Red and I are fortunate and paid our house off 5 years ago. We live on an 1 1/2 acres and have plenty of room to garden. I work with a guy who sells meat and pork and have our freezer stocked for sometime.

We have bills but if worse came to worse I could make enough money to keep the utilities on and the other bills would have to wait. We have 2 cars paid off and have kept them maintained so knock on wood for that.

We are both about pitching in whenever we can. We have good neighbors and I am confident that we would all help each other if it got really bad. Of course we would open our home to any of our community, family and friends if that was needed.

I have often wondered what we could do on here to help those who are in need of things. Any ideas?

http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.co...gardening.html

This article is about no till gardening. At the bottom of the page is links to raised gardens, strawbale gardening, square foot gardening, and lasagna gardening.

Since you have so much land why not organize a large shared garden project. My garden was not as large this year as it has been in the past, however any extra food, which there always is, I drop off at the food bank on my way to get Mia. Maybe there are a few people here in your area or other like minds that live close enough to share labor and resources. You can plan projects together, preserve together and come up with a good local plan to help some families in need.

Most food can be dried and preserved somehow. Just make sure you store properly and rotate and or mark dates.

Or just ask me. lol
I've done almost all of them. To date my fav is still raised beds because you can double them as cold frames. Strawbales very good IF you don't get a lot of seed that sprouts once you start watering. You also need to think about watering a lot or set up irrigation. Square foot gardening is good for small gardens, however a sustainable plan would mean growing more and preserving some.

Here is a thread on Growing and Preserving. Lots of good info.

http://www.butchfemmeplanet.com/foru...ead.php?t=1056


So lets start pulling it together.

You've got your tiny house and maybe even a tiny yard. You have part solar and part electric. What things do you think you'd need to run off solar? Let's say shit hit the fan, you had no money at all, therefore no electric. You want to reserve your solar panels and batteries for essentials. What are they?

You can catch water with a reservoir and depending on the time of year or tank it can have its own solar effect to heat. You can heat and cook with wood.

How about building a small glass green house attached to your tiny house? If you use poly you'll have to replace it in 4 years. Glass is forever. It can also help heat your house if done properly

We had a straw bale garden this year but a drought hit us and we were not allowed any outside watering. The only thing that survived was the rosemary and the basil. I am hoping some friends will want to participate this next year.

yes you definitely don't want strawbale if water is an issue. In drought areas or where you have problems getting water you need to consider beds and adding soil mixes that retain moisture. It's not really organic but you can buy bulk bags of of a polymar like Terrasorb (not sure how to spell it). I use a ProMix that has peat and perlite, no dirt. But I also add lost of compost and then use straw, hay or dried leaves for mulch. Water is not a problem here.

But even still I had to water the bales everyday, sometimes twice depending how hot or dry. If I did it again it would be a drip irrigation with a fertilizer injector with compost tea.... constantly dripping and feeding the roots.

This is such a valuable list I reposted it in case people don't start reading the thread at the beginning (I seldom do!)

I am doing eldercare for my Mom these days, and for the rest of her life I suppose. Can someone recommend a good book on herbal medicine and natural healing? I think I should start growing my pharmacy now. I am trying to build a reference library. Where we have land there isn't good internet access. I already am not dependent on "calling the google" to find answers.

Thanks!

Dr. Duke's The Green Pharmacy is the usually the first thing I turn to. I can post or PM some more if you need it.

http://www.greenpharmacy.com/

http://www.christopherpublications.c...mes%20Duke.jpg

I have a lot of experience with herbs and essential oils, however in the last few years i've learned so much about radical intensive healing. check out a book on Amazon and research Gerson Therapy. Try it, seriously. I take my mom fresh foods because she can't afford to buy food on her monthly piddlings SS gives her. She worked all her life, they used her money and now she gets shit. Anyhow, we are seeing amazing things. Its not always easy but it works.

As for herbs- anything plant based is good and the fresher the better. Micro nutrients provide intensive healing. You could never get this with dried herbs. You can juice and use lots of fresh herbs such as cilantro, parsley, basil, etc. These should be a regular part of your diet.

Have you thought about growing some of this indoors under simple plant lighting? Doesnt have to be expensive. You and your mom would great benefit from the effort.

Thank you both for the recommendations!
I have to admit I'm more interested in building irrigation and grey water systems and greenhouses than in growing things, but I'm going to apply myself to this healing stuff.

Sachita, don't even draw me on about how seniors have gotten robbed of their qualitIty of life!! My mom started shucking oysters when she was 5 years old to help her family, then produced a flock of children who work hard, vote and volunteer. And for all that she's contributed over 70+ years, our lovely system sends her about $600 a month. Good thing she is used to living simply.

