What skills would *you* bring to an off-grid community?

[Valley of Plenty]

This thread is inspired by a post I saw in the Anti-Work facebook group. The responses there were certainly entertaining, if only due to the absurdity of many of the responses. I'm interested to see what kind of responses the topic gets here, in a community full of self-sufficient DIYers.

Assume our hypothetical community is starting from nothing - just a big plot of land without any kind of pre-existing architecture or access to public services, with the eventual goal of becoming a totally self-sufficient and sustainable community. You're applying to be a part of the community, and asked what you bring to the table.

[Michael in ABQ]

Security and leadership - 20 years in the Army with the majority of that leading light Infantry Soldiers from a fire team of 4 to a company of 130.

Business experience. I've spent the last two years running a business, so I have a good idea of accounting, operations, finance, marketing, etc.

[Tempname23]

The situation matters!
 She was toilet manager on a yacht, now that food is important, she's captain!

https://youtu.be/ESgUqeexZ0U

 btw, I would say, I have fabrication skills.

[GilesMM]

Assuming we had our own solar grid, I could provide film reviews.

[Metalcat]

Well, I've been told for years that I would make a great cult leader, so I would think that's pretty valuable.

I grew up in a cabin in the woods, not off grid unless we lost power, but pretty frickin' rugged, so I do actually have a ton of practical skills.

DH on the other hand?? Um...he's really good at carrying heavy things...yeah...that's it, that's all he would bring to the table. Wait, does being really good at getting other people to do practical things for you count as a useful skill??

[Metalcat]

Oh my I have ALL the skills ;-). Use to be a Machinery Technician (ship engineer/filthy mechanic) for 12 years in the Coast Guard and did all sorts of things from ac to welding (including underwater welding) to machine shop to tear down, rebuild and repair of ship diesels, gas turbines, and steam turbines, electrical systems, plumbing, hydraulics, HVAC, etc etc etc. Plus federal law enforcement, SAR, rescue swimmer, firefighting, humanitarian aid in disaster zones, etc etc etc. All from the comfort of a small tin can at sea. I'm also very good at hiding and stealing pop tarts - just ask @Sailor Sam

After that had a Gov job as an environmental compliance officer so can test your water and soil and air for contaminants and bust you if you pollute ;-). I also can build stuff and fix most home things. I can't grow things and can't cook so will barter for food.

I'll cook for you and stitch you up, plus I'm a half decent shot with a compound bow, and I can garden even though I hate gardening. Oh, and I can sew.

I feel like we could probably manage just the two of us.

[dang1]

I can be the morale officer- the beatings will continue until the morale improves

[AccidentialMustache]

For this forum I probably have heavy overlap in gardening (which I also hate), cooking, DIY home repair/build, and bike maintenance.

There's also plenty of tech types, but I have an impression the forum tends to the software side of things. While I am currently a programmer, I'm also an ex-sys/network admin so I have some idea how to get a local network up and running (and functional in an only-sometimes-uplinked world).

I generally don't get lost after I've been somewhere once, although I've never needed to test that in the wild. I know I can re-navigate in the urban/rural united states, even months to years later. I don't know if it'd work in, say, the deep amazon rainforest or a post-zombie apocalypse.

[darkadams00]

I’m good for anything that involves power tools and making sawdust. Add in electrical, plumbing, drywall, masonry, and roofing, and I can cover pretty much anything in residential construction and repair—and run a crew up to 50. Just don’t ask me to paint, wallpaper, or fix anything with an engine. That’s one reason I love cycling. DW can organize and run a staffed kitchen to feed up to 250 people per meal.

[former player]

Legal advice, dispute resolution (ha!), planning/zoning adviser, liaison with local/State government, vegetable gardening, dog/horse trainer.

[middo]

Jack of all trades and master of none.  I can make a toilet flush when you turn on the light.  But not if you ask for it.

More seriously, a bit of everything.  Most practical trades and a fair knowledge of science.

[Loretta]

I can grow hair like a bear.  I can also grow tomatoes, lettuce, onions and houseplants.  Indoors Im good at mopping floors and Im a decent cook. 

