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Do you have any idea how many acres of desert chaparral it would take to sustain a single foraging goat in NM? Unless you plan on purchasing land in ranch-size proportions, a goat farm is just not feasible. Overgrazing is a serious problem in the desert soutwest resulting in erosion and further desertification.
Just offering my honest opinion.
I don't believe he said he wanted a goat farm. Did you forget that one can buy feed at feed stores for their livestock?
I don't believe he said he wanted a goat farm. Did you forget that one can buy feed at feed stores for their livestock?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitefly
I'm on the prowl for some homesteader-friendly acreage. My goal is to live off the grid -- and off the land -- in a travel-trailer; grow organic produce, goats and chickens; and use alternative power. I'd also like to get a well drilled, and build my own septic system.
Emphasis added..........
Living off grid means more than just not hooking up to the electrical system. It includes being as self sufficient as humanly possible. Depending on the local feed store for sustenance for your livestock is NOT living "off-grid" as a homesteader. Further, if you want "organic produce, goats and chickens" you don't buy factory processed medicated feed.....kind of defeats the attempt at being organic. Even the manure that comes from medicated feed is not "organic" and safe from chemicals.
It is not for white men. Only Native Americans could/can survive in the desert. Just the way you describe.
It ain't as hard as domino says. Unless you are stupid or lazy.
Chickens do well. There are other opportunities around. Gomfor it.
Well, 100 years ago almost everyone lived that way. It can certainly be done, but it's a hard, hard life. Arizona had a Homestead act and offered everyone 160 acres, but raised the acreage to 320 when it became apparent that 160 acres couldn't support a family, in the arid Southwest. Cochise county, where I live, has waived the inspections for building a homestead type living situation. So, it's probably one of the few places where you could make a homemade cesspool, drill your own well, build a hay-bale house e.t.c.
I am not really planning to homestead in the usual sense, but I am wondering if I can have a new Amish-built portable cabin dropped onto my 2+ acre property in Sunshine Valley Ranchettes and utilizing black and gray water holding tanks which water is brought in and pumped out, utilize a composting toilet, solar and wind power off grid permitted? I would plan to "camp" or vacation there less than 5 months out of any year (since my permanent home is in Illinois). I should add that the portable Amish-built type cabin is fully insulated with hook-ups for the holding tanks that I described. I would also utilize propane for heat/cooking/refrigeration. Comments? I don't wish to be uncompliant with ordinances, but I also feel that I should have a right to do this plan without too much regulation from the county. I also support artificial lighting ordinances. Many thanks for your suggestions and comments. DSV
I'm on the prowl for some homesteader-friendly acreage. My goal is to live off the grid -- and off the land -- in a travel-trailer; grow organic produce, goats and chickens; and use alternative power. I'd also like to get a well drilled, and build my own septic system.
My question to you locals is twofold:
1) Does Deming have zones which would allow for this?
2) If so, are there any other issues you can think of which might hamper my plan?
Thanks for reading!
- Ido
You chose the worst place for what you want to do.
There are a bunch of counties in Central Texas (and TX in general) like the one we live in that do not have building code or its enforcement but will require you to install a county approved and inspected septic tank. These counties like Hays or Comal get more rainfall, have more vegetation etc.
However, as for feeding your goats off *your* land, probably not. The next best thing is a local ranch/farm that grows their own hay. He have horses are live two miles from a 2400 acre ranch that grows their own coastal hay, buying from them is cheaper too AND you are dealing with a neighbor.
Property taxes around here are high and property prices are not low. But, you get what you pay for, more or less.
If you want more greenery, look around Silver City or more north towards Quemado and more north of that. It will cost you much more though and the winters are harsher...
If you're going to homestead, I'd recommend you learn how to build and use a solar still - and that goes double for homesteading in the desert.
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SVR or Deming Ranchettes...Any suggestions?
