Texas Ecovillage Project'

Well, it has been a crazy few years since I started putting this project together. Had the land in another state and fought the various organizations and pieces only to realize they only talk about wanting to make things better, but actually don't care about anyone except that bottom dollar.

$17 billion to only end up housing a couple of hundred people is not my form of sustainable thinking or progress. I like capitalism, but not by grinding an entire population under foot. So I have changed locations to a place I've lived before and enjoyed. Texas! Houston to be more accurate!

This past week I submitted offers on the first 5 acres of 200+ acres ecovillage project that will help veterans and those that are transitioning out of foster care. Giving them a chance to build a new life. And the will be plenty of work to go around for those that haven't served and weren't in the foster care system!

The properties are timbered land, giving us resources onsite to build a collection of mobile tiny houses and infrastructure. I'll be moving the majority of my business operations to the area and will be using that to help fund the operation.

The focus will be a Chinampas format agricultural system and backed by my partners and myself. We'll be creating a series of educational programs for trade crafts. Many of these will be actual certifications by various organizations and universities.

I've spent the last several years collecting up much of the needed equipment and connections to get started, so this isn't some guy with just a dream.

The offers are in on the first 2 properties that total 5 acres and we should have confirmation at the end of February. We're also working on the funding to close on another 200+ acres before the end of the year.

Currently the properties flood seasonal, which for the Chinampas side of this project, is actually a good thing, minus getting the road up to grade. Over time the canals and levies will get dug and built out that will creating what is known as the most efficient and productive form of agriculture in human history. No, this isn't hand labor, though there will be plenty of that going on. I actually own the equipment already to do the necessary earth work and many other pieces that will get this operation off the ground, or in this case, out of the water.

My partner's and I will be focused on giving those interested the opportunity to create and build a new life and become entrepreneurs themselves. Not simply create more minions for the mega-corporations. That means we're putting actual money behind this project as well.

If you're interested in learning how you can help out and in return end up with your own tiny house and the skills to make a good living, without killing the planet, then follow this thread and get engaged in the conversation. Because this conversation is going to become a lot of action very soon!

Enjoy the photos of the new property, some of the wildlife, a tiny bit of the equipment and then picture yourself as part of something real.

We have the first 5+ acres secured!!! Things are going to start picking up pace quickly now.

The first thing we're going to be working on is repairing the road going to the property. It has a few fallen trees blocking it, needs a good trimming of the brush along part of it and then serious tractor work to fill in the holes and elevate it to reduce the mud situation. I expect it'll take about 2 weeks for those phase.

Once the road is repaired and we can get the equipment to the property the focus will be to start the first of the Chinampas. These will be 50'x150' with canals on all sides and a single driveway entrance. The canals that separate them will be 10' wide and lead to the main holding pond. We'll be using the tree, stumps, brush and mud to elevate the height of the Chinampas to above the flood level.

The idea is that the flooding will refill the waterways and by pumping out the mud to use on the Chinampas it will increase the volume of water we can capture. Providing a sustainable water supply for both fish and plants.

Reach out if you're interested in learning more or would like to volunteer!

I am in the Houston area and would love to get involved. I  current work with veterans and previously worked with kids that were in CPS custody. The website link on this post does not work, is there another way to get in touch with you?

Matt Walton wrote:I am in the Houston area and would love to get involved. I  current work with veterans and previously worked with kids that were in CPS custody. The website link on this post does not work, is there another way to get in touch with you?

Hello Matt,
We can always use another set of hands! Message me on Instagram at @FarmerBrownGrows and I'll send you my email. I've noticed that posting it in here gets a lot of spam from bots.

Respectfully,
Scott

Update:
We're making progress on the road. .2 of the 1 mile drivable. Some massive holes that had crawdads living in them are nearly filled. The crawfish moved to the ditches. Later the ponds will be stocked with them, as well as fish and other things.

Spotted the first alligators! That was pretty cool. We'll be fencing the swim pond, so no concerns there.

One of the neighbors has offered to bring his tractor over and help with the road repairs. We're going to try to get it completed by the end of the month. At that point we'll be opening up the first camping spots as well.

We can definitely use some extra hands with road repairs! Dragging branches and brush to help fill in the larger holes, while they're being backfilled with soil.  You'll see in the photos the road repairs.

A couple of tree trimming companies have offered to dump loads of wood chips and branches when they're able. This will help with the composting for the beds.

Things are moving forward!

S. Brown wrote:

Matt Walton wrote:I am in the Houston area and would love to get involved. I  current work with veterans and previously worked with kids that were in CPS custody. The website link on this post does not work, is there another way to get in touch with you?

