I am incredibly inspired by the women on Instagram who have bought land, are bringing it into their vision of peace, empowerment and are testifying to the power of Nature to bring out our best selves. Respect to @ablackgirlinthewoods and @farmercee for their wonderful posts.
I have a smaller vision than theirs, but if I had been born a little later (and therefore now a little younger) I would have acres and decades more. Enough to really build a sanctuary for me and mine, and a resource for others. As these women have been for me.
As far as my luck will hold, I should still have a small beautiful space that will keep me active and involved.
The main benefit I have now is a little less risk and a little savings; as a senior woman who draws a moderate social security check, I tailor my ambitions to what I can live on and what I can pay cash for. If the venture fails or succeeds, I won't be pushed off the land by a bank. Hopefully, that will keep me safe for any upheavals. Younger folks will have a longer road to financial independence, and more incentive to make the land pay for itself.
One of the risks I carry with just one cleared acre is the scrutiny of the too-close neighbors. I am in a rapidly gentrifying red-neck town, close enough to Asheville to attract an influx of quirky young and old liberals like me. We are all looking for a place to build something more local and personal. I hope the group of us can shift the politics, but you can't change a small town's basic nosy nature. Everyone wants to get in your business. Yes, I am apprehensive.
But I love small towns and I'm really hopeful too. I just want to promote the joy of women's self-sufficiency, learning from each other, finding purpose in working the land and happiness in the simple things. Goddess bless us all.