I don't have access to trees or nearby logging areas and I live in a cold climate (Zone 2b). Wood ends up being quite expensive other than a nearly unlimited supply of free pallets. What are the best methods to minimize the need for wood? I've been thinking partly-underground earthen/cob walls with light straw clay insulation. But my education, experience and budget is quite limited.
Very much interested in thoughts and ideas!
Thanks!
@ Marco B: What a fantastic outline of goals! I'm already feeling so much more confident and not just anxious. It's hard to block out the parts of my brain that keep yelling "do it! do it! now now now!" But it sure is helpful to hear so many other people saying just relax and take it easy. I have a LOT of data to collect!
@RedHawk: I'm very grateful for your perspective. As a settler/occupier of Indigenous land now known as Canada, it is really important to me to establish a strong connection to those who rightly own and belong to the land I wish to steward. I've struggled a lot trying to learn how to best move forward - learning from my heart, from Indigenous elders and knowledge keepers, and from the land Herself. I hope your wife is better soon. Maybe some of the people you and your wife have helped might be able to lend you a hand on your little homestead!
@John Weiland: Do you think some chicken netting would help? I'm planning on a heavily mulched garden. It's on the edge of a town so it's definitely not wilderness but far enough on the edge that it's more rural. There seems to be some birds who live in the spot and I'm trying to find out if they're insect eaters that I would love to befriend!
I've been thinking about some soil conditioners as well. Some daikon radish, alfalfa and clover.
Thank you for all the responses so far. I feel less pressure to get it all going as soon as possible. There's nothing there now and I'd be driving about an hour and a half for visits until I build something.
I'm getting close to closing the deal on a small piece of land. I've been dreaming, studying and planning for years and now with a purchase potentially a matter of days away, I feel totally stuck at the beginning! Where do you start a permaculture design? The lot is 5 or 6 acres, pretty much bare, square and flat. I have a very, VERY small budget so I can't be too ambitious with my goals. What are the best things to start right away? I'd really like to produce some food this year at least.
From my experience and education, it does WAY more harm to not provide exercise and stimulating activity for an animal. But it is quite true that there tends to be a bit of anthropomorphic projection onto animals. I'm a pretty big Cesar Millan fan!
Not sure if this would be better under critters or under energy, so I'll try here.
Would there be a method of using animal power (I'm thinking mainly dogs, but also cows or horses) to generate electricity that wouldn't be harmful to the animal? Or even a mix of human/animal power generation as in bike or treadmill power generating. I suppose their pulling power would be the best option, perhaps somehow hooked to a turbine or alternator or something. Also a nice back up for days that walking the dog seems like way too much work...
I visited an off grid farm that used tree leaves for carbon and then added the waste into a worm pile. The worms process the "offerings" faster than just composting and they eliminate many of the harmful bacteria that can grow and accompany humanure. It was a very lovely system that I would highly recommend.
Mike's work opened my eyes to a whole new world where, not only building, but a lot of things can be done totally outside the box. My current house plans are heavily influenced by his designs. His contribution to our weird world of permaculture will live on, even though his physical presence will no longer be with us.
Much love to the entire Oehler family in this difficult time.
Wow! The vast knowledge and expertise of the people on this forum never ceases to amaze me! I'm pretty sure by the time I get my homestead up and running, I'm going to owe each person a giant crate of veggies for all the help!! And then I'll be able to offer the kind of information that is helping me so much!
Transportation is an important factor for me and I've been researching/reading/thinking about it this evening:
What if there could be a decently fast battery-powered vehicle (even a small, enclosed bike-type vehicle) using a motor instead of a combustion engine, having AT LEAST 2 batteries where one could be used while the other can be charged through various on-board methods (pedal power, solar power, wind power...) and switched over when needed? The batteries would be plugged in to homestead off-grid power to fully charge before a trip. Is that kind of like a golf cart? (I definitely don't golf!)
I have extremely minimal education in these regions, so please forgive me if this is just stupid. Main questions for me are:
- pros and cons of using an electric motor
- using and re-charging battery as opposed to direct pedaling as you would with a bike
- highway usability (even side of the road like a bike)
Wow! I was not expecting this level of expertise! Thank you so very much! I think I like the idea of alcohol fuel, since that can still be produced on the homestead.
I'm a Canadian, new to the list but well-versed in Paul's and others' permaculture ideas, to near Sepp levels of crazy! I'm from Saskatchewan, currently spending my time loving my nephews and helping my family. I have a TON of knowledge, skill and passion but not so much in the way of cashola (alas, many of us sensitive, uncivilized types don't do well in full time overstructured careers) or land. I have dreams of starting a family centre that offers some education and opportunities to children, families and individuals (part school, part day care, part seniors centre, part restaurant, part work exchange, part retreat, part market garden, and part whatever else I think up!) all in the context of strengthening our connection to the land. I haven't been able to find anything like that on the prairies, even though a lot of people seem to be moving toward that ideal, but seem to be limited only to expensive technologies, music festivals and organic food. Plus it's just little old me who is crazy for the forest and I haven't found any companions who are even close to the level of hairy-legged beast that I'm at! Usually at this point in my introduction, most of the urban normies turn up their nose and clutch their cell phones closer, but I have a feeling I'll have a better response from the permies forum peeps.
It's a pleasure to have the chance to connect with you fine folks!
Does anyone have any experience using a natural gas vehicle? I've read you can use biogas as fuel. I'm interested in turning a bus into a mobile home. How challenging would it be to become totally fuel self-sufficient?
Would it be better to just stick with a gasoline engine and use alcohol or a diesel engine and use vegetable oil?
I live in a northern climate that gets pretty cold for a pretty long time, however, this doesn't need to be a restriction unless it simply will NOT work in winter.
