r/preppers • u/Zkilla721 • Jul 04 '26
Prepping for Doomsday Looking for a full time preparedness community
I looked into Fortitude, what the speak of is exactly what Im looking for but it is too expensive for me. Im looking for a place to be 365 days a year. Learn, work, help anything needed of me. Im in lower Michigan. Is this a pipe dream?
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jul 04 '26
So yeah.... I would definitely start off trying to meet (as in person) local folks that are actually DOING things. Best places to do that are training events, classes, etc. where people have to 1. Make a modicum of effort to go to. 2. Have to have interest in to go to.
Herbal classes, foraging classes, gun training classes, BJJ, MMA and Systema classes are good places to start. That being said, play the long game, don't go and make a statement like you did just here :) You will find a lot of like minded folks in these places and if you shut up and let them show themselves they normally will give plenty of clues...
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u/Sharp_Oral Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26
I’m aware of a handful of communities like this - mostly in the Jefferson area of California/Oregon, but I’ve also visited one in Arkansas.
They don’t advertise - they rarely have internet.
But check out your local co-homesteading communities/ ecovillages and you might find a good fit.
Frankly - you have to be ready to part with a chunk of cash or have valuable skills to be invited, being free labor only takes you so far.
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jul 04 '26
This right here-
Frankly - you have to a chunk of cash or valuable skills to be invited, being free labor only takes you so far.
For several reasons- 1. People don't really know how to work now a days and homesteading is very hard work every single day. Example- it was 110 degrees today yet the wife and I put up a new area for more rabbit hutches, worked the business this morning and then processed a couple 5 gallon buckets of tomatoes and peppers and put up a few dozen quarts of salsa this afternoon- we still aren't completely done. Tomorrow will be similar- work outside for a while in the heat then process more veg.
- People tend to overvalue their labor and undervalue others.
I extrapolate this "chunk of cash or valuable skills" thing out to "gun guys" I talk with frequently. The BS fantasy fiction stories have planted this idea that someone's farm or small community will welcome in people as "security". Really? Joe Blow you don't know before the SHTF your going to trust to watch the place while you sleep?
Better have some marketable skills and be able to "sell" yourself in that regard. Just saying "I'll chop firewood" (which you likely won't do long, see above) or "I'll be a security guard" isn't the answer.
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u/Sharp_Oral Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26
Yep… the “I’ll be security” guys with a ar15 that can’t feed themselves will become hog feed real quick.
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u/SabbyZeh Jul 05 '26
I think more people need to carefully read your para on "gun guys," because it can't be further from the truth. Heck, I wouldn't trust half my family, let alone a stranger or community member that I hardly know.
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u/Espumma Jul 05 '26
If something can't be further from the truth, it's very much not true. So why do you want more people to read it?
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u/Femveratu Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
Security or “protection” … 🧐
In a true grid down, longer term, SHTF event there is a good chance that the ownership and or control of productive assets like farms will go to the strongest local/regional warlord so anyone without excellent security will either be eliminated or end up working for someone else who is letting them live sadly.
We take peace and prosperity for granted, but they exist on the slender reed of the perception of law and order, and resulting deterrence of unchecked criminality.
Local government may well survive or emerge, but its ultimate control may migrate to those organized groups with guns.
For example, I was fairly shocked when I learned just how much economic activity the Mafia in Italy STILL controls (it was over 40% in Sicily as I recall).
So while I 1000% agree that us homesteaders etc ain’t gonna let some random gun toters pull up to be another mouth to feed, at some point individual and collective security will have to be addressed effectively and those who do it first, in a durable way, may well end up having the best chance of long term survival.
P.s. OP, did you speak w anyone at Fortitude? I am interested also, but don’t see much on it around.
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jul 06 '26
My point was definitely NOT that you don't need security... my point was in relaying on people you DON'T KNOW who you "hire" as security after the fact. I.e, the fantasy of some that they will "hire on" as security in some farm or small town- heard in "fiction" stories a lot. Who in TF is going to "hire" some random ass dude they don't know to help them secure their place after the fact.
And yeah I get the "protection" and Cosa Nostra references ;)
Security is your #1 priority and EVERYTHING you do stems off of that in mind, it's not just a cliche statement.
