Welcome to the Homestead Project! This initiative is our vision to create a sustainable, eco-friendly homestead on 5 acres of high-desert land. Through this project, we’ll establish a model for regenerative agriculture, off-grid living, and community engagement. Before we can get started, however, we’re facing a few initial hurdles. Funding is essential not only to access the land but also to cover the basics needed to bring this homestead to life. Here’s a breakdown of the project phases, obstacles, the steps ahead, and how you can be part of this journey.
Please note: This plan will likely change as we adapt to funding, time constraints, and circumstances.
The Land: An Explanation
The land has been gifted to us as an early inheritance, yet we cannot fully access or begin the project until we demonstrate that we’re ready to move there and begin work. This means having the resources to start strong, and it’s our primary obstacle. Located in a mountainous, high-desert region of New Mexico, the land includes a small cabin, water tanks, a compost toilet, and some solar panels waiting to be installed—all of which have been sitting unused for years.
Overcoming the First Obstacles
Before we can officially begin building, there are a few initial costs to address to help us transition from our current apartment to the homestead.
- Vehicle Preparation: Our vehicles are essential for work and transport on the homestead. To make the move feasible, we need to pay off one vehicle and repair another to ensure both are reliable.
- Breaking the Lease and Moving Expenses: Our goal is to break our apartment lease and relocate to the land as soon as possible. Once we’re there, we’ll live in the existing cabin and haul water until we can establish our water catchment and recycling systems.
- Tools and Equipment: Fortunately, we already have most of the tools we need, keeping costs low on this front. This is a huge help as we prepare for the work ahead.
These are the initial steps we must take to begin the project, and with your support, we can make the move and start building the homestead.
A Little Background About Us
My husband, originally from Mexico, recently received his permanent residency, a process that took us almost 17 years. During that time, we lived in Mexico, where he worked seven days a week, building and remodeling homes with brick, mortar, and cement. Skilled in plumbing, electrical work, and general contracting, he’s currently employed at a steel yard as a welder.
I work for a nonprofit in education as a Higher Education Advisor at a high school. While I love the work, my real passion lies in anthropology, which ties beautifully into the homestead lifestyle and this project. The benefits from my current job give me paid time off and align with school breaks, providing opportunities to invest more time into planning the homestead.
After a recent surgery and a period of recovery, I’ve found clarity in moving forward with this project. To make extra money to help move this project along I’m considering working for Uber Eats or DoorDash when time allows outside of my regular job, but I’m hopeful that our crowdfunding campaign will help fully fund this project and allow me to focus fully on the homestead instead. If successful, I can dedicate my time to building, creating content, and honing skills for our homestead journey.
Phase 1: Pre-Launch Preparations
Timeline: 1-2 Months
Once we’re on the land, our first steps will involve planning, resource assessments, and to begin a consistent documentation of our process on our website and YouTube channel.
- Land and Resource Planning: We’ll research water resources, soil quality, and zoning regulations to inform our sustainable design and planning. For now, this research is limited to online resources and Google Earth, though I hope to tour the property soon and capture some video and photos.
- Blueprint and Design Customization: We plan to purchase an adobe-style blueprint to design root cellars, passive solar features, and eco-friendly materials. While the cost is significant (around $1,300), these blueprints will be the foundation for both houses on the property.
- Crowdfunding Campaign: To overcome these initial obstacles, we’re launching a crowdfunding campaign to fund our move, vehicle preparations, and the first phases of the homestead.
Milestones: Launch the crowdfunding campaign and secure initial funding for the move to the property.
Phase 2: Land Preparation and Infrastructure Setup
Timeline: 3-4 Months (Pending Funding and Land Access)
Once we have access to the land, our work will focus on setting up essential infrastructure. During this phase, we’ll be living in tents and working to clean and repair the existing cabin. Thankfully, we already have plenty of camping equipment to make this transition easier.
- Land Clearing and Grading: Clearing and grading the land will help prevent erosion, establish planting areas, and prepare for future building.
- Water Management: Until our rainwater catchment and recycling system are in place, we’ll haul water to the site. Initial water harvesting systems will be set up as a foundation for long-term self-sufficiency.
- Access Roads: Simple, low-impact access roads will allow us to transport materials while preserving the natural landscape. Existing roads may need some maintenance.
Milestones: Complete land grading, initial water system setup, and establish access roads.
Phase 3: Permaculture, Livestock, and Landscape Development
Timeline: 6-8 Months (Overlapping with Construction)
This phase focuses on developing a sustainable landscape that supports food production and livestock integration, following permaculture principles. We may begin this phase before constructing the houses to prioritize food production and the homestead’s ecosystem.
- Garden and Crop Development: We’ll establish gardens with drought-resistant crops and native plants to support soil health and water efficiency.
- Livestock Housing: Adobe-style shelters will keep livestock comfortable and contribute to the homestead’s ecosystem.
- Composting and Vermiculture: Organic waste will be recycled through composting and vermiculture systems, enriching the soil and reducing waste.
Milestones: Begin planting, complete livestock shelters, and establish composting systems.
Phase 4: Building and Construction
Timeline: 6-12 Months
The heart of our homestead lies in constructing two adobe-style homes that will serve as living and community spaces. While this timeline is ambitious, we may adjust depending on other priorities, such as food production and income.
- Root Cellar Construction: We’ll excavate root cellars beneath each house, using the excavated earth to make adobe bricks.
- Main and Guest Houses: The two 3,838 sq ft homes will include spaces for living, workshops, and events. Both houses will feature sustainable, passive solar design and flat roofs for functional additions.
- Customized Layouts: Each house will be tailored to support workshops, community spaces, and storage, with dedicated areas in the root cellars.
Milestones: Complete root cellars, construct main and guest houses, and install initial solar panels and water systems.
Phase 5: Community Engagement and Educational Outreach
Timeline: Ongoing once homestead is fully functional and running!
Our homestead isn’t just for us; it’s for the broader community and anyone interested in sustainable living.
- Workshops and Classes: We’ll offer hands-on learning experiences in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and more.
- Community Events: Seasonal gatherings and planting days will invite visitors to experience and learn from the homestead.
- Online Documentation: We’ll document our journey through videos, blogs, and social media, connecting with supporters near and far.
Milestones: Host initial workshops, establish community partnerships, and share regular updates online.
Join Us in Bringing the Homestead Project to Life
We’re thrilled to bring this vision of sustainable living to life, but we need your help to take those first steps. By supporting the Homestead Project, you’re helping us overcome these initial barriers and create a lasting, eco-friendly model of homestead living that will inspire others. Every contribution, message of support, and share brings us closer to breaking ground.
We hope the Homestead Project can become a Better World Blueprint for others who are passionate about sustainable living. Thank you for joining us on this journey toward a better world, one phase, and one acre at a time.
