My Life's Work

[Teotzlcoatl]

My life's work... My dream is to create a self-sufficent, democratic, socialistic, community based around Agriculture, horticulture, agronomy, individualistic philosophy & spirituality, the celebration of the entheogenic experience and a clean, raw, grass-roots, back to nature kinda life.

I hope to obtain a few 1000 acres of rainforest, perserve a few 100 and utilize a few 100 for farming and living space.

Not only would the community be a modle for sustainable, peaceful living, but it would double as a ethnobotanical preservation. We would have in cultivation all manner of medinical and psychoactive plants, as well as rare fruits and other food crops.

We would export rare fruits, plants, psychoactives(Coffee, Kava, Caapi, Etc.), vaible seeds, and simple craft goods, but mostly we would attempt to produce all of our own goods that we need.

*NOTE*- Yes, I AM crazy.

Edited June 22, 2008 by Teotz'

[Teotzlcoatl]

Before all that tho... I want to have a few acres in the South-Eastern U.S.A. with a few green house and fruit trees.

I would again sell viable seeds, live plants, occasionally dried botanicals, and craft goods.

I'd like to be a vendor for all of the following items-

Products-

Fresh viable seeds and rooted enthobotanical plants.

Blown Glass pipes, bongs, jars, etc.

Wood, stone, corn-cob and other pipes made from organic materials.

"Voodoo" dolls (Corn husk dolls)

Crystals, gems, stones, etc.

Herb storage- Boxs, jars, bags, etc.

Incense (at least one organic home-made), smudge bundles, etc.

Necklaces, beads, jewerly, clothing, head-dresses, etc.

Drums, rattles, digeridoos, etc.

Organic body paint, heina tattoo kits, etc.

Books, leather-bound journals, etc.

Heavy machine grinders, small hand grinders, mortar and pestal, etc.

Botanicals soaps, washes, etc.

and other items.

Dried botanicals- Whole super high quailty botanicals (when aviable)

Super high quailty amanita muscaria caps (Only from cold climates and high elevations)

Fresh thick caapi vine

Psychotra spp. leafs

Diplopterys leafs

Dried Cactus Flowers (Various species)

High quailty "Cactus Strips"- these dried cactus chips are made from our various strains of trichocereus cacti. (No spines, skins or cores)

Cured good ole tobacco (offered both "Hand-tied" and chopped/blended)

Salvia leafs

Whole Kava root

Whole Valerian and Lady's Slipper roots

Whole Kratom Leafs

Whole Lotus flowers

~Live Rooted Botanicals~

Cacti-

"True" Trichocereus peruvanius (Blue, potent) cuts

"True" Trichocereus pachanoi (Non-predominant cultivator, potent) cuts

Ariocarpus agavoides

Ariocarpus fissuratus

Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus

Ariocarpus retusus

Astrophytum asterias

Astrophytum myriostigma

Aztekium ritterii

Carnegiea gigantea

Coryphantha compacta

Coryphantha elephantidens

Coryphantha macromeris

Echinocactus platyacanthus (Echinocactus visnaga)

Echinocereus salm-dyckianus (Echinocereus scheeri)

Echinocereus polyacanthus

Epithalantha micromeris

Mammillaria grahamii; micromeris; heyderi; spp.

Mammillaria (Dolichothele) longimamma

Mammillaria pectinifera (Solisia pectinata)

Mammillaria (Mamillopsis) senilis

Mammillaria sonorensis (Mammillaria craigii)

Matucana madisoniorum

Neoraimondia macrostibas

Obregonia denegrii

Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum

Pachycereus pringlei

Pelecyphora aselliformis

Strombocactus disciformis

Turbinicarpus pseudomacrochele

Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus (Pelecyphora pseudopectinata)

Trichocereus species

Plants-

Banisteriopsis caapi

Psychotria viridis

Diplopterys cabrerana

Ipomoea violacea

Rivea corymbosa

Argyreia nervosa

Salvia Divinorum; miltiorrhiza; spp.

Trichocereus spp. "True" forms

Heimia salicifolia and Heimia myrtifolia

Mimosa hostilis

Passiflora incarnata

Mitragyna speciosa various strains- "Bumblebee, "Rifit", "Kroth", etc.

Silene capensis

Calea zacatechichi

Sceletium tortuosum

Piper methysticum

Camellia sinensis

Theobroma cacao

Ilex Paraguariensis

Ephedra spp.

Artemisia absinthium ~ “Wormwood”

Aspalathus linearis ~ “Rooibos”

Leonurus sibiricus ~ “Motherwort”

Canavalia maritima

Sida acuta

Zornia latifolia

Verbascum blattaria ~ "Moth Mullein"

Lobelia inflata ~ "Indian Tobacco"

Polygala sibirica and Polygala tenuifolia "Taoist Memory enhancer"

Panax spp. ~ “Ginseng”

Gingko biloba ~ “Gingko”

Rholdia rosea ~ “Golden Root”

Valeriana officinalis ~ “Valerian Root”

Verbena hastate “Blue Vervain”

Cypripedium pubescens ~ "Lady's Slipper"

Pedicularis spp.

