The movie clip above is definitely not an Oscar contender but if you listen closely you can hear some of our daily sounds we so enjoy hearing, such as a coyote howling, our hounds baying, birds singing, and the wind blowing. About four years ago we embarked on a journey to create our high-altitude, organic Skull Valley Lavender Farm. Plant by plant and row by row, a labor of love. Last summer we had the first 'fruits of our labor" and took our blooms, precious bundles, lavender soap, honey, and culinary products to the local farmers market in Prescott, Arizona. We want to be able to grow year-round and need a HoopHouse, which is an unheated greenhouse in the shape of a high-tunnel. You can see a picture further down on this page or in the movie clip. Will you help us get the HoopHouse this year? We like to add your name to a sign on the premises of all who helped achieve this!

Alongside the lavender, we keep treatment-free bees, raise heirloom chickens, and have Navajo Churro sheep for weeding, wool, and cheese.

All the labor has been done by the two of us with occasional support of visiting family members or friends we 'put to work' :) It has been a slow process and it would be great if we can expedite the realization of our HoopHouse with the help of social networking like this!

Goals

• Be an example that it is possible to keep the natural beauty of our area intact, by growing sustainable agricultural crops, be stewards to the land and have a future in farming;
• Our area already has some fine vineyards, and micro-breweries so together we can collaborate to engage in eco and agri-tourism and much needed healthy, fun, and fair employment as well;
• Have workshops, U-cut days, and Lavender & Wine tours;
• Provide locally grown hardy lavender plants suited for our high-desert climate;
• Inspire others with our efforts to choose sustainable farming and subsistence living and 'pay it forward'.

Watch the progress of the farm

You can view our online photo album with pictures of the farm to see it grow: https://picasaweb.google.com/117870220881910511762/Lavender?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCL7i-fXmmeupbw&feat=directlink

Our wish list is a long one - not anything we can tackle all at once - it would be to the tune of $10,000+ and consists of items such as: rainwater harvesting tank; solar panels and a battery array for independent energy; portable electric fencing for our sheep to keep them safe from predators while grazing; a windmill and reservoir for our well; more lavender and hop plants; hop poles; perimeter fencing, more fruit trees, nuts and berries; and so on. It will take some time to get it all together.

Since Kick Starter projects are only funded when the goal is reached within the given time frame we will limit this funding request to funding only one item which will have the greatest benefit and hopefully has a chance, with your generosity to be within reach:

A high-tunnel hoop house

We are needing a 48' High Tunnel, like the one in the picture (although that one is twice as long), and the amount we look to fund with your generous donations and assistance is the purchase price and shipping cost.

Kick-Start into higher Gears

A hoop house will literally kickstart us into higher gear and make it possible to propagate lavender and grow other herbs, as well as cut flowers and vegetables year round; and provide more locally grown hardy lavender plants to the community. We like to expand our market to the Phoenix area as well by going to the farmers market there during the winter months.

We hope to inspire others with our efforts to choose sustainable farming and subsistence living and 'pay it forward'.