Regarding my search for house and landmates to share our homestead, here is a short blurb I've been using:

Comrade(s) Sought For Intentional Living - Many possibilities for project collaboration and community building…

I'm seeking (a) unique and visionary person(s) to share and partner with us on a beautiful, diversified, hill-top homestead and micro-farm in Franklin County, Massachusetts. Join us in stewarding this amazing land and perhaps co-creating a green, service-oriented cottage industry. My passions are people, counseling, community building, hacky sack, kids, Spanish language, growing food, trees and goats. I'm also a social worker/teacher with an emphasis on men's issues, teens, families and divorce. I'm committed to conscious parenting, mentoring, peace education and service to the world. Are you skilled with people, herbs, alternative medicine and healing, bodywork, grant writing, drumming, web authoring, or...? We’re interested only in peaceful, healthy, mature, green, child-friendly, happy, communicative and committed folks. That's all! (Sorry to be so picky, but you know how it is =)

While these days most of my nearby neighbors are uninterested in "intentional community" or "agrarian collaboration", my heartsong remains to build (extended) family here and to steward and preserve the land. So here I've been for half a decade, on my own four acres, with the help of seasonal apprentices and various housemates, tilling, planting, tending, culturing, crafting, honing -- faithfully holding the "small farm vision" and building the groundwork of various permaculture/micro-farming endeavors (we have stunning vegetable gardens, fruit/nut trees at various stages, berries, dairy/meat goats, a small, multi-use greenhouse, a summer mentoring program for kids, etc, etc...). I have also kept patiently, but steadily putting out feelers and inviting the participation, support and commitment of others.

I'm entirely clear that the purpose for these grape trellises, raised beds and goats is only partly because we love this rural, "self-sufficient" lifestyle and want to be comfortable as the years go by. It is also my clear objective to use this fertile homestead as a vehicle for mentoring, healing and teaching work, now and in the future. I also believe that, notwithstanding the small acreage, this place can, should and will ultimately be able to support itself, and even earn a profit one day - not simply remain my daughter's and my "hobby farm".

Aside from CSA, community/demonstration gardening, youth programs, etc, I also have various other schemes in mind for this, including several farm-based cottage industries and several exotic and value added "niche" crops. There also are certainly other permutations and creative uses for this hilltop which have yet to emerge. My experience searching for collaborators has taught me that personal chemistry and shared vision is as important, if not moreso, than the logistics of the farm, the acreage or the peculiar skills and inclinations of it's inhabitants. My deep desire for partnership and the seasonal coming and going of apprentices/housemates has taught me the importance of co-creating this vision, not simply being the "lord of the manor" or keeper of the flame. Hence my patient and determined search continues for the right comrade(s) to share this unique place and venture.

I've ramble enough to give you a sense of the scenario here. If you are interested or just interested in the concept, feel free to contact me. All inquiries and/or feedback are welcomed.

Blessings on your farm projects!