The Homestead Project: Overcoming One Obstacle at a Time
Building a Sustainable Future, One Step at a Time
Welcome to The Homestead Project, a vision to create a self-sufficient, eco-friendly homestead on five acres of high-desert land. Our goal is to establish a model for regenerative agriculture, off-grid living, and sustainable building practices. While we haven’t purchased the land yet, we are actively working toward making this dream a reality.
Every journey has its challenges, and ours is no exception. From securing land to building infrastructure, we are tackling each obstacle one step at a time. Join us as we share our progress, insights, and sustainable solutions for homesteading in the desert.
Securing the Land: The First Challenge
Originally, we hoped to receive land as a gift, but circumstances changed, and we now need to purchase property ourselves. To make this happen, we are focused on saving money through additional work and side businesses.
Our Strategy for Buying Land
- Hard Work & Side Income – Taking on extra hours, side gigs, and multiple income streams to accelerate savings.
- Smart Timing – Planning to purchase after monsoon season when we can properly evaluate the land’s condition.
- Thorough Research – Using Google Earth, zoning maps, and online resources to assess potential properties before visiting.
Our goal is to be fully prepared for land ownership, ensuring we make the best possible decision before breaking ground.
Preparing for the Move: First Steps Toward the Homestead
Transitioning from city life to an off-grid homestead requires careful preparation. Before we can relocate, we need to ensure reliable transportation, secure temporary shelter, and gather essential tools.
Key Preparations Before Moving
✅ Vehicle Readiness – Paying off and repairing vehicles to ensure we can transport materials and navigate rugged terrain.
✅ Moving Logistics – Planning the move, including temporary living arrangements while we establish basic infrastructure.
✅ Essential Tools & Equipment – Fortunately, we already have most of what we need, reducing upfront costs.
These steps lay the foundation for our transition, allowing us to hit the ground running once we acquire the land.
Who We Are: A Background on Our Journey
Our experience and skills uniquely position us to take on this ambitious project.
🔹 My husband – Originally from Mexico, he spent 17 years working in construction, mastering skills in bricklaying, plumbing, electrical work, and welding. He currently works at a steel yard as a welder.
🔹 My background – I work in education as a Higher Education Advisor, but my true passion lies in anthropology and sustainable living. After a recent surgery and recovery, I gained clarity on my desire to build a homestead and create educational content around it.
To accelerate our progress, I’m exploring side hustles like Uber Eats and DoorDash to generate extra income. If successful, this will allow me to fully dedicate myself to the homestead and content creation.
Phase 1: Pre-Launch Preparations
📅 Timeline: 1-2 Months
Before breaking ground, we need to finalize our research, secure the land, and document our journey through video and blog updates.
🔹 Land & Resource Planning – Researching water sources, soil quality, and zoning laws.
🔹 Blueprint & Design Customization – Purchasing an adobe-style blueprint ($1,300) for efficient, sustainable home construction.
🔹 Content Creation – Documenting our journey via YouTube, Instagram, and our website to share insights and inspire others.
🌱 Key Milestones: Secure land, finalize home design, and begin video documentation.
Phase 2: Land Preparation & Infrastructure Setup
📅 Timeline: 3-4 Months
Once we gain access to the land, our immediate focus will be on setting up essential infrastructure while living in temporary shelters.
🔹 Land Clearing & Grading – Preventing erosion and prepping for planting.
🔹 Water Management – Hauling water until rainwater collection and filtration systems are established.
🔹 Road Access – Maintaining and improving existing paths for material transport.
🏗️ Key Milestones: Clear land, set up water systems, and build access roads.
Phase 3: Sustainable Agriculture & Livestock Integration
📅 Timeline: 6-8 Months (Overlaps with Construction)
Food security is a priority. Before we build permanent housing, we’ll focus on establishing gardens and livestock areas.
🔹 Drought-Resistant Crops – Planting native species that thrive in desert conditions.
🔹 Adobe Livestock Shelters – Temperature-controlled housing for animals.
🔹 Composting & Vermiculture – Recycling organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.
🌾 Key Milestones: Plant first crops, set up livestock areas, and establish composting systems.
Phase 4: Building the Homestead
📅 Timeline: 6-12 Months
The heart of the project is constructing two adobe-style homes with root cellars, designed for passive solar efficiency and sustainability.
🔹 Root Cellar Construction – Excavating and using the earth to make adobe bricks for sustainable, low-cost building.
🔹 Main & Guest Houses – Creating comfortable living spaces, workshops, and community areas.
🔹 Solar Power & Rainwater Systems – Installing off-grid energy and water solutions.
🏡 Key Milestones: Complete root cellars, construct homes, and install solar/water systems.
Phase 5: Community Engagement & Educational Outreach
📅 Timeline: Ongoing Once Functional
The Homestead Project isn’t just about self-sufficiency—it’s about sharing knowledge and inspiring others.
🔹 Workshops & Online Learning – Hands-on courses in sustainable agriculture, DIY construction, and renewable energy.
🔹 Seasonal Community Events – Inviting others to experience the homestead firsthand.
🔹 Regular Blog & Video Updates – Documenting progress and sharing tips for future homesteaders.
📣 Key Milestones: Host first workshop, establish partnerships, and create a steady content stream.
Follow Our Journey & Be Part of the Homestead Project!
We are thrilled to bring this vision to life and document every step of our sustainable homestead journey.
The best way to support us? Follow along!
✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for behind-the-scenes updates.
✅ Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for daily progress and insights.
✅ Read our blog for in-depth articles on homesteading, sustainability, and off-grid living.
By engaging with our content, you help us grow our audience and inspire others to embrace a self-sufficient, eco-friendly lifestyle.
Together, we can turn The Homestead Project into a Better World Blueprint—one phase and one acre at a time. 🌍✨