Hello Matt,
We can always use another set of hands! Message me on Instagram at @FarmerBrownGrows and I'll send you my email. I've noticed that posting it in here gets a lot of spam from bots.

Respectfully,
Scott

Unfortunately I do not have social media but I am pretty sure I just emailed you.

Hello My name is Eric. I live in Maryland I'm highly interested in homesteading and learning about the lifestyle from people who live it themselves. earning meaningful life skills and having more experience in self-sustainability. I believe you have this , Are you willing to take a Apprentice would love to learn your craft.
I think the Ecovillage Project is wonderful. Would love to talk more ,trust the process.

Email: ericjenson20@gmail.com

Eric Jenson wrote:Hello My name is Eric. I live in Maryland I'm highly interested in homesteading and learning about the lifestyle from people who live it themselves. earning meaningful life skills and having more experience in self-sustainability. I believe you have this , Are you willing to take a Apprentice would love to learn your craft.
I think the Ecovillage Project is wonderful. Would love to talk more ,trust the process.

Email: ericjenson20@gmail.com

Hello Eric,
Yes, we do both mentoring and take volunteers. I'll reach out by email and we can discuss it further at that point.

Respectfully,
Scott

I have 5+ years of gardening and livestock experience as well as having a library of information on many different trades that I have experience in. I currently own my own landscaping, garden, and tree service business. My wife and I desperately want to move out of the desert here in Arizona. We are pursuing a live on-site work/trade position. I specialize in low-budget survival gardening. If interested, please call/text Mark at Mowers&Growers 928-641-8565. Thank you for your time and consideration.

[quote=S. Brown]Update:
We're making progress on the road. .2 of the 1 mile drivable. Some massive holes that had crawdads living in them are nearly filled. The crawfish moved to the ditches. Later the ponds will be stocked with them, as well as fish and other things.

Spotted the first alligators! That was pretty cool. We'll be fencing the swim pond, so no concerns there.

One of the neighbors has offered to bring his tractor over and help with the road repairs. We're going to try to get it completed by the end of the month. At that point we'll be opening up the first camping spots as well.

We can definitely use some extra hands with road repairs! Dragging branches and brush to help fill in the larger holes, while they're being backfilled with soil.  You'll see in the photos the road repairs.

A couple of tree trimming companies have offered to dump loads of wood chips and branches when they're able. This will help with the composting for the beds.

Things are moving forward![/quote]

Mark, thanks for chatting with me today. Please feel free to track the progress as we move along. You might find it closer to what you're looking for than you imagined.

Either way, best of luck to your adventures!

Respectfully,
Scott

[quote=Mark Steagall]I have 5+ years of gardening and livestock experience as well as having a library of information on many different trades that I have experience in. I currently own my own landscaping, garden, and tree service business. My wife and I desperately want to move out of the desert here in Arizona. We are pursuing a live on-site work/trade position. I specialize in low-budget survival gardening. If interested, please call/text Mark at Mowers&Growers 928-641-8565. Thank you for your time and consideration.

[quote=S. Brown]Update:
We're making progress on the road. .2 of the 1 mile drivable. Some massive holes that had crawdads living in them are nearly filled. The crawfish moved to the ditches. Later the ponds will be stocked with them, as well as fish and other things.

Spotted the first alligators! That was pretty cool. We'll be fencing the swim pond, so no concerns there.

One of the neighbors has offered to bring his tractor over and help with the road repairs. We're going to try to get it completed by the end of the month. At that point we'll be opening up the first camping spots as well.

We can definitely use some extra hands with road repairs! Dragging branches and brush to help fill in the larger holes, while they're being backfilled with soil.  You'll see in the photos the road repairs.

A couple of tree trimming companies have offered to dump loads of wood chips and branches when they're able. This will help with the composting for the beds.

Things are moving forward![/quote][/quote]

I'm very interested in doing what i can to help!

Please email me at 44c@tutamail.com

Hi Scott,
I’m so glad you are keeping updates in here under one thread. I’ll be watching your progress. I had moved to ETX two years ago as a co-founder of an eco village, but for various reasons, it didn’t work out. I’ve moved back to the West Coast, but would be happy to travel to see you all and help with the project when it’s the right season for it. After my experiences in Texas, I’m hesitant to live there personally at this time, but still have a drive to help build such a sustainable and healthy thriving community. If you have an organized way of handling volunteers or interested individuals, I’d love to be informed. How can I stay connected to your project aside from social media?