In keeping with building green, we have selected

 1. Energy efficient windows with low-E glass, thermal breaks and argon filled spaces.
 2. Recycled cotton insulation treated with borax fire proofing.
 3. Non-toxic paint coatings with an insulating ceramic bead mixed in to the coating.
 4. Engineered lumber made from second growth material.
 5. Recycled lumber.
 6. Low formaldehyde pressed wood products.
 7. Solar 'cooked' Sautillo tile for floorings.
 8. Good building orientation and passive features that minimize summer heat gain and    maximize winter heat gain.
 9. Use of solar electric and heating along with wind generating potential.
10. Recycling systems to minimize trips to the land fill.
11. Rainwater harvesting to reduce our impact on the aquifer.
12. Recyclable galvanized standing seam steel roofing for direct mounting of solar panels mounted on purlins to minimize heat transfer to the roof decking.
13. Berms to maximize ponding during rains and minimizing run off, allowing permeation into the soil.
14. Eventual solar powered pumping of all water wells.
15. A complete composting system to reduce biodegradable refuse into needed topsoil.

We subscribe to & recommend:

Mother Earth News - http://www.motherearthnews.com/
Solar Today - http://www.solartoday.org/
Home Power - http://www.homepower.com/
Countryside - http://www.countrysidemag.com/
Farm & Ranch Living - http://www.farmandranchliving.com/
Country Magazine - http://www.country-magazine.com/
Energy Self Sufficiency Newsletter - http://www.rebelwolf.com/essn.html
Backwoods Home Magazine -  http://www.backwoodshome.com/
High Country News - http://www.hcn.org

 

We participate in:

woodheat@yahoogroups.com
awea-wind-home@yahoogroups.com
http://www.countryconceptsllc.com/forum/index.php
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/biodieselbasics/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RefrigeratorAlternatives
 

We are members of:
American Solar Energy Association - www.ases.org
New Mexico Solar Energy Assoc. - www.nmsea.org
Alamogordo Chapter of NMSEA
American Wind Energy Assoc. - www.awea.org
American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association  http://www.arcsa-usa.org

Some interesting links are:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/
http://www.off-grid.ne
http://www.ecowindenergy.com
http://www.green-trust.org
http://www.solarenergy.org
http://sunwindconcepts.us
http://www.journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_processor.html
http://www.solarliving.org/index.cfm
http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/
http://solarcooking.org/
http://www.woodheat.org/
http://www.irecusa.org/connect/enewsletter.html
http://www.bebioenergy.com/
http://www.localb100.com
http://www.otherpower.com/
http://www.fieldlines.com/

Our Location:

The ranch is located on twenty acres of virgin soil just east of Tularosa, New Mexico at an elevation of 4,540 feet above sea level.  Tularosa is in the south central part of the state at the intersection of US 54 &70. The translation from Spanish of the name Tularosa is "land of the red willow"

The land is situated along 1,068 feet of Tularosa Creek frontage and the top half of a 40 ft. waterfall.  Vegetation ranges from Mesquite to Four Winged Desert Salt Bush with a great variety of cactus of which Ocotillo is my favorite. Ocotillo resembles long slim threads of stalk aiming toward the sun and has tiny leaves that it sheds in dry periods.  An Ocotillo can have three sets of leaves in a years time.

Wildlife abounds and there are numerous varieties of small lizards that would challenge any artist's palette.  We are blessed with a pair of roadrunners, numerous quail and hawks.  Once we begin to live there, a list of birds, plants and trees will be posted as we find them.

 The air is clean and clear and the night skies are an incredible display of a universe we are still learning about.  New Mexico is dedicated to preserving the ability to enjoy the night sky views.  History wise, this land is in an area that was originally the Mescalero Apache Homelands.  After the Indian Treaty their land was defined to be approximately 477,000 acres just to the east of the ranch.  We have many friends that are native Mescalero.  This area was also home to Kit Carson, Blackjack Pershing and the Buffalo Soldiers during the 1850's.  The waters that form the Tularosa Creek, in the photos, originate on the Mescalero Reservation.

The ranch house will now be 2,924 sq. ft. (it keeps growing if you've been watching close)  It will have four suites with private baths, snack bars and both inside and outside entrances.  Attached to the house is a 36 x 32 ft. solarium, a 30 x 32 ft. garage and an 20 x 20 ft. greenhouse.  There will also be a 30 x 30 ft. outdoor covered pavilion and a 20 x 40 metal shop building has just been completed.  A vineyard and orchard are planned on a portion of the land along with numerous gardens and a hydroponics greenhouse.