What makes your home a Green or Healthy Home?
Straw-bale construction uses recycle denim insulation for ceilings and walls not insulated with straw, passive solar heating through large, south-facing windows, "batch" solar water heaters, 3.15 kV photovoltaic solar system with 24, 2-volt deep-cycle marine batteries, two solar pumps and a hand pump, extensive orchard, gardening beds, and much more.Property Description
The homestead includes a well-insulated, straw-bale, off-grid duplex, with the two sides of the duplex separated by a 450-square-foot breezeway. Each of the two sides of the duplex tallies 700 square feet of living space in a stunning setting. The east side has an evaporative cooler and crushed-quartz countertops, along with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. The cooler west side has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Each bathroom has a composting toilet, and each living room and each bedroom has a ceiling fan.
The duplex is served by a 3.15-kilowatt photovoltaic solar system and solar water heaters. Energy storage is provided by 24, 2-volt deep-cycle, marine batteries that can be trickled-charged from the grid by flipping a switch on the breaker box in the breezeway (no noisy generator needed). Large, south-facing windows and an acid-stained concrete floor provide passive solar heating. The structure was designed and built with durability in mind, from faucets and light switches to Jötul wood stoves.
A 1,500-square-foot mobile home, built in 1995, has grid-tied electricity and offers abundant storage and living quarters. It contains 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms as well as relatively new appliances (electric stove, upright refrigerator, deep-chest freezer, and high-efficiency washing machine). The mobile home has an open floor plan with large living room/dining room/kitchen heated by a very large wood stove. Total indoor living space tallies 2,900 square feet.
The homestead includes an extensive orchard, several large gardens (several of which are underlain by hardware cloth to protect against gophers), 2 cold frames (each 45 square feet and similarly protected from gophers), 2 greenhouses, 2 root cellars (320 square feet and 100 square feet, respectively, the former with several tons of non-perishable food), a chicken coop (has housed 27 chickens, with room to spare), duck house (has housed 13 ducks, with room to spare), and goat paddock and shed (which have contained up to 3 adults and 8 kids, and harbor are complete milking accommodations indoors and outdoors; goat milk has served as a source of revenue for the property). The entire homestead is served by a drip-irrigation system, 2 solar-powered wells and a hand pump with extremely high-quality water, and a lovingly crafted outdoor kitchen. In addition to water pumped from the shallow water table, 3,000 gallons of rainwater are harvested from each of the 2 homes.
Also onsite is a large biochar kiln with which charcoal is created as a soil amendment. An extensive stand of bamboo serves as feedstock for the kiln, as well as producing edible and ultimately structural bamboo. This permacultural haven has additional features too numerous to list.
The homestead is located near the sole remaining free-flowing river in the state of New Mexico (the Gila River). It is surrounded by National Forests and designated Wilderness Areas, including the Gila Wilderness, largest Wilderness Area in the Lower 48 states. The views from the homestead are beautiful in all directions, with mountains, forests, a riverine corridor, and spectacular sunsets. The abundance of wildlife is stunning, and includes Sandhill cranes and numerous other waterfowl species during winter. Silver City, the nearest town of more than 10,000 people, is 30 miles away. It is the hub of commerce for Grant County, and it harbors a state university and a significant historical district.
Monetary investment to date exceeds $700,000, not including thousands of hours of labor over a span of 8 years. It’s ready for immediate occupancy, including friendly neighbors who “know the ropes” about living in a rural area. Begin living the dream of self-reliance today for $390,000.Neighborhood Description
Rural area with great neighbors who value their privacy and respect your privacy. The friendly neighbors "know the ropes" about living in this beautiful, rural area. They'll help with everything from gardening and animal husbandry to identification of hiking trails.Market Area
Silver City, the nearest town of more than 10,000 people, is 30 miles away. It is the hub of commerce for Grant County, and it harbors a state university and a significant historical district. The homestead is located near the sole remaining free-flowing river in the state of New Mexico (the Gila River). It is surrounded by National Forests and designated Wilderness Areas, including the Gila Wilderness, the largest Wilderness Area in the Lower 48 states. The abundance of wildlife is stunning.School District
The nearby K-12 school in Cliff is routinely ranked as the best in the state. The school population and the surrounding community are small enough that people know each other and take care of one another.Community
The rural area is characterized by a broad, eclectic mixture of people. Some went back to the land in the 1970s and 1980s and remained. Others are financially wealthy and have chosen the area because of its beauty, character, and accommodating people. A state-supported library, K-12 school, volunteer fire department, convenience store, and restaurants. The nearby Gila Wilderness and Gila River provide provide myriad opportunities for enjoying the outdoors.Location of Home or Land
Rural
Elevation of Home
Mountain
Air Quality
| Agriculture in Area | yes |
| Industry in Area | no |
| Air Pollution in Area | no |
| Pesticide Free | yes |
| Fragrance Free | yes |
| Cleaned with Green Products | yes |
Interior Environment
| Heating System | Fireplace |
| Cooling System | Passive Cooling |
| Ventilation System | Other |
| Whole House Filtration | None |
| Whole House Vacuum | no |
Energy & Water
| Energy System | Photovoltaic (PV) |
| Water System | Rain Water Collection |
| Wastewater System | Composting Toilet |
Construction Information
| Construction Type | Straw bale |
| Exterior Finish | Stucco |
| Interior Finish | Earthen Plaster |
| Interior Paint | No VOC |
| Floor Material | Concrete |
| Roof Material | Metal |
| Window Material | Metal Dual Glazed |
| Insulation Material | Recycled Denim Batt |
Garage / Car Port
| Garage / Carport | no |
| Garage Type | attached |
| Number of Cars | 1 |
