Organic Farming??? (Ashland, Echo: transporting, mortgage, loan)

[Allysum]

Hi, my name is Allysum. I was born in Wisconsin and I am trying to organize an organic farming community in a warmer area (someplace that has at least 4 warm months out of the year). I am visiting OR soon...and all I've heard are great things about Williams, OR

I am currently saving money to purchase land. I am not sure how long it will take me until I am ready to purhase land; however, I would like to know I am looking in the right area.

I would like some advice (opinions) on my search for great organic farming soil. The agriculture business is new to me, but I am determined to make this community work.

Is there enough land to go around in Williams, OR (I am interested in 5 acres).

Please (!) help me.

--Allysum

Email: AllysEcho@yahoo.com

[Silverfall]

Land here is expensive. You might want to think about how much you can afford in the near future and then look in areas where you can afford.

[Allysum]

Thank you Silverfall...of course I would...just wanted to make sure the land was worthy of my saving

[Allysum]

Silverfal, aproximately how much is the land by acre??

[Steve97415]

Williams is a very isolated area, so land is probably less expensive there due to its remoteness. Since the Applegate Valley is becoming a major wine-producing area, though, you're probably not going to find the kind of land that is in high demand (south facing slope with good loamy soil) if you're not able to pay for it. Bottom land in a frost pit with clay might be what you end up with if you're on a budget.

The big problem in southern Oregon tends to be water availability. With just 19" of rain a year, there often isn't enough to go around by August or September when the snow pack on Mt. Ashland has long since melted. Remember, this isn't like the Midwest where rainfall comes in spring and summer. This is a Mediterranean climate: rain comes in winter. Summers are hot and dry and any farming will be entirely dependent on irrigation water. Making sure you have a well that produces acceptable quality water and won't go dry at the beginning of August can be more of a challenge than the land itself. There are plenty of water-imporverished "bargains" out there to snare the unwary.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by Allysum

Silverfal, aproximately how much is the land by acre??

In my area it is on average $58,833 per acre so far in 2009 for those smaller "hobby farm" sized parcels.

[Allysum]

Thank you both Steve and Silverfall--you have been the most of help. Live Long and Prosper---Ally

[ara1234]

Dear allysum, what is new with your search for your dream farm in Oregon, I am from CA, and have the same dream, to start a community or join one, here is my email - [email]ara9630@gmail.com[/email]

[safeinthestorm]

Where can I go to farm(in the Northwest) and not be dependent on power to irrigate. I did not think about the Winter rain. Thank you. That was very helpful.

I'm looking to "head to the hills" in a safe, well-watered, not-to-cold, remote place to farm away from the big cities. Oregon, Washington, Northern California?....someplace where I don't have a battle over water and with people....

[Brenda-by-the-sea]

Originally Posted by safeinthestorm

Where can I go to farm(in the Northwest) and not be dependent on power to irrigate.

Either I don't understand your question, or you don't understand the harsh realities of West Coast agriculture. Crops need water during the growing season, right? The West Coast doesn't get precipitation during the growing season, only during the winter...residual soil moisture might get you through late spring. All the surface water rights in the West were long ago allocated (many would say over-allocated) with layer upon layer of claimants whose rights are junior or senior to all the other rights. So...somehow or another you're going to need to get winter rainwater that is now stored as groundwater in an underground aquifer up to the surface - a distance of say, 50-200 vertical feet. So you you'll have to pump it out of the ground, no? How do you propose to accomplish that without power? Do you think you're going to find land at the base of some kind of a waterfall where you can just illegally divert the stream flow on to your own property? No mortgage company in the world is going to give you a loan to buy land without a certified well that tests at 5 gpm or better.

Are you going to sell your produce, or engage in subsistence agriculture? If you go to a remote place away from the cities, the cost of transporting your goods to market will likely exceed your profit margin. I would adjust your dream to something more realistic. The 19th century is way behind us.