An introduction....

These are our personal thoughts and opinions relating to the questions posed by Jamie during our first meeting. All of our answers are a matter of personal opinion and are certainly open for discussion and refining.

The format is that of the original questionaire/outline presented at the innaugural meeting.

All responses are made in-line, and are identified by "~" at the opening and closing of the injection.

Super Awesome Earth Ship Assembly Meeting #1

　

People:

Who are you? If we are going to live off each other and depend on each other to survive off the land than we need to know if we will be compatible.

~We are Brandon and Mandy… a couple for 8 years, we were recently married, and live together in Dauphin, Pa, where we keep and maintain a small, single bedroom, rural home.~

What is it that you envision for this endeavor and what type of goals do you want to set for yourself once we are a fully functioning community?

~We envision this project primarily as an experiment in green building and sustainable lifestyles. We hope to see it grow into a flourishing, but small community of people all working toward the goal of self sufficiency.~

What are you currently doing for a living? Will you be able to keep your job or would you be finding another source of employment?

~I work in Natural Gas production, collecting and processing bottom-hole information during drilling with which directional drillers steer the wells. I live on location for 2-4 weeks at a time, in most cases, and usually come home for anywhere from a week to 3 weeks between. I plan on keeping my job through this relocation process.

Mandy works in a hotel setting up the breakfast for the guests. Although she is happy with her current position, she is willing to explore other avenues, and would most likely find another position close to the inevitable project, or even put her full time effort into the project itself. ~

What other obligations may you be carrying with you into this? (Kids, you owe the mafia money, etc.)

~Owe the mafia! Classic! We have no children living with us, but we do have (currently) 4 dogs, 2 cats, a snake, and a mini-mule. As far as financial obligations, other than old repos, a few medical bills and a current car note, we really don’t have many binding ties. ~

　

How many assets are at your disposal? (Money, Tools, Modern home amenities)

~We have plenty of mechanical hand tools. We have a chainsaw, 2 4wd vehicles (A Tracker and a Cherokee) as well as a 35 MPG 08 Kia Rio5. We have a small savings that we are reluctant to utilize, but we make enough money to be able to feasibly meet any rational needs.~

　

What kind of experience do you have?

~I have a strong construction background as well as a pretty effective mix of mechanical/artistic mind. I DO NOT GIVE UP. I Push to the end, and then, a few feet past it. I’m physically fit, and thrive on physical activity. My construction experience started with HVAC, moved to residential electrical wiring, then to sheet metal fabrication. From there, I crossed into rain spouting installations, window set installations, and roofing. I’m also a locksmith, a pretty resourceful survivalist, a piss poor but manageable gardener, as well.

Mandy is experienced in rural living, some field identification of indigenous plants an animals, food preparation, dog training, etc.~

What kind of unique abilities will you be able to offer the group?

~We’ll certainly be bringing a bit of personality and humor to the party. But, more importantly, we offer the dogs. From security, to nuisance animal deterrent, as well as physical work, and, potentially, even electricity generation (I’ll explain more, later), the dogs are a beneficial, and practical, addition to the community.~

What kind of helpful networks are you tied into?

~As far as organizations, we really don’t have many pertinent affiliations. But we do possess a large network of people individually vested for many different aspects of this project.~

What kind of home do you see yourself constructing? What size? How long will it take to build and how long will you live there?

~With distinction between the initial project building, and our “home” being made, We would like a small 2 bedroom, single bath structure somewhere in the range of 1200 to 1500 sq feet. This structure will aim to be a 100% sustainable habitation, and incorporate many of the principals demonstrated in traditional Earthship designs.

Approximate build time should be no more than 5 months, equivalent to the constraints of seasonal change. In other words… I’d like to break ground in early spring, and be toasty in the new home by the time winter hits.

As far as intended term of occupation, if all of the things we conceptualize manifest, I see no need to leave the property at any point in the future.~

What materials will you need and how much will they cost?

~This all remains to be calculated due to the individual nature of the project and the lack of actual environmental givens at this early stage.~

Where will you be during construction?

~We have an RV, are avid tenters, and are in no extreme rush to inhabit the property or move immediately. So, I’m certain that we will have plenty of options when it comes to housing. Frankly, regardless of location, the larger percentage of my nights will be spent in job provided housing.~

What kind of overall time frame should we try and set for ourselves?

~“Let’s take it nice and easy.” …This is a huge risk. From the big issues of loosing our investments to the smaller issues of everyone having personal goals that are sure to clash at some point, the best defense I can see is to take our time and cautiously consider every individual step.

Understanding that other interested parties are in situations that require a more immediate occupation of project land, I still think it would be far easier to find temporary accommodations for those people than to spend the rest of the life of this project trying to compensate for permanent decisions made in haste.~

How much weird are you comfortable with?

~We’re Burners… just try us. Lol~

　

Land:

How much land seems appropriate for the amount of people that will be on it?

~This depends on the amount of people involved. I’m not too certain that this has been decided on, yet. My opinion is that 15 to 20 people is large enough to ensure proper function of the space… and that amount should be sustained on between 15-20 acres of properly suited land. But, I’m not here to say that my assessment of size or resource requirements are in line with anyone else’s.

Basically… this still needs a lot of discussion.~

What will we be doing with the land? (Animals, crops, greenhouses etc.)

~All of the above… plus art… plus parties… plus teaching… plus re-homing pit bulls. =0)~

How much money are we willing to spend on land?

~Here’s the fun part. I can’t just throw a number out. It’s commensurate to the actual property, and any assurances of our investment.~

How far from the city are you willing to be?

~Wherever’s clever! We actually prefer the rural areas.~

What are the zoning requirements?

~Dependent on location.~

Road access?

~Dependent on location.~

Water supply? (Well, perk testing?)

~Dependent on location.~

Power/phone lines and stuff?

~We’re not opposed to internet or the possibility of a phone line, but we feel all power should be internally produced.~

Will we be able to take advantage of any kind of preexisting structures or foliage on the property?

~Of course! That’s a huge part of it! Work with what we’re given! =0)~

Being Self Sustained:

What kind of food will we be growing and how much of each thing?

~This, again is a good question for further discussion as it’s answer will rely on the variable factors of the number of people and the particular property.~

Are you ok with raising animals for food? (chickens, goats, rabbits, bees, moose, fish)

~Frankly… I’m Cajun… I’ll eat it, if it doesn’t eat me first.~

Can we develop some kind of functional business model to start producing goods/services for sale besides food? (Soap, lumber, day care, agriculture training, clothing)

~Cottage industry will be a big help in making commuting less necessary, but will need to be explored further, as well.~

Once we are fully operational, how much will it cost to maintain our property?

~Outside of property taxes and incidentals (Ie. Clothing, vehicle maintenance, personal spending, etc.)… nada. I feel it’s completely possible to reach 100% sustainability.~

Solar power? Wind power? How ‘bout both?

~ANY and EVERY form of personal power production should be explored, integrated, and developed.~

How will we be able to tie in with our fellow units posted in the City?

~By offering educational programs and possibly an urban outlet for our future wares or any excess products.~

　

…ok?

Does that help?

Lol

We’re thrilled to be involved in this project, and look forward to it’s eventual bloom!

~Brandon~