Mountain farming in the high desert of Arizona
Arizona
We are the early stages of building a permaculture farm in the high desert. The farm is located in a region that is part of a collapsed ecosystem due to human activity. We have had some great successes and some challenges.
Us:
We are originally from the Bay Area in California but, lived in Asia and NYC Boston Area as well as visited Italy and Mexico. we were able to escape to Arizona. It is very peaceful here. We cook a lot and like gourmet food. We eat everything. But are also into going Vegan and can cook Vegan if needed. We do Protein Shakes and Smooties alot and salads.
Goals:
To rehabilitate the land using permaculture practices and build a sustainable farm that supports and integrates with the native biome. We also are restoring a 100+ Horse and Cattle Ranch and need Cattle People All the time, We just got back from the Tucson Rodeo and Superindent for the Douglas 99 and 100 Year Rodeo in September 2024!
Climate:
The elevation is 5000-12000 ft with a typical high desert climate that gets summer monsoon rains. The winter is cold with some snow, the spring is hot, and dry, and the summer is hot and wet. There are frequent high winds. The climate can be extreme, please prepare. We own part of a hard corse for hikers on many mountains, some easy some difficult.
Place:
The property is secluded and the natural environment is really unique. There are several acres of flat land that can be farmed easily and sloping land that can be developed. We are on-grid with full electrical capabilities and our own well with excellent water. We are building a third tiny house with Water, Electric and sewer which we all share a bath and private toilet and we are building an outdoor shower. All are located within Hardy Board construction stick built houses that are hurricane proof with cement like outter walls.
Area:
The nearest town 30 minutes, nearest big city 2 hours. The region is sparsely populated, has limited industry and is perfect for escaping the city. There are several beautiful national parks and a dozen tourist sites nearby.
Activities:
Farming, farm development, construction, landscaping, livestock management, developing water resources, cleaning land, restoring landscape, hiking, farmers market booth, delivery to food banks and education.
Learning opportunities:
Drylands agriculture, permaculture, hugelkultur, terracing, road making, construction, electrical, plumbing, infrastructure, concrete, cannabis farming, gourmet cooking, solving problems, land use design, trail building, landscape design, sustainability, working with undeveloped land, cooking, harvesting.
Accommodations:
The accommodations are rustic but we are expanding, indoor space is limited, restroom is outside in Brick Building 5 feet from hosuing. There is also opportunity for participants to camp in all seasons but for a few months in deep winter.
Challenges:
This is a desert but the summers are hot and wet, with monsoon flash floods. We are 2 hours from a cosmopolitan city and the region is considered a food desert. We shop at the town 30 minutes away, the city 1 hour away, and the big city 2 hours away - each having better produce the further away you travel. There are cattle in the area and they bring flies, they also break through fencing regularly. The bees can be aggressive sometimes. There are wild animals in the area like coyotes, rattlesnakes, gila monsters and javelinas so visitors should be mindful. It gets nice and breezy, snows and rains. Really nice air from Cortez Sea, feels like a beach.
Bring or obtain locally:
- any medications you might require
- sun protection
- sun glasses
- insect protection spray
- hat or something to protect your skin from the sun
- rain gear
- seasonal clothing (it gets really hot and frozen cold)
- adventurous spirit
Organic methods: permaculture, hugelkultur, composting, vermiculture, cow poop, lasagna gardening, raised beds, cover cropping, sustainable rangeland management
Certifications: We are very committed to 100% organic but have not obtained certification because we are a small farm.
Current projects: Building a permaculture farm from nothing
Planting and maintaining vegetable, fruit and nut crops
Growing cannabis (last year was very successful!)
Raising and maintaining livestock
Developing fenced/enclosed areas for more livestock
Building infrastructure, extending water and electrical system
Building additional structures and cattle fencing
Maintaining roads, building roads, building/restoring trails
Cleaning land of debris from previous owners
Internet access available
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Cattle farming
Sheep or goat farming
Forestry
Wild foraging
Flower farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Methods or systems
Animal drafting
Aquaponics
Biological pest control
Biodynamic agriculture
Holistic management
Hydroponics
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Mentoring opportunities
LGBTQ+-operated
Woman-operated
Veteran-operated
BIPOC-operated
Host type
Production farm
Certified organic
2,428.1
Hectares
|
6,000
Acres
Jesse
Member since 2022
Languages spoken:
English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 71%
Response time: typically within 11 days
Arizona
Douglas, Cazador Rail Road, Tucson, Cabs, UBER, Tucson Airport, Bisbee Grey Hound
Reviews
Guillaume
France
•
November 2023
A sumptuous setting, very welcoming people, however, the accommodations were under construction, there was debris, waste and tools everywhere in the living area of the land and the accommodation conditions were very precarious, we ate on the floor, the food was outside and often the food or prepared dishes remained for long hours or even a day and night outside. Knowing that there is a high population of flies and insects, this was not attractive in terms of hygiene. Just like the fact of not being able to wash easily (in my case I was only able to shower once in six days).
The instructions were not clear and often changed. It was rare that we could finish a task because someone would come to ask us to stop and do something else (for example being stopped in our tasks in the garden by one of the owners who has just asked us to bring him his coffee about fifty meters from the garden, even though he was a few meters from the coffee and he had traveled further and lost more time (future, asking us for it than taking it himself).
In addition, the days were punctuated by the arguments of the two owners. As for the living conditions of the animals, the dogs lived in transport cages all day under blankets.
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Reply from Jesse
We treated Guillaume to steak diners but he was a horrible cook and has some mental issues that caused us to get delayed in our work. He refused to work and used his computer and phone day and night to look for "good times". He writes "...eat on the floor" which was the type of lies Guillaume would often spring up all the time. He was pushy and constantly insisted on us changing our work habits when his suggestions were wrong and just worse. He started screaming and yelling for no reason at times.
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Joanne
United States
•
March 2023
We had a great time! Rana and Jesse were amazing hosts, very knowledgeable, accommodating and flexible. We learned a lot. Their place feels very remote, yet you're not far from town if you need anything. We hope to return -- especially when everything is flourishing! Thanks guys!
Reply from Jesse
Hope you guys visit soon!
Our garden is 100 times bigger
