The Cacti are flowering at Heartwood

Took a walk today and noticed that the cacti had big beautiful yellow flowers. Particularly in the King's Highway area.

Here are some photos.

Animas River Days

I took a few of the neighbor kids and a couple of my own into town today to see the Animas River Days.

We watched the Slalom races in the rapids and the dog fetching "competition" in the river.

New Well Drilling Pics

We recently drilled a new well out here. It is just East of the Housing Cluster.

The well is installed and is in the process of waiting for state approval. (At least as I understand it)

Durango Ironhorse Weekend Pics

If you are a bike fan then the Ironhorse weekend might interest you. (Even if you don't want to ride the 2 passes) Here are some pics from the races downtown on Sunday.

Staked Out a New Trail at Heartwood CoHousing

I walked part of a new trail tonight with Sue. She was showing me the trail that she and Mac staked out along the Eastern edge of the property. It follows the fence line for part of the way then drops down to a sage meadow and then back up to the property line.

It provides an awesome view of the cluster and views to the valley towards the south.

We didn't follow it tonight but it continues and will have a spur trail that summits of of this hills on the property. I've been there too and it has great views both east and west.

I'll post pics next time I get up there.

Invest in Heartwood Farms

At Heartwood Farms, we now have our first successful season under our belt and we're ready to welcome friends of Heartwood to become members of the farm. This letter will review what we've done so far at the farm, what we'll be doing in the years to come, and how you can help support Heartwood Farms by becoming a member and investing in growing nutritious, organic food right here at Heartwood.

The Vision
At Heartwood Farms, we practice bountiful, regenerative farming that is healing to the land and to all who are touched by it. Through Heartwood Farms, you can become the change that you want to see in the world! And you'll feel good because you'll be making it possible for us to raise local, organic food and nurture the land.

So Far, So Good
As expected, our first season was full of many wonderful successes and plenty of learning opportunities as well. Some of the successes included:
• providing over 14,000 pounds of extremely high quality, organic, locally grown food to Heartwood residents and the larger community
• establishing 70 garden beds and building the soil in those beds
• establishing a 2 acre potato field and building the soil in that field
• establishing an orchard of approximately 150 trees
• establishing 3 bee hives
• building LOTS of deer fences, irrigation systems, a root cellar, intern living facilities, a seedling house, a food washing shed, and small animal facilities
• enriching the lives of 4 interns who got the chance to learn about and experience organic farming and community living
• establishing a seed bank specifically adapted to our environment
• promoting microorganisms and soil fertility throughout the pastures and growing beds
• bringing farm workers, Heartwood residents, and visitors closer to Nature and the food they eat

Wow -- big year!

All of the lessons that we learned in our first year have to do with making the farm more sustainable. We need to have enough labor so that the farm work is joyful and doesn't burn people out. The farm operation is complex and we need good communications and systems in place to make it all run smoothly. Although lots of up front investment was made last year, in the long run, we need to bring in as much money as we spend. The soil is our most valuable resource and we need to continue to build it and help it become ever more fertile. All of these lessons have been incorporated into our 2010 work plan for the farm.

A Very Bright Future
At Heartwood we have a unique combination of resources that support Heartwood Farms. We have extremely experienced and talented growers, namely Bevan Williams and Kris Hill. We have plenty of pastureland and great water rights. We have a very supportive community that helps the farm in so many ways -- from providing the land to lending management expertise to giving love and friendship to the farm interns. With all of the achievements of 2009, the exhaustive work to learn from our first year and adjust our plans accordingly, and the support of our community, the farm is poised to continue to grow and flourish. Our long range vision is to create a beautiful and nourishing integrated food system. We're on our way.

Won't You Join Us?
To reach that bright future, Heartwood Farms needs cash investment. Investing in Heartwood Farms Co-op entitles you to membership in the co-op, voting rights, and a proportional financial stake in the cooperative. While dividends and increased share value are certainly possible, investing in Heartwood Farms is really about investing in your values.
• Do you value healthy, organic, local, fresh, convenient, and affordable food on your table and at common meals?
• Do you value making that wonderful food available to the larger local community?
• Do you value minimizing your environmental footprint? (Did you know that food from the grocery store has traveled an average of 1300 miles?!)
• Do you value the development of innovative organic farming practices and sharing them with interns who will carry them far and wide?
• Do you value bringing health and vitality to the land?

If you hold any of these values, please consider joining us in making this vibrant food system a reality by investing in Heartwood Farms.

