Informally, thanks to John Prine, we call this our Spanish Pipe dream. Growing, and raising animals has been our goal for years, and we are finally ready to see it happen. As Craig finishes his electrician apprenticeship (with plans to work full time, and transition slowly to part-time as the farming allows) we are now in a position to make a move, and make some concrete plans. I am currently taking my Permaculture certification. Having grown up in the Boundary Area and helping my dad on the farm and in the garden, I've always wanted to return and offer my kids the same opportunities. Our IDEAL scenario is to find a large, cultivable acreage to lease, and to live on in a non-permanent, off grid (as much as possible) yurt style home (which we would obviously purchase, install, and remove when the time came). We'd like to be close to the garden, and to the animals. We are hoping for a longer term lease, so we can really see the land come to fruition, and allow our kids a place to settle and grow up. Initially we would focus on a market garden, and likely chickens. Depending on the arrangment and mutual agreement we are open to expanding in various directions that make sense for the land, and the market economy. We are an honest, trustworthy, quiet family, and we are interested in growing as a lifestyle, as much as for an income. Being as self reliant, and contributing to land regeneration, and local food security are important to us. We want as much autonomy as the land owner is comfortable with, in exchange for the assurance that we will respect the land in all the ways that are possible and necessary, and will be grateful for our time, and our home, on it. Thanks for considering! Erin, Craig, and kids
With plans to regenerate soil, the cultivable area does not need to be in growing ready condition, but ideally it won't be a months long project to prepare for planting!