She's a good gardener and is great at preserving what she's grown. I hope Mom can get well again, she's a wonderful person. She still makes her own clothes. I used to be embarrassed about that. :(

don't you build a greenhouse to grow things? even if you buy dried herbs, sometimes I do, it's missing elements IMO that help heal. So I think if you're doing greenhouses, irrigation etc, pop a few seeds in there.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...ry/photo-4.jpg
My grocery store

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...ry/photo-7.jpg

My gym.

I have to smile when my urban friends think that living in a rural area means living with "less"! If/when the current economy continues to fail, this life might look pretty good after all.

posted this in tiny homes


this is affordable and they have a lease buy program


http://parkcabins.com/

offers financing on their homes. What I like about them is they are super easy to convert into solar.

this is also kind of cool although not as pretty

http://www.earthbagbuilding.com/


also good info


Natural Building:
How to Build an Affordable Eco-Friendly Home

Ok let's ramp things up here and put some action to these words...

Do you think we need a new thread for this or prefer to keep it here?

After discussing community and people coming together to live and work together in order to save money and survive a failing economy, how about posting what your needs might be?

If you have space in your home, land, etc and would like to offer it to another BF person post it along with the ideal person. post what you have to offer and the type of person that will fit well with you. Others may post ideas and tips but please for continuity when re posting a Want Ad always add WANT AD at the top of the post and increase the font size so that people scrolling looking for arrangements can quickly find ads.

If you are seeking to live with with someone else, find an arrangement the same thing.

Please feel free to share, discuss and ask others to join in on the discussion. I'll be posting my own ad soon.

WANTED
 

WANTED

This is a situation that offers free room, electric and internet. It also pays a stipend.

I am seeking a roommate/helper. this person will have their own room, access to fresh eggs, whatever we grow together. I am private and enjoy being a lone. You are the same and although its nice to have company from time to time you're comfortable with your own space.

I am seeking someone with vision. Someone who really loves animals and rural living. You are also committed in helping me grow and expand to offer "The Farm" to others of like mind to build a small community. You are not afraid of hard work.

* You must be able to work 6 hours a day, 5 days a week.
* You must be healthy, able to lift 80 pounds, bend and do physical work
* You do not drink or smoke excessively.
* You are detailed oriented and have no problem cleaning, consider yourself a neat person and a self starter.
* You can dig, do some gardening and have at least some experience with this.
* You are not afraid of dogs.
* You are ok with a background check
* You prefer living rural and enjoy being outdoors.

The work is a little of everything. Basically giving me more time to work on other projects to earn more income to expand and build. You literally become my right hand and assist me in achieving this goal-

"To build a sustainable small community for conscious people. The community has projects to earn income and educate others."

The work can involve-

*Keep house and all animal areas clean.
* Feed and walk dogs
* gardening
* errands
* some cooking (I cook most of the time)
* Washing dogs
* Keeping barns, sheds, etc clean and organized.

For the "right" person that goes on and beyond I would be thrilled to give this person space at the farm to build a small cabin or house. The "right person is motivated, articulate and able to see a long term vision and not just get by. If you want to simply just do your job and get by you shouldn't apply.

The right person would even start to see bonuses (after a year) as a result of the fruition of projects I am able to complete because of their help.

Please inbox me with as many details as possible. Please also include a contact phone number.

Thanks!

Yes, this thread and any like it need to be recharged. The wake up calls are going to get louder because the denial is deep.

The IEA came out this week and essential said we have five years to reverse course before were extreme weather events become the norm (we're now averaging 10 a year, vs. 3.5 less than 20 years ago). We are closing in on 2 C (3.6 Fahrenheit), making the avoidance of disastrous scenarios must more difficult if not impossible.

So I am interested in how people are preparing to transition, and I will looking to form a community with a group of like-minded people.

I read that and hopefully the global governments are banning together and instead of fighting each other coming up with a plan to save the planet.

I think now more then ever people need to create mini tribes and start thinking about the future being different. I sat on the fence a while but decided I need to try and just do it. I need a good person to help me. I can earn more income if i wasn't running around all over the place doing a million things. Income that can go towards expanding and setting the foundation to create a community/tribe. I have so many things in place. It would not take much to make it happen.

Underground cities and shops
 

hey there, thank you for the link but in the future can you give a little description of what the link is so people know before they click it?

The right direction
 

I've looked at cave, bermed and underground homes as recently as this weekend. There's something about being in a 45 to 65 degrees range with a minimal amount of heating required. However, even underground homes and cities are vulnerable to seismic activity, an increased risk in the era of hydrofracking.

