Idaho (no U-da-hoe) desert permaculture

I’m getting started on a new life on the old family farm, trouble is they don’t seem to know exactly where on it to stick a newly divorced domestic violence survivor with her toddler. There’s talk about a double-wide, which is fine by me, but no agreement about where it ought to go.

I’d like to have an orchard to snack and preserve fruit from, similar thing for a vegetable garden.

I’m planning to have a small business to rent out weed eaters, set up a goat with a “nanny cam” GoPro to record their adventures, and have a goat to produce some milk.

I’m hoping to be able to settle my soul in the dirt this summer. It can’t really come soon enough.

Welcome to Permies!

I hope your new life on the farm is full of richness, natural beauty, fulfillment and peace!

I would totally watch curated GoatPro videos. Please do that!

Welcome! I also look forward to seeing goat footage, and would love to see goat mowing services near me. I hope you get situated well, there are some members here in what sounds like similar climes and maybe they can offer some tips on fruit tree cultivation (what I've gathered so far: secure mulch sources and man there seems to be serious wind there!)

Welcome to the forum!

A google earth map of the farm might help the folks decide where a good place would be to set up some living quarters.

Location of electricity and water are primary to help with the selection.  It cost a lot of money to run electrical lines and plumbing lines, too.

Does the county have codes or something regarding adding another residence?

If the farm uses a water well then there is no need to contact a water supply company to see if there are requirements there also.

These are a lot of considerations so it is easy to see why this is a concern and "trouble is they don’t seem to know exactly where on it to stick" another residence.

If our forum could be of assistance for this you might want to start another thread with a google earth map of the farm.

Welcome back to the Magic Valley Christine. How long have you been gone? A lot of changes in the last few years.
There might be a need for a goat mob to keep vegetation under control along portions of the extensive canal system in the Valley. It looks like it's mostly done with chemicals, fire, and machines currently. You might want to talk with TFCC. Do you have a lot of goat experience?
I retired from CSI in 2015 after teaching for 26 years. Last October my wife and I turned our farm over to new operators and transitioned from Bullfrog farming (27 years) to consulting.
Check with the Ag Extension Agent, they will know who has goat businesses in the area. I know there is quite a demand for meat goats and there may be a dairy or two.
You're fortunate to have a place to live, as you probably know, there is a housing shortage around here.

Hi, Nicole! Welcome! Sounds like you're due for some good things to happen in your life. I'm sorry it's been so rough - been there, myself. If you do choose to share that GE image, it would be wise to crop it close enough to cut out roads and publicly visible landmarks, to ensure the most privacy. Good luck on getting settled asap. 'Puttering' in the soil can definitely restore the soul...

Thanks everyone! I really  appreciate the warm welcome.

I’ve been taking some solace in the hillside in the photo; up on top has some of the best views on the farm and I’ve found it is southern facing and warm compared to the rest of the farm. I think I’ve got my father on board with it at least as an orchard site and perhaps as a building site.

The initial thoughts had been to put us really near the farm’s play ground; on the hillside is pretty close as well.

Access to water and electric isn’t too much of a concern. Ironically drainage around here is more is an issue than finding water, to such an extent that aquaculture is part of the farm’s income.


CSI is a great resource! (College of Southern Idaho) and I’ll have to see who the County Extension Agent is nowadays, they used to be someone I went to school with.

I’ve also got a lead on (hopefully) a few goats. One doe and fingers crossed a few kids. They haven’t kidded yet so we don’t know.  It’s a start! My hope is to get a herd of about 30-40 and find myself an old bus to goatify as transportation/shelter for them.

I’m also in a good mood because I passed my drivers tests (again) after almost 9 years of it being “too expensive” for me to drive. Feels great to get out, and my family has loaned me a little pickup to drive.

Welcome!

Sounds like you have some neat stuff planned. Looking forward to seeing where you go with your new opportunities.

You're in the most beautiful part of the Magic Valley and at a place where ag opportunities are nearly endless.
Your parents are very well respected for their participation in local organizations and events, for their innovation, for working hard and smart, and for operating a first class diversified family farm. I'm sure you can be a great asset.

Hi Steve

Thank you! I’m really fortunate and lucky to have my family. They’re life savers. I don’t know what I’d do without them.

Oh I forgot to mention earlier about your suggestion on raising meat goats: my tentative plan is to have dairy/half dairy females bred to boer males and then selling the grown offspring. I’m aiming for AI reproduction rather than using bucks. I may change my strategy at the point when AI becomes more fuss than dealing with bucks, but my experience is that will take a while.

I’ve got some half baked ideas to try growing native wetland vegetation for sale for habitat restoration in the aquaculture ponds which aren’t being used, but I’m not sure how strong the market is for such plants.

I’m not sure where this next chapter of life will take us, but I’m so glad to be moving on with it!