November); after the ground freezes, anything else must be above ground and/or done in small chunks as the weather permits.

Please help us get this property listed in the right spot, and let us know what you think of the entire venture! We want to work out all issues such that folks feel pretty good about joining in. Again, this is "space to create", to pursue your own projects, and not any other form of "inheritable land", land to rent, etc. Ultimately, the trust will decide how the land is disposed of, in the end; in the meantime, come create!

We are the "Lone Wolf Farm" of BonCarbo, CO, and yes, there is a wolf (wolf-dog) on this property! To visit, or discuss other necessary items, PM us! If you got through this whole post, there is a badge! Well, there should be ...

Hi Jt, that sounds like a wonderful plan you have underway and I don't see any reason that we'd stand in your way.  Go for it!

I'm welcome to people coming along and working some pep skills alongside me. So long as it aligns with the master plan of the property (no hugelkulture in the pond, no pond in the driveway, no driveway in the house kind of things). I have plenty of acres of nothing in rural Nevada. No heavy equipment available though.

Welcome any Permies in the Toronto Ontario Canada area to practice what PEP skills they can at my summer place. It's an hour to an hour and a half north of Toronto proper. Please know it's fully off-grid no running water no electricity you are welcome to stay over but would need to supply your own water & accommodations and take all your garbage back with you. No heavy equipment available or building of permanent structures. DM for details.

Here's a job offer that pays well and has lots of PEP opportunity: https://permies.com/t/173970/jobs-offered/experiences/alary-assistant-farm-manager-plenty#1365346

Just posting it down here since it's time sensitive.

I have 80 acres of forestland in southern Oregon, just outside the town of Ashland. Many opportunities for PEP/PEX projects. Property is off grid but there are resources available, both natural and mechanical. Room to camp.

Hi Leif, I can add you to the top of the thread.  Would you rather be in the first list "Full PEP" or the third list "some badges possibly.."?

Hi everyone,

I am starting a permaculture farm and future Earthship community in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. I was able to acquire an incredible 200+ acre parcel of land that has a wide variety of ecosystems including a 22 acre pond. There is about 130 acres of "high and dry" land to experiment with. A large majority of it was logged right before I purchased it. There is practically no infrastructure allowing for complete design and implementation as I see fit.

I was planning on doing this on my own as I was unsure of how to get help from the permaculture community before. The SKIP program seems awesome! I am open to have people assist with these projects to get their badges and experience as well as try projects of their own if they fit into the overall grand plan of the property. I'm currently installing swales, building roads, digging the first of many fishponds (~1/4 acre), planting orchards by seed, installing fencing, establishing pasture and much more this current summer and fall of 2022. I have an older full size 53,000 pound excavator, new 71 HP tractor with a handful of attachments, and portable bandsaw sawmill amongst other things to assist in creating this community. I plan on building the first of many Earthships spring of 2023 using traditional timber frame methods with lumber milled on site. There will be a lot of badges available to earn for people who want to get some real hands on experience and see what it looks like from the absolute beginning.  

I'd say put me down for Full PEP/PEX

Update: I got a moosage from someone in the area and as a result went through the list of bbs to see what would be possible on our land at this point. Again, this is near Annapolis, MD, USA.

I am not a big fan of excavators, so there isn’t much earthworks on here. If I want to garden on a steep slope, I will move to West Virginia, so no 7 foot hugels. I have also left of things like textiles, which can easily be done in any home.
I’ve included up to straw badge in each category: if you want to do something in the same vein from higher on the list, moosage me, and we can likely make it happen.

There are also and endless supply if tasks that would fit in the oddball homesteading category, like installing gutters and setting up rain barrels and planting and…and…

Gardening badge:
chop and drop
ruth stout composting
seed saving
encourage wild plants
seed perennials.

Natural building:
create adobe bricks
make white wash and use it on a 4X8 area
create rock foundation
find and assess clay subsoil
build a tiny shed on skids
tree stand
hang a door with handmade wooden hinges
build a gate from found or harvested materials
create adobe bench
cut tree with a bow saw - we have to discuss safety
limb 4 trees - with safety discussion
peel 2 live logs
split and stack dead standing wood as firewood
prep 10 junkpoles
cleave 6 shakes with a froe - don't have a froe, but am willing to buy one.
build 12 feet of junkpole fence
stack 1 cord of firewood
twig construction tomato cage and pole bean
Plant living fence
plant cleavers
plant nettle
plant willow
inoculate mushroom logs
cleave 40 shakes

Round woodworking
Any of the sand badge
any of the straw badge
Pole lathe would be awesome

Tool care
Any of the sand badge except bicycle maintenance
Any in the straw badge except tractor care, and I can probably hook you up with someone who needs that.

Earthworks
seal a tiny pond

Lumber woodworking
any in the sand badge
any in the straw badge except the deck

Rocket
Spread ash on a garden
build a Dakota stove
Build a j-tube rocket mass heater - not ready yet, but planning on it at some point

Food prep - most any, but you don't have to come here for that.

Animal care
not all, but enough to get the badges

Forage - tea or dish, probably hard to get the volumes from our property

Textiles
make a basket
the rest don't have to be done here.

Natural medicine - any: I have a lot of herbal knowledge and can help you.

homesteading
check septic tank status
remove unwanted fence
spring cleanup
Salvage building materials from a small building (possibly, with safety discussion)
scythe - possibly, my scythe is made for a 5'11'' persion
set up a hidden boneyard
mosquito trap
fly trap