There are some bills that would give some of us who are already working toward efficiency and a lowered carbon foot print some hope. I grateful to see a consideration of energy efficiency as part of a home's value and as a factor in calculating a mortgage cap:

New Senate Bills Would Give Homeowners Credit for Energy Efficiency, Streamline Renewable Energy Siting

SustainableBusiness.com News

Two bills introduced in the Senate would support energy efficiency and renewable energy. One would make a home's energy costs part of the mortgage approval process and the other bill would streamline permits for siting renewable energy projects on public lands.

Homes Rewarded for Greater Energy Efficiency

Even though most people know they could save money if they made their home more energy efficient, the majority of people still aren't willing to pay the upfront costs. But what if your home got a higher (or lower) appraised value based on its efficiency? Residential energy efficiency would become a key part of the home buying and selling process in a bill introduced by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA), The Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (SAVE) Act (S.1737).

The SAVE Act would change current banking rules to include energy efficiency upgrades as part of the appraisal process that determines a home's value. A home that uses 30% less energy than the average would add over $10,000 to its appraised value, the Alliance to Save Energy estimates. This incentive would spur energy efficiency upgrades to existing and new homes, saving homeowners an estimated $1.1 billion in energy costs by 2020, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Institute for Market Transformation.

Federal mortgage agencies (which account for 90% of loans)would be required to include energy efficiency in their calculation of mortgage caps, the size of the mortgage an applicant can qualify for. Since their utility bills would be lower in an efficient home, a buyer could qualify for a higher cap.

In evaluating whether applicants can afford to carry a mortgage (debt-to-income ratio), they would have to include energy costs in addtion to the usual criteria (principal, interest, property taxes and insurance).

Streamlined Permits for Renewable Energy on Public Lands

The Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act, sponsored by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Jim Risch (R-ID) would create a clear, straightforward development process that treats renewable energy similar to traditional sources of energy development like oil and gas. It would eliminate the red tape of acquiring permits, which takes about two years for solar and wind companies, and make it easier for companies to plan for the long term. The bill also ensures that funds generated by energy development benefits states, counties and various conservation efforts through royalty payments.

"A broad domestic energy supply is critical for America to grow its economy," says Risch. "This plan helps accomplish that by putting renewable energies under a similar framework as conventional energy sources. It also requires royalty payments that will benefit the counties and states where the projects occur."

The Act is supported by a broad array of organizations, including Taxpayers for Common Sense, the National Association of Counties, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/i...splay/id/23140

Absolutely right. The energy audit is important, and people might be able to save their homes or rentals if they are made more energy efficient.

I'm grateful to hear that there's some movement to recognize and appraise a property's value based on its energy use and efficiency.

I'll never forget moving to Rochester NY and renting a cute off season house on the lake. Being a florida girl I had no idea what heat cost were. It blew my mind and my budget. I actually had to break the lease or freeze.

My electric bills here are easily 300.00 a month and in winter higher. But I also operate the dog boarding business and I really work at keeping my electric bill down. I honestly don't know how some families manage.

Its a great idea tho to call the power companies and find out what programs are available to you even if you rent.

On the park cabins- for anyone interested, (I shared the link above) these range from 20K up to 60K but they include appliances. The interesting thing is the financing because you can lease buy one with several different options including deferred payments to help you get well, septic and power in.

For me, a business owner, it leasing with a 1.00 at the end is very affordable because I can write it off. I'm not sure for the typical homeowner but its still very affordable and from what I'm told pretty easy to get financing.

Some people use them completely off grid because they are self contained meaning they have a sewer holding tank (ewwww not me) and have a honey truck come out and empty them. They use a water catch system and operate off solar power.

bump

now that the holidays are over I am hoping we can inspire others to become proactive in change. I am going to attempt to start a local group in my area of people interested in health and organics. Maybe start a large garden, buy bulk, rent a large kitchen to prepare meals ahead together. Save money, save time, get healthy.

My search for finding people to live on the farm has not been easy. I had a few good prospects that changed their mind last minute. So I'm still plugging forward focusing on money making efforts to keep building. I'd love to find someone who was handy and could build things. That would make this so much easier. :)

I wanted to share this. Its such a powerful video for me:

http://www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org/helena-on-tedx

Small businesses locally producing and purchasing basic needs help create healthier communities. Farmers markets and small businesses revitalize the economy sucked dry by globalization. Let's become more aware of how our resources and energies can be efficiently used to increase healthy connections to the natural world.

On another note I have been visualizing and thinking about ways I an turn the farm into a small community of like minds. I have no doubt that not only could it be a wonderful place to live, a true sustainable queer commune but can also be profitable. I am still a lone trying to do this but hoping the right people step forward.

