Ahhh, the glories of the UP!! You're definitely looking in the right vicinity if you're trying to buy land in MI; I'm from here, and there are looottttsss of foreclosures and things of that general nature, including on land, i'm sure. MI (and other states surrounding the Great Lakes) are also the most plentiful in water, as I'm sure you know; with parts of the country already facing epic droughts, etc., i'm sure that water supplies will be a VERY relevant factour within the next few years... i've definitely been inclined to do something like this in the near-future; you might just say i'm one of those 2012ers, and society sure as shit isn't doing much to prove me wrong. have growing experience as well, some knowledge of organics (but would love to learn more!), although it was in a tropical setting (hawai'i). as a previous poster said, becoming as self-sufficient as humanly possible IS the best fekkin' work that God intended for us as humans to do (as opposed to raping and pillaging the Earth for all its worth, building box-stores of fluorescent-death, etc.), and i wish you nothing but the best. who knows, i might definitely be down... lots can happen between now and then, but i'm watching the course of human events unfold, and if it looks like it's getting down to 'that point,' i'll get my ass off the Road, and would love to bust ass in doing something of this nature with you. All the best!!
Namaste, Blessed Be,
~ melissA