High desert, permaculture dryland farm & stewardship center/makers space

Have you ever wanted to help create a closed loop food security system in a challenging and harsh climate plus learn new skill sets? We are building a stewardship center in the high desert of Northwest New Mexico at 7400 ft. With 6 to 10 in of rain a year and 90 to 100 growing days. We also forage and raise rabbits and poultry for meat and eggs.

We are a neurodiverse/autistic multi-generational group of trans/queer/ 2s individuals with a spectrum of extensive experience, working together to support each other in thriving and healing offering Qigong/ Tai chi practice daily.

The second goal is to build infrastructure to provide sanctuary for trans and autistic folks fleeing the current regime.

We are currently finishing establishing a 2 zone permaculture food Forest system and beginning work on dry land farming projects.

– April: Install the Zuni waffle beds, basins and berms that will provide the dryland farming with water

– May: Begin planting the area with seeds saved from last year and native bred cultivars. Creating terraced pasture for livestock feed.

– May-Sept Establishing the native plant nursery and utilizing these plants to provide structure and protection for the dryland farming.

– Later in the season building a wallpini and improving the existing greenhouse. Butchering rabbits and preparing hides, doing some building projects!

– April-Sept Improving the undeveloped campsite area across the road for visitors. Creating established paths to preserve cryptobiotic soil. Restoring the meadow. Doing fire safety Management and controlled burns. Hopefully building a pottery kiln!

There are also potential opportunities to learn about solar, electrical, vehicle maintenance, security cameras, Wi-Fi and communications. Food preservation, food preparation, seed saving, animal husbandry and butchering, preparing hides, crafting, clothes making, pottery, psychedelic therapy, woodworking, wood carving, using various tools and building methods.

This is a harsh and wild place. We are inside the Navajo Nation their rules must be respected. You must be willing to work with nature, we have dirt roads and sometimes extreme weather conditions, you must be willing to plan your activities around that. You must come with a fully functional and well maintained vehicle capable of traveling on slick and muddy roads along with making the hour and a half long trip to Gallup , Grants or Albuquerque to get supplies in town. You must be fully self-contained and capable of supporting all of your basic needs. Further accommodations can be discussed for accepted new members. We will often provide a shared meal on work days. We will provide water, internet, laundry and showers.

*Note to fellow queers- There is a not so radical fairie sanctuary nearby we are not affiliated with them in any way. The radical fairie community is a cult. The “community” here is very toxic, ableist and based on outdated and dangerous power structures, toxic positiveity, gaslighting, western spirituality. We do not associate with the outside community as we have found performative liberals and narcissistic white male lead queer cliques there is no actual community here.