What to do with 30 acres?

[1sparkybuc]

What popular belief offers there is more than one life to live?  Damn - I gotta stop onto this board more frequently.  John Galt?, I would have thought I would have received a PM from you...

Eternal life is the carrot on the end of the stick for many religions, Christianity for one. A dead man can't can't do much with one virgin, let alone 72. Reincarnation qualifies as another life. I'm sure there are others but they are all BS. Once you're dead, you're dead. Don't waste the only opportunity you will ever get.

[dbucfan]

What popular belief offers there is more than one life to live?  Damn - I gotta stop onto this board more frequently.  John Galt?, I would have thought I would have received a PM from you...

Eternal life is the carrot on the end of the stick for many religions, Christianity for one. A dead man can't can't do much with one virgin, let alone 72. Reincarnation qualifies as another life. I'm sure there are others but they are all BS. Once you're dead, you're dead. Don't waste the only opportunity you will ever get.

And what are you selling?  That you don't believe in any religions, that is just another basis for folks to consider when making their decisions.  Why would anyone think more of your thoughts as a basis for their decision making than their own? 

[1sparkybuc]

What popular belief offers there is more than one life to live?  Damn - I gotta stop onto this board more frequently.  John Galt?, I would have thought I would have received a PM from you...

Eternal life is the carrot on the end of the stick for many religions, Christianity for one. A dead man can't can't do much with one virgin, let alone 72. Reincarnation qualifies as another life. I'm sure there are others but they are all BS. Once you're dead, you're dead. Don't waste the only opportunity you will ever get.

And what are you selling?  That you don't believe in any religions, that is just another basis for folks to consider when making their decisions.  Why would anyone think more of your thoughts as a basis for their decision making than their own?

That's just the point. I'm not selling anything. There's no benefit here for me. Most religions charge something, usually ten percent of everything you earn, for an invisible return. I've been on the planet since WWII and formed a few opinions. Not wasting an opportunity is just one of them. Atheist or Christian, it's still good advice.


Soooo......it's Monday wreck ship,.................what did you decide?           

[spartan]

I do know what you mean by the isolationist. The locals who live around the property fit the discription to the T.
Gun toters who hate the govt.
That's also making me hesitant.

Sounds like paradise to me

[BucfanNC12]

Been made an offer I can't refuse but don't know what to do with it.
It's basically 30 acres of wooded property in the middle of nowhere. There is about an acre clearing with two houses(one is habitibal), a quarter acre pond stock with catfish, and it is off the grid with no electricity.
It does have a water pump that pumps spring water from 300 ft underground and there is a septic tank.
It is about 4 hrs from a major U.S. city and is in close proxy to a river that feeds into the atlantic. The closest town is about a 15 minute drive but it is like a rundown ghost town and most of the citizens live off of govt assistance or retirement.
The appeal of it is living self sufficient and raising my family on a small farm. But It needs work, money, and time to get it there and I'm not sure I'm ready to put my family through it.
It's always been a dream of mine to own a farm and live off the land and starting small with 30 acres could give me the experience I need before upgrading to a bigger enterprise.
But there is a time frame on the offer and I'm leaning more towards passing it up b/c I just don't have the resources or time to get it functioning to where my family could live there. If it were just me, I'd jump on it in a heart beat, but I have two kids and a baby and my wife is a city girl. She liked the idea of living on a farm until she saw it and realized how much work it needs.
I'm boiling over with excitement like a kid in a candy shop but I don't want to get into something that drains me and my resources...HELP!

Why not make money off of it. Make it like a camping group or a camping retreat for businesses and different groups. I am sure you'll make enough to buy the dream farm you want. I am sure you can do with even without the house having electricity.

[ONEBIGDADDY]

You should also check out state energy programs. Here in Wyoming they will subsidize both solar and wind programs.

Been there, doin that! Thanks

I'm looking into juvenile programs and I'm just taken back at what the govt pays out to people who run programs on their property. It won't make you rich but it covers whatever cost of living the property owner may have plus some. And it's right up my alley.

When you say subsidize means we the people pay for it and the pay for it again?...OBD

[dbucfan]

You should also check out state energy programs. Here in Wyoming they will subsidize both solar and wind programs.

Been there, doin that! Thanks

I'm looking into juvenile programs and I'm just taken back at what the govt pays out to people who run programs on their property. It won't make you rich but it covers whatever cost of living the property owner may have plus some. And it's right up my alley.

When you say subsidize means we the people pay for it and the pay for it again?...OBD

You're on it.

[Ladyfan]

You guys took all my good ideas.....

First of all, some folks think we should learn to fend for ourselves more just in case something goes boom and we are all on our own.  I grew up in wooded area of Pa and miss it so my family and I are also thinking of becoming self sufficient. 

Check out growing trees for government tax break.  Pines are good.  Also check out stocked pond, you get credits for that.  Then check out tombluewolf.com.  He has set up teaching situations for all kinds of people.  He is American Indian and has mined that for tax free status and has his own 506. C3 not for profit.  He lectures and makes money, is very good at self promotion and is media savvy.  He has products to sell online such as the type of tents used in that Kevin Costner movie where he marries an indian girl ( memory is shot ).  Ah ha.  Dances with Wolves!

Don;t set up electricity..  Probably cost the same to set up solar plus you get tax credits.  Offer windmill space to small windmill companies to open up market for them  if possible.  You can sell those too.

Don't move into the home.  Get a double wide until the home is liveable so you can have some creature comforts for awhile. A lot less stress when you are comfortable.  When you move in your house, move it to another spot on your land and rent it out free to a handyman and his family in exchange for work.  Do it all slowly over time and start with what is most viable business advantage.  Business plan is good idea.  If you are tax exampt, you can get donations from people too.

