Start-up farming, research and wild food harvesting center in the Sonoran Desert, USA

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are starting an organic farm and research center from scratch to grow vegetables, herbs & gluten free grains etc, while also experimenting with permaculture, algae culture,  and zero carbon farming.  We also harvest wild growing foods from the desert on and around our farm. Our long term goal is that we intend demonstrate a system in which foods can be produced using ingredients grown on site with no petrochemicals consumed in any step of the process (other than equipment procurement) .  In addition we are currently developing irrigation control and other systems based on solar powered microcomputer  systems.

    We intend to start construction on sunken greenhouses soon.

    The intention is that this farm will provide food for the inhabitants of the land while acting as a facility to research and demonstrate methods and systems of permaculture, algaeculture and zero carbon farming which are usable by others with similar sustainable & organic local food enterprises.  Our goal is to demonstrate zero carbon food production by growing sorghum along with other crops and using those as ingredients.  We will also be installing a solar power system to provide needed electrical energy for all of the processes involved.

    We currently have two of the vegetable plots finished and we are now bringing in our second wild food harvest. We are currently installing solar power to create an off grid system for our farm and some of our housing. We are also in the planning and beginning stages of our rainwater harvesting project and our greywater harvesting.

    You can see above that these are all grand intentions, and we are in the process of building all of the above taking many steps at a time but not quite ready for prime time so to speak. This means that any helpers that come to us now have a chance to develop all of the above from the ground up. Although we are growing some of our own vegetables and have planted a small orchard we are not yet a working farm, more of a work in progress.

    Our current resources include:

    10 acres of fenced land with existing garden plots and a small orchard.

    Many wild growing bean trees. (Palo Verde, Ironwood and Mesquite).

    Occupied house, available trailer and RV and camper and available RV hookups and tent sites.

    Lots of equipment and supplies and tools.

    Workshop with various machines and equipment.

    Electronics hardware & software development workshop.

    Fully equipped mobile commercial kitchen onsite. (not in current use)

    3000 watts of solar panels


    Our location is in a VERY rural Sonoran desert location 25 minutes from the city of Maricopa (stores and restaurants etc available) and 45 minutes from the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.  No public transportation is available.  This is ideal for someone who loves the desert, there are thousands of square miles of wilderness desert adjacent to our location.   We can provide occasional rides into town if needed, but not necessarily very often. We do have satellite  internet and wifi and cell coverage depending on the carrier.


    Sorry but we cannot host any workawayers who are accompanied with minor children.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    There are plenty of opportunities to learn about gardening, construction, water harvesting and numerous other fields. We are also be developing solar powered computer controlled irrigation & cooking systems so there will be electrical, electronics and computer hardware and software work available as well.

    We are located in a very rural desert wilderness location in central Arizona which is a unique and beautiful environment.

  • Help

    Help

    We need help with construction projects, fencing, gardening, planting, harvesting, cooking, baking, administrative and general maintenance.

    We would also love help with our internet and social media presence.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have a two bedrooms in the house and also a large travel trailer and a RV motorhome and a Bus available for lodging,

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    There is no public transportation available. If you need to make money from local work it is not possible without your own transportation. We offer rides to Maricopa (the local town) or the Phoenix metro area on an irregular basis. There is hiking available on site in a sonoran desert wilderness, its very quiet, the stars are super bright and the coyotes sing for us often! There is unlimited hiking, camping and all other opportunities available around arizona but you will need to provide your own transportation to most of those. We do have internet, wifi and cell phone (depending on the carrier) available.

    Time off is available nearly any time its requested. Normal work hours expected are 20 hours per week.

    Sorry but we cannot host workawayers with minor children.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    We have satellite internet which is good for general internet work however not for continuous video. In other words if you do online work such as web development or other things requiring general internet connections we can do that however if you need zoom or other continuous video connection our system would not support that well.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have several RV parking spots some with hookups available.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Pets are welcome but cats are in danger from predators so an outdoor cat would be in danger here.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    4 hours per day, 5 days per week

Host ref number: 549469867475

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