Though it has absolutely zero to do with this post, I watched this today and appreciated it because of my previous survival plan, way back when I was nomadic. Seems a lifetime ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kFqdWesW0o

Don't mind sharing.

By the way, the pig was finally ready to be moved to the garden on a harness, yesterday, to till out some old strawberry plants that no longer produce. Walking the pig.

We named him Mr. Woo. Bonus points go to those that catch the cultural reference and why its funny as a prepper.

As for jade helm, Its far more likely that they are training to invade Iran or Russia. Ya. That's a well thought ought plan. :roll:. That's far far more scary than any ideological fantasy about invading Texas and red lists. "I always try to keep in mind that half the people I meet are below average IQ" 😉

I've switched this over from the other post.

helicopilot wrote:
Personally, I don't believe in having a retreat that is uninhabited but expect to be there for me, still stocked up, by the time I get there. So that means if I can't live at the retreat, then someone from the group has to.

Maybe C5 can tell us more how he got his MAG together which seems like he managed to make work.

I replied:
A retreat is useless unless its actually food productive. Production takes years and that means some one has to live there...often at great personal cost and sacrifice. A group is like a garden. I am purchasing through my sweat and sacrifice...a community. It doesn't just happen and once it does it takes constant upkeep or your garden (the group) will die.

The short answer to HCP is... You have to fail 100 times. That's why I type less nowdays. Ive had to talk to 100 that broke my heart for each person that are now my new family. If I can just get caught up on some other people I need to connect with, I'll add more about this to the other post.
The other short answer is...lots of coffee meets to screen people and dinner parties to grow relationships. The dinner party is the ultimate prepper skill. Not Bug Out training. I wish someone had taught me that before wasting years of becoming a bush ninja. LOL

helicopilot has done some great work and deserves a proper reply. Unfortunately this may take a few days and it might help me if I cut it up into a few shorter replies. Tommorow we will be entertaining a couple that will stay the night and are evaluating about buying in to the property. Im not sure if our initial contact was though EcoProperties or Kikiji We have a lot of feelers out on several networks. This couple wouldn't identify as preppers but they get the gist that something is wrong and see the value community building because they are wise enough to know that they cant be an expert in everything. We have already met them in advance as they traveled to meet with us at a coffee shop. Another member of our MAG also came along to meet them. Im telling you this because of the context.
Building a group is almost identical to internet dating because that is what you are actually doing. You are dating and sifting through people that you are deciding about whether you want them to become your potential new extended family. You put your self out there on the internet. Lots of people contact you...but after the initial reply, they don't ever call back. If I can use the internet dating context again, They want immediate love or gratification and want to rush right over. We explain that we need to be sweet talked first. LOL. You chat for a while on line to see if you are on the same page and if there are any obvious red flags. If you are on the same page and distance is a problem, you can exchange phone calls or Skype to get a better feeling for the person. There are plenty of creeps out there so don't assume just because they say what you want to here. I'll be honest and say we have had some close calls with predators. That's why stage two is meeting at a coffee shop...just like a first date...and just like a first date...you can bail quickly because its only coffee. Then let the rest grow naturally. Its only the beginning step.

That said...I really did luck out at the beginning. The first person (from IPN) after several online chats...just invited me over to his cabin for a few beers. He was definitely not what I expected in picturing a prepper. Nothing Tactiwanker or AlphaButch whatsoever. After chatting a bit I said, "Soooo....Someone has explained this whole OPSEC thing to you before?" without missing a beat, he replied, "Yah. Im not That Kind of prepper. I'm sort of scared of the ones that are. If I didn't already trust you from your online post and YouTube...I wouldn't have invited you over." Funny to look back and realise this guy has backed my play, was the first to say "Yah. I'm All In", I know the entry codes to his house. He knows where my keys are and my dogs love him. Him and his partner are indistinguishable from ....The connection I would have to my own mom. They are family now...but better than family because its family by mutual choice. And family is the big word to remember. The goal. Not a band of ubber warriors playing soldier. Not an Ideology driven group of Taliban (OOPs. Did I say that out loud and insult half of prepperdom or just think it) but people that I cant distinguish from my own family. That's whats needed to hold a band together when its more expedient to only look after ones own.

which gets to the next part. From first date to family. Dinner parties. Repetition Repetition Repetition. Building TRUST over time.
I wrote more than I intended. I may not get back to this till after the weekend since its recycling days this weekend. Spring cleanup event. Its where I collect my best building materials for the year.

Thanks C5 and happy recycling weekend!

I think I have tapped out my local recycling resource. Maybe one more run by evening to catch the dumping of last minute cottagers.
This years finds- A working Buzz light year to annoy strangers with. To infinity and beyond.
-This year (consumer dumping changes year to year) the safety netting that goes around trampolines. Lots of it around. Perfect for keeping birds out of the blue berries once they ripen. Also for quick mobile fencing for anything we want the chickens out of.
-A roll of chain link fence. Score. Other old fencing for temporary fencing needs. Plenty of chicken wire as well.
- lots of glass windows. Thick ones. People are replacing windows to more efficient ones so we can afford to be choosy. Their is one kind that comes with a white plastic frame. Its thick and is perfect for our greenhouse expansions.
-Sliding glass doors. Even better.
-Metal storage shelves
-Planting trays.
-Any lumber in good condition. Especially plywood. Plywood is expensive and its a waist of money for farm related quick fixes.
-Baby joggers. I need the wheels for assorted carts.
-wheel barrow to be repaired.
-A portipotty for the trailer.
-stainless steel pots.
-Tonnes of tent poles that get used for assorted farm tasks. Assorted metal pipes, scrap metal and metal gutters for the same purpose.
-Clothes line for fence wire.
-Trampoline frames for hooped, plastic greenhouse frames
-Folding portable tables as well as other tables for outdoor garden related tasks. Its ok if they break down because we are extending their use.
-Door frames. Because outbuilding need doors that seal,
-Lots more

More on community building later

Incase it was missed, I moved Part Two over to here. http://internationalpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=5732 The why and what's of survivalist dinner parties and mistakes in the internet dating phase

Great read. Community or die is so true. I truly believe in that sentence. We need a MAG to survive and thrive. Good on you and thank you for the motivation to keep searching for individuals.