Find out if there are restaurants somewhat near by who want fresh produce....see if those products are viable for you and your property.

As an old hippie who is planning to drop out again to pursue my dreams on a dime, I totally support you.  We already have the chickens in Tampa, We're growing herbs and soon will have veggies.  Solar attic fan cuts down on electric bills.   Surprisingly, a lot of young kids in their early 20s are very attracted to this lifestyle.  I guess if you wait long enough you can be a hippie again.  Oh how I miss the tie dye.....lol

[wreck ship]

Well fellow buccaneers, after given it much thought, me and Mrs. Ship decided to pass on the offer to purchase the 30 acres.
Between the location and timing, we're just not ready to make the lifestyle transition to being a farming family.
Even still, we are more energized at the idea of becoming self sufficient and decided to set a definite timetable to work towards that end.
I don't think I've digested soo much info in soo little time Ever but it's been well worth it. Thanks to all of you for your advice and I will definately keep you guys updated on our journey and I hope you keep the advice and info coming.

[wreck ship]

You guys took all my good ideas.....

First of all, some folks think we should learn to fend for ourselves more just in case something goes boom and we are all on our own.  I grew up in wooded area of Pa and miss it so my family and I are also thinking of becoming self sufficient. 

Check out growing trees for government tax break.  Pines are good.  Also check out stocked pond, you get credits for that.  Then check out tombluewolf.com.  He has set up teaching situations for all kinds of people.  He is American Indian and has mined that for tax free status and has his own 506. C3 not for profit.  He lectures and makes money, is very good at self promotion and is media savvy.  He has products to sell online such as the type of tents used in that Kevin Costner movie where he marries an indian girl ( memory is shot ).  Ah ha.  Dances with Wolves!

Don;t set up electricity..  Probably cost the same to set up solar plus you get tax credits.  Offer windmill space to small windmill companies to open up market for them  if possible.  You can sell those too.

Don't move into the home.  Get a double wide until the home is liveable so you can have some creature comforts for awhile. A lot less stress when you are comfortable.  When you move in your house, move it to another spot on your land and rent it out free to a handyman and his family in exchange for work.  Do it all slowly over time and start with what is most viable business advantage.  Business plan is good idea.  If you are tax exampt, you can get donations from people too.

Find out if there are restaurants somewhat near by who want fresh produce....see if those products are viable for you and your property.

As an old hippie who is planning to drop out again to pursue my dreams on a dime, I totally support you.  We already have the chickens in Tampa, We're growing herbs and soon will have veggies.  Solar attic fan cuts down on electric bills.   Surprisingly, a lot of young kids in their early 20s are very attracted to this lifestyle.  I guess if you wait long enough you can be a hippie again.  Oh how I miss the tie dye.....lol

Why wasn't this posted 2 days ago? J/k

I've always liked the idea of being self sufficient but up until now it's only been an idea. Now it's a reality and I feel born again.
I've decided to study solar and altnernative energy and my wife wants to produce a line of all natural skin and hair products.
I definately feel your passion and look forward to the day... thanks for sharing.

[wreck ship]

What popular belief offers there is more than one life to live?  Damn - I gotta stop onto this board more frequently.  John Galt?, I would have thought I would have received a PM from you...

Eternal life is the carrot on the end of the stick for many religions, Christianity for one. A dead man can't can't do much with one virgin, let alone 72. Reincarnation qualifies as another life. I'm sure there are others but they are all BS. Once you're dead, you're dead. Don't waste the only opportunity you will ever get.

And what are you selling?  That you don't believe in any religions, that is just another basis for folks to consider when making their decisions.  Why would anyone think more of your thoughts as a basis for their decision making than their own?

That's just the point. I'm not selling anything. There's no benefit here for me. Most religions charge something, usually ten percent of everything you earn, for an invisible return. I've been on the planet since WWII and formed a few opinions. Not wasting an opportunity is just one of them. Atheist or Christian, it's still good advice.


Soooo......it's Monday wreck ship,.................what did you decide?           

You know my biggest fear going into this decision was wasting an opportunity until my mother said the opportunity maybe to get more prepared for this type of transition. I have no doubt I could have made it work but at what expense?
I am the type to throw caution to the wind with the mindset of "one life to live". I guess the older I get the slower I think.
Thanks bro.

[Chief Joseph]

Best hope the zombie apocalypse doesn't come before you're ready.

[Uncle Stan]

What about schools, church, grocery store, not a country store (prices too high), gas station, mechanic, medical facilities, etc.

Didn't see this discussed. If it's a ghost town, the necessary amenity's don't seem to be there.

[Ladyfan]

Just don't wear tie dye.  It might get you shot these days.

I have another couple who bought a property in upstate NY that had a mill on a big stream.  While they renovated it over the years, he took a degree in electrical engineering to prepare their mill and sell energy to the grid.
They have two kids a young boy and girl who are probably teens now.  And they are vegetarians.  They also researched products, services etc.  They are living well and happy about 1 hour from NYC.  So I think its good you passed for now because there is a lot out there. 

Very beset of luck to you both.

[ONEBIGDADDY]

You should also check out state energy programs. Here in Wyoming they will subsidize both solar and wind programs.

Been there, doin that! Thanks

I'm looking into juvenile programs and I'm just taken back at what the govt pays out to people who run programs on their property. It won't make you rich but it covers whatever cost of living the property owner may have plus some. And it's right up my alley.

When you say subsidize means we the people pay for it and the pay for it again?...OBD

You're on it.

Which is why I am done with the government give aways...Its been done way too many times and with way too many Presidents...No more subsidize giveaways where we have to pay for it at the cash register too...OBD