BaseCamp WNC

Welcome back to base camp! Today, we're discussing whether it's more feasible to develop a sustainable homestead or to foster a sustainable community. Up here in the mountains where I reside, our local practices offer a glimpse into effective community-based agriculture. For instance, a neighbor, who raises cattle, has been busy processing last year's herd. This fresh, unvaccinated, and purely raised beef is sold directly from our mountain at just under six dollars a pound. Our small community is a vibrant example of agricultural diversity. Along with beef, we have locals who raise goats, sheep, and even rabbits. A recent addition is a neighbor who bought a trout farm, aiming to supply both wholesale and retail markets with trout fillets. Almost all our meat needs are met locally, except for chicken. However, plans are underway for a USDA certified processing facility which could soon include poultry. Through my consulting work with homesteads, I've realized t...

Welcome back to Base Camp WNC! Today, we're exploring a robust solar energy solution for an off-grid well pump system, featuring a 6000-watt inverter as its core. This system cleverly integrates various power sources to ensure seamless operation, even during power outages. The inverter, though lacking a built-in solar charger, is a pivotal component in a setup designed to disconnect a 220-volt well pump from the grid. The configuration includes separate main panels for the house and guest cottage, as well as essential power supplies for critical loads, such as kitchen lights and the furnace. During a power loss, a generator automatically kicks in, powering all essential systems. However, the goal here is to minimize generator use by integrating solar power. This is achieved by connecting the well pump to the inverter, which then utilizes either grid power, generator output, or solar energy, depending on availability and priority settings. The inverter itself offers a du...

Welcome back to Base Camp WNC, where we are excited to share our latest project in the beautiful state of Tennessee. We are currently developing a remarkable site featuring 16 cabins, all nourished by the natural purity of spring water. This endeavor involves constructing a dam, meticulously designed to harness this pristine resource effectively. The heart of our project is the innovative Spring Water Dam, complemented by a homemade sediment tank. This setup is not only efficient but also one of the most user-friendly systems I have worked with recently. The process includes using heavy machinery to transport stones, enhancing the structural integrity of the dam, and preventing erosion with additional rock layers. Moreover, the homeowner has ingeniously created a spring box, utilizing simple yet effective materials, like a five-gallon container, to filter the water. The system delivers about a gallon of water per minute, gradually improving as it filters through the rocks. We...

Welcome back to Base Camp WNC. It has been some time since I've checked in due to personal and family commitments. As you can see, we are currently at the farm. Despite it being nearly mid-April, we've endured a long, cool, wet winter. Currently, the team is busy setting out watermelon plants. Let's take a stroll up the row where the crew is in the midst of harvesting strawberries. All the customers are located on the opposite side of the farm, while the field over here remains open. As we continue up the aisle, the team plans to plant four different types of watermelon, dedicating four beds to each variety. This morning was spent planting various tomato breeds, totaling eight varieties for the farm. Elsewhere, all the squash has been set out. The irrigation has been running for about four to five days to thoroughly moisten the soil, adhering to the old saying: "Sow dry, set wet." This means planting seeds when it's dry and transplanting when it...

Welcome back to base camp WNC! Its finally arrived - I mentioned it on Thursday or Friday's video. The wait has been long but worthwhile as we now have access to a powerful 3000 watt solar pump that converts our AC well pumps into off grid systems with backup battery powered capabilities. This means no more relying solely on electricity from the grid when running these essential devices at home. Don't get me started about salesmen though... After waiting for four months since the initial announcement by professionals that this product was ready to go; finally getting hold of it has been quite a relief. The customer expressed their gratitude towards me as they were impressed with its features such as being able to generate up to one and half horsepower at 220 volts using MPPT charge controller along with an inverter system which operates on split phase power supply making use of two lines each rated at 110V when neutralized together resulting into a maximum output capacit...

Revitalizing a Time-Worn Spring House: A Comprehensive Restoration Journey Welcome to Base Camp WNC, where we embark on a journey to breathe new life into a venerable spring house, aged approximately 50 to 60 years. The initial state of disrepair was evident, with a compromised roof, absent screens, and damaged cement blocks due to frost action. Our mission commenced with the demolition of the dilapidated structure to expose the spring beneath, followed by an innovative approach to water management using a barrel ring and a makeshift dam to eliminate surface water intrusion. Upon removal of the building, we discovered the original iron pipe alongside a later addition of PVC piping. Our exploration then led us to unearth the spring's water source, necessitating a thorough cleanout of the area. Despite initial hopes to avoid extensive excavation, the discovery of multiple spring heads compelled us to clear the basin entirely and install a leach intake pipe, complemented by a...

Welcome back to Base Camp WNC! We are currently on another water job out in Western North Carolina, capturing a small flowing section of this Little Creek. This project is dedicated to creating a livestock watering system. I'll take you along for the complete build and show you the process. The water, starting here, runs down to a cistern tank and then down to the livestock waters. Let me guide you through the build, as I share insights on the components and construction techniques used. This setup involves a piece of an old IBC tote transformed into a 15-gallon drum, cut and fitted with screen wire. It's important to note that this system is designed for livestock watering, not for human consumption. The objective is to facilitate water access across different paddocks for watering livestock. To build this weir, we modified a 15-gallon drum, setting it on a table saw to cut it in half. The threaded hole of the drum is used as the drain. Our current task involves fram...