Land Archives - Page 2 of 32 - Living Off the Grid: Free Yourself

Couple wanted for remote land rental

A unique opportunity to rent a large open space with amazing views and good quality land for growing food has opened up in the Welsh countryside.

An ecological group from Brighton is planning to create residential smallholdings in Gower, Swansea, and is seeking long term tenant farmers.

If you are yearning to escape the daily grind in the city, this once in a lifetime chance could be your way out.

The Ecological Land Cooperative – Furzehill site is looking for two tenant farmers who will live in a mobile home before eventually being able – with planning consent -to build a modestly-sized, environmentally-friendly home each, Wales Online reports.

The grassland site has mains water connection but it is expected that the smallholders would live off-grid, using coppiced wood for winter heating.

They’d grow fruit and veg -including in greenhouses and polytunnels -look after hedgerows and newly-created ponds, and could rear animals.

Temporary accommodation would also be provided near the barn for two volunteers.

Normally, development in the open countryside is very restricted, but the ELC has applied to Swansea Council for permission under the Welsh Government’s one planet development planning guidance.

This guidance describes such schemes as low-impact development which “either enhances or does not significantly diminish environmental quality”, and said they must have a management plan.

In a planning statement, the ELC said the chosen smallholders would lease the land but could not sub-let it.

It added that the site would be tied to ecological farming in perpetuity.

The report said: “In addition to their many ecological benefits, the ELC’s small farm developments increase access to local fresh food, benefit the local economy and help to address a lack of affordable rural housing and an ageing rural population.”

The Furzehill site in the Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty AONB is just under 18 acres, with five of those already leased to a local food and veg cooperative called Cae Tan CSA.

The ELC said careful consideration had been given to meet AONB requirements, such as low buildings and additional planting to screen them.

Courses and annual open days would be held, it said, with the community benefiting from an extra locally-grown produce option.

In a separate planning document, the ELC said a lot of food consumed in the UK was grown under plastic sheeting in arid areas of Morocco and Spain.

In Wales, most one planet development applications to date have been in west Wales.

Last year, Pembrokeshire councillor Huw George said he was concerned these developments were not being monitored strictly enough, while farmers weren’t allowed to build cottages for their children on their land.

Cllr George told BBC Wales: “Something has to be done to tighten this policy, to make sure there’s a level playing field for those who live and work in this area.”

Sonia Sinahan, ELC operations manager, said: “We monitor our small farms …

June 7, 2020 3 Comments

Land

The Off-Grid Solution to Social Distancing (says Reuters)

Couple living alone in wilderness for decades -REUTERS SPECIAL REPORT-

SOMEWHERE NEAR RESERVE, New Mexico, June 5 (Reuters) – To leave society behind was a wedding vow Wendell and Mariann spoke only to each other. It was a solemn one, though, and to save for it Mariann spent only $66 on her bridal gown. Once they were married on that winter day 35 years ago, they just started driving.

Wendell and Mariann Hardy had lived most of their lives in the fast-growing southwestern city of Tucson, Arizona. But each was drawn to solitude. Mariann began distance-running into the mountains on high desert trails. Even before they met, both relocated to log cabins up on Mt. Lemmon, the 9,157-foot peak in the Catalinas range that overlooks Tucson. Still, city types came up to party there on the weekends. It wasn’t isolated enough.

Wendell took a job installing windows at Mariann’s cabin. Shy at first, the two got to talking about how they weren’t made for crowded places. One afternoon, Mariann offered him gin and tonic. Just how far, Wendell asked her, would she be willing to go?

In search of solitude

The question, open-ended and thrilling, marked the beginning of a union between two people who sought solitude – and instead found a life alone together.

Decades later, a pandemic has thrust the concept of social distancing into the daily lexicon and lives of Americans. As the nation’s death toll from COVID-19 tops 100,000, a new reality has set in: With few effective treatments and no vaccine, maintaining distance from others in society is the only sure method of stopping the spread.

Few people are as accustomed to the rigors, or rewards, of sheltering-in-place as Wendell, 75, and Mariann, 69. Soon after their 1985 church wedding in Tucson, they started exploring the wildest reaches of the American West for a place to be on their own.

A jack of all trades, including driving race cars, Wendell had a knack for fixing up vehicles like their salvaged pickups and a 1978 Jeep. They’d load one up and scout out Arizona’s parched borderlands to the south, and its ponderosa pine forests up north.

You can tell something by how couples sit on bench seats in old pickup trucks. Some sit apart, at either window. Others, like Wendell and Mariann, sit close together, behind the steering wheel.

