He quit all to build off-grid village, mountain-long Earthship
Kirsten Dirksen・33 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.
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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.
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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.
