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On Today’s Podcast Episode, Harold and Rachel Discuss All The Things To Consider When Choosing A Site To Build Your Homestead.

The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 249 – July 28, 2024

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Practical Steps for Homestead/Permaculture Site Selection

1. Research: Gather information about different areas through online resources, local government offices, community groups, and real estate agents. 
2. Visit: Physically visit potential sites to assess the land and its surroundings. Explore the land and its landscape, soil, etc. Visit the town and groups you may want to participate in (farmers market, local events)
3. Consult Experts: Engage with local experts such as soil scientists, permaculture experts, agricultural extension services,  local growers, local townsfolk, and realtors (use them to protect yourself in your purchase, be sure to make purchase contingencies). Acquire legal documentation, zoning, variances, leans, easements etc… 
4. Plan/Design: Create a detailed plan of how you intend to use the land and how it fits into your homesteading goals. Find topographical maps. Maybe take a drone or hire a drone to look at the land. Use google earth and other maps to see hard to look at features or possible lot line issues etc…

1. Climate and Weather

• Temperature- average highs and lows
• Grow Zones- know what you can and can’t plant
• Frost/Free dates- understand limitations
• Microclimates
• Rainfall- irrigation
• Wind and Sun- patterns, exposure, prevailing winds
• Storm likelihood- hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, tornados, etc.

2. Soil Quality, Fertility and Contaminates

• Overspray from other farms, spray from tree or electric companies, spray of bodies of water?
• Is the soil fertility good- may want to send a sample or two in.
• Test for heavy metals like lead, MTBE, etc.

3. Topographical and Drainage

• Observe, one of the permaculture principles
• Where does the water go? Stay? Flow to? Etc..
• How will you use hills and valleys?
• Slope, is it severe or slow and desirable? 

4. Water Resources

• Any natural water features? Ponds, rivers, streams
• Can you put in a well affordably? Can you drive wells for irrigation? 
• Water Management like collection of gray water? Rainwater? Ponds? Swales?

5. Accessibility and Infrastructure

• Can you get to it easily?  This question will vary per opinion. Paved vs gravel vs two tracks. Year round access.
• Utilities- will you have access to the public utilites or will you need to do private things such as wind, solar or primitive living?
• Services you use: Hospital, EMS, schools, shopping, feed stores, library…
• Not sure where to put this but is it insurable? Do you care?

6. Legal and Zoning Regulations (the bane of my existence)

• Can you farm/homestead? Many are limited in kind or amount of animals- or both. *Print and require paperwork and documentation, DO NOT trust anyone at their word. Our zoning is available via PDF on the township website. We printed it to ask questions.  You can also contact local farm groups or state farm legal defense groups to find legal information.
• What do you need permits for? Septic, building, land use, earth moving, water? Etc… Do you need one to drive more wells, put up barns, sheds etc…
• Can you get insurance?
• Legal Documents you may need and/or want? Or Not. (LLC, certifications- organic certification is difficult and the way it was used before will play a role in this process).
• Land Restrictions and Easements- Do you have easements for power, gas, etc…Something to consider. Walk the land and look for these things, this came up on our purchase and it never showed in legal work. We refused to go forward without it clearing.
• Make sure you aren’t buying a dangerous site with dilapidated buildings, wells and/or brownfield site. If you choose to make sure you are aware.

7. Land Size and Layout

• What you will need for what you are doing?  

Will you be doing hay or corn or grains? You will probably need flatter land that is larger. 

Can you lease land nearby?

Can you buy hay and feed nearby affordably?

Will you be using permaculture and silvopasture/tree hay with smaller animals? You may need less land.

• Access again plays a role here, is there an easement to get to your land? Strangely shaped parcels are typically worth less but can sometimes help you get a bargain.  Make sure the person who owns the land you cross isn’t going to cause issues.

8. Environmental Considerations-

• Existing flora and fauna, are there any protected species on land that will make it difficult to do what you want to do? 
• Are there any ways you will harm the environment doing what you want to do?
• Predation- What are the main predators to animals and crops?  How will you deal with it?
• Is there overspray or run off from undesirable places?  Is there potential for this in the future?
• Is there abundant wildlife and pollinators? 

9. Security and Privacy

• Safety- Wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, drug activity, gang activity, etc.. Are you prepared to deal with these?
• Privacy- This is a personal preference honestly.  Do you desire to see people or not? 

10. Future Expansion

• Can you either buy more, expand on your own land or lease?  Possibly spin farm with a neighbor’s land etc…

11. Personal Preferences like Community and Social Events

• Is this the area that fits you?  Do you want a slow town to live in where nothing is going on and folks regularly ride their dirt bike to the grocery store or do you want activities and culture. Do you care if the local range is noisy or the local dirt bike club rides by your land on Saturday mornings at 6 am?  Don’t move to an area and change it, the locals will resent you for it.
• Hunting and fishing? Cold vs warm? Wet vs Dry? Rugged rural or urban homestead?
• Is there a farm/permaculture/homestead community that you think you might enjoy or fit into? 
• If you homeschool, is there a way for you to enjoy activities with others? 

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