Investment Details
Voting Rights
All member-owners, regardless of how many shares they own, are entitled to one vote at the annual meeting where we'll elect a board of directors and possibly make other decisions.

Financial Stake and Selling Shares
All member-owners have a stake in the cooperative in proportion to the number of shares they own. They will receive a proportional share of dividends distributed. They are free to sell their shares whenever and to whomever they choose at whatever price they can get, although the cooperative and Heartwood members will retain a first right of refusal in order to keep ownership of the co-op close to home.

Purchasing Shares
Shares will be offered at $100 per share. In the future, share price will increase as the value of Heartwood Farms increases. When you're ready to invest, please contact Mac Thomson and let him know how many shares you want to buy and whose name to put them in.

If you want further information, please don't hesitate ask. Here is some contact information:

Mac 884-2196 mac@heartwoodcohousing.com

Sandy 884-2196 sandy@heartwoodcohousing.com

Scott 239-1066 scott_fallows@yahoo.com

Zita 884-7003 zitaxavieris@gmail.com

Bevan 884-4069 bevanis@gmail.com

Kris 403-4665 hillblueclouds@yahoo.com

More Ways to Support the Farm
In addition to investing in Heartwood Farms, you might also want to consider supporting the farm by purchasing Farm Credits or volunteering to work on the farm. Buying Farm Credits means prepaying for farm food that can then be purchased at the Heartwood Store or at our Common House Farmers Markets. It's like a CSA, but you can get whatever farm food you want when you want it. There's another email fully describing the Farm Credits if you are interested. If you'd like to volunteer to get your hands dirty and work on the farm, give Sandy a call or send her an email and she'll let you know how to get started (884-2196; sandy@heartwoodcohousing.com).

We invite you to become part of this dream to create a more sustainable world and a more secure local food system. Come visit, see what we've done in only one year. If you'd like, volunteer to come play in the gardens. It won't be long until the scent of the first orchard blossoms, the sound of happy bees, the smell of healthy soil, and fresh strawberry shoots poking up from garden beds return to the farm. Remember, vibrant, radiant health comes from the farm, not the pharmacy!

We need to raise $4700 by March to purchase soil amendments, green house supplies, irrigation equipment, and seeds. If you share in this collective dream, we need your help to manifest it right here, right now. Please join us by calling Mac at 884-2196.

