We began an experiment in modeling “resilient and simple living” more than 20 years ago.  We installed 15 solar panels in a “hybrid” system that feeds into the grid, but also powers a battery backup system that can provide “essential” electricity in case of a power outage.  We added a well and a “rainwater harvesting” system to supplement our municipal water supply.  We added two wood-burning stoves – one in the basement and one in the living room – to provide supplemental heat during the winter.  The biggest continuing investment of time and energy is the “bio-intensive, raised-bed” garden and “mini food forest” designed along permaculture principles.

The garden consists of fourteen 4’ x 10’ raised beds measuring 1 ft deep.  It has a drip irrigation system (connected to the well) and is enclosed in a cyclone fence (to discourage deer!).  The beds are designed to accept flexible, pvc pipe “hoops” that can be covered with greenhouse plastic to extend the growing season – allowing for earlier starts in the spring and later harvests in the fall.  We grow a variety of vegetables planted close together so that the plants form a canopy that discourages weeds.  Because intensive planting depletes the soil, we apply compost (“mushroom manure”) in the spring and fall and mulch with straw and oak leaves.  Canning, pickling, fermenting, dehydrating, and freezing allow us to preserve the harvests over time and we usually have an abundance of excess produce to share with friends and neighbors.

The mini food forest has two apple trees, three pear trees, a peach tree, Concord grapes, gooseberries, black currants, blueberries, horseradish, and potato beds.  We also grow comfrey – a dynamic accumulator of minerals – and add chopped comfrey leaves to the bio-intensive garden.  Additionally we have patches of stinging nettle, lemon balm, spearmint, and yarrow.  

We are able to grow most of the vegetables we consume with a surplus to share.  Our frugal lifestyle includes recycling, upscycling, cooking from scratch, baking a variety of breads, pastries, cakes, and pies, making granola and yogurt and – most importantly – living “below our means”.  We don’t pretend to model a “sustainable human lifestyle” because, despite the frugality, it remains too dependent on an “oil based” economy.  We do intent to model something of a “transition” to a less energy dependent manner of living while enjoying a “sufficiency” and richly satisfying life.

Questions, reflections, or collaboration?
Email us at: hello@reearth.world

reEarth.world — practicing responsibility in a finite world

© 2026 Paul Carlson