Wolf Gulch is the perfect property for those who hold a vision for stewarding land, building community, or creating an exceptional permaculture retreat center.

Nestled in the Little Applegate Valley of Southern Oregon, Wolf Gulch Farm is situated on 180 acres and features an established organic farm, multiple dwellings, a resident permaculture expert and educator, and all of the infrastructure needed to pursue farming or other land-based businesses, host retreats and events, and generate revenue through rentals.

Structured as a blend of food production and education, this well-loved property has been an organic farm and community and permaculture education site since 1998. The current owners, Maud and Tom Powell, are seeking individuals who are passionate about permaculture, education, and farming and are willing to offer an exclusive owner carry option to the right land stewards.

Longtime permaculture educator, author, and visionary Tomi Hazel has been living on the  property in Little Wolf Gulch for twenty-two years and is willing to stay on and continue teaching their popular permaculture courses. Learn more about their work here.

Structures include a 4,985’ strawbale house that is divided into three independent family units, two yurts, Hazel’s cabin, and a 3,000 square foot barn, making it an ideal location for a permaculture education and/or retreat center, intentional community, or HipCamp destination. Two domestic wells and three holding ponds are set up to irrigate up to two acres. 

Wolf Gulch Farm residents and visitors will enjoy privacy and beautiful natural views: the property is surrounded by BLM woodlands featuring 270-degree panoramic views of the Siskiyou crest, gorgeous meadows, hedgerows of fruit and nut trees, ponds and gardens. While remote, Wolf Gulch Farm is only 20 minutes to Ruch and less than an hour to Ashland and the airport in Medford. The property is adjacent to the Sterling Creek Ditch Trail, which offers over twenty miles of hiking and mountain-biking trails outside the back door.

Inquire for price and potential owner-carry options.

SNAPSHOT DETAILS 

LOCATION & LAYOUT 

• Remote rural property with multiple egress routes back into town: a 30 minute drive from historic Jacksonville, 45 minutes from Rogue Valley International Medford Airport, 1 hour from Ashland.
• 180-acre valley parcel, adjacent to Sterling Creek Mine Ditch recreation area which includes 30 miles of maintained trails directly accessible from the property!

STRUCTURES

• Eleven structures, including the main straw bale dwelling comprising three individual family units, two yurts, shed, barn, sauna, cob building, storage building, Hazel’s cabin, a 30’ x 68’ high tunnel, a pole barn, and three 20’x30’ greenhouses
• All dwellings (two yurts, Hazels’ cabin, and three units within the straw bale) use woodstove heat
• The main dwelling, which has three kitchens, three bathrooms, and a total of six bedrooms, is a heavily insulated custom strawbale construction that provides excellent climate control year round with no air conditioning. Heated as needed by wood stoves in winter
• 3,000 square-foot metal barn on a concrete pad with a kitchen and office space

UTILITIES

• 2014 installation of ground mounted array solar system with 2 inverters and 88 panels  that offsets current electrical usage. The solar panels use a grid intertie system that keeps power bills to a minimum based on usage and solar availability, and does not rely on batteries.
• Electrical grid access. 
• Broadband internet available via Starlink.
• Propane tank on site

WATER

• Two domestic wells
• Gravity fed irrigation supplied by three lined holding ponds is set up to irrigate two acres
• Water rights to Wolf Gulch, an intermittent stream
• 4-inch intake pipe from creek that feeds ponds

OTHER FEATURES

• 10 acres of deer fencing
• 3 large permaculture swales with established 10-15 year old chestnut and walnut trees
• Hedgerows with approximately 40 fruit trees (apples, plums, pears) and 40 nut trees (walnuts, chestnuts, and filberts) 
• 50 ten-year old trellised grapes vines
• Year-round maintained county road, allowing FedEx & UPS deliveries directly to the property
• Certified Organic through Oregon Tilth since 2003
• Abundant firewood on property
• 120 acres of mixed forest

Extended Description

Introducing Wolf Gulch Farm: Your Permaculture Haven in the Siskiyou Mountains!

Nestled amidst the beautiful Siskiyou Mountains, Wolf Gulch has its very own watershed, with lots of privacy and natural beauty.

Discover an amazing opportunity as Maud and Tom Powell prepare to sell Wolf Gulch Farm, a 180-acre property in the Little Applegate Valley. Envisioned as an organic, permaculture working farm and education site, this unique property offers an exclusive owner carry option for those passionate about cultivating a permaculture learning center or farm. They plan to put the property for sale on the open market in April of 2024. 

Since 1998, Maud and Tom have operated a small organic farm with approximately 4 acres in annual and perennial production. In 2017, following several years of drought in Southern Oregon, the seasonal stream stopped flowing, leading Maud and Tom to rely on water storage from the three ponds. After several challenging years, it became clear that there is not enough irrigation water on the property for them to continue farming commercially. It is, however, possible to grow 1-2 acres of irrigated crops, as well as non-irrigated crops (there is a burgeoning market for non-irrigated restoration seed crops). Maud and Tom have successfully grown several crops for the Understory Initiative and the fruit and nut trees and table grapes are well-established enough to require no irrigation. 

Maud and Tom are moving to Ruch, 11 miles from Wolf Gulch, where they will continue to farm commercially. They can be available, to some extent, to support the new owners in getting acclimated to the property. 

Hazel, a permaculture expert and resident of Wolf Gulch Farm for the past 22 years, has established two forestry camps at Wolf Gulch: one in Little Wolf Gulch, where several acres of brush filled Oak/Pine savanna have been restored and underburned, and another in Wolf Gulch where they process charcoal, hold work parties and host events. They have done extensive field burning of exotic grasses on old fields in Wolf Gulch proper.

The property and adjacent BLM land has a long history of controlled burns and wildfires. This is a wonderful experimental fire field station.

The property has a great deal of existing infrastructure. Maud and Tom built three custom strawbale homes and two yurts, which can be used to accommodate residents, guests, and workshop participants Additionally, there is a 3,000 square foot barn with a kitchen and office space.

This property is ideal for either an experienced permaculturist seeking an established site or an aspirational educator with a vision.

Contact Maud if you’re interested and have questions:

maudpowell72@gmail.com

Additional Considerations:

Hosting events: Most insurance companies will provide liability insurance. County permits may be required based upon the specifics of the event. Ie. alcohol, numbers of people.

Fire Insurance: Wolf Gulch Farm currently has fire insurance.