500 Year Farm in Colorado

I'd lake to make a shameless plug for my project. I'm still in the planning stages but getting closer every day. I built a new website for it and would appreciate some feedback, there is also a blog with quite a bit to read if you are interested. I make hand carved spoons and I'm will be getting some up for sale on the site soon. Thanks for your time.

http://500yearfarm.com
Dan

Hey Dan!

I love the idea, or at least from scanning your blog posts what I glean as the idea, of your 500 year farm. Seeing as your new I understand the desire to keep the website clean and purely functional....however I couldn't find where your located?

I'm graduating university and getting ready to take over 76 acres of land in Rifle, CO.....it used to be my father's native plant nursery. He had sold it to a client but the mismanaged it so long story short we got the land back but my dad....nearing retirement wasn't sure what to do with it...

About a year ago I found permaculture and I just intuitively understood that it would be a vehicle for me to bring such meaning and value to a world that badly needs it.

Luckily I've got everything I need to get a good start:
1) Access to land
2) At 24 years old I've got some good time ahead of me
3) Investment in infrastructure (greenhouses, water rights, temporary modular home etc.)
4) I am so fortunate and thankful to have access to some capital
5) Supportive family (father expert in native plant species and a brother studying forestry and applied restoration)
6) Great community, both in Colorado and in Permaculture
7) A love, passion and zeal for all things Permaculture!

This coming summer I plan to get some of the greenhouses up and fully functional, run soil and water tests, polish design features, experiment with soil amendments and consult experts, evaluate market opportunities and OBSERVE OBSERVE OBSERVE!

I'm hoping to get some zone 4 piñon pines going for long term nut production...these trees can live up to 800 years old so I'm totally with you on the long term, intergenerational outlook...

I really look forward to connecting with you and helping to grow the permaculture community in Colorado!

How cool to hear from you!

I currently live in the metro area north of Denver but I plan on buying land further east.

I'd love to visit/help in any way I can.

Sounds like you all ready have a great start.

Dan

Hey Daniel. I'm over in Wyoming and building my own farm. I was just curious where you are at right now. I didn't understand. You're in Denver and haven't bought land yet? You've been saving for it and gathering skills? I just wasn't sure.

That pretty much nails where I'm at. I've got a well formed plan and part of that is making my land purchase without taking on debt. So it creates a waiting game for me, but I think in the long run it will pay off.

Dan

Ya going into it with debt could definitely cause obvious problems but also probably some not so obvious ones....getting into a property free and clear may afford you some freedom to experiment down the line once you've established meeting some basic needs....

I'm also looking for interesting ways to document where I'm starting. The land is in pretty bad shape and everyone likes an uplifting story and positive change. So as some of my perennial systems start producing I can quietly build a network and pull in some revenue and then go for a BIG splash with some cool time lapses and before/after shots.

I think there's a lot of people out there that know we're in trouble, they know fossil fuels won't go on forever, but come across more problems than solutions. Offering a solution that is also beautiful and encouraging and positive can be eye catching if framed correctly and shared widely.

I'm trying to figure out something that borrows from Salatin's distributed multi-regenerative enterprise, but is something between eco-village/intentional community and mainstream American life.

Maybe people just buy my fruit. Maybe the come and pick it during harvest. Maybe the trade work hours for product. Maybe they intern or are WOOFERS. Maybe live on-site. Maybe the stay a while and take advantage of world-class climbing 15 minutes into the mountains (Think Eco-resort). Maybe they want to start a small business that fits within the overall vision and framework. My hope is with varying levels of commitment I can meet varying levels of interest/engagement. I do want to design in the capability for invisible structures and intimate community relationships.