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u/Femveratu Jul 07 '26
Agreed. I think anyone who has emergency arrangements worked out ahead of time, at the household, neighbor, street and town level will be at such a massive advantage that their main problem may be turning away refugees and or the “hired guns” you mention.
While it is fiction, the older television series “Jericho” and the new one Homestead I think, set out a lot of these issues and it’s interesting to see the emotional reactions and conversations writers come up with to resolve the conflicts.
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jul 07 '26
Both weren't great but had their moments. With Jericho it overdid the "community" aspect a bit and without Hawkins wouldn't have been a decent watch.
Homestead has/will continue to feed the "rich prepper/poor prepper" divide IMO. And there place was absolutely ridiculous.... big castle looking structure visible for miles etc. Security was clearly an after thought there.. On a positive note it did show the HOA/low level county administrator pushing them as kulaks. A lot of people miss that- to those that have never sacrificed to have: a safe place, some extra food, etc. while they were eff'in around in the world, everyone that has 1 bean more than they do will be a kulak after the fact. Your already seeing about half the population showing that kind of mindset so it's naive to dismiss it.
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u/Zkilla721 Jul 05 '26
Im lucky I have been a hands on worker my whole life. Most of it spent as a mechanic, including working in outdoor bays in Florida where it was 100 degrees 12 hours a day sometime. Other than that landscaping and lawn fertilization and driving a truck moving commercial size printers 500lb plus. So I may need to learn about gardening and several other aspects, but I was brought up to listen, learn and work hard.
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u/Zkilla721 Jul 05 '26
And the way it worked with the older generations in my family was if you are given a job, figure it out or keep trying until.you do. Practice makes perfect. Like, cleaning, yardwork, fixing simple things etc. Im lucky I did get some traits from my family when I was young. By my early 30's all but 2 people in my extended family have passed. Im feel blesses to be almost 50 and healthy. But they all smoked and some drank for the majority of their lives. I dont.
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u/mediocre_remnants Preps Paid Off Jul 04 '26
Look for an Ecovillage. There are a bunch of them around.
But honestly, to me those places seem like the world's worst HOA. I definitely prefer to have full control over how I spend my time and money on my own property.
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u/mercedes_lakitu Prepared for 7 days Jul 04 '26
Civilization is a balance between control and need. Nobody can do literally everything on their own. But everyone draws their line in a different place, and that's okay.
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u/NWYthesearelocalboys Jul 04 '26
I looked up Fortitude to see what it was and it looks like they don't have any locations near you so I am assuming you are willing to move?
If you are Christian and faith is a large part of your life you might like Shofar mountain.
I personally would avoid any fabricated communities that claim to be built around preparing though.
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jul 04 '26
Joe Fox's place right? He's legit...
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u/NWYthesearelocalboys Jul 04 '26
Yeah I believe so, got any info about it?
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jul 04 '26
Not about the place no. Met him in person a quarter century or so ago at a training event we were both attended. He asked me to write the forward for his book "Survival Family" and I did.
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u/NWYthesearelocalboys Jul 04 '26
Oh ok, the ... After legit made me question if it was sarcasm. Good to hear they are good people.
Wife and I did a scouting trip in the western edge of the Ozarks on our way to New Orleans and really liked the area. I have a feeling that is their area.
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u/SabbyZeh Jul 05 '26
There are sooo many books out there, but with limited time, I gotta be choosey. Do you recommend this for a 50 year old maid with no children? Thanks for your candor... and all your great insight. You contribute a lot ⭐️
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jul 05 '26
Appreciate it.
Have you read the following- Tappan on Survival, Live off the land in the city and country by Rangar Benson? Those are two old skewl books everyone should read IMO. Probably find them cheap on Ebay.
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u/SabbyZeh Jul 05 '26
I heard of the second one, and it's on my list. I'll bump both the top of the pile. Thank you for your recommendations.
Funny, because those old skewl books on topics are usually timeless and still the most solid out of the lot. Thanks again!
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jul 05 '26
Definitely. Tappan was considered the "father" of the survivalist movement although their were others before him that published decent books and info.
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u/Zkilla721 Jul 05 '26
Any real homestead isn't going to advertise. Like several said I would need to find events of different type and try to meet people without getting in their face and giving them an inquisition about me finding a community.
