How Much Land is The Right Amount?

The Goldilocks Question: How Much Land is Just Right?

Great question from D.K. today - How much land is enough (or too much)?

Believe us, we did a lot of soul-searching before we decided on this 160-acre lot, after living for almost 10 years in the suburbs of Calgary! And like most people who are looking to build a permaculture property, we often asked ourselves "What size is the right size?"

But right from the beginning, size took second place to other factors we'd laid out in our values and vision statement. Things like woods, streams, space for gardens and livestock, community, and most important - no restriction from zoning or community covenants or bylaws.

Those were just a few of our criteria. Learn more about why having clear values and vision for your property (and your life plans!) is the most important factor in guiding your choices in this video - part of our Adaptive Habitat family journey! Just click below...

[swtexan]

Understatement of the year- "Cities are NOT sustainable". I love the direction you guys are going- congrats and keep it up.

[mikemarshall]

I love the pregnant pause when you are describing yourself as a contrarian. I was right there with you. In my mind, I was thinking, "What word will I use to describe myself?" and you nailed it!

[lynxacres]

I’m actually fairly nearby to you guys - right outside Edmonton, near Edmonton airport, so probably only 1-2 hours away. I have to admit to feeling quite envious, we tried to buy an acreage last year, and for the money and proximity to my husbands job, we just couldn’t find one that fit. We ended up buying a house in town. I’m hoping to be able to try again in 1-4 years. The issue as always is, we can move further away and get a place more affordable, but then my husband doesn’t have his job while we get the place going. Or stay closer, but property gets far more expensive then. I really would like a quarter section personally. But I will do what I can where I am, I do have a fairly large yard and am planning to put in air pruning beds as well as raised garden beds. I’m also very much looking forward to you changing your house into a zero-sum building, as that is something that interests me greatly.
Thanks for the video, and wishing you all the best as you go forward!

[yukey]

Great format. One question at a time, well answered.

[HaydenGladstonePT]

Beautiful - love what you two are doing and can't wait to follow along.
I think many people in Albert share a vision that is congruent with yours. I believe that people are communicating through many different channels and that it is rare for these voices to overlap. Thankfully, there are means where we can find each other, one of them being this channel :)

[Mariaborito]

So good! Wow! What a blessing to find a place close to community!

[SHANONisRegenerate]

If anyone should own a big plot of land it should be you two. You two have the knowledge and ability to steward the land appropriately. Which I cannot say about other big parcels of land throughout

[marymackie]

Congratulations on your move! I totally agree with you, and have often said that a small farm is much preferable to a large commercial venture. Affordably, it often amazes me that it is less expensive to purchase a quarter than it is to get an acreage, or even an urban home. We are currently fortunate enough to have purchased a small home on a good sized lot in a hamlet. I wish we had done this many years ago, when we were physically able to do more with it, but until we win that lottery and can afford to buy big enough to create a group housing/farm, we are blessed to be where we are. Looking forward to hearing more from you!

[d.k.]

Thank you very kindly for the thoughtful answer.
Happy Holidays!

[thingformob]

I'm really looking forward to hopefully many more great videos from you guys. I really like your design and thought process. Thanks 😁

[MistyMeadowsPermacultureFarm]

Looking forward to following your journey toward self-sufficiency. Country living rocks. :-)

[AmNothi]

Really enjoyed this. Thanks for it. Also you guys are super cute all bundled up there.

[learningallthetimes]

Congrats I'm happy for you guys! I always learn from your videos and am excited to SEE your ideas and impacts on the land. Fun journey ahead....keep up the great work :) Thanks for sharing with us!

[thomasneal]

It is nice u found property that both of u can grow. From farming to natural off the grid

[seekfind]

There are lots of like minded people here in Alberta, we just have to find each other 😄 Good video.

[Ahmdftkhar]

Thank you Michelle and Rob for all your efforts! Love the channel, great content!


One question:


Imagine you were given a blank check and told to fix the unsustainable agriculture system of the world, how would you go about doing it in a way that our capitalistic economies would accept?


Some noteworthy points to begin:
1. Do you believe that farmers around the world should convert their systems to permaculture, or should individuals (or families) change their lifestyles to become self-sufficient?
2. Will permaculture farms be sufficient to meet the industry demands of today? Specially when the average cow farm size in the US is 400 acres.


Questions like these are boggling my mind as to how we can implement this solution on a global scale.


Would appreciate a crazy plan or idea that solves this problem! :D


Thanks

[themoviecapo]

Once autonomous vehicles become common there will be more space in cities to grow food, more parks or alternatively more housing. Parking lots will become obsolete, and there will be less need to own cars. The whole urban space will change but it will obviously take some time.

[madelineduffin]

Great move for your family. I will be watching for the videos that show projects and progress. What advice do you have for the rest of us permies who can not leave the city. Not every one can move out into the country and escape the long descent.

[greenmovies]

When checking out large lots, don't forget to look into caveats registered on Title. These are challengable via private suit and have caused problems for a few folks I know. Can often be extremely problematic, as any suit would be pitting you directly against your neighbours.

[LifebyBrianAquatics]

Good luck! We moved from the city on to 40 acres and are trying to develop a small permaculture farm basically from scratch. It's A LOT of land to manage as a couple. Especially if there is off farm work going on. Most of our land is just sitting there waiting for me to get to it. I hope you have either a lot of money, a lot of friends, or a lot of patience. You'll need at least one of the three (^_~)