Jt McClellan

This Ecovillage is really starting to gain momentum and has a lot of potential for anyone interested.  (Only about half of the 100+ lots have been sold)
http://caballosdelasestrellas.com/

Check out this property for sale just inland from the Caribbean coast in Belize.  (The price is very reasonable for the market too.)  The permaculture food forest has already been planted along with choice flora and fauna for over 25 years now.  Just need a off grid home built.  $89K for 10 acres.https://www.point2homes.com/BZ/Home-For-Sale/Stann-Creek/6915-Pomona/81199489.html

Nice one.  I live in the Flathead but am interested in acquiring a few Elderberry rootstock as well.  thnx for posting. Please leet me know if there is a meet up.  Cheers

again, so nice to meet you.  and because it isn't often that I am savvy enough to make amazing connections on-line I thought to reply.  Consider taking my contact info. for you and your new partner, whom I imagine to be beautiful as well.  If you guys feel like visiting the park some day I know all the secret spots in the area and I am happy to share.  (only half of the tourist who visit the area are middle of the road and conventional.). anyway, blessings to you in getting set up in central Oregon.  I've lived all over the State but somehow never it was never opportune to visit Smith Rock, and waterfalls.  so perhaps it could even go both ways.  the main thing is finding a way to connect wether on line or in person, right??  Keep the love flowing... Fb: Jon Tyler Hanzen

Hey There Dawn, it is nice to meet you.  It's been a while since you posted here so your probably neck deep in some off grid homesteading endeavor by now.  Nevertheless, if you happen to be in the Montana area and feel like a chat send me a message.  BTW-I am in the Flathead Valley -NW Montana not far from Glacier National Park.  It's been 3 yrs since I relocated here and am loving it!  I am a 4 generation Oregonian, born in Salem, but have found most Montanans to be quite hospitable, since all the California transplants and tourists supplement the growing economy.  Anyway, I am not exactly an off-grider but close.  What I like about where I live in Martin City is it has some of the best city water in the country.  And there is no zoning in this county so you can build any structure without codes or permits and it appreciates in Real Estate value.  (The only other place I have heard of without zoning is in West Texas way out in the boon docks.)  I happen to have a spare bedroom I have been considering renting out to the right person.  In any case, all the best to you in your off grid endeavors.  Happy Autumn, in kind regards JT (Jon Tyler)

Great ideas here.  I haven't checked out your ic.org add yet, however can offer some valuable information that you might consider before purchase.  Create a Community Land Trust first to purchase the property.   Then you can lease the plots of land to each individual whom builds their accoommodations.  This works well because the C.L.T. is able to manage the whole as well as internal projects and outside business ventures as a non-profit in the interest of the community!  Their are certain steps you need to follow to be successful however this approach is much more viable in the long term and can offer you protection, privacy, and clout to having a say in development of your outer lying community to assure a thriving presence and positive associating with your organization.
Do some research.  Here is a website to get you started.  Good luck your vision sounds amazing

.https://community-wealth.org/strategies/panel/clts/index.html

IF you have anymore questions let me know. :)  JT

Thanks everyone.  It looks like some of the fruit tree are still alive but willl remain dormant this year.  I am leaving them in the bed for another year and hoping for the best.  In between them I have planted filbert nut trees.  Also a risky endeavor to survive our winters.  Cheers

in Edmonton, AB., where I was living previous to living to NW MT. I joined a local group the gleaned fruit from peoples unwanted trees in their yards.  They met up occasionally over a wonderful pot luck and to can and process some of the fruit to sell for the group.  (They each had routes they signed on for to collect the unwanted fruit then cleaned it up and donated it in person to the local homeless shelters and retirement homes.  They were allowed to keep up to 25% of the fruit the gleaned.). It was an amazing, fun and positive cooperative to be a part of.  Just a suggestion in case your interested in starting up something like this.  It sounds like it could be up your alley.  Also, there was an organic grocery store who had the cleanest bagged produce dumpsters that took no issue with people gleaning from it as well.  Consider food banks too.  They helped me out many a times.  Cheers

We are all a 'work in progress.'  As they say; "A Gardeners work is never done."

When it comes to homesteading your first year you do everything wrong.  (I recently read this on-line, fb I think, and laughed). However, because I waited most of my adult life, 25 years, before finally acquiring a piece of land to work and homestead on I had already become a seasoned veteran.  And I used my instincts and managed to get it right the first time (on some things).  First and most difficult, refrain from making a plans that cannot live up to your dreams / vision when you finally acquire the actual property after the real estate deal has closed.  (This holds true with travel as well.). Second, watch everything interact.  Listen to it all too.  Enjoy while waiting before diving in your massive farm construction projects.  (of course doing some things which might be important to accomplish).  Third, respect peoples space and they will respect yours, for the most part.  I feel lucky that where I chose to relocate too, the people actually opened up enough to extend a connection to the community -in whatever state it currently was in.  This is more often than not, a hurdle when moving to small towns among old farmers.  They embrace change very slowly, if at all.
The main thing I am learning about growing my permaculture homestead in conjunction with the community in which I live is love heals AND time heals.  Be patient, be reserved, and most importantly be passionate about what you are doing.  An honor system vegetable stand is a wonderful way to warm up a community whom may or may not be frigid with old school ways.  
Funny, what seems to have helped me in settling into the community in which I live better is buying a sparking new pick-up truck, and ATV -something in which I had initially had contention with.  It seems as though this is something they relate too.  It's reliable and communicates Americanism I suppose.  Whatever works.  Being a part of the volunteer fire department is more than I am able to muster at this time.  However I am on the waiting list to serve as a board member of the local water district.  I also attend the annual Electric Cooperative meetings.  Slowly, I am gaining some semblance of acceptance in my area and beginning to form a sense of community which along with the glaciers near by are beginning o melt away fast.