Just moved to Missouri

[ZombieApoc]

Hey all

Been a while since I introduced myself on the forum. Since that time, I've actually quit my job in Austin & moved out of Texas. My family and I are now in the Springfield, MO area.

We had been looking at land prices in the Austin area (Liberty Hill to be precise) which was still pretty steep at around $8k an acre and up. We started considering Missouri because my wife's parents retired here shortly after we were married. We just celebrated 19 years of wedded bliss this week, so that gives you an idea of how old her parents are. We moved up here for a variety of reasons - but two big ones were to get more time with her parents while we can (esp the grandkids) and also to buy cheaper land.

So, we're now considering building near Marshfield, or Bolivar. Close enough to get to Springfield for work (once I find it) and far enough out to be well outside of the city. Land is about $3k / acre at most in the areas we want. And they have a magical thing here. They call it rain.

We're still planning to build an ICF home. The great news in moving here is that all of the ICF manufacturers use a plastics plant at Nixa, MO which is just down the street from where I am right now. So, I can actually pick up any ICF block I buy and save myself a chunk there. Maybe enough for a very old tractor? Okay, one payment on a tractor, maybe?

With this part of the country being tornado alley, ICF & a basement are now an absolute must have in my opinion. And right now, we're living in our RV until we figure out exactly what we're doing. So we're highly motivated to find the right spot and be able to stretch our legs and have some elbow room.

Love to connect with some tractor owners here in the area so I can see things and absorb tractor info by osmosis. hahahah

 

[Fishmansdad]

Welcome to Missouri! I have a bit of advice for you before you buy land. There are soil reports for just about all the counties in Missouri. In the varied terrain, soils can vary radically in quality over short distances. The reports contain detailed soils maps with description of properties and could be helpful in choosing your bit of Eden.

There are a lot of used tractors in appropriate power ranges for homesteading all over Missouri.

 

[ZombieApoc]

Where might I find these reports?

I am definitely interested in them for building purposes, but also for a super large garden (aka tiny farm.) Finding info on wells drilled in the area would also be very helpful.

 

[TripleR]

Welcome to TBN and Missouri, I am a couple of hundred miles away so can't be of any help, but there arr several members who can, check this out: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/midwest-great-lakes/228416-missouri-roll-call-show-me.html

 

[mikim]

yeah they got rain...and in winter they call it snow....you'll need a whole new set of clothes for everybody ...and extra tires for the vehicle.....I'll stay in Bastrop, Iowa was just too darn cold for me.

 

[TripleR]

yeah they got rain...and in winter they call it snow....you'll need a whole new set of clothes for everybody ...and extra tires for the vehicle.....I'll stay in Bastrop, Iowa was just too darn cold for me.

I guess every state has its pluses and minuses, all of my kids lived in Florida at one time or another and I hated every minute I had to spend there, some just love it. My wife has family living in Phoenix, AZ and in spite of the heat, no grass, rain etc. you couldn't pay them to move back here; everybody has to be someplace, so find where you like and live there.

 

[k0ua]

Welcome to Missouri.. yeah Bolivar and that area is real tractor country. Not like down here in Branson, where you have to be on your guard every second to make sure the shiny side stays up. I used to live near Willard and its flatter terrain was definitely more tractor friendly. Don't worry too much about the snow.. yes some years we do get some, but a lot of years it is just a few small events that melts in a couple of days. It can get pretty cold here at times, but it usually warms up in a few days. Again welcome and hope you find your place soon.

James K0UA

 

[bigtiller]

I have a buddy about an hour north of you in Laurie. He says the river never freezes there so it can't be too cold, but it will be an adjustment from Austin.

 

[ZombieApoc]

Thanks for all the warm welcomes!

ZA

 

[jim44]

Probably take a bit of getting used to for you in Missouri. We made a similar move from Texas (Round Top), but we chose Tennessee. Don't care much for the cold, but most everything else is great--- whole different kind of people here. Kind of like stepping back in time about 40 years..........

Hope you enjoy your new situation.

 

[flusher]

Where might I find these reports?

I am definitely interested in them for building purposes, but also for a super large garden (aka tiny farm.) Finding info on wells drilled in the area would also be very helpful.

MO: my home state--lived there 49 years before moving West to CA.
Soil maps: Google soil maps for the MO county you intend to inhabit and you'll find the USDA site in the top 5 hits. Drill down to the page for soil maps. Here's the soil map for my place here in Tehama County, CA.

 

[Oliver1655]

Welcome! I'm about a hour & a half north of Bolivar. Your county extension office will have copies of the soil reports.

John

 

[MoKelly]

Welcome to the State. I am near St. Louis. Go CARDS! Sorry about the World Series a couple years back.

MoKelly

 

[Mechanos]

One thing that Springfield has plenty of is rock... you **** near can't stick any kind of implement in the ground without hitting rock. Something to take into consideration when planning that new basement.

 

[Rayster]

Before you start looking at land. If you are set on building; speak to a lender first. They will require you to have two different types of tests for the well and something for the septic if I recall right. You will find land cheaper north of Springfield, then you will toward Branson. The traffic seems worse to the south as well. (IMO) The north-side of Springfield is an older area and cheaper areas to live. With that you do have a higher crime rate on the north-side. 92% of realtors here are worthless. If you don't like one, find another. There are many to choose from.

Good Luck

 

[fordmantpw]

Welcome to Missouri! I'm about 3 hours north of you in central MO. I do have a high school classmate that lives in the Marshfield area and he seems to like the area. Best of luck to you!

 

[Rayster]

I meant to ask, we're you from TX originally? Just curious. I grew up in TX, but never made it back after my military service. I'm south of Nixa a few miles. When you look for a tractor be sure to visit these guys;

New Holland - Mark Fesperman at S&H Farm supply on US HWY 60
Kubota - Charlie Bale at Ozark Power Center in Springfield on E Chestnut Expresssway

 

[motreefarmer]

Welcome to Missouri! I'm an hour west of Bolivar ( 18 miles west of Stockton Dam). Here in this area, land runs around 1500 to 2000 per acre. Funny, wooded land sells for more than farm land. Anyway, the first weekend of October there's the Ozark Fall Farmfest at the fairgrounds there on the north side of Springfield. There you will find all sorts of items for your wish list. (It's free to get in.) Around here there guys that farm several hundred aces of cropland, so needless to say, they have the big, big toys. I've got a small place (100 acres). Once again, welcome to the area.

 

[bullbreaker]

I'am not from Missoura .Had a hobby horse farm in Alton, Missoura for about 15 years in Oregon county. Thirty five plus acres, square property,spring fed pond. Sold it like 5 years ago. Taxes on it where $20 and 64 cents a year believe it or not. It was like 31 miles east of West Plains and 19 miles ne of Thayer. No actual house on it. Just my Airstream TT I had at time and horse barn.

Boone

 

[fordmantpw]

I'am not from Missoura .Had a hobby horse farm in Alton, Missoura for about 15 years in Oregon county. Thirty five plus acres, square property,spring fed pond. Sold it like 5 years ago. Taxes on it where $20 and 64 cents a year believe it or not. It was like 31 miles east of West Plains and 19 miles ne of Thayer. No actual house on it. Just my Airstream TT I had at time and horse barn.

Boone

Ahhhh!!! I HATE it when people say Missoura!!