This project has been underway for about 5 years.

We have IRS non-profit status, allowing us to give tax deductions to those who contribute services, equipment, or finances. 

Land was acquired with a mortgage.

Keeping in mind the best design for our project, greenhouse kits have been selected and about to be contributed to the project. 

The greenhouse pits (for our own semi pit, solar/earth-sheltered design concepts, have been excavated.

A deep well was dug, and will have the option of solar power pumping, or emergency manual backup.

Solar electric and water systems were purchased, and about to be donated by a contributor. 

Updates: 5/21/03

The land is so isolated, it is impractical for volunteers to commute often, so we are focusing on getting the office, crop processing areas, root cellars, and some temporary quarters build first, to provide accommodations for the permanent volunteers, who have been living in trailers all this time.

Solar electric systems are ready to be installed and come on line pending application approval. 

Solar hot water panels and connections are in place, and hydronic radiant heating systems nearly ready.

Because of focusing on the volunteer, office and crop processing aspect first, we haven't been able to get the walls or foundation of the pits done yet, so we cannot assemble greenhouses until their infrastructures are prepared. 

We naturally ran into many unexpected problems. For instance, the well. The water level there, is very deep, thus it cost far more than expected to drill. The upside is, while many others in the valley and other areas had their wells run dry, and had to re-drill because of the long term drought, we still had well water. 

However, until we get all the greenhouse experiments running, we won't know if the supply will be sufficient for all needs. However a second well has been drilled, that could take care of visitor, educational seminar programs, and volunteer housing, if we rebuild in another area.

The depth, and distance from the greenhouses requires running a high power DC pump with independent solar electric panels. The power is needed to get the water up from so deep, and then pumped up hill to the greenhouse sites and agricultural building sites. It's too deep for windmill pumps. 

We planned on getting an aqua-ponics system up and running first, and using its income to provide some income for the rest of the project. But we changed plans as mentioned above.

We now have a non profit attorney who supports our project, and contributes one hour a month of legal assistance and advice. 

We are looking for grant specialists at this time, in hopes of getting grant money to speed up the process. 

If we can get local government permission, we eventually hope to have a very small rustic retreat along with the educational area. Both would be relatively nearby the crop production centers for visitors.  

As mentioned earlier, funding has come from our families, but also some from from people who are inspired with a similar vision. 

It would be wise to hire professional construction crews to do the work - and provide whatever materials they need, rather than using our unskilled volunteers.  Our board has crop production experts and engineers, but so far, because of costs, the actual work has only been done by unskilled volunteers, which is slow. But worse sometimes mistakes are made that must be corrected later at an even greater cost.  

Every contribution helps, financial or otherwise.  If you believe in this project, and you know of a construction company, builders, etc., who would be willing to contribute their services, please contact them.  

And for those of you who have already helped, thank you very much for your kindness and generosity - your good deeds will help the lives of others, who will also touch the lives of others... And you know the old saying, "What goes around comes around".