[nereo]

I’ve lived and worked in off-grid communities at various times throughout my life, so there’s that.  My biggest question is “what type of off-grid are we talking about?”  If it’s a remote community that’s still [distantly] connected to a functioning modern society, that’s a lot different than if we are talking about a complete and utter breakdown of the external world.  Can the community still buy/barter parts and supplies a couple times a year, or are they cut off permanently from all other people and places?

[CatamaranSailor]

Oh my I have ALL the skills ;-). Use to be a Machinery Technician (ship engineer/filthy mechanic) for 12 years in the Coast Guard and did all sorts of things from ac to welding (including underwater welding) to machine shop to tear down, rebuild and repair of ship diesels, gas turbines, and steam turbines, electrical systems, plumbing, hydraulics, HVAC, etc etc etc. Plus federal law enforcement, SAR, rescue swimmer, firefighting, humanitarian aid in disaster zones, etc etc etc. All from the comfort of a small tin can at sea. I'm also very good at hiding and stealing pop tarts - just ask @Sailor Sam

After that had a Gov job as an environmental compliance officer so can test your water and soil and air for contaminants and bust you if you pollute ;-). I also can build stuff and fix most home things. I can't grow things and can't cook so will barter for food.

I'd most likely end up as Spartana's bitch. "I'm here to do whatever you tell me to do, Drill Sergeant!"

I'm fine with signing over my possessions to Metalcat! All hail Metalcat!

I can build anything, pretty fair electrician, I can fix electronics and computers. Once the solar farm is up and operating I can document all the maintenance procedures. I'm excellent at seeing problems before they turn into problems.

If there is water I can teach the kidos how to sail.

[cupcakery]

I can cook almost anything and do it well.  I'm extremely good at organizing things and am good at painting.  (Walls, not art.)  I hear I'm outstanding at nagging people.

[Trede]

In my relatively recent post-FIRE life in the country, I've become an avid gardener, landscaper, and probably most important to this thread, a from-scratch cook.  I can team up with cupcakery!  I can make the bagels, roll the pasta, make gnocchi, etc. and slow-cook the sauces to match, and my just-like-takeout Asian cooking game is strong.  Also after spending almost 25 years in the office, I love to dig in the dirt and mow grass. 

[BussoV6]

I can make fairly decent wine.

[nereo]

I can make fairly decent wine.

You are in!!

[Luke Warm]

Though I'm not a civil engineer, I work for one so I can help out with drainage issues and utility infrastructure. I'm also willing to sit in in the local bluegrass band. I make a mean macaroni and cheese. I've built and maintained mountain bike trails. I can reach things on the top shelf without a ladder.

[chemistk]

A borderline intolerable sarcasm and an exceptionally frustrating pessimistic lens on the degree of future success.

I'm also fairly adept at problem solving.

[LifeHappens]

This is an interesting thought experiment. I have an extensive background in group facilitation, change management, designing data collection tools and data analysis.

I am also generally calm and good in a crisis.

On the more physical side I am a fair to middling gardener, creative cook and competent enough in minor building repairs and system maintenance.

[RainyDay]

I can raise and care for chickens, ducks, and other farm animals.
Also love vegetable gardening (and weeding!)
I actually like to do dishes!

DH is a former auto mechanic and can operate (and FIX!) most farm equipment.

[iris lily]

The thing I would bring is DH who is the guy you want with you on the desert island. He is MacGyver.

I can see him working with Spartana to get the All The Stuff working. We all report to cult leader MCat. I am ok with that, just a follower here, a foot soldier.

[lhamo]

Open source (not hybrid) seeds and the knowledge of how to save/grow them.

Understanding of soil health and knowledge of ways to improve soil fertility.

Very good abilities to scavange/salvage/repurpose found materials in to useful objects.  For example I am currently expanding the trellising system around my raspberry patch (canes all obtained from neighbors and now shared as they multiply beyond the area I want them in) with laurel branches pruned from the hedges around my house and willow branches also from a tree in our yard.  I repaired the tear in my mini greenhouse cover with some saved plastic tarp, and just moved my early spring seedlings into the cold frame we built with salvaged lumber and an old window. 

Eager to learn more about and apply permaculture principals to an actual piece of land that is bigger than my backyard (where I think I have done a pretty decent job starting to build a mini food forest so far).

Pretty decent cook.