With deep appreciation from all of us,

The Heartwood Farms Board and Staff

At Heartwood Farms, we now have our first successful season under our belt and we're ready to welcome friends of Heartwood to become members of the farm. This letter will review what we've done so far at the farm, what we'll be doing in the years to come, and how you can help support Heartwood Farms by becoming a member and investing in growing nutritious, organic food right here at Heartwood. The Vision At Heartwood Farms, we practice bountiful, regenerative farming that is healing to the land and to all who are touched by it. Through Heartwood Farms, you can become the change that you want to see in the world! And you'll feel good because you'll be making it possible for us to raise local, organic food and nurture the land. So Far, So Good As expected, our first season was full of many wonderful successes and plenty of learning opportunities as well. Some of the successes included: • providing over 14,000 pounds of extremely high quality, organic, locally grown food to Heartwood residents and the larger community • establishing 70 garden beds and building the soil in those beds • establishing a 2 acre potato field and building the soil in that field • establishing an orchard of approximately 150 trees • establishing 3 bee hives • building LOTS of deer fences, irrigation systems, a root cellar, intern living facilities, a seedling house, a food washing shed, and small animal facilities • enriching the lives of 4 interns who got the chance to learn about and experience organic farming and community living • establishing a seed bank specifically adapted to our environment • promoting microorganisms and soil fertility throughout the pastures and growing beds • bringing farm workers, Heartwood residents, and visitors closer to Nature and the food they eat Wow -- big year! All of the lessons that we learned in our first year have to do with making the farm more sustainable. We need to have enough labor so that the farm work is joyful and doesn't burn people out. The farm operation is complex and we need good communications and systems in place to make it all run smoothly. Although lots of up front investment was made last year, in the long run, we need to bring in as much money as we spend. The soil is our most valuable resource and we need to continue to build it and help it become ever more fertile. All of these lessons have been incorporated into our 2010 work plan for the farm. A Very Bright Future At Heartwood we have a unique combination of resources that support Heartwood Farms. We have extremely experienced and talented growers, namely Bevan Williams and Kris Hill. We have plenty of pastureland and great water rights. We have a very supportive community that helps the farm in so many ways -- from providing the land to lending management expertise to giving love and friendship to the farm interns. With all of the achievements of 2009, the exhaustive work to learn from our first year and adjust our plans accordingly, and the support of our community, the farm is poised to continue to grow and flourish. Our long range vision is to create a beautiful and nourishing integrated food system. We're on our way. Won't You Join Us? To reach that bright future, Heartwood Farms needs cash investment. Investing in Heartwood Farms Co-op entitles you to membership in the co-op, voting rights, and a proportional financial stake in the cooperative. While dividends and increased share value are certainly possible, investing in Heartwood Farms is really about investing in your values. • Do you value healthy, organic, local, fresh, convenient, and affordable food on your table and at common meals? • Do you value making that wonderful food available to the larger local community? • Do you value minimizing your environmental footprint? (Did you know that food from the grocery store has traveled an average of 1300 miles?!) • Do you value the development of innovative organic farming practices and sharing them with interns who will carry them far and wide? • Do you value bringing health and vitality to the land? If you hold any of these values, please consider joining us in making this vibrant food system a reality by investing in Heartwood Farms. Investment Details Voting Rights All member-owners, regardless of how many shares they own, are entitled to one vote at the annual meeting where we'll elect a board of directors and possibly make other decisions. Financial Stake and Selling Shares All member-owners have a stake in the cooperative in proportion to the number of shares they own. They will receive a proportional share of dividends distributed. They are free to sell their shares whenever and to whomever they choose at whatever price they can get, although the cooperative and Heartwood members will retain a first right of refusal in order to keep ownership of the co-op close to home. Purchasing Shares Shares will be offered at $100 per share. In the future, share price will increase as the value of Heartwood Farms increases. When you're ready to invest, please contact Mac Thomson and let him know how many shares you want to buy and whose name to put them in. If you want further information, please don't hesitate ask. Here is some contact information: Mac 884-2196 mac@heartwoodcohousing.com Sandy 884-2196 sandy@heartwoodcohousing.com Scott 239-1066 scott_fallows@yahoo.com Zita 884-7003 zitaxavieris@gmail.com Bevan 884-4069 bevanis@gmail.com Kris 403-4665 hillblueclouds@yahoo.com

More Ways to Support the Farm In addition to investing in Heartwood Farms, you might also want to consider supporting the farm by purchasing Farm Credits or volunteering to work on the farm. Buying Farm Credits means prepaying for farm food that can then be purchased at the Heartwood Store or at our Common House Farmers Markets. It's like a CSA, but you can get whatever farm food you want when you want it. There's another email fully describing the Farm Credits if you are interested. If you'd like to volunteer to get your hands dirty and work on the farm, give Sandy a call or send her an email and she'll let you know how to get started (884-2196; sandy@heartwoodcohousing.com).

We invite you to become part of this dream to create a more sustainable world and a more secure local food system. Come visit, see what we've done in only one year. If you'd like, volunteer to come play in the gardens. It won't be long until the scent of the first orchard blossoms, the sound of happy bees, the smell of healthy soil, and fresh strawberry shoots poking up from garden beds return to the farm. Remember, vibrant, radiant health comes from the farm, not the pharmacy!

We need to raise $4700 by March to purchase soil amendments, green house supplies, irrigation equipment, and seeds. If you share in this collective dream, we need your help to manifest it right here, right now. Please join us by calling Mac at 884-2196.