"Sucked dry" is right. One of my students recently showed me a text called The Atlas of the Real World: Mapping the Way We Live. It's fascinating and recommended, especially if you want to know truly how quickly we are running through the earth's "resources."

The first page I turned to in it revealed the rate of aquifer recharge throughout the world, the best being Costa Rica at 76% or there about and the worst being Bahrain at 0%. In other words, for every gallon of ground water (the source of most drinking water) Costa Rica uses, 3/4 of that gallon is replaced through rain water recharging an aquifer (subterranean or ground water). In Bahrain, nothing is recharged or replaced.

And what does the Atlas identify as the average rate of aquifer recharge in the United States? Try 16%. So imagine taking a dollar out of your savings account and putting 16 cents in to replace it. Eventually, and probably sooner than later, you have nothing.

Industrial agriculture is having a tremendous effect on the drawn down of aquifers, and almost no one is talking about this. Local farms and biodynamic, sustainable and permaculture systems that use rain cachment systems are the way to go.

http://cache0.bookdepository.com/ass...0500288535.jpg

Here is what needs to happen for that to take place...

the same movement you see with Occupy, people coming together not sitting around but gathering in fields, planting and working crops. 1000's of people taking control and working with local farmers. That is as proactive as it gets.

This is really a great article, looks like an awesome book:

Could there ever be an alternative stock exchange dedicated to slow, small and local? Could a million American families get their food from CSAs? What if you had to invest 50 percent of your assets within 50 miles of where you live? Such questions — at the heart of “Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money” — represent the first steps on our path to a new economy.

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/natur...#ixzz1hJGXUF6N


I had a few people come out who were interested in partnering with me on growing something and building a sustainable farm. One very qualified person decided that being a vegetarian they could not live somewhere that raised hens for meat or even ate eggs. Although I don't eat meat everyday, I still do and I don't want to limit myself from raising meat for for myself and especially one day my dogs. The quality of all dog foods really scares me.

The second person stayed for 2 days, helped out but was more interested in sitting around talking, hanging out and picking my brain. I don't mind company but I'm really busy and need people that are ok with being on their own.

another great article

How to Save a Million Dollars With a Sustainable Lifestyle

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/healt...#ixzz1hMVk504A

perhaps we can share some of these tips? I have been helping Mia's mother with a budget. She's always broke and I buy a large part of their food, cook it to insure they eat mostly organic and safe. As we lay things out you can clearly see how things add up

Folks and All; Although the unseasonably warm weather has been breaking records all over, now is the time to prepare for the cold snap. I cannot stress enough how important it is to read your own gas and electric meters if you rent or own a house.. Just today, I received an unestimated electric bill that was estimated wrong by the company. I know they never came here, because my meter is inside. So how could I get two unestimated electric bills in a row for the exact same amount? Also your cars... Folks, Try to check the antifreeze or the cold could blow out plugs and that will cost you some serious money.

wow we just have so many forums that all have the same concerns.

http://www.filmsforaction.org/Watch/...zed_Economies/

You have to watch this film. I had not heard of this concept before but it has inspired me! I have all kinds of shit going through my head. If one community can do this then why can all of them?

If you;re into restoring local economy you must see this.

and just as a quick update we have two people out on the farm now helping to take this farm project to the next level. Within the next few weeks we'll plan, rent a tractor and start preparing the pastures for growing. We will develop a plan to create food and more living space.

If we build it they will come. lol

Our goal is to become a fully sustainable queer commune/community on 30 acres.

Stay tune.

anyone that is in the general area that would like to come out and help on the weekends let me know. There will be hard work but also some good food and company. You'll need to bring a tent tho. There is some work now but most of the land works starts in April. If its chilly at night there is some electric we can run for heating blankets and such. We hope to build an area for everyone to hang out soon as well as a bathroom and hot showers.
If you have skills, great! If you don't, don't worry. Just bring a good attitude and strong back!

BTW we are talking about documenting this as a documentary and helpful guide.

Sachita and Folks; The Garden of Findhorn has really grown since I read the book "The Garden of Findhorn" back in the seventies. Three people were spiritually guided to turn a garbage dump into a garden where they grew forty pound cabbages, and other huge plants and veggies guided by the Nature Spirits there. They lived in old trailers, and it was amazing and miraculous how they were provided with everything they needed. Wow.. It amazes me to read how they have expanded and have some eco community building information on their site to give ideas to others. www.findhorn.org

Thats very cool! Thanks!

Morgan has arrived from CA to help on the farm. Big things coming!