Enjoy being around/teaching kids stuff about the world around them, especially once they are old enough to talk.  Wouldn't mind being at least a part-time homeschool coach to other people's kids if their parents need a break and/or are working on other projects that need their full attention.

[bacchi]

If the group is gung-ho about anything, I'll gladly be the lone skeptic.

[sonofsven]

Well, I started working for a carpenter when I was 14 and now I'm 56, and I've been working in the trades the whole time, and I've had my General Contractors license for 28 years.
 I could build the place from bottom to top (cuz you don't build top to bottom).
That might get my foot in the door.

[Sailor Sam]

I'm good at understanding/directing/mitigating the kind of complex interpersonal shiz that happens inside small, isolated, and cramped communities.

I'm also rrrrl good at shouting mottos, and directing @spartana to put the wrench, for godsake wash your filthy hands, and give me back my poptarts.

Side talents are dealing with young men who are very concerned about whatever is dripping from their penises.

[tygertygertyger]

I can garden, cook, and sew. I've used a loom twice, so that's something. I'm also a very fast reader. I suspect I would be apprenticed to someone else and "general helper".

[Laura33]

Hmmm, apparently I am redundant, based on prior responses.  No shock there.

Like @iris lily, the primary skill I would bring is my DH.  He has a Ph.D in electrical engineering and is very hands-on as well.  So he can manage whatever power source we'd have and keep it running (and probably improve its efficiency to boot).  But he also does woodworking and forging, so he could make a lot of necessary stuff.  But the best part is that he just fucking works -- he is unhappy unless he has a project.  Sometimes I think starting from scratch on a desert island would make him happier than anything else (as long as the desert island had power and internet!). 

Like @cupcakery and @Trede, I am a very good from-scratch cook and could bring a giant pantry-full of spices.  So it sounds like we'd need to have a throwdown for the cook job. 

Finally, I will have to battle @chemistk and @bacchi for the role of resident cynical smart-ass. 

FWIW, I'm old, but I also do crossfit and lift heavy weights, and DH is built like a hockey player and used to wrestle.  So my money's on me.  As my dad always says, age and treachery beat youth and exuberance every time.

[Kris]

Damn, I can’t think of much, lol. I can be an interpreter between us and any French-, Spanish-, or Italian-speaking survivors we meet…

Other than that, I’m always up for grunt work.

[SunnyDays]

I can cook, sew, knit, garden and tend to animals.  Keep kiddos in line and manage the psychological needs of the community, because it wouldn't be long before someone wanted to kill someone else!

I actually know someone who lives in a communal off-grid community and they generally refuse to accept older, childless people, so a lot of us would be out of luck anyway.

[Morning Glory]

I'm really great at memorizing song lyrics but my singing voice is terrible.  Might be good for chanting mantras anyway,  and I can bake bread.

[Raenia]

We've got lot of overlap with gardening, cooking, baking, sewing, and household DIY. DH does some carpentry as well.

For more unique skills, I think a lot of my value would be in preserving food - canning, pickling, fermenting. I make excellent fruit jams and preserves, applesauce, salsa, lemon curd, pickled beets, pickled eggs, sauerkraut, etc.

I can also raise, slaughter, skin, and gut rabbits, and tan the hides. Probably transferrable if anyone was hunting, as well.

We can also help with entertainment, as we both play musical instruments. Especially if someone else is bringing the piano.

[Luke Warm]

How long before we know if we're invited?

[namasteyall]

I am nice to have around.

Can also communicate in Hindi and cook Indian food.

Reiki grandmaster!!

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Reading this thread made me feel like i"m definitely not ready for the apocalypse. I'm a reasonably good cook, marginally competent at parenting teens, okay in the garden, miserable with home repairs. I'm a detailed cleaner, a very organized list maker, and I get SH*T done. So, I guess I could be in charge of task management, or something like that. I'm also an adept coach, but that may have minimal use in an off-grid/survival situation. I don't see us sitting around and talking much about stretch goals & personal development, when we're trying to keep people alive every day.

Things I should not be in charge of: painting, sewing, anything involving electrical work, or crafts. Of any kind.

[gaja]

I can also raise, slaughter, skin, and gut rabbits, and tan the hides. Probably transferrable if anyone was hunting, as well.

