The Vision

I have a vision.  A purpose.  A Dream.  While living in India and giving everything I had to clear the America-induced haze in my head, the clearing revealed the vision of what my future holds for me.  With the Universe’s guidance, I sketched it all out in a book and it hasn’t changed much, though I might have added a few things.  The nuns I shared it with thought it was ambitious but admirable and thought if I could move to The Himalayas on my own, the farm I had in my head was certainly do-able.

This culmination of technology, naturopathic healing education, guiding small children through Waldorf education, alternative energy study, biodynamic farming, a healthy curiosity of all religions, international travel and my genuine interest in The Human Being has given birth to a farm much larger than I thought I was capable of dreaming up.  This facility will allow me to practice Naturopathic Healing in the manner I feel is most beneficial and inspirational……well that and I love little kids and little kids love farm animals…and dirt….

There are stories and ideas behind every component so I’ll try to keep it short, as time and inspiration allow me to flesh it out for readers.

The land – the land has to be pure.  It’s history of usage has to be researched and hopefully it will be untilled soil.  I believe buying land in or around an Amish or Quaker community would be ideal.

Construction – I’d like all construction to be Straw bale or experimental glass bottle with adobe.  Architecture aimed primarily at optimizing solar collection adding possible geothermal or hydropower.  I realize Straw bale isn’t ideal for environments with high humidity but it’s being done in eastern Canada so I believe it could be done in the Midwest of The United States if that’s where the land offers itself.

Power sources – Solar, Geothermal, Hydro and Wind, when and where appropriate.  The hope is that the wind component will become a community power source that I plan to share with many.  I’d also like to have an alternative fuel component (biodiesel) and become a local distributor.  I’m a self-sufficiency junkie and can’t help it.

The Farm -  A proper, small biodynamic farm is the goal.  I want to have a wide variety of animals but not more than 2-4 of each depending on purpose.  For example, if I find some great wool on some sheep, goats or alpaca and have the inclination to go into fiber arts, I will grow a herd responsibly when I figure out where I will go with it.

Cultivation – There will be many green houses and growing facilities for different fruits, veggies and herbs so that we may be self-sufficient as much as possible.  There will be a drying barn/processing facility for caring for and processing herbs to ultimately produce herbal remedies on site.

Retreat Facilities – I want to provide retreat facilities catering to the individual up to 20 or maybe even 50 people.  The facility will be open to all groups, religions, creeds respectful of the land and all living beings on it.  Volunteer work on the farm is encouraged in lieu of payment for use of the farm facilities.

Learning Center – Any person that desires to learn about any facet of the farm is more than welcome to come live and eat for free, as it will be a hands-on learning environment.  What better way to learn something than to help someone else do it?

Camp Hill inspired retreat and learning center for children with disabilities – More about this topic at www.camphill.org.

Yoga Hut – A free-standing yoga building for anyone that needs to use it.  As I am a Bikram junkie, the hut will be capable of heating up to 109 degrees Fahrenheit  with the proper humidity as well.

Conservatory – I have a profound curiosity about proper conservatories and want to build one to grow citrus and avocado trees.  It goes hand in hand with my nutrition beliefs and think it’ll be fun to design.