A question of the next move on land.
I have been reading about permaculture on my own and am planning on purchasing
> some land and live with these values. I would like to get permaculture
> certificate, however, I am wondering if it would be more beneficial for me to
> take the class before or after purchasing my land. Could you please let me
> know? Thank you.
Thank you for contacting me.
I would suggest you not buy land until you have taken a permaculture PDC of good standing, assess your resources, develop some detailed goals, and read some very good books. The land is all you will have and the foundation for everything you will produce. Getting good acreage, small or large, with substantial ecological services and natural capital will accelerate your harvests with less input. What most see as "good" land is not what you are looking for.
In permaculture we look for the marginal lands ignored by big ag and sitting fallow for many years because it is not suitable for machinery. This land has rich soil and the ecology developed land lacks.
Although the quest and the buying is exciting, taking this time to learn and recognize what is actually good land, and what is just the pastoral and cultural definition we have accepted, will help you in the search.
In this process you will need to also rethink your present purchases, dependencies, and focus more on a sustainable lifestyle that will transfer to a homestead seamlessly. Moving and the change will cause enough stress. This new place could be urban, suburban, or rural. Either way, the supporting community is important too. Being a hermit is unwise, although neighbors can be a great asset or liability.
That said, now is a very good time to buy smart. A 5 acre hobby farm can be had for $225,000 in some areas, but to rush in may saddle you with a huge amount of unknown issues. You do not want to buy beyond your means in time, talents, and understanding.
I hope this helps. Be methodical, enjoy the quest for that new place in your heart and develop your ecological vision.
> some land and live with these values. I would like to get permaculture
> certificate, however, I am wondering if it would be more beneficial for me to
> take the class before or after purchasing my land. Could you please let me
> know? Thank you.
Thank you for contacting me.
I would suggest you not buy land until you have taken a permaculture PDC of good standing, assess your resources, develop some detailed goals, and read some very good books. The land is all you will have and the foundation for everything you will produce. Getting good acreage, small or large, with substantial ecological services and natural capital will accelerate your harvests with less input. What most see as "good" land is not what you are looking for.
In permaculture we look for the marginal lands ignored by big ag and sitting fallow for many years because it is not suitable for machinery. This land has rich soil and the ecology developed land lacks.
Although the quest and the buying is exciting, taking this time to learn and recognize what is actually good land, and what is just the pastoral and cultural definition we have accepted, will help you in the search.
In this process you will need to also rethink your present purchases, dependencies, and focus more on a sustainable lifestyle that will transfer to a homestead seamlessly. Moving and the change will cause enough stress. This new place could be urban, suburban, or rural. Either way, the supporting community is important too. Being a hermit is unwise, although neighbors can be a great asset or liability.
That said, now is a very good time to buy smart. A 5 acre hobby farm can be had for $225,000 in some areas, but to rush in may saddle you with a huge amount of unknown issues. You do not want to buy beyond your means in time, talents, and understanding.
I hope this helps. Be methodical, enjoy the quest for that new place in your heart and develop your ecological vision.
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