We can also help with entertainment, as we both play musical instruments. Especially if someone else is bringing the piano.

Just processed two chickens, so I can join in the slaughtering, and butcher both the smaller and larger animals. Can process both the meat, blood, and offal, and show those who are more proficient in the kitchen how to cook these things if they are not used to them.

I can turn wool into clothing, including everything from shearing, sorting the wool, carding, spinning (both spindle and wheel), dyeing with plants, and finally weaving, knitting or crotcheing. But I hate sowing, so someone else need to assemble the garments and make them look nice.

For entertainment, I can tell stories. Mainly the old legends, where everybody dies in the end. And if there are  children that struggle with falling asleep, I can sing lullabies for 2-3 hours without repeating any. These are old lullabies, so a lot of people die in these too. One example:
"Sleep now little child
the pot hangs in the iron
boiled full of fat porridge
for the little child
will not the child sleep
hold in the leg
hurl at the wall
then the child will sleep"

If we are in my neck of the woods, I can forage. In other parts of the world, I can quickly learn what to forage and not. If we are talking total collapse of the society where we will need to utilize all food sources, I know the old techniques for hunting whales and sea fowl (puffin, guillemot, northern fulmar, etc).

[RetiredAt63]

Gaja and I can sit at our looms, after we have washed, carded, dyed and spun the wool.  Also given global warming, maybe we should branch out to flax and stinging nettles.  Cotton?   We'll let the strong young men do the heavy physical labour (that was the traditional division of labour, after all) and we will take over for the spinning and yarn activities.  The children can pick the plant material for the dyeing.  And the older children can do some carding. We will need some commerce with the outside world for mordants.  Plus Gaja, while you are hunting fowl I will be looking up how to tan deer hide in my old copy of Two Little Savages.  Actually between us we should have a really good resource library for all things fibre.  We need to recruit Le Poisson so we have someone who knows how to use the hides for leather-work after we have tanned them.  I do have instructions for making moccasins somewhere, but not shoes or boots.

Other skills - definitely the gardening and food processing.  I'll bring all the family preserving recipes.  I am good at identifying insects.  I've done enough dissections that I am sure I can learn to butcher meat, as long as it doesn't take too much muscle.  I'm not squeamish.

So many good cooks - at last someone else can cook.  I don't want to count the number of dinners I've made over the years.

I ran an academic department for years, so I have some organizing skills.

Quote from: SunnyDays on Today at 12:30:51 PM

    I actually know someone who lives in a communal off-grid community and they generally refuse to accept older, childless people, so a lot of us would be out of luck anyway.


That is foolish, we are the ones whose parents grew up in the Depression, we had childhoods that were still frugal and resourceful.  Plus they need us to mind the younger children while they are out doing energetic active things that are dangerous for the little ones to be around, and teach school for the school age ones (assuming we are isolated enough that they don't attend a local school).  Laundry day is just as dangerous as cutting wood, and maybe more so because that boiling water is in the home area.   Are they going to waste half their human resources because the young women are doing child care?  Twits.

Hmm, I have been to Upper Canada Village often enough to know that the infrastructure of the 1860s allowed for a reasonably comfortable life if you had the skills, and the necessary trade with other regions.

[Weisass]

Let's see.

If I were answering this seriously, I would probably say that my job involves herding cats, AKA managing and supporting volunteers and community organizing. So I am pretty good at this point at getting people together and helping them listen to one another and move forward in decision making.
I am musical, can play piano, guitar, and lots of acoustic instruments to improve morale with music, as well as teach music to others (culture matters off grid folks!)
I grew up husbanding sheep and horses, so I could take care of animals, manage them, and train them (within reason).
I am the primary gardener, pickler, preserver and beer maker in my home.
I am good with kids (especially if they aren't my own lol)
I am good at making fire, and working my ass to get labor done when necessary. I'm a halfway decent DIY builder and planner. Not an engineer by any stretch, but I can be quite creative with materials.

If I'm not being serious... I am pretty good at making bad jokes. And communal drinking.

