Earthship Communities (Deming, Silver City, Taos: for rent, houses, maintenance)

[onetruewater]

I am very interested in finding out more information and feedback about the Earthship communities in New Maxico. Can anyone share their experiences with me? I am fascinated with the Earthships but not sure New Mexico is where I want be. Any current and non-current community members have feedback?

[mmckenna]

What on earth is an earthship community?

[nm_photojournalist]

Originally Posted by onetruewater

I am very interested in finding out more information and feedback about the Earthship communities in New Maxico. Can anyone share their experiences with me? I am fascinated with the Earthships but not sure New Mexico is where I want be. Any current and non-current community members have feedback?

Earthship community in the Taos area
Earthship Biotecture :: Earthship Community

New Mexico is wide open for almost anything! :-) We have houses made of old tires, hay bales, etc.! Cool! Unfortunately, I do not have any "direct" knowlege to help you out. Why do I think some of my generation's Hippies, may now have children who are going over to Earthships? Possible.

[nm_photojournalist]

Originally Posted by mmckenna

What on earth is an earthship community?

What is an Earthship?


Earthship Biotecture - Sustainable Housing » Putting Housing Back into the Hands of the People

[swdesert]

Questions about alternative housing: earthships were made popular in Taos NM....tires an ideal housing potential for cold climates, not good for the heat of So. New Mexico in that they gas out. Dennis Weaver promoted earthships. Easy google.

Strawbale is appropriate in dryer climates. Needs a double frame, high maintenance.....a small community on the NM border Tierra del Sol made of strawbale, a land trust. Again, easy google.

Adobe clay is NM's blessing, Luna County (Deming) 4300 alt., has a lot of it. Just 50 miles north of Deming is Silver City 5600 alt., (Grant County) which contains the Gila National forest. Both Deming and Silver City have about 12K population, counties about 25K each. Alot of politics re: Luna County right now because of ranchettes and and county management. Luna County has one water source, the Mimbres Aquifer---this is mined water, 2% refresh. Greywater and compost toilets are legal in NM and with all of the clay a perfect spot for eco village conscious builders/ dwellers using earthen architecture, anything from cobbing to bricks. Grant County holds a great deal more awareness about these matters. Deming is 30 miles from the Mexico border (Columbus/Palomas) and within Columbus a small community (City of the Sun) --- a very mixed population now but began very organically. An 80 acre Anne Wighmore inspired self sufficient living/learning center seven miles from border...a miracle of passive solar living, off the grid with great intelligence and awareness.

I would love to see community in So. NM.

Julie, SWdesert
SW Desert Sustainability Project, Southern New Mexico

[swdesert]

http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/affor...ierraMadre.pdf
sorry that is Tierra Madre, on the NM/ Texas/ Mexico border

[jecc]

I have a friend near Taos who makes his living building earthships. Yes, NM is the place for this. Mostly in the north, as far as I know.

[onetruewater]

Thanks so far for the replies. To be more specific, I would like to hear about what it is like living in the Earthship community, building earthships, and potential disadvantages or negative experiences. Anyone have any info on these items?

[InTheDesert]

Have you read the Michael Reynolds books yet? I highly recommend them if you are interested in building. Some of the earthships in Taos are available for rent or to visit. Also check out his site if you haven't already... Earthship Biotecture - Sustainable Housing » Putting Housing Back into the Hands of the People
We have a couple of them farther South in the area I live in but no communities yet.

[apostlethaddeus]

I thank you for providing me information about Earthship communities and what it's all about... This could indeed revolutionize situations for some homeless people or those who are being made homeless by Couny Commissioners who impose their own ideas for such ordinances that works for them (their own agendas)...

I live in Luna County, New Mexico - one of the most corrupt counties according to information. The Albquerque Jouranl, severla months ago, said there were three counties under FBI investigation for corruption with Luna County leading the list. I am involved most strenuously against their Ordinance #37 because is now depriviing people like the elderly who have scrimped and saved to be able to retire on their 1/2 acre lots in the Golden Years.

I'm finding that there is nothing "Golden" now... at least in Luna County unless it is lining the pockets of corrupt politicians and their "Good Ole Boys".... Visit: http:Luna County to gain some understanding about what this is all about...

While we are fighting against the Ordinance #37 in Luna County and the corruption on-going, there are many people both in the city of Deming (they have a similar local ordinance) as well as out in the county where people are loosing their houses, homes, their very lives .... and several without DUE PROCESS... The CODE ENFORCERS here are bullies and lie to the people at the Commissioner's meetings... Its all on tape now... as are some of the people who have been and are being affected by what is going on here....

So visit our website and you'll understand a bit more.

As for EARTHSHIP communities, etc. for us here in Luna County... Man, that is tremendous, but only to those (even if they are homelss or being made homeless) who are willing or physically able to put their best effort forward... and many cannot due to their disabilities... In tandem with one of your other posters whom I've come to know a little bit about, I'm finding whole new vistas opening up, but as for the County Commissioner's here... we are going to let them dampen our spirit...

+Thaddeus the Unworthy One....