One of the most important needs of any farm or ranch is water. Without water life is impossible. But not all water is created equal. City water is loaded with chemicals so we’re thankful we’re not in the city. We’re on a well-share with three other properties and no chemicals are used. This satisfies our […]
Water: A Blessing or a Curse? Read More »
As we traveled the country on our year-long sabbatical one of the things we paid close attention to was building options. I also spent months researching to find the best options for Sabbatical Ranch. We loved experiencing the thermal mass properties of adobe-style structures which are popular in the arid southwest. Desert temperatures drop significantly
Healthy Building: Is It Possible? Read More »
Sabbatical Ranch is located in the beautiful San Pedro River Valley near the headwaters of the river. Surrounded by five mountain ranges, known locally as “sky islands” because of their unique climates, flora, and fauna compared to the deserts around them, the valley is a high desert. Sabbatical Ranch sits about 4300 feet above sea
A River Runs Through It Read More »
How valuable would it be to know how to build your own shelter with the earth beneath your feet? Imagine:
* Relaxing, natural earth finish
* Passive solar heating/cooling
* Mold, sound, and pest resistant
* Non-toxic and EMF shield
* Fireproof
* Bulletproof
* Flood-proof
* Tornado-proof
* Earthquake-proof
Here’s your chance to experience how simple it is! We’re hosting a free volunteer/workshop during the month of October where you will be able to experience the …
Hands-on Learning: Superadobe/Hyperadobe October Volunteer/Workshop (Free) Read More »
My girls have an amazing pioneer spirit! The ranch property came with a well-share agreement (common in Arizona). Four properties share one well that is located two properties away from the ranch. The girls wanted to haul all our water from the well on foot, which they did for the first few months! Once we
Waterline Project Full of Surprises Read More »
I enjoy being on the giving (blessed) end much better than being on the receiving end. That’s why we’re starting Sabbatical Ranch – to help others! I grew up with the idea that you take care of yourself rather than expecting others to take care of you. I suppose that may have something to do
7 Ways Most Anyone Can Help Support Us Read More »
It’s monsoon season in Arizona and this year has been quite the doozy. It’s winding down now but for two and a half months, starting the second week of June (which was early), it rained almost every day! Monsoon rains are not normal rains like we’ve experienced elsewhere. These rains usually come with thunderstorms that
Building in the Rain Read More »
We have a lot of mesquite trees at the ranch and we love them! They are edible, medicinal, and beneficial in a variety of ways including the wood that can be used for fuel or other purposes. As a legume they fix nitrogen and feed life in the soil which helps prepare it for other
Most people we talk to about Sabbatical Ranch are very interested in what we’re doing. Whether it’s growing chemical-free, nutrient-dense edibles and medicinals; building superadobe/hyperadobe domes with the earth beneath our feet; low-tech, simple, DIY projects without electricity (we’re off grid – EMFs are a real problem for some people); rainwater harvesting without expensive tanks;
The Adventurous Story of Sabbatical Ranch Read More »