Their search ended in Catron County, New Mexico. It is among the most rural in the United States, bigger than some U.S. states. Elk outnumber people 4 to 1. Traffic is so sparse, the county doesn’t have a single stoplight. Some children wait for the school bus in wood and wire cages. These serve as a precaution, against the wolves.

Miles down a washed-out dirt road along the San Francisco River, they saw 25 acres for sale. The $40,000 stretch of land, 6,000 feet high and zoned …

June 7, 2020 2 Comments

Surge in Australian land prices

Huge increases in land prices in Western Australia have led to a tug-of-war between farmers looking to expand their businesses and smallholders trying to get in as the market soars. Land owners in WA are sitting pretty.

In the agricultural heartlands of Western Australia, farm buyers are battling to secure more land and sellers are holding out amid a regional price surge due to a hige influx of remote workers looking for a new base outside the city.

While the residential real estate market in the metros is struggling, it’s a different story in the regions, with land hitting record prices as demand outstrips supply.

A national report by the Rural Bank found the median price for agricultural properties in WA had increased by 28.2 per cent in the year to January 2020.

Nationally the median price of farmland rose by 13.5 per cent.

With more buyers looking for more country than sellers are willing to part with, the tight supply of farmland — less than five per cent having been traded over the year — is pushing values steadily up.

Values in WA reached record highs despite last year’s below-average cropping season, with the median price per hectare climbing to $2,569.

South Coast prices up almost 60 per cent

Rural Bank’s manager for the south of WA John Reilly said the report showed the underlying dynamics of the agricultural industry in the state were in robust shape.

“We’ve got really strong commodity prices at the present, which are historically high, record low interest rates, which creates a great base for purchasing land,” he said.

“Families and investors see good opportunities to buy at the moment when properties come up.”

A total of $1.02 billion worth of land changed hands last year, representing a rise of 10.5 per cent.

The South Coast region, which includes Esperance, has outperformed all other regions as buyers look for reliable rainfall.

Median prices per hectare jumped 57.4 per cent to $3,403, with Jerramungup and Plantagenet recording stellar prices.

Ray White agent John Hetherington said the positive farming market, however, meant land for sale was scarce.

“Farmers are making great money so they are not wanting to sell,” he said.

“So the farms that do come onto the market are very sought-after.”

While corporate buyers are looking for larger parcels of land, smaller holdings are being sought by investors, tech workers and family farmers.

“With lamb and beef prices going up we’ve seen farmers all throughout the region desperate to get hold of land,” Mr Hetherington said.

Cashed up and ready to buy

Mr Hetherington has been selling land in the Great Southern for the last 16 years and says hot Australian land properties are “pretty much anywhere where it rains”.

“Low frost areas out through Frankland areas, Darkan, Williams, Kojonup, with very good rainfall, are high on shopping lists,” he said.

“But even with …

May 19, 2020 No Comments

Isolated field in Devon near the coast

One acre field in very secluded location – can be put to any use such as wild camping, growing veggies, or just enjoying the view. 30 minutes from beaches at Bude and Croyd.
Down a half mile, hard track with potholes – most cars can get down if you drive carefully, but 4WD definitely better. Gate access from road. No power. Large rainwater butts, old shed. Pub not far away.

Available from: May 28, 2020
Size of Land in Acres: 0.5-1
Written directions: Will be supplied by email on request
Type of Land: Agricultural…

May 13, 2020 10 Comments

Off-Grid RV Parking or Tent Camping

Perfect spots for RV or campers. Located in Frenchburg, KY in Menifee County. These are OFF GRID parking spots (RV spots are limited to two RVs). We are in the process of renovating this property (fencing, adding buildings, site plans for pond, etc) so this property is a work in progress. Mix of pasture and woods with ATV trails. Paved road to property.

We do have a water hose on site to fill your fresh water tank, if needed. You can park by the week for $75 or the month for $225, which includes water and trash pick up. (Excessive water usage will result in additional fee). Daily fees are also available if you want to stay overnight or just come for the day and ride horses or ATVs. Daily or Day use fees are $5 a day. No hunting allowed Personal injury waivers required for all visitors, no matter the length of stay.

Tent campers can camp anywhere in the woods (on the property) for $5 a night. Pets welcome as long as they are not aggressive. Horses welcome for additional water fee (paddock fencing is not currently set up so trailer ties are necessary).

Very quiet setting, lots of wildlife, beautiful views. There is an old Tobacco barn on the property which is in the process of being renovated. Interior parking (cars only) may be an option.

Available from: Jun 1, 2020
Size of Land in Acres: Above 10
Written directions: Please call, text or email for specific directions. Land is agricultural so has no street address.
Type of Land: Agricultural…

May 13, 2020 1 Comment

Off-Grid Tent Camping in West Virginia, USA

A 4×4, in very good condition, and a rugged spirit are necessary to reach, and tent-camp on, this property in the middle of nowhere, Northeast West Virginia. Bring everything you need to experience woodland hiking and seclusion from the outside world and commune with nature including white-tail deer, black bear and coyote.

