Mark Mstevens

it's not exactly what you asked, but have you looked at Separett? We were considering natures head and ended up with Separett. it is the most like a "regular" toilet. rather than collecting urine, it has a pipe that goes outside to an evaporation pit (a simple 3x3 hole with rocks sized gravel to medium). paper goes in it, no real issue on what kind or how much. Solar fan eliminates all stink. composting happens inside provided bucket. feminine products go in trash. nothing to add or othewise do.

we made a venting mistake at first and had some unpleasant smell. after correcting that, it couldn't be easier and other than EVERYONE sitting it's the experience that is most like a normal indoor water toilet - this is most useful for guests who otherwise can mess up the mix.

Huxley Harter wrote:Have you looked into making berms to block wind?

yes. currently experimenting with a couple of things. a zig-zag log snow/wind fence seems to help hold a lot more snow in winter and provides some ground-level windbreak. really just doing basic couple log high "beaver dams" and trying to add some texture to capture snow and let it melt instead of blow away.

as for earthen berms, I'm concerned about disturbing the ground. the soil is very fine and it seems to take any disturbed area a long long time to grow anything while the dirt mostly blows away. I'm currently hoping to experiment on a small area with a layer of compost, then mulch then erosion blankets. when we built our barn I put down a layer of compost and an extra thick layer of mulch specifically advertised as good for wind...my best guess is that it's all in Nebraska now because it's sure not on my land :(

Hi!
   I've been floating all over the internet getting both excited and confused. I have 45ish acres in SE wyoming that is currently overgrazed grassland. I'm at 7800 feet and we have tons of great sun, poor nutrients in the soil, raging wind and light moisture that currently just goes away because there is nothing to really hold it. I would just love to have a Forrest (be it scrub oak, aspen or anything) and some natural habitat for all of the critters. I've read about the Mayawaki Forrest method with great interest but it seems that the one thing they all share is moisture.
   Anyway, I'd very much like to devote the time and effort into rehabbing my land. for now just to a nice nature, for later something to grow food and such. Has anyone had success truly planting a sustainable forest on your very dry land? We ultimately can do some supplemental watering, especially for a couple years to start things off, but wells in my area are deep and expensive and tend to yield very soft water. I'm probably looking at hauled water and rainwater collection for starters.
   Where to start? What else should I be reading that's more specific to my climate?