Ron Duft

https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com

https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com

Just wanted to toss my 2 cents worth in, OFF GRID solar IS dead simple, BUT do your research and pick your components and you can save a lot of $$$.

DIY is the way to go.  Our last solar project  6 KW communications site June 2017

http://www.genthermglobalpower.com/products/thermoelectric-generators-tegs

These have been in use here (Canada) in the oil & gas industry for 30 years.  Efficiency is not a requirement, the application usually command and control.
in the dead of winter at 55+ Deg north Solar is not really an option. Gen-sets require fuel and maintenance, TEG just needs a clean fuel, propane or natural gas.
steady voltage and current keeps battery's charged and well sites running. I have also run remote mountain top communications installations with TEG,

Toss my 2 cents in the ring

https://youtu.be/jBrc8e-Jqb8

Lots of information and more videos on utube this one has been up and running for a while now

http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2015/12/reinventing-the-greenhouse.html#more

always love this site for very interesting articles

Love the arches, good luck

Hi Eric, give this a try.

https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com

I have worked oil & Gas 27 years doing solar  in northern Alberta & British Columbia.

Bob says it like it is. Morning Star  controllers or nothing.

"What does everyone else have in their gardens this time of year?"

Not much, -14F

The problem with permaculture...

Don't want to step on any toes, great discussion just wanted to add my two cents.
Permaculture which we have defined to death is at it's heart a design tool box wrapped in an armour of Ethical principals.
In theory you can apply the principals and all of the tools on ANY aspect of the world around us. This starts of course with Living Biological systems in what is left of nature. But it does not end there.
Permaculture whether this be permanent-agriculture or permanent-culture.

cul·ture
1.
the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively."20th century popular culture" synonyms: the arts, the humanities, intellectual achievement; "that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.

Sort of can't have one with out the other.
So following this thought train, Law, politics, economics, medicine, engineering, social engineering etc. could all be run through our tool box that we call Permaculture.
The result would be incredible. The reality is it may be in the very distant future.

So in summary It is not stating that

"permaculture can be whatever YOU want it to be."

Permaculture IS an Ethical Design Tool Box PERIOD>  well defined and solid.
That which can be applied to ALL aspects of human culture.

The problem with permaculture... IS the perception of NON-practitioners.
That is our greatest challenge, I finish with a QUOTE

"The tasks of these "Warriors of the Rainbow" are many and great. There will be terrifying mountains of ignorance to conquer and they shall find prejudice and hatred. They must be dedicated, unwavering in their strength, and strong of heart. They will find willing hearts and minds that will follow them on this road of returning "Mother Earth" to beauty and plenty - once more."

Rene Nijstad
"Applying permaculture to huge farms I believe is problematic."

I do agree but here is a Great example.

http://brownsranch.us

Having met Gabe early this spring was a great experience. He is a fantastic pioneer in building healthy soil on a large scale.

I do agree that the agro chemical/fossil fuel intensive mega farms in the long term are unsustainable.
Still waiting for proof that any of MONSANTO'S products actually produce more or better (read nutritionally complete/chemical/GMO free) food that is not going to Affect/Effect/Impact the health of my grandchildren and BILLIONS of others.
As I live in the middle of large 1000 - 10000 Acre commercial Monsantoized farms. Permaculture is a dismissed concept on the fringe of society and not a threat to the commercial industrial machine.
Keep the Faith

Hi Elijah, Looks like you have your work cut out for you and a lot of fantastic advice. Throwing in my 2 cents worth, get your trees started now!!! even in starter beds/pots/buckets and move them later to their permanent locations. The best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago so you have some catching up to do, most of us are trying to play catch up on our land and we are not getting any younger.
Second read all of this https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com before you spend any of your hard earned $$$, Bob knows what he is talking about and it will cut through all the advertising hype and false information on solar products, it will save you thousands.
Third start planning to harvest every drop of rain water, cabin roof, and slope harvesting into a dam or pond or swale. Wells are not cheap to drill.
Last you have came to the right place, any questions you have but to ask. Best of luck.

We have two of the "pony" series one with hiller furrower attachment second motor replacement on the one unit 40+ years old. Second unit is less than 15 years old. we have almost 2 acres of garden plot and orchard.
I cut 3 - 10 acres of hay with 17hp Kubota 7 foot sickle bar john deer mower converted to pull with the tph. Pull the 16 foot side delivery rake but have to use the Massy 88 with the #10 baler. Do about 250+ square bales.
Renter does 100+ acres of hay with the big round baler. I feed cows all winter with the kubota pushing and pulling the 1100lb bales, Front blade, rear blade, rotovator, 60" mower, 9" post hole auger, run a 100 year old grain mill and a 50 year old grain roller. rear fork lift attachment i built for hauling pallets and barrels etc. Never under estimate what a few horse power can do.