[calimom]

Oh my I have ALL the skills ;-). Use to be a Machinery Technician (ship engineer/filthy mechanic) for 12 years in the Coast Guard and did all sorts of things from ac to welding (including underwater welding) to machine shop to tear down, rebuild and repair of ship diesels, gas turbines, and steam turbines, electrical systems, plumbing, hydraulics, HVAC, etc etc etc. Plus federal law enforcement, SAR, rescue swimmer, firefighting, humanitarian aid in disaster zones, etc etc etc. All from the comfort of a small tin can at sea. I'm also very good at hiding and stealing pop tarts - just ask @Sailor Sam

After that had a Gov job as an environmental compliance officer so can test your water and soil and air for contaminants and bust you if you pollute ;-). I also can build stuff and fix most home things. I can't grow things and can't cook so will barter for food.

I'll cook for you and stitch you up, plus I'm a half decent shot with a compound bow, and I can garden even though I hate gardening. Oh, and I can sew.

I feel like we could probably manage just the two of us.

If a reality TV show was created following the two of you off the grid for a year, I'd be all-in on that!

[iris lily]

I'm good at understanding/directing/mitigating the kind of complex interpersonal shiz that happens inside small, isolated, and cramped communities.

I'm also rrrrl good at shouting mottos, and directing @spartana to put the wrench, for godsake wash your filthy hands, and give me back my poptarts.

Side talents are dealing with young men who are very concerned about whatever is dripping from their penises.

I wonder who would be group leader, you or Mcat? Dont make me vote, ‘kay? Let’s just flip for it.

 

[NV Teacher]

Interesting topic.  Based on my upbringing, profession, and hobbies I can contribute the following . . .

-gardening and food production
-food preservation
-basic livestock care
-animal butchering
-hunting
-education (three R’s kind of stuff)
-sewing (clothes, quilts, blankets, etc.)
-large batch cooking. (not a great cook, but I can feed a lot of people a decent tasty meal)

[gaja]

Gaja and I can sit at our looms, after we have washed, carded, dyed and spun the wool.  Also given global warming, maybe we should branch out to flax and stinging nettles.  Cotton?   We'll let the strong young men do the heavy physical labour (that was the traditional division of labour, after all) and we will take over for the spinning and yarn activities.  The children can pick the plant material for the dyeing.  And the older children can do some carding. We will need some commerce with the outside world for mordants.  Plus Gaja, while you are hunting fowl I will be looking up how to tan deer hide in my old copy of Two Little Savages.  Actually between us we should have a really good resource library for all things fibre.  We need to recruit Le Poisson so we have someone who knows how to use the hides for leather-work after we have tanned them.  I do have instructions for making moccasins somewhere, but not shoes or boots.

I've gotten hold of flax seeds from a museum project that I will be testing this year. They are trying to get more people to grow fiber flax to make sure the seeds survive. The fiber making process is rather complex, with stooking, rippling, retting and breaking, before it can be spun. But it will be fun to try. Maybe I should do a batch of nettles at the same time to see how they turn out. For our community we would also need to grow and process fiber hemp (no, it is not dual purpose). Cotton I know nothing about.

The spinning was traditionally a man's job in my culture. Sure, everybody could spin a bit for everyday clothes. But for the best fibers, most even and thin thread, you needed an experienced man. Same for making decorative cords. With no internet or TV, everybody can do some carding, spinning or knitting when we gather around the fireplace in winter.

There must be a chemist in here who can make us alum for mordant? Until we figure that out, everybody just have to wear grey, brown, white, and orange (from Parmelia saxatilis, doesn't need mordant). And blue, of course. The mordant for blue is freely available if you are willing to work with it.

Interesting topic.  Based on my upbringing, profession, and hobbies I can contribute the following . . .

-gardening and food production
-food preservation
-basic livestock care
-animal butchering
-hunting
-education (three R’s kind of stuff)
-sewing (clothes, quilts, blankets, etc.)
-large batch cooking. (not a great cook, but I can feed a lot of people a decent tasty meal)

Yay!

[herbgeek]

I have a varied skill set:  another person who can cook all sorts of things, including baking.  Food preservation, fermentation etc.  I have made wine (fruit and dandelion) although I wouldn't say its very good.   Lots of gardening experience.

I grow herbs, mostly culinary, and also grow nettles and happy to trade with the weaver.  :)  I know  basic herbal medicine for everyday ailments.