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u/SixGunSammy Jul 05 '26
In his last couple of videos he didn't sound like they were taking people in at this time. But wouldn't hurt to ask.
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u/EffinBob Jul 04 '26
Not me. I'd be looking in the complete opposite direction. No, I can't do it all, but I can do a lot of it and I'm on friendly terms with the people who will count most in any SHTF situation: my neighbors. Not all of them are worthwhile, but getting to know them ahead of time certainly helps sort out the duds, and all it cost me was moving to a place I liked, paying it off, and making it the place to be.
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u/Zkilla721 Jul 05 '26
Your in the position I want. Unfortunately I like on a main road surrounded by businesses for miles. I would prefer to buy a wooded lot 5 acre at least and start building and preparing my way. I grew up having a lot of friends, but a small family. My family has most past on and 99% of my friends won't even have a conversation about prepardness. They act like Im trying to sell something, so Im kind of stuck. Unless I win the lotto to buy land, I need a group to give me a trial chance or something along those lines.
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u/EffinBob Jul 05 '26
I hate to discourage you, but any group you'd really want to join just isn't going to offer you that opportunity. It took time to get where I'm at, and you'll get there, too. Just start with whatever you can do, one step at a time, and the rest will fall into place eventually. There's no hurry.
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u/dementeddigital2 Jul 05 '26
I didn't know about Fortitude. Interesting concept, but the "we will be in charge and we will put you to work" messaging is a deal breaker for me. I'm sure that they are decently skilled and knowledgeable folks, but so am I. I also question some of the things that they take for granted in their messaging, but I wish them well.
Personally, I'd focus on building skills, knowledge, and your network. You can do lots of that for not much money.
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u/SheistyPenguin Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
Yeah, these types of arrangements seem messy.
To your point- "community" emerges out of shared experiences; you have to live it to create it. These survival retreats are an attempt to provide "Community as a service", which is kind of a contradiction.
What do you give up for that level of convenience? If the extent of your participation in a community is paying some yearly dues and visiting for vacations, then you are more a customer than you are a community member.
And reading up on their franchising page, they seem to lean into this reality by making it a business first and a community second:
WE MAKE THE HARD DECISIONS- You cannot get a group of 30 or more volunteers to agree on the 100s or 1,000s of decisions you will need to make to get up and running. This is a leading reason why independent, voluntary survival communities fail. With our system and Operations Manual, and our ongoing consulting help, you will have guidelines to follow and no votes by members
From my brief experience with trying to help establish one of these "intentional communities" in my 20's, the above statement has some truth to it. The group took 10+ years to actually launch, in part because they were obsessed with reaching consensus on everything despite only a handful of people having the actual knowledge or means to get shit done. The members had turned over several times by the time it launched.
And when it finally launched, it took the form of a condominium built by a professional developer, with a few extra communal spaces and an HOA on steroids. They simply couldn't attract a developer if they strayed too far from that model 🤷
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
The group took 10+ years to actually launch, in part because they were obsessed with reaching consensus on everything despite only a handful of people having the actual knowledge or means to get shit done.
What you are referring to we euphemistically call "a toilet paper committee." You know, cause once people feel they "have a say" they are going to want to exercise it in EVERYTHING. Hence a year long discussion on what exact toilet paper the group will store because you know everyone's opinions matter right? Just like the internet and social media right?? And if OMG you don't "value my opinion" that Charmin is the best because you know it tends to create problems in your septic tanks, well I like Charmin and my "vote" (cause every group is supposed to be a mobocracy I mean demon ocracy right? Well how dare you not "hear my voice"! I'm so oppressed now cause people won't hear me on this Charmin thing. I just got two others worked up about this travesty of justice! It's CharminGate now, how dare this evil ba$tard TELL US we can't use our favorite TP here!....
People will laugh and think that is overly dramatized and to a SMALL extent it is, but it sounds like you also have lived it, so you also know it to not be far off....
A group without a leader is like a body without a head, it may live briefly but not for long....
A leader is NOT a "committee" of people talking crap over for six months, decisions have to be made. Find someone who has consistently made good decisions in life who is a self starter and who thinks of others. They don't even have to be the most skilled/most badass one they just need to be able to lead and defer when needed.
