Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[paul@oneseedling.com]

Here at Reliance Community Farms we chose from the start to create
sustainable systems based on the lowest technology possible. Here in
central Texas we are blessed will two elements necessary in that quest,
wind and sunlight.
We chose to use aquaponics as the basis for most of our growing systems.
Currently we use a small 110V fountain pump to move water through the
system. These pumps use about the same energy as a childs night light
(bulb type). Even though this is cheap to run we have also instituted a
12V system powered by a 300W wind generator for emergency. The past six
months have proved that this system will stand alone.
Our next step is to utilize a mechanical wind pump of our own design (one
currently in operation) to move the water in each system. We have utilized
a blade system simular to the Gavaotes/Fergerson design and an inexpensive
Pump built from PVC pipe parts. We have successfully used this design to
supply water to the house for the past year. A total of 8 will be built
and attached to the house to supply water for the house and 7 aquaponic
units capable of raising enough food each for four people. We are
currently able to build each wind/water pumper for around $100.
Additionaly, even though we have a wind powered well to supply water to
the house we will increasingly depend on rain water. To that end we are
able to collect water from 3,100 sq ft of roof, store it in a 3,800 gal
rain water tank which overflows to two 800 gal secondary tank, one which
is also used as a fish tank.
Thus we are going to be able to raise enough food for 28 people within the
confines of a 40X40 courtyard surrounded by a 4,000 sq ft house built from
40 ft shipping containers with zero energy output from electricity. Not
there yet but closer each day. Even the washing machine will be mechanical
wind power.
Outside the house we raise goats, ducks, geese, guineas, chickens and
rabbits. Not quite to the sustainable phase with the animals but close.
This will happen during the next growing season.