OSEC Land Selection Criteria

Choosing land for an OSE Community requires an understanding of what the land will be used for. The following use assumptions are made:


 * Farming - Crops, animals, food forest, etc.
 * Shelter - Housing for the people living and working in this community.
 * Light Industry - Fabrication, workshops, small lot production, etc.

=Selection Criteria=


 * Lay of the Land
 * South facing in the northern hemisphere (north if in southern)
 * Gentle slope with some flat places


 * Conformance
 * A simple plot outline is easier to deal with
 * Good access from a county/state/federal highway


 * Water
 * Year-round, running water from stream or springs
 * Bodies of water: pond/lake especially if spring-fed
 * Good quality - potable - test before buying
 * Test for bacteria, etc.


 * Soil
 * Fertile top soil to good depth
 * Get the soil analyzed for pH, minerals, etc.
 * Existing prepared fields are a plus - are they organic?
 * Good drainage - consider a perc test


 * Organic Resources
 * Mature trees, especially hardwood, are a plus
 * Existing food sources such as fruit and nut trees
 * Wild food sources such has herbs, berries, roots, etc.


 * Mineral Resources
 * Stone
 * Clay
 * Gravel
 * Sand

=Rejection Criteria=


 * Conformance
 * Avoid "keyhole" plots with a long driveway to access the land


 * Water
 * Check up-slope and up-stream for sources of pollution


 * Legal
 * Liens or other legal attachments
 * Questionable ownership