Obsidian Farm Eco Retreat

Have you noticed that people are stressed? Have you noticed they are sick, depressed, anxious, disconnected, purposeless, grabby, self-centered, or ungrounded? Us too. 

We got to the point where we left society because of it, and were given a gap year in rural ministry housing. During that time, we were encouraged to rest in Nature, work outside if able, eat from the land, experience sensory delight and relief, connect with inner wisdom, and explore creativity. 

But that ministry was a cult, and it was ultimately in our best interests to leave. This unfortunately involved cutting ties with family, which disconnected us from resources we had both planned on and counted on...

As we rebuilt our lives, our sense of self, and sifted through our experiences, Joel and I realized we wanted so many things back, but better. Watching our child grow, we realized how important it would be to make a plan for our later years and be as close to the earth and independent as possible.

Thus began the dream for an eco-retreat.

We know there are many families like ours. And not all of them want or need to live on the land, but want their kids and bodies to have the benefit. That's why we are a match made in heaven for those who are legacy-minded, and want to partner with us.

Don't know how to swing an ax? No problem! Never want to till soil, but definitely here for picking produce? You bet. Want a dedicated vacation home to build core memories, detoxify, experience the wild, and then maybe go back to a home in the city? You're for sure our type. =)

Let's make some magic!!! 

Here's the plan for donations and Partners:

Joel and Jaime Katz plan to develop a sizeable rural property into a lush eco retreat space, using methods that center sustainability and designs focused on accessibility. 

They chose Obsidian Farm as the name since obsidian stone is known for its properties of protection, psychic ability, and grounding into the human experience safely. 

Marrying the amenities of modern life with a back-to-the-land approach, the space will serve as a point of wellness, connection, teaching, healing, and rest for the community and those who choose to travel there.

The economic engine will develop thusly:

WATER

-----well, rainwater, grey water recycling, natural pool, safe sewage

ACCESS

-----roads, clearings, bridges

ADVERTISE 4 WORKERS

-----bring your tiny home and skills, work 2 hrs a day, help with emergencies, grow food if you want to eat it.

UTILITIES 

-----Water, sewage, electric, trash

SHED 

-----store and secure tools, work out of the weather 

SHOP-DOMINIUM

-----family residence, single level, permanent caretaker dwelling. Will get the Katzs on the land full time.

ROAD DEVELOPMENT

-----widening, texturing, adding, beautifying, marking

TENT CAMPING SITES

-----policy, agreement, payment, upsell

RV SITES

-----policy, agreement, payment, upsell

EVENT SITES

-----policy, agreement, payment, upsell

PHOTOGRAPHY SPACES

-----policy, agreement, payment, upsell

WORKER RESIDENCES

-----agreements, onboarding

ROAD STAND

-----houses online store workings, with fresh curbside pickup options

ONLINE STORE

-----merch, goods, crafts

PERMACULTURE GARDENING

-----making fresh food accessible, and disaster-resilient

ORCHARD PLANTING 

-----over plant by 25%, plot by age of maturity and development

HIVES

-----work with the local beekeepers club to rehouse a swarm, nurture it, grow it, and harvest local honey

THE BLACK GARDEN

-----a aesthetic undertaking to beautify and draw attention to natural variations, making a spot for seed exchanging, grafting, photos, herbal remedies, and dried goods

BONFIRE AREA

-----Plans to host burn events, and get the community some of that good ole cave TV, with safety as our watchword.

HERB SPIRAL

----- a labyrinth to walk, edible and medicinal planting guiding the way

ART INSTALLATIONS

-----whether by Jaime, Joel, or local workers, we want this place to host some beautiful undertakings by the road, a highlight of Americana and roadtrips

WORKSHOP

-----Joel delights in preserving old tools, old ways, and user-friendly teachings. Having apprenticed in construction since age 14, Joel uses his 40 years of experience to keep skills alive, assist homeowners, and pass on secrets to a new generation.

BARN

-----Animals. Tools. Projects. Land. More gear than twins, barely.

BONE TANKS

-----This spot, away from the main operations, will be very special. Locking tanks with mulch, critters, and more will decompose organic material swiftly, leaving clean bones behind in a few short weeks. This gentle process is meant for artisans, preservers, foragers, and memory-makers. The tanks will be kept secure, and contracts with photos made of what is disposed there.

ROCKET STOVE SAUNAS

----- Rocket Stoves can feed the heat to fill a house all day, with just a few twigs. If a retreat space hosts dry heat experiences, this is the most environmentally friendly way to do it.

ROCKET STOVE HOT TUBS

-----Rocket Stoves can feed the heat to fill a house all day, with just a few twigs. If a retreat space hosts warm water experiences, this is the most environmentally friendly way to do it.

THE ROUND HOUSE

----- event space, built from a yurt. Round houses are quite disaster-proof, and a good investment for stick-built. 

GOATS

-----mowing, milk, meat, hides

QUAIL

-----feathers, chicks, eggs, eggshells, meat

THE BLACK TENT

-----soundproof and comforting space to process deeply alone, with a mentor, or groups up to 3.

THE WORK ROOM

-----larger and lighter version of the same

GREENHOUSE 

-----An indoor retreat that blesses butterflies, sprouts seeds, and protects fragile or valuable green things to be enjoyed year-round.

ALL AGES PLAYGROUND

-----Adults needs to move and have fun too! Like any good community pool, there were will be a deep end for tall people, a fun zone for anyone who can manage the fixtures, and some rides and playspaces just for littles.

CABINS FOR RENT

----- slowly, we want to add small cabins built in an environmentally friendly way. 

PROJECTOR FIELD 

-----for movies

BANQUET HALL WITH PREP KITCHEN

-----as a long term project, we are interested in creating a space for local chefs to shine in their creations from local edibles. We want this space to host new flavors, and unforgettable experiences!!

We will be encouraging donors to sponsor a given fixture or installation, not only for family and personal use but for the acknowledgment to future generations as a legacy-builder who invested in the Earth.

It is our hope that this undertaking will attract creative people to beautify the facilities as well as combine their services with our high-level experiences. This might include masseuses, acupuncturists, breath work, somatic release, and energy work folks, folk magic practitioners, body artists, movement specialists, and more. 

It is our goal to one day boast that even the truffle on a guest's pillow comes from ingredients on the surrounding property, packed with health benefits and their needs thought of: such as allergens and sugar content.

It is our promise to create a beautiful and accessible eco resort to last lifetimes and give back health via relationship to the land.

Thank You for Joining Us! 

-Jaime, for the Katz family