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are you a member of any organic farming associations? the one local to me is nofa--the northeast organic farmers association.
they have lisings of farms for lease and sale as well as lots of education offered, and we even have a refridgerated truck which makes frequent runs to city markets.
vermont is well located within four hours of albany, montreal and boston.
but farm land in vermont is pricey, atm western new york state and believe it or not even western mass is more affordable these days.
I'll second the suggestion of Berea, Ky. Home to historic Berea College, the town is also considered the arts and crafts capital of Kentucky, and lies on the westernmost slope of the southern Appalachians. Land is available in nearby Jackson and Rockcastle Counties at reasonable price, and Lexington is just 45 minutes up the road and has several farmers' markets throughout the week in season. Berea is progressive, with many creative people and interesting places, and is also a center for traditional music and dance - look for "Christmas Country Dance School - Berea" on YouTube to get an idea about Berea's most famous week.
Maybe the area around state university in West Virginia? The presence of a state u might be more important for the intellectual/political climate than what state it's in.
Have you considered moving out west? I can tell you the Willamette Valley in Oregon would meet all of your criteria except being located in Appalachia.
This topic may be dead now, but I second Boone, NC. It seems to check all the boxes for you...it's obviously situated in the mountains, the county went for Obama in '08 (and I'm guessing in '12, as well), Appalachian State University is there, which is one of the (if not the) largest state schools in NC, and I'm guessing the cost of living is not astronomical.
This topic may be dead now, but I second Boone, NC. It seems to check all the boxes for you...it's obviously situated in the mountains, the county went for Obama in '08 (and I'm guessing in '12, as well), Appalachian State University is there, which is one of the (if not the) largest state schools in NC, and I'm guessing the cost of living is not astronomical.
Actually, similar cities in Upstate NY like Oneonta and Plattsburgh actually have a lower overall cost of living. So, that would make the overall COL above average on a national level.
Isn't using the words "liberal" and " low cost of living" in the same sentence an oxymoron ?
The projects have a low cost of living so maybe not.
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