Available from: May 9, 2020
Size of Land in Acres: Above 10
Written directions: Parking is available on property. Walk to desired camping area. Structures are not for use by visitors. Cell phone service is sketchy.
Type of Land: Forest/woodland…

May 13, 2020 1 Comment

Land

Rewilding Britain

As we contemplate the ecological wreckage from the last century of unfettered growth in Britain, there is a mounting desire throughout the UK and all advanced Western economies to reverse some of the processes we set in place in the early 20th century.

One goal is to turn about 4 per cent of Britain’s land over to nature this century. That is 1m hectares by 2100, the equivalent of 8 big land-holdings per year. “Realistically, a lot of it will be in Scotland,” says Alastair Driver of the charity Rewilding Britain. Anders Holch Povlsen, the Danish fashion billionaire, is seeking to rewild an estate of 89,000 acres in the Highlands.

In theory, the space exists, even in a country as densely populated as the UK. Grouse moors cover 1.3m hectares, according to Rewilding Britain. Golf courses — which cater to a declining clientele — cover up to 150,000 hectares, according to an analysis by the FT.

The most significant potential is farmland. Nearly three-quarters of the UK is farmed. Without subsidies, 42 per cent of farms would have made a loss, according to the National Audit Office. In marginal areas, such as the uplands, a lot of farmers are “seeing the writing on the wall”, says Driver.

“I started off [three years ago] knocking on people’s doors. Now I’m just trying to cope with demand,” says Driver,. He only deals with projects of at least 1,000 acres — of which he has found at least 20 in the UK.…

April 21, 2020 1 Comment

Quinta-limoes Portugal – off-grid stay

Closed at the moment.

For information please contact.

A place to stay for a while with your tent/caravan/camper.

If you are looking for a long term off-grid place, this could be something for you.

Coming soon

…

March 31, 2020 No Comments

4 Acres off-grid for RV parking or ?

I have 4 acres of land on an offgrid property in Moffat, Colorado where others are living offgrid. The neighbors have a well from which they sell water cheaply. I have 3 well drilling rights for water. There is an electric pole nearby. I am willing to trade rent for development of the property. The county requires a composting toilet or RV toilet to be dumped elsewhere, in order to live there or a leach field. I do not plan to live there anytime soon, so I am willing to rent the property, and will take work-trade. My neighbor’s are friends. There is a thermal well on the property but it needs to be dug to… again, I am not planning on developing the property, but I will do a trade for rent. One day I may want to come live there, but not likely. Joyful Journey Hotsprings is across the street and Valley View Hotsprings is up the road.

Available from: May 18, 2020

Size of Land in Acres: 1-5

Written directions: Rt 17 south to Woodard Road to 4th Ave within Mineral Hotsprings Estates

Type of Land: Flatland

Amenities:

Lake access

Sea access

Fishing

Hunting

Climbing

Structures on the Land:

Fenced

Natural boundaries

Some old derelict structures

Usable shelter

Treehouse

Trailer

RV & Motorhomes

What Renters may bring to the Land:

Tents

Car

Vans

Trailers

RV & Motorhomes

No restrictions

Access: Road access

Is the site on level ground?: The site is level

Check-in process: Meet and greet at Landlord address

Cancellation Policy: Moderate

Duration of the lease: 20 Years

Water Access: Hose from neighbour

Power supply: None

…

March 31, 2020 3 Comments

Land

Land Sales To Reach Record Levels In 2020

OMAHA, Neb. 22 Feb – The land market in 2019 continued the plateauing trend of the past several years during which the supply of agricultural land for sale on the market remained lower than average and prices for good quality cropland held mostly steady. Looking ahead to next year, will financial stress from lower commodity prices and poor harvests in some regions cause prices to decline?

Farmland sale activity in the first part of 2019 was slower than it had been for some time with late spring and early summer especially void of farms for sale. Planting delays and prevented plantings contributed to the lackluster activity.

“Despite the slower land market, Farmers National Company and its agents saw a 25 percent increase in acres sold in 2019 from the prior year and the most since 2014. Sellers are seeking the best advice and marketing strategy to sell their land and that is why the amount of land listed for sale at Farmers National is very strong at over $300 million” said Randy Dickhut, senior vice president of real estate operations.

Land values in 2019 once again bucked the prevailing depressed mood in agriculture to hold steady or even increase slightly in some instances except for the most stressed areas or segments such as dairy. With generally more cautious buyers, some remote markets saw a move to private treaty listings or bid sales instead of the traditional public land auction.

