I like the idea of self sufficiency somewhere in Andalucia, two things I am passionate about; home grown vegetables and Spain. Anyone had any practical experiance of self sufficiency?
I recommend to you to look "Matavenero" in Google. It´s one of the most former autosufficient communes of Spain. Isn´t in Andalucia, but is wonderful.
thanks for those replies, I will check out Matavenero, have you got any personal experiance of the place Jossue?
I do my part around the house, although I'm not quite where I want to be just yet. My house runs (95%, anyway) on solar power as well as we have a water recycling program set up in the house.
Well, i can´t experience in Matavenero. I know people who lives there; they don´t have electrical light but if solar and wind power; every house has their garden with which they contribute to the common food, everyone eats in their house and once a week they all re-join. The communal decisions take among all, such as the acceptación of a new member. They´re in the main vegetarian. Uf, don´t be what more to say to you. I hope that it helps you. Peace and love, busta1
randomrules, thas great mate, I will check out that site too. cerridwen - I am just having a solar heated fitted, it will provide my house with hot water for up to four people, its a new technology that uses super- insulating pipes to harvest heat even in winter. Very excited about it, I would love to have a solar house but the prices for the panels in the uk make it inpractical for me, though our government does give you a small grant. Jossue - thanks again, the info is great, I have no experiance of living in a commune and I think my intention is more to buy a small finca and plot of land. Matavenero looks fascinating though. There was a tv programme on the other night about a commune in copenhagen and it looked a great way of life. happiness to everyone
Wow - i just looked at the ecoforest site, i've applied for 9 months residence there, it looks fantastic! thanks <3
Many people in Spain who live within a town or city will have a little plot of land (called a campo) outside of town where they can grow stuff. The French, Germans, English, etc do the same thing. Some plots are just land for growing vegies and vary in size. Other campos will have a small building on it where the family will spend the day, cook meals and get out of the sun. These plots are sacro sanct and trespassing on someones campo is an act of war. Living a life of self sufficiency is not a problem in a country like Spain where a fair portion of the populace already live that way. I suggest a lengthy trip or two to Spain before settling there. You'll find some portions of Spain less hard to be a farmer in than others. I'd concentrate on the southern farming regions. I would find somewhere that is also close to a good access to the Atlantic or Med to take advantage of the fishing and seafood that is available. Also, central Spain is hotter than hell and humid during the summer months. That's why most centrally located people also have apartments or condos along the coastal regions that they only use during their summer vacation time. I applaud your concept. I had friends in Colorado who ran a huge farm with several live-in associates that was totally self sufficient. Grew the food, had the animals, grew the feed. The electricity came from a gang of batterys that were charged from a generator that ran off methanol from their cattle droppings. Worked great, until they found out they didn't like each other and everyone split. You have that spirit which makes the word Hippie truly mean something. It ain't drugs, it ain't anti-war blather, it ain't clothes, hair, beads or music...it's being a living part of this planet, a steward of the world. Good luck my friend!
i wish i could help you, a while ago a stubled on a list of more or less self-sufficient farms all over the world, but i can't find it anymore
Timetraveller - Thanks for the kind words and the advice, exactly what I want to be.I have been to southern spain , cadiz, jerez de la fronterra several times and find the culture and life style amazing. I like the way in Spain several generations of a family can be out untill the small hours and not feel menaced. I don't think I would like to take my family out where I live in the UK at 2am! Already running a solar heated house in the UK and think this concept will work even better in Spain, next year myself and my girlfriend are buying a camper van and travelling from Santander to Faro to Cadiz and this should give me a better idea of where we want to be. I think that sometimes to much empthasis is put on certain elements of the hippie idealology. I find hippies amazing and anyone who has conviction for a belief gets my admiration. I am sick of working for the man and realise the longer I do it the more materialistic and unhappy I get so my motives for self sufficiency are a little more to do with myself.
Busta1 - People in these forums could learn a lot from you. I love where your head is at. Travel in Peace, my friend...You will succeed!!
To the person who mentioned ecoforest - thank you so much! I have just come back from visiting there and it was amazing, exactly the kind of thing i've been hoping to find for a long time. It is amazingly peaceful and beautiful and i hope to spend around 9 months of next year doing volunteer work there. me at ecoforest
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