A Different Kind of Farmstead in Taos New Mexico

Taos is one of my favorite destinations, twice we have chosen to vacation in New Mexico-land of enchantment. I just love the bustling art scene, wide open spaces, quaking Aspens, glorious sunsets, snowcapped mountains, and the striking Adobe architecture.

Just a sort distance from Taos, not far from the Rio Grande gorge, you begin to see these unusual structures seemingly rising out of the ground looking oddly like something from outer space. Earthships! Designed to be a totalły off-grid style of living where most of the inhabitants believe in a simple and sustainable lifestyle. Truly living off the land and employing the skills of early pioneers.

For a dwelling to be called an Earthship it should have thermal/solar heating and cooling, generate solar/wind electricity, employ self-contained sewage treatment, be built from natural and/or recycled material, practice water harvesting with long term storage and have food production capability.

Earthship design is meant to encompass all aspects of its location by blending into and using the resources of the terrain in a sustainable earth friendly way. Most are built from recycled and discarded items such as tires packed with dirt, rocks, sacks filled soil or gravel, used bottles, and even tin cans melded together by concrete. The outer structure is often covered with an Adobe type plaster.

Taos averages between 7 to 12 inches of rainfall yearly although there is snow during winter months. Water is collected from rain, snow, or condensation that's gravity fed into a cistern for storage. After being used in sinks and showers, the greywater is reclaimed, filtered and used to water gardens.

Toilets are usually a dry type or composter type, septic is not a good option in the high desert. Power is generated by either solar or wind turbine or a combination of both then stored in batteries to be converted into power for the home.

Permaculture is the preferred method of utilizing local flora and fauna. Many farmsteaders grow fruits and vegetables in indoor biospaces lined with large windows facing the side exposed to the most sunlight. Greenhouses are used outdoors for growing, the Taos winters can be harsh with many days of below freezing temperatures. Late spring and summer provides the opportunity for growing and maintaining crops outside.

Many traditional homesteading arts are practiced and encouraged in this niche society. Classes and instructions are available for acquiring particular skill sets. Some of the more popular are cheese-making, canning, growing a home apothecary, beekeeping and running a small home dairy. Some hardy individuals make money by selling their produce, cheese and honey to area restaurants or in co-ops. Many others live off the land bartering for goods and services.

Earthships are a phenomena incorporated into a specific vision of living life. Deciding to build one or live in one has its advantages, but I'll stick to my style of homesteading. It's fun to visit and somewhat intriguing, but I'm not sure we'd be up to the challenge of starting over quite literalły from scratch.