If we were starting society over what skills, systems, resources and facilities would we need to thrive in Marquette county Michigan?
Marquette County Michigan climate geography resources 10 results
Marquette, Michigan – Wikipediawikipedia.org
MARQUETTE, MI – GLISA – University of Michigan
umich.edu Climate Change and Migration: Could Marquette County Become a Climate Haven?ruralinsights.org Marquette, MI
weather.gov Natural Features and Resource Maps – Marquette Countymarquette.mi.us Climateweather.gov
Marquette Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Michigan, United States) – Weather Sparkweatherspark.com
Marquette girds for climate change in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula | Bridge Michiganbridgemi.com Marquette, MI Climatebestplaces.net
Home – Marquette County Climate Adaptation Task Force marquettecountycatf.org
Marquette County Michigan natural resources forestry mining agriculture10 resultsNatural Features and Resource Maps – Marquette Countymarquette.mi.us
Marquette County Forest marquette.mi.us Marquette County, Michigan | Archive | Case Studiesdoi.gov Department of Natural Resources michigan.gov Invasive species grants given | News, Sports, Jobs – The Mining Journalminingjournal.net Marquette County, M marquette.mi.us
DNR celebrates mass timber construction milestone in Newberry | News, Sports, Jobs – The Mining Journalminingjournal.net
Second measles cases in Marquette County, third in U.P., reportedminingjournal.net
Michigan DNR trades mineral rights on thousands of UP acres | News, Sports, Jobs – The Daily News ironmountaindailynews.com
Marquette Fisheries Research Stationmichigan.gov
Starting society over in Marquette County, Michigan would be fascinating – you’d be working with one of the more climate-resilient areas in the continental US. Based on the region’s characteristics, here’s what you’d need:
Essential Skills
Survival and Basic Needs
Resource Management
Construction and Energy
Log construction, masonry, and weatherproofing for harsh winters
Renewable energy systems (wind, solar, micro-hydro)
Insulation and heating system design
Metalworking and tool making
Critical Systems
Food Security
Greenhouse and season extension systems for year-round growing
Root cellars and food storage facilities
Livestock management for hardy breeds (dairy goats, chickens, possibly cattle)
Wild food harvesting and processing networks
Shelter and Infrastructure
Housing designed for heavy snow loads and extreme cold
Efficient heating systems (wood stoves, passive solar)
Water systems that won’t freeze
Transportation networks that function in winter conditions
Community Organization
Cooperative resource sharing systems
Skills training and knowledge transfer programs
Emergency preparedness and mutual aid networks
Governance systems for resource allocation
Health and Safety
Medical facilities with supplies for emergencies and chronic conditions
Mental health support systems for long, dark winters
Emergency communication networks
Injury treatment capabilities for outdoor work
Key Resources to Secure
Natural Assets
Extensive forest lands for timber, fuel, and materials
Iron ore deposits and other mineral resources
Abundant freshwater from Lake Superior and inland lakes
Wildlife populations for hunting
Agricultural Potential
Identify and develop the most fertile soils
Establish seed banks for cold-hardy varieties
Create composting systems from organic waste
Develop berry cultivation (blueberries, cranberries thrive here)
Energy Sources
Forest biomass for heating and power
Wind potential from Lake Superior exposure
Small-scale hydroelectric opportunities
Solar installations designed for snow conditions
Essential Facilities
Production Centers
Sawmill and lumber processing
Grain mill and food processing facility
Metalworking shop with forge
Textile production for warm clothing
Community Infrastructure
Community meeting hall/school
Medical clinic with pharmacy
Workshop spaces for equipment repair
Library and knowledge preservation center
Storage and Distribution
Large-scale food storage warehouses
Fuel and heating material stockpiles
Tool and equipment repositories
Trading post for resource exchange
The region’s advantage as a potential “climate haven” Climate Change and Migration: Could Marquette County Become a Climate Haven? means you’d be building for long-term sustainability in an area that may become increasingly valuable as other regions face climate challenges. The key would be developing resilient systems that can handle the harsh winters while taking advantage of the abundant natural resources and moderate summers.
