Our Next Decade
Over the next ten years and beyond, we are dedicated to learning and adopting sustainable practices. We see the Earth as a living organism made up of many creatures working together, so we are careful not to disturb existing ecosystems. Our aim is to use natural systems to create resources. We want to foster a deeper connection with the land by studying native plants, animals, and trees, while honoring the local indigenous tribes who were the original caretakers.
We are starting our flagship homestead on a vacant lot in Snohomish County Washington. This land has been partially cleared by the previous owner and has a steady stream of well water and a fresh water creek along the road. The land has a low slope <10deg, moderate sun exposure and moderate wind from the cleared trees.
A feasibility assessment has been conducted and there are setbacks from water sources and a fair amount of steep sloped property, but we have a plan. Utilizing the natural contours of the land, watershed will be directed from gulleys downwards and outwards to the shallow crest of the hill. Ideally we can use grey water runoff and or septic to spread out and be filtered by native wetland plants adding to the ecosystem in the sloped terrain leading down to the creek. Given the steep slope and the presence of trees we plan on creating skyways through the mid section of the canopy. A garage/barn/shop will be added to the north side of the premises to house well pump, water storage, water filtration.
Our plan is to dig shallow wide trenches running outwards from the gulleys such that they intercept the keyline. This helps with rain water surface shed and and groundwater redistribution in a passive manner. Along the freshly turned mound in front of the trenches we will plant our crops and trees.