I found 360 acre of agricultural land for $15,400 some 15 years ago. I just had to clear 16 acres, submit a farm plan and build a house. That may have been the last one of that size for that price in country, but there are others. I bought it with my brother. Unfortunately we had to sell when my sister in-law got cancer and my brother could no longer pay for her health-care.
BUT!!
Check the State of Alaska Natural Resources page. The neighbor made his living growing potato's on 640 acres that he got for nothing back in the 80s. The old guy just had to hire a young kid about 26 or so. The hire on then took over for him. He wanted to retire being in his 70's now. There are still lots of opportunities up here for young folk that can work hard.
IMO the Northwest is full and for that reason land is crazy, spendy. You might want to think about expanding your view. I know Idaho also has some affordable land.
I'm heading back to Maine myself. Got about 65 acres on a little lake back there. I'm getting a bit long in the tooth for Alaska winters anymore. However, I came up here when I was in my early 20's and I have had a life time full of adventures. It's still wild and free........ sort a. Not like it was back in the 70's and 80s, but a man can still get lost up here and walk for months never ever to see another soul.
Spruce Grouse is best served hot in cast. We don't cook in anything else. Even the wife's soup pot is cast iron. None of the None-Stick nasty coating stuff for us. Our is naturally none-stick even fried eggs slide right out when your pans are kept in good shape.
These are things I am thinking about. I'm still working on the details and look forward to hearing any and all ideas about how to organize such an endeavor.
Tyler Ludens wrote:If you intend to have a community, I recommend you read Creating a Life Together by Diana Leafe Christian, which examines how some intentional communities succeed and why most fail.
I'll do that. Thank you
I have no idea if this will work, I may just be delusional. I am a firm believer in the fact that no good deed goes unpunished.
However we are getting to old to do interior winters for much longer.
I've lived with both and find like everything practice makes perfect. We have a cook stove that burns wood/coal and gas. They used to make them about the turn of the last century so you will have to look for an antique. I know Bee Bryant's Stove works in (Unity), Maine (?) Still carries a variety. Granted living in Alaska I never see 95°, but still..... I'd never live in a house without a cook stove.
YOU can't run out into the woods and cut down a Propane tree to cook your dinner.
I live in the Interior of Alaska and Log really is the only7 way to go up here. Also watch out for Perma-frost. The reason why you see so many cabins built up on poles is so the ground under it stays frozen year round. It ain't no fun watching all your hard work and dreams sink into the ground. That being said, if you can find the right piece of ground I think building an earth ship, or underground house makes a lot of sense up here. Why stick a house two stories up into -40° air? If you can build snug down into the earth I'd do that.
We live off-grid with Solar Panels and a Genny. So I'm here to tell ya it can be done. No much Solar this time of the year, but it balances out in the summer. We hardly run the genny from May through August.
It's perfect because when you need a fridge and freezer there is plenty of sun to power them, when winter comes around and there isn't much sun to power them it's all good because the place is frozen. We just put up a few cupboards outside to store our food in during the winter and Bob's you Uncle......
Pascal Paoli wrote:Hi Robert,
this forum is probably one of the best places to find people. Other than that you should try the regional craigslist forum for the region you are moving to.
There is a lot of young people on craigslist every day.
Also, I do not know if you use facebook, but if you do - use the search field on top to look for a group in that region. You need to click "see all results" on the bottom, than choose "groups" from the tabs on the top. For example: I searched for "maine homestead" and I instantly found a group that is called "maine homesteading". Post your offer in these groups and those people might share it for you. Since they are locals you might find people from there. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/958948104186318/?ref=br_rs ) - there should be a lot of other groups that you could search for and connect with people. just search for words that are related.
Good luck!
Kyrt Ryder wrote:As in the Tea Plant? Are you growing it in a High Tunnel or similar?
As for the word permaculture, there's no doubt that hippies have... how to put it... tarnished the word a bit. Certainly not the image Mollison was going for.
You say that like being a "Hippie" is a bad thing.
There is this thing about "Hippies"; They were right. Still are.
