Our project is a sustainable living project, completely off grid, 2 miles from the Historic Taos Plaza in Northern New Mexico. Inhabited by the founders, the Matysiak family, and work traders. currently no animals.
Deep sustainability through Radical Simplicity
This is an exploration into the principles and practices of true long term ReInhabitation of our Planet Earth. We began 15 years ago (in 2008), growing and building a Family Homestead down in the vega (wet meadow/valley bottomland) of the Lower Rio Fernando, just a few miles south of the town of Taos, in Northern New Mexico. Our primary projects so far have been:
• Planting over 2500 small trees and shrubs, seedlings of 12 different species, as a permanent border around our 3 acre property, which, over time, will grow into a windbreak, cold air block, groundwater management system, along with many other useful functions.
• Raising a 30 foot diameter yurt, on a 3 foot high post and beam deck, with the following sustainability features: south facing , glass windows for passive solar heat gain, Openable windows on both East and West sides for through ventilation, 3 layers of recycled cotton/radiant foil insulation in the roof and 2 layers of this insulation in the walls, relying primarily on hand-powered hand tools to keep embodied energy cost low and work space safe and relaxed.
• Planting 34 pome fruit trees (9 crabapples, 9 big apples, 9 European pears, 4 Asian pears, 3 fruiting quinces) as the first phase of the establishment of an Orchard of standard full-size long-lived fruit and nut trees of many varieties (projected total of 41 pome trees).
* planting of over 2000 border trees of various native species.
• Pitching 2 Cheyenne/Lakota style tipis. One 20 foot and one 18 foot dimeter, one complete with ozan and tall liner, on raised floors of pea gravel.
Secondary efforts have included:
• Building of compost piles, of 2 different kinds: one set for border trees and shrubs, and another set for fruit trees and vegetables.
• Self-installation of a sophisticated low-tech Amish-style hand well pump that meets current domestic and agricultural needs.
• Growing vegetables, herbs and trees from our own seeds and cuttings.
• Self installation of a micro-solar electric system.
• Identifying and cataloguing the native and naturalized vega plants growing on our Land.
• Designing and building a ramada over our outdoor kitchen.
• Recycling and reusing everything possible within our operation.
This is very much a work in progress. We are at the beginning stages of a multi-generational effort. With our 3 daughters (who have done much of the work with us) growing up and leaving home (for now), we are in a position to take in wwoofers who are interested in exploring, learning, and working with us on these principles of Deep Sustainability and Radical Simplicity. We are currently very open to meeting the educational needs of all types of learners; whether they be more academic-theoretical or more hands-on experiential.
In exchange for the predetermined 5 hours per day/5 days per week wwoofingusa suggests,
Wwoofers are supplied :
* a tent for shelter, (bring your own sleeping bag/bedding)
* use of the outdoor kitchen to prepare your own food, (we supply the basic foods you can expect - rice, beans, oats, seasoning, etc. We typically share at least one meal together, cooked by the hosts
* a solar shower set-up, with shower passes available to use at Taos Youth and Family Center, 2 miles away, if a more satisfying shower experience is needed.
*our "bathroom" is a rustic composting toilet system.
You will experience a very off-grid, simple way of living while on our property.
We do not have plumbing, or traditional power. We do however, have a wonderful hand powered well, which has the best water available! You can use our small solar charging system to charge your phone. We do not have wifi available, although most visitors find the phone reception to be good to great on our land.
Vehicles must be either high clearance, or 4 wheel drive to be able to get to our land. Our road is a very rough.
Activities wwoofers will participate in include: compost building, orchard tree planting, tree care, biodynamic principles, biointensive gardening, permaculture techniques, vegetable gardening, market gardening, natural building techniques, off-grid living, bird identification and enjoying the quiet are side benefits!
Summer of 2026 we are focusing most of our efforts on trees - planting, caring for, watering, trimming. Rodent control is also an important aspect of this work. Weeding and cultivation of the border and orchards are taking a very high priority.
We will also have some building projects happening this summer, and would love an experienced carpenter to help with these projects
We currently work with each wwoofer on the schedule that works best for them - we have gotten into a routine of work scheduled as a team from 10am-3pm daily . We personally, do not take days off, in the summer, as there is so much to do here, so if you stay longer than 5 days, you can pick whatever days you wish, for time away, or just resting!
Gardens get planted late June, early July, due to our short growing season, so that might be a task you can help with.
A typical day may include: building compost, planting and trimming trees, cultivation of vegetables, assisting with simple building projects, time to study in our extensive natural living resource library, chopping wood/carrying water, identifying wild plants of the area, walking by the local stream, enjoyment of the land.
Taos has immense history and is interesting to visit and enjoy. Our land is a short 2 miles away from the highest quality restaurants, museums and Taos Pueblo. White water rafting in the Rio Grande, visit the Earthship Community, hike and enjoy the amazing vistas. Or just rest and relax on our peaceful land...
Our experience/resumes:
Machei's Education and Experience
Head Gardener and Program Director
Living Earth Garden Project
Taos , NM
2008 – Present
Permaculture Design Course with Teacher Certification
Espanola Valley, New Mexico
May – August 2009
New Buffalo
Arroyo Hondo, NM
Community building experiment 2007
Country Day School
Biodynamic Agriculture Instructor
2006-2007 school year
Home Food Garden
Ukiah, CA
1998 – 2006
New College of California, Santa Rosa Campus
Master of Arts in Humanities and Leadership/Concentration in Ecological Dwelling
Thesis: Biophilia and Ecological Home Stead
2004 – 2006
Biodynamic Agriculture Course
With Harold Holden
Rudolf Steiner College
Sacramento, CA
2006
Ukiah Unified School District
Teaching, of all kinds
1996 – 2004
Mountaineering
CA and Nevada
Sierra Nevada Coast Ranges
2001 – 2004
Apprenticeship/Journeyship within Mendocino County, CA
Ecology Action Research Garden, Known as Jeavon’s Center
-10 week Summer course completed
-Research Garden Intern, April through October 1999
-Certified BioIntensive Teacher, 1999 – 2001
- 5 Day teacher Certification Course, 1998
- 3 Day BioIntensive Workshop, March 1997
Martin Organic Farm and Healing Center
Comptche, CA
Head Gardener, June – September 1998
Live Power BioDynamic Farm
Community Supported Agriculture
Covelo, CA
Farm Apprentice
March – November 1997
Mountaineering, WA and Oregon Cascades, Olympics and Coast Ranges
1995
Evergreen College
Olympia, WA
Bachelor of Arts in Science, Awarded January 1995
Program in Ecological Agriculture 1993 – 1994
Farm Intern at Evergreen College Organic Farm, April – December 1994
Student in Chemistry, Biology, Tutor in Mathematics October 1992 through September 1993
Hampshire College
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
Amherst, MA
September 1985 – June 1991
Nyna has knowledge of herbalism, midwifery, soapmaking, along with community and business building experience.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Forestry
Flower farming
Seed saving or production
Natural cosmetics fabrication
Green Building
Renewable energy production
Food justice / sovereignty
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Biodynamic agriculture
Fukuoka farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
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3
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