Day 11 &12: Avalon Organic Gardens

From Tucson we traveled south to the boarder of Mexico and Arizona to visit Avalon Organic Gardens & Ecovillage in Tumacocori, AZ. We arrived to a much needed hot shower (it had been 5 days since we soaked in the hot springs, if that could be called bathing at all). The bathhouse was equipped with biodegrable soaps and showers that fed to their greywater system, so right off the bat we were immersed in Avalon's sustainability efforts. After the showers, our “shepherds” Alten and Eric took us on a quick site tour. They showed us the various pastures, schoolhouse yurts, food forests, crops, and houses both built & under construction.

Pretty soon it was time for dinner. People came from every which way to enjoy a meal that for the most part traveled about 2,000 feet from where it was grown to the plate (and eventually to our stomachs). After dinner we were taken to see one of Avalon's five bands' practice a few of their songs for the upcoming Earthday Unity Festival that they host annually.

The next morning was the earliest we have woken up all trip. But breakfast waits for nobody and soon after our day began. We were running around the farm trying to keep up with all that went on, but life at Avalon (or more accurately chores at Avalon) ran circles around us. By lunchtime we had already witnessed the milking and running of the goats (which included playing with an acrobatic baby goat who loves jumping on people's backs), seen the massive broccoli plants the greenhouse was producing, toured the current construction, and conducting many interviews.

After the best salad of my life we learned about Avalon's dynamic water usage and how it is able to be such a lush oasis of life in the desert. With a quarter inch of rainfall they are able to capture 25,000 gallons of water which they use for drinking, showering, toilets, and eventually to water their crops downhill (why have pumps when gravity does the work for free?).

After spending time on the property, we realized the necessity of checking out the restaurant the community was able to foster in Tucson. Food for Ascension Cafe is a beautiful place to stop and get delicious farm to table food, as well as being attached to a small boutique hosting our friend's amazing jewelry made from things found in nature and on the farm.

Avalon, one of the biggest communities in the nation, is host to about 120 people on the property, all working together in synergy to create working systems keeping the Earth's beautiful resources in mind. A fluid balance of work, learning and fun everyone from children to adults are able to enjoy the land and each others presence. In addition we were able to get into influential discussions on spirituality and being able to love all walks of life.

Enjoying Jasmine nectar

Nostalgia is rarely ever in focus

Rain over the mountains

The Trinity Dome, a sustainable multifamily home in the works

Baby Emu