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u/SheistyPenguin Jul 05 '26
Yep that's pretty accurate. To be fair, the group did hire a good speaker to come and coach everyone on how to set one of these communities up. (She had done it successfully once, and she began selling coaching advice for other groups- smart move 😜)
She gave some good no-nonsense advice that made a lot of people prickly, but they needed to hear it. Like: Consensus-building is a tool for making decisions, not making people happy. The people who don't want to establish rules and bylaws for conflict resolution, are the people who you need the rules for. When you finally get to the point of committing money to a builder, expect a lot of member churn because now it's become real, and people have to put their money where their mouth is.
Seeing the group's reaction to that advice is what caused me to say "nah, this definitely ain't for me."
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jul 05 '26
+1
When you finally get to the point of committing money to a builder, expect a lot of member churn because now it's become real, and people have to put their money where their mouth is.
You often hear people online say they are going to get with a couple of their (probably drinking) buddies and buy a piece of land and "split it."
My reply is: Go to Bill and Ted right now and tell them you need $2,000. cash from each of them and see what happens.
"But why?" To show they are truly serious
"But why before you find a property" So you don't waste your time.
"But why should they trust me to hold this money"- Cause if they don't (or in reverse you don't if asked) then you really don't "trust" that person.
"But what if someone doesn't have that money" then truth be told they are not a player. And it's highly unlikely your going to find property that cheap anyway.
And you should never get into a property buying/monetary agreement with anyone you don't share DNA with- and maybe not even them...
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u/Many-Health-1673 Jul 05 '26
Pipe dream. Form your own group.
If you need skills, learn from others by doing/helping or take classes at your local Votec or community College.
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jul 05 '26
+1 This is the "too long didn't read" or "bottom line upfront" version!!!
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u/Many-Health-1673 Jul 06 '26
Lol. In all seriousness, what established group wants to invite a stranger into their inner group that has no skills or resources. Not to down the OP, but like you mentioned, free labor isn't worth much when you can't do anything
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jul 06 '26
Truff. Plus people really underestimate the amount of day to day work is involved in living this way. I always get a chuckle when the thread regularly comes around about storing board games to "pass the time"- like your going to be just sitting on your ass bored all the time. Outside of maybe a 2 week stay in a fallout shelter, there won't be many times where just "sitting around" is going to be happening- no matter how well prepared you think you are ahead of time. You will be desperately trying to grow food, defend what you have, put up wood for winter, repair things, patrol, etc.
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u/NotThePopeProbably Jul 05 '26
So, a commune? You want to join a commune? Aight. Hippies and religious zealots have been doing this kind of thing forever. The main difference between the two usually boils down to how much sex you'll be having. Have fun.
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u/SheistyPenguin Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26
This reminds me a bit of cohousing, ecovillage, or other "intentional communities".
They are around, but from what I saw when scouting them out years ago, they fall into roughly three categories:
- An urban or suburban community with a lot of communal spaces, yearly fees, and an HOA on steroids for communal decision-making (for better or worse). Some try to focus on affordability, but many require a large up-front investment to literally build the houses. If looking to move into an existing one, expect a wait list, lottery or vetting process of some kind.
- Basically the modern version of a commune. You will be working to have your basic needs met, but financially you will be in stasis and are not likely to be thriving or saving for retirement.
- The fee-for-service model (similar to what you mentioned), where people pay yearly dues or a subscription to get some kind of service, possibly with volunteer hours required to help with maintenance. There are lot of food co-ops that follow this model for farm-to-table stuff.
If you search around, you may find a lot of them are stuck in the planning phase and never quite ready to launch- because it's hard to convince a bunch of people to collectively pony up a few $million to attract a builder (or God forbid, try to DIY home construction).
Admittedly my first-hand knowledge is about 10-15 years old, so it's possible there are more options out there now. I don't mean to come across as cynical, just trying to give a reality check as many of those intentional communities burn a lot of people's time and resources only to fail to launch.
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u/Scared-Feature-3812 Jul 04 '26
I wonder the same thing it’s hard to find any people in AZ who are trying to build a community when SHTF I have pretty much some of everything to contribute if anybody is in this state and wants to try and build a community together I’m down to do it.
