What area around Madison for off-grid home, small ag? (Superior: homes, neighborhoods)

[organica]

Hi, we're looking for some land (2 or 3 acres) outside of downtown Madison to build a geodesic dome home and do some small-scale farming to feed our family. We will need a safe water source off of the grid, and we will be organic, so we need to know that the area has no possibility of having been polluted in the past, and there's no reason to expect it will be polluted in the future (spills, accidents/nearby chemical plants, landfills, etc.). What areas/neighborhoods would people on this forum recommend?

Also, just checking: is the Madison area very walkable (and bikeable)? To give you context, we live in Asheville, where they didn't add sidewalks to many areas outside of downtown

Thank you so much for your help! Anyone moving to Asheville, we'll be glad to tell you all about it, the good and the bad.

[toast12]

Springfield, Dunn, South Fitchburg all good choices where are you comming from

[organica]

Thanks for the reply. We will check them out. Also, are the mosquitoes bad up there? I heard just today that they are intolerable. !!

[agrantho]

Hi,

I am interested in purchasing a small plot of land as close to Madison as possible as well. I want to build my own home and potentially have a small amount of pastured livestock.

Did you find what you were looking for? Whereabouts? Was it affordable? Are you still looking? I'd love to hear more about your experience with this.

Thanks!

[Megan1967]

My impression, from growing up here, is that Wisconsin has been so heavily, commercially farmed, for so many years, that I think you would have to go way up north for "pure" land such as the original poster is describing.

[nanannie]

Try all around New Glarus.

[Alt Dach]

Better bring LOTS of cash with you if you want to do that around Madison.
Area south of EauClaire would be better if you dont have a trust fund-better
act quick in any event if its in US dollars!

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by nanannie

Try all around New Glarus.

I might add New Glarus is not in Dane county (As Madison is) you get ALOT more for the money in that area. My daughter/son in law have five lovely view acres and a huge organic garden. They are in an area called Blanchardville just a few miles from New Glarus and easy commute to Madison where he is employed.

[Alt Dach]

Originally Posted by Megan1967

My impression, from growing up here, is that Wisconsin has been so heavily, commercially farmed, for so many years, that I think you would have to go way up north for "pure" land such as the original poster is describing.

I agree.There is no place where corn/soybean monoculture is practiced
(entire midwest) where water supply can be trusted.Areas where it isn't
aren't much for ag.I Upon reflection the area right on Lake Superior
from say Superior to Bayfield could support survival type homesteading
if not commerical ag.Plus da fishing is good.
Superior is getting better and Duluth is as good as Madison in most
ways and WAY ahead in senic beauty.