This interview conducted in September 2000

This report features information from an interview with Linda and Andy Otero, owners of a working homestead with two large greenhouses that are used year around in Northern Arizona. This operation is unique because it is a true passive life support construction, as the produce is a primary food source for the owners. Additionally organic seedlings and vegetables are grown for income by selling to the public and supplying some local outlets. The following information is from this interview.

Proprietors of this homestead.

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A view of "home" on a perfect summer's day. You can see the glass faces of the two attached greenhouses, one on each living space.

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 The first greenhouse was built in 1979. The second story you see in this photograph was not part of the original construction, it is being built presently. Andy tells me that he "camped" on his land in the beginning and lived inside this first greenhouse for a while until he eventually built their first house which also has a large attached greenhouse. The small photo is today inside the home greenhouse.

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This greenhouse uses totally passive technology. It contains a 3500 gallon water cistern in the floor against the north wall. The roof line is designed so that the winter sun heats this water tank (heat sink mass) for nighttime warmth, but leaves it in the shade during the summer months. This is one of the keys to a successful passive structure. In reality this is a pit greenhouse for the floor is in the original earth about two feet below the outside ground level. This also contributes to its success as the natural earth temperature below the freeze line is usually about 50 degrees. You can see in this photo that climbing plants also provide shade to other vegetables during the summer months. Ample ventilation is provided on warm days, making sure that "the amount of ventilation is at least one sixth of the glazing square footage." Vents are two thirds at floor level, one third higher up for heat outlet. Water comes from their own on site well.

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The glass used in both greenhouses (picture above is inside the 2nd unit that is attached to the first home) is from recycled sliding glass doors. In fact many of the materials used in the Otero's construction are recycled. Typical vegetables grown every year include tomatoes, chilies, melons, lettuces, spinach, garlic and more. Flowers and herbs round out the selection, grown indoors and out per seasonal requirements. In addition to providing much of their own food for the table, they also offer much of their harvest for sale to the public via a local Farmer's Market, directly or through market and restaurant outlets in the region. They are an excellent source for organic seedlings, something not easy to find from commercial nurseries. Pests are a problem for every gardener at some time. Agave Gardens is no exception. They've had their share of aphids and grasshoppers. Because of their rural location most problems have been mice, ground squirrels, deer, elk and raccoons.

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The fine art of organic recycling is the hallmark of Agave Gardens. Everything is used and recycled in a marvelous kind of Otero ecosystem. For example, they raise rabbits for a manure source. In exchange the rabbits enjoy the finest and freshest garden cuttings for their meals, a perfect symbiosis. The Otero's well (pumped by a windmill) provides so much water that it keeps a large fish pond filled year around. At regular intervals they pump the "fish emulsion" from this pond and apply it to growing beds as their own brand of fish emulsion. Their property also abounds with various stages of compost piles. There is no shortage of fresh organic fertilizer in thei operation, all free and on site.

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Here you can see one of the rabbit hutches with a worm farm directly below. Worm castings are also involved in their fertilizer and soil amendment programs.

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 Solar microclimates are created everywhere on the property outside of the greenhouses. They say that "once you understand the benefits of windbreaks and solar gathering, season extending becomes a fine art" on this homestead where they grow vegetables in conditions that discourage the average person.

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In front of a multipurpose work shed Andi has installed this solar panel.

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Above this same workshed is this array of electricity generating windmills. On the prairie the is often a breeze. Far more electricity is produced than is required.

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Andy's genius is again demonstrated in this practical idea. He has established his bank of storage batteries along the south wall of this work shed. Then he built a solar window and reflective door that matches the battery pack. Opening this door in the winter provides natural solar warming for the batteries, which helps them keep their charge longer and it extends their life. How's that for problem solving?

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Pest control!

All photos featured herein were taken at Agave Gardens. The address and phone number for Agave Gardens are shown with permission. Inquiries are welcome by the Otero's. I hope that you've enjoyed this brief visual tour with me to a very special place. ©JHT

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