I'm also an excellent cat herder, as well as problem solver, and catalyst to making things better/more efficient.  ie I can't necessarily do all the grunt work, but I can help you to do the grunt work more efficiently.

I am the one person you really need but hate to have around- who will poke holes in your plans with my what if questions.  But the plans come out stronger at the other end.

I can make pretty sparkly things that we could trade with the outside world.

[Metalcat]

Oh my I have ALL the skills ;-). Use to be a Machinery Technician (ship engineer/filthy mechanic) for 12 years in the Coast Guard and did all sorts of things from ac to welding (including underwater welding) to machine shop to tear down, rebuild and repair of ship diesels, gas turbines, and steam turbines, electrical systems, plumbing, hydraulics, HVAC, etc etc etc. Plus federal law enforcement, SAR, rescue swimmer, firefighting, humanitarian aid in disaster zones, etc etc etc. All from the comfort of a small tin can at sea. I'm also very good at hiding and stealing pop tarts - just ask @Sailor Sam

After that had a Gov job as an environmental compliance officer so can test your water and soil and air for contaminants and bust you if you pollute ;-). I also can build stuff and fix most home things. I can't grow things and can't cook so will barter for food.

I'll cook for you and stitch you up, plus I'm a half decent shot with a compound bow, and I can garden even though I hate gardening. Oh, and I can sew.

I feel like we could probably manage just the two of us.

If a reality TV show was created following the two of you off the grid for a year, I'd be all-in on that!

It will look just like "The Simple Life" starring Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton. (Please God...NO!).

Didn't MMM once do a blog post about a Mustashian Utopia where everyone lived communally, contributed based on their skills  and biked everywhere? Maybe more of an Intentional community rather then a commune.

Incidentally, my uncle founded and has run a commune for nearly 40 years.

[Laura33]

Are they going to waste half their human resources because the young women are doing child care?  Twits.

Snort.  I had the same reaction.  It's the kind of decision made by self-important whippersnappers who don't know what they don't know. 

[Sanitary Stache]

I can do the drinking water. Finding it, getting it places, making sure it is safe enough to drink regularly.  I could probably be convinced to let everyone flush their shit in it too, because fuck, why not poop in water safe enough to drink.  Nothing like pooping in a scarce, valuable, necessary for life, resource...

Actually, if I am doing the drinking water, then no one gets to poop in it.

[Serendip]

Gaja and I can sit at our looms, after we have washed, carded, dyed and spun the wool.  Also given global warming, maybe we should branch out to flax and stinging nettles. 

I've gotten hold of flax seeds from a museum project that I will be testing this year. They are trying to get more people to grow fiber flax to make sure the seeds survive. The fiber making process is rather complex, with stooking, rippling, retting and breaking, before it can be spun. But it will be fun to try. Maybe I should do a batch of nettles at the same time to see how they turn out. For our community we would also need to grow and process fiber hemp (no, it is not dual purpose). Cotton I know nothing about.

The spinning was traditionally a man's job in my culture. Sure, everybody could spin a bit for everyday clothes. But for the best fibers, most even and thin thread, you needed an experienced man. Same for making decorative cords. With no internet or TV, everybody can do some carding, spinning or knitting when we gather around the fireplace in winter.

There must be a chemist in here who can make us alum for mordant? Until we figure that out, everybody just have to wear grey, brown, white, and orange (from Parmelia saxatilis, doesn't need mordant). And blue, of course. The mordant for blue is freely available if you are willing to work with it.

I can help with weaving, stitching, crocheting and spinning. Also have knowledge about plants (or bugs..) for dyeing.
And if we can be in the right environment to grow indigo then we are set. Everything looks wonderful after a soak in a deep dark indigo vat.

Depending on the location I have growing/gardening skills & foraging knowledge. Can chop & stack wood like a pro.

I also have first aid training and wilderness skills. Please let me in.

Oh, and I'm trained in massage--this usually initially makes me quite popular when people find out on long hiking trips, etc. :)

[stoaX]

Do the "anti-work" Facebookers know how much work is involved in an off-grid community?   Somebody should call the irony police. 

If you need a checking forward for the community hockey team, I can do that.

[LifeHappens]

I can do the drinking water. Finding it, getting it places, making sure it is safe enough to drink regularly.

You win.