The very first mission once we set our feet on this property is to raise two very large green houses for winter production specifically. Though they will be year round production, during the summer we will be concentrating on the field crop as well. I like the look and feel of wood frames. Metal is another popular option. As seen in the basic design above the construction is a simple six sides connected to a base with horizontal trust's to keep everything in place. Of course from here we need a fan for fresh air and a heat source to get through the winter. The property dose have free gas as the two shale's on the property are tapped by Columbia Gas. Based on this we may use natural gas but I really liked the idea of a wood stove. Of course more maintenance but you produce a great resource which is wood ash and you are not dependent on the gas company. I will keep you updated on which we choose.
The other option for design we have been looking into is a geodesic shape. Like the one pictured above. The advantages here seem to be in how heat and air circulate in such a shape. Efficiency one thing but I also like the look and working in a round space vs. a long square space. I love the Eco-architecture options here, as far as blending this structure into the natural land scape in a very pleasing to the eye, harmonious to the environment kind of way.
This is a very luxurious example, however, the idea of a pond in the greenhouse is very interesting and many benefits come to mind here. First of all, where you have water you could have fish. Tilapia is a fish that would do very well and is awesome to eat. Ive also herd of fresh water shrimp. I have yet to look into these tho. A post on both to come in the near future!
Another advantage is plants love love love humidity. With the heat produced by the sun and green house combination I'm sure plenty of this too be had! Of course irrigation options come to mind as well.
Now, when building on such a large scale being able to use your own materials or salvaged materials is a huge plus! We like habitat for humanity, Craigslist.org is a great way to seek out free or very cheep scrap wood, I also love the example above. The natural elements give it an amazing apeal and could further blend into the surrounding landscape.
We are all too excited about how this project is coming along! It seems there are so many obstacle and challenges. For each you want just the right or perfect answer. Our hears are in the right place and our goals are in touch with the natural ebb and flow of the earth and natural positions humans should find themselves in when in balance. With this energy surrounding us we are like this little and carrying a leaf twice as big as himself over far distance. One foot after the other, the obstacles peal one by one, the end close, looking back with a smile how no tragity occurred, demotivateor, or obstacle remain uncrossed as though something was working for us, helping along this experience!
Please if you have any comments, ideas for us, or questions. Please leave them. We would love to hear from and network with other like minded, or objective alike. Thank you all for reading!
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