Operation: Take Back the North

Tips For Organizing Off-Grid Communities

Free thinkers are banding together to form communal rural properties. We miss the village; craving human connection and the sense of support and independence it brings.

Many have moved north, or a distance from the cities. They are tired of government restrictions and interference in their daily lives.

Though idyllic, setting up organized, “off-grid” communities does come with challenges and a lot of hard work. Remote communities require leadership, communication, preparation, infrastructure, planning, funding, execution and conflict management.

Gary Thorpe attended the Elliot Lake Conference. He shared his experience uniting with friends in buying land in an Unorganized Township and building a community for their families.

We can learn a lot from those who have taken this step. Gary is setting an example of developing property logically, finding loopholes within the system to use to our advantage, and mitigating the natural chaos of working with others.

Benefits of a Incorporating the Property

• He created a corporation which allows all purchases to be written off for three years. 

• A corporation is allowed to show no profit. After which, the land has great potential for revenue, i.e. logging, sawmill, hunt camp and more.

• A corporation must have a board with a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. 

• They meet monthly to plan, assess progress, budget and establish further goals.

• Individuals can “buy in” for $25,000 and pay in instalments.

• With that, they acquire a lot to build/park and hold shares in the corporation.

• Everyone needs to bring something to the community. Unique practical skills, gifts and training are more valuable than money.

• Individuals must supply their food or be willing to work for it.

• The first building project after the initial infrastructure was the community centre. Once established as a base, the community will work together to build smaller single/family dwellings on the property.

Building Supplies Pouring In

• Donated building supplies from like-minded south builders have been an unexpected blessing and have covered much of the building cost. This is an excellent example of the Spirit of the people working together for shared goals and ideals.

Community Partnerships

• The Mennonite community and locals have been welcoming, like-minded and helpful. This sentiment is commonly expressed by those who have ventured out of the cities searching for peace and sanity. “It’s nice to be surrounded by trustworthy, hardworking, supportive neighbors.”

Barter and Trade

• Gary and his counterparts established barter and trade with the Mennonites and locals, for example, lumber, in exchange for food and building supplies. The Mennonites make their building supplies.

Reconnect with the Land

• The key to “getting away from government” and moving out of the cities means being willing to get to know your neighbors, the land, plants, and remedies.

• (A list of helpful guides is being sourced and compiled.)

Gather the Network

• For tips on organizing your off grid community, contact Gary Thorpe, garythorpe92@yahoo.com