Agriculture

The following plans are purely conceptual. Following the purchase of a property, exact agriculture composition, plant varieties, and farming plans will be revised to best fit the existing conditions on site and the nutritional requirements of potential residents. However, the base of those changes will be rooted in the following information.

Staple Foods

At this time, we expect to be planting potatoes, as we expect to be able to feed the most people with the least amount of land. However, the staple crop will ultimately decide which crop will provide the most nutrition, with the least land and the least water.

Corn

217 Square feet/Person

Potato

130 Square feet/Person

Wheat

5,227 Square feet/Person

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Fruits and Vegetables

Orchards and Fields

Throughout the site, both within the Community and in the Agriculture sites, we plan to have Orchards to provide the community with nutritious fruits. Fresh fruit will be eaten in season, and excess will be preserved for consumption during the winter.

Commercial Greenhouse

To increase crop yields in the intense climate of Colorado, we are planning to grow a significant amount of vegetables in greenhouses. In ever-changing and increasingly extreme weather conditions, greenhouses allow the farmers to control the environment and prevent crop loss during hailstorms, extreme heat, or extreme cold. Additionally, greenhouses extend the growing season, allowing for food to be grown all year, as opposed to only in the warm summer months.

Sunken Greenhouse

If necessary, or as experimentally, we plan to create some greenhouses as sunken greenhouses. These structures regulate temperature using the constant temperature of the earth to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. They are particularly good for hot, dry climates like Colorado. They additionally, pull moisture from the ground, maintaining constant humidity: a necessity for most crops.

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Apiculture

Beekeeping

Environment: To promote pollination and overall crop health, we plan to house several bee colonies on-site. Bees and other pollinators are essential to ensure that plants produce fruit or seeds, and without them, the crops would fail. Bee populations are dropping globally, and promoting domesticated bees on-sight ensures higher crop yields.

Nutrition: Honey is a natural sweetener that can easily replace sugar. The residents of Tiny Villages Community will be able to consume locally produced, fresh honey.

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Low-Impact Livestock

Commercial livestock production has a significant impact on the environment, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, water scarcity, and concerns over the use of antibiotics and chemicals. Livestock farming requires a lot of water, with estimates suggesting that one pound of beef requires up to 2,500 gallons of water. As such, Tiny Villages Inc. will be providing protein sources that greatly lessen the amount of water, feed and land required to provide residents with the nutrition to lead to the happy and healthy life.

Rabbits

Climate and Spatial Benefits of Rabbits:

Compared to large live-stock farming, rabbits are a far more ethical and sustainable form of meat production. They reach maturity quicker than other livestock, meaning they require much less food and water throughout their lives. Their small size and large meat yield mean that they require much land per pound of meat. Additionally, their diets are largely consistent with grass and grains: crops that can be grown easily without harmful, intensive farming practices.

Rabbit Manure in Organic Farming:

Even without consuming rabbits, they still serve an important role in organic farming. Rabbit manure is considered "cold manure," which means it can be directly applied to crops without composting. When applied to the soil, its nutrients are slowly released into the soil, promoting growth and increasing crop yield.

Quail

Climate and Spatial Benefits of Quail:

Quail farming is a sustainable and space-saving alternative to chickens. Unlike chickens, quail require much less space, feed and water to produce both eggs and meat. Though their eggs are much smaller, they lay eggs every day, and three quail eggs is equal to one chicken egg. The space required for three quail eggs is roughly half of one chicken. Additionally, quail is considered a healthier option than other meats. It is high in protein and low in fat, making it an excellent addition to a healthy diet.

Benefits of Poultry in Organic Farming:

Like rabbits, even without consuming meat from quail, they provide important roles in organic farming. When grazing, they can naturally control pests and weeds, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. Their manure is rich in nutrients, and when composted, can be fed back into the farm for higher crop yields.

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Edible Landscape

Permaculture farming is an agricultural system that focuses on sustainability, biodiversity, and self-sufficiency.

Landscape Design

In addition to larger organic farming practices, the Tiny Villages Community will be implementing edible landscaping throughout the housing community to provide natural beauty, good nutrition and a balanced ecosystem simultaneously.

The Community will be lined with a mixture of native edible trees and adapted fruit trees. This will provide the community with nutritious food, cooling shade and the mental wellness that comes with being surrounded by nature.

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