My wife, two children and I are in the throes of channeling everything in our lives to be in the midst of building our Earthship in the next 2-3 years. We live in Benton Harbor, MI and we'll be starting to look for land this coming August.

We've decided to look in Berrien, Van Buren and Allegan Counties due to the proximity to our j-o-b's and families. Not to mention that we don't want to waste time and money to move to a "pocket of freedom" somewhere half-way across the country just to start our lives all over again. We've learned that the hard way more than once.

Besides, Michigan is a great place to live! With an abundance of fresh water, our climate moderated by the lakes, the increase in our fall and winter wind potential and our incredible growing season (in many lakeside counties), and a large portion of sustainable agriculture and natural wildlife habitat - at least in our neck of the woods. Who would want to leave? Yes, Michigan's economy leaves a lot to be desired, but let's face it, that keeps Michigan affordable for a lot of folks.

That being said I've read through most of the posts in the Michigan forum and throughout the posts on the majority of this website, there seems to be an amazing flurry of interest. In the last two years this website and Earthship Biotecture's public presence has continued to grow virally. It's truly amazing! However, it seems like it's time for the throngs of interested to become increasingly more committed. Myself included.

We will be spending a week in Taos this September for the fall Earthship Workshop, and hope to be much closer to finalizing the nuances of our questions, design, budget, and our acreage to build. In the meantime, it would be amazing to organize us Michiganders who are interested in committing to carbon-zero, Earthship living here in the great state of Michigan!

Let's start by getting connected. "We the People" have the power to make this thing happen for ourselves, our children, the state we love and the planet. There are 83 counties in Michigan, if roughly 27 people called three counties each to find out the particulars of single family residence permitting, Michigan could be the next state to fill out the "Pockets of Freedom Map." That would certainly help all of us who dare to dream...

Anyone in???

From what I have learned getting the permits to build any GREEN type home may be difficult depending on the state, county and city you wish to live/build in. Here in Kansas, where we will be building, there is a county that has set aside a certain portion of the county to be left in rural status. In August of 2008 a trip to that counties planning a zoning department gave me some encouraging news. While I may have to purchase 10 acres of land there is not much needed as far as building a home on the land. A set of drawings for the county office and some official site testing for the septic system. They had already heard about the Earthship concept and seemed to be willing to work with us. Well it is time for us to get serious. Our plan is to have our land purchased by June 1st. But before buying I will make that trip to the county office and get in writing what we can or cannot build. According to their website there does not appear to be any changes except for the folks in office. As we have all heard about the challenges Mr Reynold's has faced with changes in the local government, that can be a huge hurdle. I am hoping to soon be reporting a "Pocket of Freedom" in the state of Kansas.

This is a lot of work. It kinda puts you in the spotlight. You have to be willing to take the risk while at the same time be an innovator and a stake holder in the GREEN movement in your area. I have started getting involved in the GREEN movement here in the Kansas City area. There are so many aspects of this movement it is hard to find the right folks to talk to at times. But we continue to learn as much as we can an apply what we are learning. Appraisals and mortgage loans seem to be a pretty big thing here as I am sure I will very soon be finding out about. I will post what I learn in the Kansas/Missouri forums or in the thread.

We are not building this so much to head off global warming or climate change. While that is a good thing to do a real global mindset change is going to have to occur. It is coming. We are wanting to have some land to grow our own food. To be able to plant whatever and wherever we want. To have some chickens, a couple goats and maybe even raise Llamas and Alpacas. One of my biggest desires is to start a hive or two of honey bees. To me the bees are as big global climate change. No bees, no fruit, no food.

So like almost everyone reading and posting on this fantastic site we are just trying to do our part to create our own little "Pockets of Freedom". Someplace to call home and set an example of what can be done. Some would say, must be done. You be the judge of that. Risk takers and innovators have the capacity to change the world. We can do this. The excitement is building. Build one in your area and I am betting someone else will want one to, or something like it.

My hat is off the our risk taker and innovator Mr Reynold's. He is setting the example and leading the way. We only need to pick up our sledge hammers and be part of it as well.

I only meant to write a short paragraph here. Seems I am getting excited about this. I hope those of you reading this are to. From the land of oz......

I'm IN! Willing and able! I want to help anyone building just to get the experieince. I've also started calling counties to find out what the process of permits and such are. I'm not familiar with the language of building, but I will learn. Any pointers in what I should be asking?
I'm located up in Bad Axe, MI (the thumb). The area is rural and recently put up two large wind parks. I'm excited to see some sort of support toward energy management, BUT they don't move me as an earthship does.
I'm determined to build - I'm not sure if it will be in Michigan or not, but while I'm here I intend to look for a pocket of freedom!

By the way, I use to live in Holland (Ottowa County) just north of Allegan County. I'll be excited to hear what you find out there as I'd love to move back to west Michigan.
Hey! How did you get a picture posted on your profile?

tjohns wrote:
Hey! How did you get a picture posted on your profile?

top right of web page select Members drop down menu
select My Profile
then under your profile name
select Edit
select Update Your Image
under Submit New Image for Upload
find the Select New File location
use the browse button to fetch image from your hard drive, or where ever...
once image is highlighted select Upload

May take a few moments to load up

Hey Greenman-

Sounds like we have some of the same ideas in land usage! We also want to have a small homestead with hives, chickens, and lots of home growns...

Yeah I'm figuring this is going to be more of a process than just checking things off of a list. I've had the same notions in looking for land, finding a lot that is what we're looking for, then connecting with the building inspector with somewhat of a "sales-pitch." I think a lot of that negotiating will be the part that I'll enjoy believe it or not. I've waited all my life to get to this point, I can't take no for an answer, but am still open to the paths of least resistance. A signed contract is a good idea though.

From the brief research I've done in regard to permitting in Allegan county MI, it looks like a contract agency deals with most of the permitting. The woman I spoke with said each township building inspector will ultimately hold sway with the yea or nay in regard to permitting. So all in all the cart comes before the horse in this venture. I think the hardest part will be letting go of a great piece of land if the answer is no.

We'll see, I'm up for a big challenge...Cheers!