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permaguy
16-11-2010, 05:45 PM
Hi, we’re on the way to acquire a land and a house, so as i’ll ask questions about the design of our property, it’s wise to describe it a bit.

We are a couple, thirty years each, and we discovered permaculture concept 3 years ago. Since that, we moved to the country, i quit my job, and i’m currently training in agriculture (arboriculture).

Our landbase* :

Located in SW of France, tempered decidious forest biome and transitional oceanic climate. Average 850mm (33.5 inch) of rain by year. Zone USDA 8, min temp on the past five year is -10,5°C (13°F).
The property is divided between a one hectare (2.5 acres) forested and quite slopped plot with a little house at the bottom, and two springs and a well. The other plot is about 0,3ha (0.7 acres), located at 150m (500 ft) of the house, is flat and forested and is lined by a spring and a river.

* we hope to move in in several months.

And our project (rough draft) :

* Meet all or the majority of our needs in food, (alternative) medicine, beauty, fun, energy/fuel (may be difficult). For food, we hope to adopt a kind of paleo food whose need would be met by a food forest, poultry raising, gardening, mushroom cultivation, and aquaculture (short- mid-term).
* Teach permaculture with the plots as examples (mid-term).
* Co-housing with another family, based on individuals modules (superadobe ?) and the existing house as shared faciilities (mid- long-term).

Here is a picture of the main plot taken from a field, just to let imagine the slope and vegetation

1005

Permaguy

Grahame
19-11-2010, 02:43 PM
Welcome aboard Permaguy. I look forward to hearing how your journey goes. Keep us posted.

Grahame

sun burn
19-11-2010, 06:07 PM
I am glad you posted the picture because that is not what i think of when i hear the word forest. It looks like romantic land and reminds of driving over lemons, a book set in spain of an english family who bought a place and stated sort of farming there. Sounds like water is not going to be an issue for you, which is great.

What sort of trees are those that are already growing? Are they olives? edibles? or not?

I hope your project goes well.

permaguy
21-11-2010, 04:24 AM
Hi, thanks for the returns

@sunburn

The picture can be misleading. The forested part of the plot is hidden by the changing slop, and is above the house. The part of the slope on the right is eroded by two donkeys and two goats. I only saw the land a few times and in winter, so i'm not very aware of the vegetation. But for sure there is no olive trees (too cold, but i think i'll try to grow some), and maybe a few edibles (the big shrubs on the right of the picture are hazels irrigated by a spring). The vegetation is dominated by oaks as far as i remember.

Michaelangelica
21-11-2010, 12:13 PM
Hi welcome:)
I LOVE France!
We have a number of French members of the Forum, try a 'search" to track them down.

hardworkinghippy
21-11-2010, 09:56 PM
Hello Permaguy and welcome to the forum !

I've been living in SW France for almost 20 years and I brought with me loads of Permaculture ideas from the 80s which I've been applying to our place slowly but surely. Life's easier here than in most places and the climate is wonderful for growing and making sure you slow down in the summer to appreciate what you have. ;-)

What an adventure - you must be so excited !

permaguy
22-11-2010, 01:06 AM
Thanks,

@hardworkinghippy

our visit to your home this summer has been quite inspiring ;)

hardworkinghippy
22-11-2010, 06:49 PM
Aha !

Now I have to work out who you are ! :think:

Glad to be of service !

Irene x