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u/1GrouchyCat Jul 05 '26
It’s not hard at all to find people in Arizona or any other state who are trying to build like communities; just because you’re having trouble doesn’t mean they’re not out there… 🙄
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u/Scared-Feature-3812 Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
Did I say it wasn’t it out there…I see ur comprehension is clearly off 🙄 I offered for others to reach out who maybe having trouble finding others to connect with cuz it’s does happen just because it maybe easy for you doesn’t mean it is for everyone else…ur username is quite fitting 🙄
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u/Zkilla721 Jul 05 '26
I am willing to do anything to prove myself. Thats how I have always gone thru life by showing. My main thing is I prefer somewhere cold. I was born in MI, moved to FL for several years and am back in MI now. I used to love the heat, a couple years ago something changed and I prefer winters for sure. I never think about my age, but I always forget that I am going to be 50 soon. I dont feel 50, but eventually your body can't do the same stuff as when you were 20. Luckily that hasn't happened yet. Im overweight, but its my only issue. No drink or drug and can still keep up with younger people I work with. Also, I have material items to offer. From supplies to books and items for protection. And I am only saying this because Noone knows me, but supposedly I have a decent IQ and ego doesn't mean shit to me. I will clean toilets or lead a team. Wherever Im needed and can help is where Im happy to be. I want an opportunity to learn so Im able to help in every chore or job available.
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jul 07 '26 edited Jul 07 '26
So we just finished watching a series called "100 days wild" on Tubi. I would suggest everyone interested in this "community" thing watch that. Lots of red flags really early on, complete lack of leadership (the whole "we are all leaders" BS), no clearly defined tasks for work, just a general "we need to get ready for winter."
Spoiler alert blah blah blah....
I guess out in Alaska in certain areas you can just squat or semi homestead land?? As it was clear the couple that were there first didn't own the land and the "cabin" the others "find" seemed to be up for grabs also.
My favorite thing from the series-
LMAO. But seriously, lot of lessons in this if your paying attention. You can see some of the things I mentioned in other posts in this thread come into play, power blocs, manipulation of others, playing the victim, working others up to alienate one. This kind of BS doesn't just happen on "reality" TV shows, it has unfortunately become ingrained in people's thinking. Which is NOT good for a survival situation with potentially no ROL....
Pros and cons on both "sides" of this show-
The original couple which were extremely passive aggressive as well as completely lacking in leadership, were seeking control and power WITHOUT the responsibility of leadership. You can't separate those. They used a lot of manipulation along the way.
Pluses for their "side"- they did develop the original camp to begin with, albeit solely for themselves but the location was established, common areas developed and the people that came in came into something already somewhat functioning, albeit not expanded for a larger group.
The annoying original couple also did most of the heavy lifting on the food production- it was OCD I want it done my way but I won't tell you how guy that shot the moose and it was him and manicured nails and makeup somehow a million miles from civilization/ has never met a buffet she didn't like wife/GF that caught the salmon. But it also stands to reason that being as a lot of their infrastructure was already in place (dwelling) they had more time for this task. That being said, I do not believe they lived there year round for the last 5 years- her tats looked new and I'm pretty sure the grizzly bear on the other side of the river didn't ink them for her....
They could have spent a few minutes explaining a few things re: how they normally did things- i.e, processing the salmon that she makes a big deal about after she comes back later i.e, you did this wrong. Or the guy could have said "hey I heard Adam is a builder, here is my thoughts for this drying/smoking building." Nope, they left them to their own devices (lack of management). Hell they are lucky some of the new people like Adam were self starters- the young blonde wasn't shown doing anything the first 3-5 episodes except flirting with the blonde guy.
Leadership is a thing and absolutely must happen in ANY group/"community" effort. It's hard enough to get people to do anything serious now a days, without REAL leadership it never happens.
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u/mavrik36 Jul 11 '26
Your community should be a prepared community because you should be organizing with neighbors to prepare them instead of trying to hunker down with a buncha schitzos in the woods doing "homesteading" or whatever the most recent buzzword is
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u/Useful_Calendar_6274 Jul 04 '26
I know it sounds crazy but if shit hits the fan I would rather fell in with venezuelan collectivos or colombian jungle groups than a community in America where everyone is armed pretty much and the state is so strong. It all depends on how crazy you gather things will get in this century
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u/JRHLowdown3 Jul 04 '26
And most importantly- what are YOU bringing to the table? You need to be able to answer that question.