No fast efficient communication system for emergency response?
You’re absolutely right – that’s a critical oversight. Fast, reliable emergency communication would be essential for survival in Marquette County’s harsh conditions and remote areas.
Emergency Communication Systems
Primary Networks
Two-way radio networks with repeaters positioned on high points for county-wide coverage
Ham radio operators trained in emergency protocols
Satellite communication backup for when terrestrial systems fail
Emergency broadcast system for weather alerts and community notices
Redundant Infrastructure
Multiple communication hubs distributed across the county to prevent single points of failure
Battery backup and generator power for all communication facilities
Mesh networks that can route around damaged sections
Signal boosters and repeaters hardened against winter weather
Specialized Emergency Response
Search and rescue coordination systems for backcountry emergencies
Medical emergency dispatch with GPS tracking capabilities
Fire and hazard alert networks
Severe weather warning systems (blizzards, ice storms)
Community Integration
Every household equipped with emergency radios
Trained communication volunteers in each district
Regular drills and system testing
Integration with medical facilities, fire response, and rescue teams
Given the isolation, extreme weather, and potential for people to be scattered across a large rural area, communication failures could literally mean life or death. The system would need to function reliably at -20°F in blizzard conditions when help might be hours away even under good circumstances.
This would probably rank among the top 3-5 most critical infrastructure priorities, right alongside shelter, heating, and food storage. Thanks for catching that gap – it’s the kind of oversight that could doom an entire community.
How many people would it take to operate a self sufficient community as described above?
The minimum viable population for a truly self-sufficient community in Marquette County would likely be 800-1,500 people, but let me break down the math:
Core Workforce Requirements
Essential Services (150-200 people)
Medical: 2-3 doctors, 4-6 nurses, 2 dentists, pharmacist, veterinarian
Emergency response: 15-20 firefighters/EMTs, 8-10 search & rescue
Communications: 6-8 radio operators, IT maintenance
Leadership/coordination: 10-12 administrators, planners, educators
Food Production (200-300 people)
Agriculture: 50-80 farmers for crops, greenhouses, orchards
Livestock: 30-40 for cattle, poultry, dairy operations
Hunting/fishing: 20-30 skilled hunters and fishers
Food processing: 40-60 for preservation, milling, butchering
Foraging specialists: 10-15 for wild foods and medicines
Manufacturing & Construction (250-350 people)
Construction: 60-80 builders, roofers, foundation specialists
Metalworking: 20-30 blacksmiths, welders, tool makers
Forestry: 40-60 loggers, mill operators, carpenters
Textiles: 30-40 for clothing, blankets, rope production
Energy systems: 20-30 for solar, wind, hydroelectric maintenance
Mining: 30-50 for iron ore and mineral extraction
Support Services (100-150 people)
Education: 20-30 teachers for all age groups
Maintenance: 40-60 general repair, equipment maintenance
Transportation: 15-20 for vehicles, roads, snow removal
Waste management: 10-15 for sanitation, recycling
Critical Mass Considerations
Skill Redundancy: Each essential skill needs 2-3 people minimum – if your only doctor dies, the community fails.
Age Demographics: About 60% working age (20-65), 25% children, 15% elderly means you need roughly 1,300-2,000 total population to get 800-1,200 workers.
Specialization vs. Versatility: Many people would need multiple skills. A carpenter might also hunt, a teacher might also preserve food.
Seasonal Labor: Some work is seasonal (harvest, construction) requiring surge capacity.
Minimum Survival Threshold
You could potentially survive with as few as 300-400 people if:
Everyone is cross-trained in multiple essential skills
You accept lower living standards and reduced redundancy
You maintain some trade relationships with outside communities
You focus only on absolute necessities
Optimal Range
1,200-2,000 people would provide:
Sufficient skill redundancy and backup specialists
Ability to maintain higher living standards
Capacity for innovation and improvement
Social and cultural richness beyond mere survival
Buffer for population losses from accidents, illness, or emigration
The harsh reality is that true self-sufficiency requires enormous human capital. Most historical isolated communities that thrived long-term were either much larger or maintained crucial trade relationships with the outside world.