“The lower supply of land for sale had much to do with land prices being mostly steady as did having adequate demand for quality cropland. Lower quality farmland had less demand and in many cases was harder to sell. Investor interest in cropland increased somewhat in 2019 with several new entities entering the market and also from an increase in purchasing activity by existing institutional investors,” said Dickhut.

Several other factors had a favorable effect on farmland values in 2019. Interest rates remained historically low and moved even lower during the year when at one time, most thought rates would work higher. The other significant factor supporting land values and buyer demand, especially by farmers, was the amount of government support for production agriculture. One-third of agriculture’s 2019 net farm income came from government-provided sources including crop insurance, the Market Facilitation Program, and various other conservation and program funding.

In 2019, the ag industry endured floods, planting frustrations, trade uncertainty and struggling commodity prices. Financial conditions for some producers degenerated, but agriculture overall remains in better shape than expected due to support payments and the fact that land values remain historically strong. The remote land market weathered many storms in 2019 just like U.S. agriculture as both balanced precipitously on the plateau of the past five years.

So will 2020 be the year that the land market breaks out of its plateau?

“There are a number of factors that indicate …

February 22, 2020 No Comments

Community

Book review: Rural Planning Handbook

has a cover price of £25. But £20 will secure it direct from the author, and cash in an envelope is also acceptable. Now that’s what I call publishing.

There are many good things about the new edition of a key guide for self-builders and off-gridders trying to win planning permission to live in the countryside.

It is both a detailed and comprehensive survey of the main options and pitfalls for getting official permission to live an off-grid (or ‘low-impact’) existence in the most crowded parts of England, where property developers and farmers have failed to get their way, and rich neighbours jealously guard access to the byways and backwaters of this rich and fecund country.

But the best thing of all about the Rural Planning Handbook is that it is not available on Amazon. Yes, there are one or two copies available from dealers for £35, but the best way to buy it is to send a cheque for £20 to Chapter 7 – the campaigning organisation which is led by Simon Fairlie, author of the handbook. They also accept cash. Paypal by prior arrangement.

The book has been an important part of the armoury of hundreds, possibly thousands of planning applications and planning appeals over the past ten years. It runs through the main processes that must be undertaken if you are to win your battle with the authorities, and prepares readers for the mental anguish they will undoubtedly experience.

There is a huge amount of well-organised information – see the table of contents below. Planning laws are so detailed and specific that the information is often bewildering, even though it is clearly presented by Fairlie, who has been writing on this subject for decades.

What the book lacks is a series of case studies or general hypothetical situations, so that individuals can get to the details that apply specifically to their own circumstances instead of having to read between the lines to find what they need. There should be living or fictionalised examples of situations such as living in an agricultural building, buying a field, living in woodland, living in a caravan in a field or wood, living in a camper van etc. The informational content would not be any different but this way of organising it would make it much more accessible for non-experts.

Rural Planning Handbook – Contents page:

1. Introduction to the Mysteries of the Planning System
Understanding the mentality • An overview of the English planning system • Ground rules for an easy life • What should I do first — move on or apply for permission?
2 Permitted Development
What is and isn’t development? • What is permitted development? • A list of the most relevant permitted development rights
3 Making a Planning Application
Submitting a planning application • Putting in a convincing application • After submitting the …

November 13, 2019 2 Comments

Land

Off the grid living at its finest!!!

Off the grid living at its finest!!! This home has a view to die for and much, much more! From the on demand generator to being per wired for solar with both 10 volt and 12 volt set up in the home. This 2 bedroom, 1 bath home with a loft has room for the whole family. huge great room, formal dining room, large kitchen and bathroom with an on demand hot water, pantry, and mud room, wood stove, Franco bilge oil stove are some of the great features of this home. Large wrap around deck, fire pit, great for outdoor entertaining and many outbuildings. Well is newer and producing approx. 50 gallons a minute. Also including a 2500 gallon holding tank you will never be short of water. Not to mention the 10 plus acres with fencing and pasture of meadow grass and pond with river that feeds it. Making this home a must see!!!…

August 2, 2019 2 Comments

All you need to go off-grid

Land

Couple wanted for remote land rental

The Off-Grid Solution to Social Distancing (says Reuters)

Surge in Australian land prices

Isolated field in Devon near the coast

Off-Grid RV Parking or Tent Camping

Off-Grid Tent Camping in West Virginia, USA

Rewilding Britain

Quinta-limoes Portugal – off-grid stay

4 Acres off-grid for RV parking or ?

Land Sales To Reach Record Levels In 2020

Book review: Rural Planning Handbook

Off the grid living at its finest!!!

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