Try this: The Art of Hunting Big Game in North America
by Jack O'Connor
Not the same as hands on, but an excellent read. It's not really that hard, walk slow, feel the rhythm of the forest. Watch for sign, leave your safety on until you are ready to pull the trigger, aim true, pull the trigger.
It's after you pull the trigger that the real work begins.
I live and Hunt in Alaska, I hunt for food, I respect the animal and give thanks. I don't enjoy killing and wouldn't give a plug nickel for anyone that does.
Sorry it took me a bit to reply. We live out in the woods beyond cell and internet so I can only respond when I'm in town.
To answer some questions, Yes it is my intent to subdivide and make ownership part of the deal. Like I said, I have not worked out the details, but this is a way for young people with little cash, but willing to work and make this happen be able to own their own land.
If you would like, use Google Earth and search for "Great Pond, Franklin, Maine". It is just outside Ellsworth, Maine. The land I'm talking about is on the left side of the pond. It was cut over a few years ago, so its' ready for pick-up sticks, and ground prep to turn the wooded areas' into pasture.
This is literally a ground up opportunity. There is no homestead or buildings, we are talking about 65 acres of rough woodland right now. It is my intention to say "Okay, Bob and Jane, Gerry, Tina, Glenda and Alice or Rich and Michael this is your land here this piece. Now make a living on it". I want a community of like minded people, we will share when appropriate, but also be independent and keep the fruits of our own labor.
A bit about us, we are both 50+ and old school. Mostly progressive in our politics, I describe myself as an old, gun totting, Hippie. I have a firearm and I use it. A gun is a tool and a damn good one. We hunt, fish, garden and trap. We eat meat, but not much. Mostly we side with eating veggies. I don't want drug users, HEAVY pot smokers, or booze hounds. This is not rehab or a frat party.
I like a cold a beer after a hard day and if you want to blaze one up after the work is done, good. Just don't show up for work "high" or drunk. What you do and WHO you do is your own business. I really don't think it is anyone's place to comment on that.
I will not tolerate racists, hate speech, troglodytes, bible PUSHERS or violence. I'm not anti-religious just anti pushy. I want good neighbors and friends that can count on the community to rally for support, build each others homes, help with rides to work, appointments or shopping, etc.
Take a look at the site, if hard work and sweat equity appeals, you can contact me directly.
Colin McGee wrote:I'm following this thread. Good luck, I hope you find good people!
Thanks, I thought once word got out I would have people banging down the door. What I've found is, people would rather pay $1,500 - $2,500 a month to a bank to live turn key. I don' get it, but there is a lot I don't get.
Hello all,
I'm new to this site, but not new to the life style. Currently living in an off-grid solar home, (Unfinished of course) in the interior of Alaska, but we are relocating to New England. After 36 years of living in Alaska I've decided it's time to move to Maine. Need to at least dial down the air-conditioning as it where.
The wife and I are getting on in years, but are still able enough. We plan on building a sandbag/cob/round house with a reciprocal roof once we get back. WE plan to spend the rest of lives developing one last homestead. We have all the tools and knowledge, So...... Here is the question.
When I was in my early 20's I would have given anything to have a piece of ground to live "The life Style". You know, back to earth, agricultural community, sustainable, organic, etc. Now we have the land. In fact plenty of it. It's on a lake in Down East Maine about 1/2 mile from the ocean. It's paradise or could be. So how do I find young folks that would like to trade some sweat equity for a piece of paradise? I tried going the "family route", but the young people I know are just not interested in this life.
We want to build a sustainable community, do a CSA, Small Farm, sawmill, homestead art, crafts products Co-Op type thing. We need help though. Young motivated people that want a piece of their own earth and will help build toward the end goal. I've seen 99% of all commune type endeavors fail in my life, because let,s face it there are workers and there are non-workers. Ownership motivates, building your own thing, motivates. We want to give a helping hand up, not a hand out, but we also don't want to get stuck with unwilling, hard to motivate, lazy kids.
I haven't worked out all the details yet, but there is 65 acres to use, 22 of which are in our name (read sub dividable and can be sold) so it would seem to me we have the foundation. How do we find the help to build the rest of it? Where do we find kids that will contribute to the whole for a piece of earth that they own?
Anyway thanks for reading and any advice is appreciated.