With deep appreciation from all of us,

The Heartwood Farms Board and Staff

At Heartwood Farms, we now have our first successful season under our belt and we're ready to welcome friends of Heartwood to become members of the farm. This letter will review what we've done so far at the farm, what we'll be doing in the years to come, and how you can help support Heartwood Farms by becoming a member and investing in growing nutritious, organic food right here at Heartwood. The Vision At Heartwood Farms, we practice bountiful, regenerative farming that is healing to the land and to all who are touched by it. Through Heartwood Farms, you can become the change that you want to see in the world! And you'll feel good because you'll be making it possible for us to raise local, organic food and nurture the land. So Far, So Good As expected, our first season was full of many wonderful successes and plenty of learning opportunities as well. Some of the successes included: • providing over 14,000 pounds of extremely high quality, organic, locally grown food to Heartwood residents and the larger community • establishing 70 garden beds and building the soil in those beds • establishing a 2 acre potato field and building the soil in that field • establishing an orchard of approximately 150 trees • establishing 3 bee hives • building LOTS of deer fences, irrigation systems, a root cellar, intern living facilities, a seedling house, a food washing shed, and small animal facilities • enriching the lives of 4 interns who got the chance to learn about and experience organic farming and community living • establishing a seed bank specifically adapted to our environment • promoting microorganisms and soil fertility throughout the pastures and growing beds • bringing farm workers, Heartwood residents, and visitors closer to Nature and the food they eat Wow -- big year! All of the lessons that we learned in our first year have to do with making the farm more sustainable. We need to have enough labor so that the farm work is joyful and doesn't burn people out. The farm operation is complex and we need good communications and systems in place to make it all run smoothly. Although lots of up front investment was made last year, in the long run, we need to bring in as much money as we spend. The soil is our most valuable resource and we need to continue to build it and help it become ever more fertile. All of these lessons have been incorporated into our 2010 work plan for the farm. A Very Bright Future At Heartwood we have a unique combination of resources that support Heartwood Farms. We have extremely experienced and talented growers, namely Bevan Williams and Kris Hill. We have plenty of pastureland and great water rights. We have a very supportive community that helps the farm in so many ways -- from providing the land to lending management expertise to giving love and friendship to the farm interns. With all of the achievements of 2009, the exhaustive work to learn from our first year and adjust our plans accordingly, and the support of our community, the farm is poised to continue to grow and flourish. Our long range vision is to create a beautiful and nourishing integrated food system. We're on our way. Won't You Join Us? To reach that bright future, Heartwood Farms needs cash investment. Investing in Heartwood Farms Co-op entitles you to membership in the co-op, voting rights, and a proportional financial stake in the cooperative. While dividends and increased share value are certainly possible, investing in Heartwood Farms is really about investing in your values. • Do you value healthy, organic, local, fresh, convenient, and affordable food on your table and at common meals? • Do you value making that wonderful food available to the larger local community? • Do you value minimizing your environmental footprint? (Did you know that food from the grocery store has traveled an average of 1300 miles?!) • Do you value the development of innovative organic farming practices and sharing them with interns who will carry them far and wide? • Do you value bringing health and vitality to the land? If you hold any of these values, please consider joining us in making this vibrant food system a reality by investing in Heartwood Farms. Investment Details Voting Rights All member-owners, regardless of how many shares they own, are entitled to one vote at the annual meeting where we'll elect a board of directors and possibly make other decisions. Financial Stake and Selling Shares All member-owners have a stake in the cooperative in proportion to the number of shares they own. They will receive a proportional share of dividends distributed. They are free to sell their shares whenever and to whomever they choose at whatever price they can get, although the cooperative and Heartwood members will retain a first right of refusal in order to keep ownership of the co-op close to home. Purchasing Shares Shares will be offered at $100 per share. In the future, share price will increase as the value of Heartwood Farms increases. When you're ready to invest, please contact Mac Thomson and let him know how many shares you want to buy and whose name to put them in. If you want further information, please don't hesitate ask. Here is some contact information:

#19 For Sale: 4 Bedroom Home

#19 is a Single Family home with 4 bedrooms and an office.

$465,000

• Large corner lot with terracing, drought tolerant perennials, more than 20 trees, yard planted with buffalo grass, 3 raised garden beds, drip irrigation system, pergola over back patio
• Wood shed that holds at least 2 years supply of wood + storage of garden tools
• Two car ports, side by side, with shelves in both units, over head flooring for increased storage
  
• 2,600 sq ft passive solar house with 4 bedrooms, study, and den on three floors, E-Star rating = 5
• Hickory wood floors on main floor and hallway upstairs
• Solid wood doors to all rooms
• Skylight in upper hallway
• Whole-house fan -- sucks out all of the hot air in about 10 minutes
• Aspen ceilings in study and master bedroom
• 4 plumbed bathrooms, only 2 are full bathrooms with tubs and shower, tile in both bathrooms, no plastic
• Wood stove -- we heat the two upper floors with wood only, high efficiency, low emissions ( 3.0 gms/hr)
• Overhead fans in living room and two upstairs bedrooms
• Hot water baseboard heat if needed in the whole house – we use it in the basement
• Mexican tile in the kitchen, southwest mountain rustic design, gas stove for cooking

Contact us at dave (at) dave-austin.com or 970-884-2757 through the heartwood cohousing website. http://www.heartwoodcohousing.com