He quit all to build off-grid village, mountain-long Earthship

Kirsten Dirksen2 minutes read

An individual in a remote location lives sustainably off their land, emphasizing self-sufficiency and inspired by Thoreau's philosophy. The property features various sustainable structures like a treehouse for goats, a solarium, and a root cellar, reflecting a commitment to minimalism and communal living.

Insights

  • The individual lives in a remote location, emphasizing self-sufficiency and sustainability through features like a treehouse for goats, a solarium for growing food, and a greenhouse made from recycled materials.
  • The property, purchased for $225,000, was chosen for its south-facing slope and sustainable living potential, showcasing a commitment to minimalism inspired by Henry David Thoreau's philosophy and a dedication to permaculture principles with terraced gardens and diverse fruit and nut trees.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • Why did the individual choose their remote location?

    The individual was drawn to the mountains and dense green forests, influencing their decision to move to the current location.

  • What features does the property have for self-sufficiency?

    The property includes a treehouse for goats, a solarium for growing food, a greenhouse for drying fruits and nuts, and an Earthship solarium for regulating crop temperature effectively.

  • How was the property accessed despite initial challenges?

    Despite initial access challenges like crossing a creek without a bridge, a bridge was eventually built to facilitate easier access to the land.

  • What inspired the individual's focus on self-sufficiency?

    The individual's emphasis on self-sufficiency and minimalism was inspired by Henry David Thoreau's philosophy of simplifying life.

  • How does the individual promote biodiversity on the land?

    The individual promotes biodiversity through terraced gardens with apple trees, gummy berry bushes, and a variety of fruit and nut trees, following permaculture principles on the land.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Remote Mountain Homestead Embraces Sustainable Living

  • The individual lives remotely, 45 minutes from the nearest supermarket, and primarily relies on their land for sustenance until October.
  • The decision to move to the current location was influenced by the love for mountains and dense green forests.
  • The property was purchased for $225,000 for 160 acres, despite access challenges like crossing a creek without a bridge initially.
  • A bridge was eventually built to facilitate easier access to the land.
  • The location was chosen for its south-facing slope, ideal for agriculture, and the individual's desire for sustainable living.
  • The property features a self-sufficient setup, including a treehouse for goats and a solarium for growing food.
  • The individual emphasizes self-sufficiency and minimalism, inspired by Henry David Thoreau's philosophy of simplifying life.
  • The greenhouse, built with recycled materials, serves multiple purposes, including drying fruits and nuts.
  • The Earthship solarium, built with thermal mass elements, regulates temperature effectively for growing various crops.
  • The community hall, constructed with logs from the property, serves as a gathering place for meetings and events.

19:51

Off-Grid Living and Sustainable Community Development

  • The Carrington event in 1859 involved an x 30 solar flare causing auroras at the equator and ignited Telegraph wires across the country.
  • The electric grid can face disruptions from cyber attacks or EMPs, highlighting the importance of self-sufficiency.
  • A 10 by 20 Root Cellar built into a hillside serves as a cool storage space for root vegetables, flowers, cooking oils, and homemade kimchi.
  • The property, logged in 1969, was rezoned for living after a geological study and permit approval costing around $12-15,000.
  • The land was cleared of stumps and trees, creating a road and terraced gardens for planting fruits, nuts, and vegetables.
  • The lodge, designed for social interaction, features a conversation pit, bookshelves, and multiple levels for communal living.
  • A member built a cabin on the property, reflecting the community's ethos of sustainable farming and communal living.
  • A Hobbit hole, built as a rental, features a round bed, wood stove, and off-grid composting utilities.
  • A treehouse built around a tree using Garnier bolts offers a unique living space, showcasing the owner's love for engineering.
  • Terraced gardens with apple trees, gummy berry bushes, and a variety of fruit and nut trees promote biodiversity and permaculture principles on the land.

37:52

Sustainable living off-grid: slow, self-sufficient, diverse.

  • To prepare for the cold plunge, heat the water to 145 degrees before using the wood-burning hot shower.
  • Utilize branches from Maples to feed the goats, following the principles of mimicking nature with zero waste.
  • Living off-grid costs approximately $5,000 per year for one person, covering property taxes, propane, and feed, with the potential to source 70-80% of food locally.
  • Embrace a slower pace of life, focusing on self-reflection and creation, while cultivating a diverse garden with garlic as a staple crop for sustainable living.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.