The orchard sprouts

About a year ago I began trying to grow trees for an orchard; I only planted two seeds as an experiment and one grew. That particular tree is currently 14 inches tall and budding with new leaves.

Two weeks ago Michael ( my girlfriend ) and I planted a series of seeds we collected from grocery store apples. As of this post there are four sprouts. When these trees mature they will provide shade and food. Provided all the trees survive we will be able to make fresh apples available for purchase.

This endeavor will of course use a considerable amount of water, however we will have it "plugged in" to our grey water system so there will be no need for wasting this valuable resource.

Vacation

We have had alot of family ask are you coming back from Nevada when you go out in March. The answer is yes we are only going out for a week to total nine days. Using my van as a camper and using camping supplies we have received as gifts or bought we will be driving out and photographing the land. This is in advance of moving because we want to properly detail the development layout and make sure that when we do move we are more than ready.

Earthbag Resorces

I was requested this info and felt I should place it here. If your looking at earth bag building here are a few places it may be possible to get bags. I personally am using bags I receive from a local horse farm.

Regular & Misprint Bags:
Agriculture Bags MFG., Inc. C.H.K. Manufacturing, Inc. 960 98th Ave. Oakland, CA 94603 Tel. 510-632-5637 Fax 510-632-2056 Contact - Jeff Kuo
Innpack, LLC www.innpack.com Memphis, TN Contact: Nina Sanders 1-800-622-3695 Ext. 102
Polytex Fiber Corp www.polytex.com Houston, TX 1-800-628-0034 Contact: Denny Smith
www.esandbags.com
Bags & Tubes:
Berg Bag Company 410 Third Ave. North Minneapolis, MN 55401 1-800-658-7201
Central Bag Company www.centralbagcompany.com Kansas City, MO 1-816-471-0388 Contact: Chris Klimek
Fulton Pacific Packaging Co. www.fultonpacific.com 1-800-521-1414 Contact: Rett Schuler
MaxKatz Bag Co. P.O. Box 1666 Indianapolis, IN 46206-1666 1-800-225-3729 Contact: Don Katz, ext. 3666
NYP Corporation 805 East Grand St. Elizabeth, NJ 07201 1-908-351-6550
Donald Davis Bags1020 S. Church St. Ext. P.O. Box 8369, Spartanburg, S.C. 29305-83691-800-662-7756www.donalddavisbags.com

Another chicken egg

Ok so I wanted to try something a little more delicate and ornate than a skull. I'm not sure if I'm finished with this one yet. I really don't feel satisfied with it. I have another one I'm working on but it requires tools I don't have yet. It will be a functioning world globe on a chicken egg. Also my girlfriend said her sister had some brown eggs for us and those shells will be perfect for portraits.

House Plans

After doing research for the last several months looking for the best design for the area and using organic design; we think we finally found something we want. A hybrid organic using earthbag, strawbale and stick frame design. Using passive solar and an open floor plan we have even managed to incorporate an indoor greenhouse and a self cooling pantry.

This will be a three level structure south facing and the lower level will only be partially under ground and separated by a rail instead of a wall to allow for more even flow of air. I had hoped to do a house using just earthbags but this hybrid design seems to be better designed as far as insulating properties and self heating abilities.

We will be building up against the hill and using it to help with the thermal mass and this will also make it easier to incorporate a living roof on the back half of the structure; which will also add to the insulating properties.

We hope to be permitted to use a less conventional method of waste removal. Using a composting toilet and simply using waste drain water from sinks and showers for irrigation. In this way our landscaping efforts in permiculture will not be using extra water to be sustained but will become a part of our living home where everything has a purpose and nothing is wasted.

First Egg

Ok so this is a picture of the first carved egg I completed. I destroyed four others but everyone was a learning process. I will be making many more and will place there photos here. This one still needs soaked in bleach and clear coated but I still think it looks pretty good and it only took two hours start to finish. I'm thinking of trying a type of acid etching using vinegar but I need to go buy some more eggs. We will also be getting some eggs from Michael's' sister next time we go out there. These will be brown eggs and perfect for portrait carving as the color can be removed leaving the white calcium under shell left intact. Carving chicken eggs is kinda like petting a butterfly, you have to be so careful and gentle.

Random BS

So this is a satellite image of our property as you can see there is a creek that runs across the front and a small plateau in the back. From what I gather the creek is seasonal but until a well is dug we will be incorporating water storage tanks and collection, for us and the animals. My biggest concern is for my alligator making sure he gets enough heat and light. Running off of solar and propane we will have to rely on the windows for UV light and with a little extra insulation from a straw or hay wrap we should be good. My gators name is cuddles and will be the first critter set up for or little zoo. However there will be no petting him. We are considering several animal for this part of the business but haven't really decided on anything final yet. Likely we will talk to people in the area and get a feel for what they would like to see and get close to.

I have started a couple types of apple trees from seed, the cherry didn't take, and will be putting a small green house on the land where I will grow these trees and some other garden items for consumption including herbs and likely some tuber vegetables.

We will have a couple of chickens and ducks for eggs and eventually meat.

There is a lot to consider and more to do we have started several lists and think of more stuff every day. I am looking forward to the hard work ahead .

Ostrich Egg Art

One product we will be offering once we get up and going is ostrich eggs, both ornamental and for food ( one ostrich egg is equal to twelve chicken eggs, that's some omelet!!) The shells are very thick and make them perfect for carving, and their size make for great detail. We will be perfecting our technique using less expensive chicken and duck eggs. We figure if we can carve a little egg, we can carve a mega egg.

Wild Horses

As i have been checking news articles and such for the area I have found that the BLM is considering thinning the wild horse population by putting them down. When we move; within the first year, after building the necessary structures and fencing. Michael and I will be adopting at least two from the Winnemucca district office, where they take the horses after capture. Anyone reading this with facilities and enough money and time to care for a horse I would encourage to do the same. I know as humans push in wildlife is pushed out but I really hate to see them killed just so someone can have some more land.

Recycling a camper

This will be our home while building is taking place during the first three years. Very small and cozy for two adults but we really love each other and spend time just hanging out in our camper now so it will be OK.

This is a 18 foot camper i got from a junk yard for $400. It was in horrible shape and in need of major work. For the last 8months we have been tearing it apart and putting it back together. We are almost done with it just need a few more solar panels and batteries and some paint.

The counter top my girlfriend picked up at a discount store for $35 dollars; most of the storage is under the bed which is covered with down comforters to keep us warm on desert nights. We will also be wrapping the camper with bails of straw at least up to window level for extra insulation. I spent some time out in deathvalley when i was in the army and beleive me it gets cold.

Introduction to a green ostrich ranch

Well let's see, last year we purchased 20 acres in Nevada's' Pilot Valley and will be making our first trip very soon. On this visit we will be exploring the landscape and planning for our future home.

With everything that's going on in this country and no less the planet we feel it's important to take extreme steps toward green living. Planning on building a self sufficient ostrich ranch and possibly a small petting zoo as well where visitors will be welcome.

Currently I am looking into organic building techniques and want to build in a style known as earthbag. Using composting, solar power and wind generators; we want to stay off grid.

We will be posting as research continues, including photos and new ideas as they come in.

Any advice or comments are welcome. michaeltimestwo@yahoo.com