Infrastructure enables autonomy. Water capture, energy generation, food preservation, and tool storage allow us to operate independently of fragile supply chains.
Build systems that work for you, not systems that work on you.
Water Systems
Rainwater Catchment
- Roof catchment — Barn and shed roofs feed gutters
- Storage — 6x55 gallon barrels in Q3, 500-gallon tanks in Q2
- Filtration — First-flush diverters, mesh screens
- Distribution — Gravity-fed drip irrigation, hose bibs
Natural Water
- Spring — Seasonal spring on property (developing)
- Creek access — Property borders seasonal creek
- Swales — On-contour ditches capture and infiltrate runoff
Irrigation
- Drip lines — All raised beds, timer-controlled
- Soaker hoses — Orchard and perennial areas
- Hand watering — Seedlings and new plantings
Energy Systems
Solar (Current)
- Small array — Powers tools, lights, electronics
- Battery bank — 24V system for overnight use
- Inverter — 120V AC for standard tools
Solar (Planned)
- Expanded array — Full homestead power
- Well pump — Solar-direct water pumping
- Electric fencing — Solar-powered rotational grazing
Backup
- Grid connection — Currently grid-tied for reliability
- Generator — Emergency backup (rarely used)
- Wood heat — Primary winter heating
Energy independence is not about going off-grid. It is about having choices. The more options you have, the less any single system can control you.
Buildings & Structures
Barn / Tool Storage
- Hand tools (hoes, rakes, shovels, pruners)
- Power tools (drills, saws, grinders)
- Hoses, fittings, irrigation supplies
- Seeds, potting soil, amendments
Covered Work Area
- Potting bench for seedling starts
- Harvest washing station
- Shade for hot summer work
- Outdoor workspace, protected from rain
Animal Structures
- Chicken tractor (movable)
- Pig shelters (rotational)
- Dog kennel (Q3, visibility over farm)
Preservation Spaces
- Root cellar (in development)
- Drying racks (covered, ventilated)
- Canning kitchen (indoor)
- Freezer storage (chest freezers)
Tools & Equipment
Hand Tools
- Broadfork (minimal tillage)
- Hoes (multiple styles for different tasks)
- Rakes, shovels, spades
- Pruners, loppers, saws
- Wheelbarrow, garden cart
Power Tools
- String trimmer (fence lines, paths)
- Chainsaw (firewood, land clearing)
- Electric drill/driver
- Angle grinder (tool maintenance)
Future Equipment
- Walk-behind tractor (BCS or similar)
- Chipper/shredder (biomass management)
- Seed cleaner (seed saving)
Food Preservation Infrastructure
Canning
- Water bath canner (high-acid foods)
- Pressure canner (low-acid foods)
- Jars, lids, rings (rotating stock)
- Canning kitchen with good ventilation
Drying
- Solar dehydrator (covered racks)
- Electric dehydrator (backup)
- Herb drying racks (hanging bundles)
Cold Storage
- Root cellar (cool, humid, dark)
- Chest freezers (bulk meat, vegetables)
- Cold frames (season extension)
Fermentation
- Crocks (traditional ceramic)
- Jars (small batches)
- Weights and airlocks
Infrastructure Philosophy
We build infrastructure according to these principles:
- Appropriate scale — Human-scale, maintainable by one or two people
- Redundancy — Multiple ways to accomplish critical tasks
- Low tech first — Simple solutions before complex ones
- Repairable — Fixable with basic skills and tools
- Local materials — Use what is available on-site
- Multi-function — Every structure serves multiple purposes
The best infrastructure is the kind you do not notice. It just works, day after day, season after season. Build for reliability, not novelty.