Seeds-

Lactuca virosa

"True" Trichocereus strains seeds and Hybrids

Erythroxylum spp. seed mix

Catha spp. ~ “Khat” seed mix

"Peyote" Mix (Includes Ariocarpus, Astrophytum, Aztekium, Echinocactus, Epithalantha, Obregonia, Pelecyphora, Strombocactus, Turbinicarpus)

Nymphaea caerulea ~ “Blue Lotus” and Nelumbo ~ "Sacred Lotus"

Papaver somniferum ~ “Opium Poppies”

Myristica fragrans

Pedicularis spp.

Tabernanthe spp.

Nicotiana spp. ~ “Tobacco” "Smoker's Tobacco" mix

Nicotiana rustica "Shaman's tobacco"

Ipomoea violacea

Rivea corymbosa

Argyreia nervosa

Edited June 23, 2008 by Teotz'

[Big George]

What a great idea!

I've had the same thoughts myself previously.

It would take a lot of hard work and co-operation to make it work, but it would be very rewarding to those involved.

Good luck with it mate.

[Ace]

I hope to obtain a few 1000 acres of rainforest, perserve a few 100 and utilize a few 100 for farming and living space

Is there any need to utilise (and destroy) several hundred acres of perfectly good forest for even more farming? Isnt that something that we should be trying to avoid? There are millions of acres of land which was once lush forest that was cleared for farming and is now almost barren (from farmers moving on and leaving the land as open, tree-less fields). Why not try to utilise some of that as well as obtaining (and preventing companies from chopping) your desired chunk of rainforest? Aside from that, best of luck with your venture - I hope it all comes to fruition

P.S. Dont underestimate the spread of exotic plants in new ecosystems. You dont want to put other species out of house and home by introducing rampant vines and other rapid-spreading plants into places where the native species cannot compete (and win).

[Teotzlcoatl]

Ok then... If I can find a bit of cleared land and don't have to chop down any forest that would be great, but I think I deserve a place to live too.

Thanks for the advice Ace. I HAVE heard that Morning Glory type vines can REALLY take over, Caapi as well.

I probably build a simple fence, or earthen wall around the village, I'd make sure no non-native plants crossed that wall (which may be easier said then done)

[Teotzlcoatl]

If anybody wants to come with me...

Your all welcome! <___base_url___>/uploads/emoticons/default_newimprovedwinkonclear.gif

[Big George]

As long as there's no religion involved and we don't have to take a special pill to hitch a ride on the spaceship. ;)

Edited June 23, 2008 by Big George

[Teotzlcoatl]

Religion and spirituality would be encouraged only as a means of advocating morality, but the type of spirituality would be completely up to the invidual.

But ya... no funny stuff! The people in this community would need to be strong minded invidualistic souls, completely the oppisite of the cult type.

Edited June 24, 2008 by Teotz'

[incognito]

let me know when uve bought the land and ill come work for you!

[apothecary]

Aside from many mostly useless internet posts, have you accomplished any actual goals related to your "life's work"?

Do you have any proposals for this dreamland utopia to survive where so many many others have failed?

Do you have any concept of the cost, maintenance and work required to maintain even 100 acres of land let alone 1000? Do you even understand the basic criteria of selecting good land?

Do you have any experience in growing food to sustain yourself let alone your "followers"? How do you propose to survive if these crops fail?

Do you have any experience at all in making any of the products you listed, ESPECIALLY the ethnobotanicals? How are you gonna get cold climate high altitude Amanitas from your rainforest?

What the hell does this thread have to do with sustainable technologies OR ethical living?

[Teotzlcoatl]

Sina....

Did you miss this? 2nd post...

Before all that tho... I want to have a few acres in the South-Eastern U.S.A. with a few green houses and fruit trees.

~Teotzlcoatl~

The first post is my dream! I also have another dream to win the lottery. <___base_url___>/uploads/emoticons/default_biggrin.png

Aside from many mostly useless internet posts, have you accomplished any actual goals related to your "life's work"?

I'm working on an ebay store and am looking at schools right now... I'm still pretty young tho, so I got plenty of time.

Do you have any concept of the cost, maintenance and work required to maintain even 100 acres of land let alone 1000? Do you even understand the basic criteria of selecting good land?

Hell no... Do you? Cause I sure could use some help!

Do you have any experience in growing food to sustain yourself let alone your "followers"? How do you propose to survive if these crops fail?

Eat the cacti? <___base_url___>/uploads/emoticons/default_scratchhead.gif

Sina, check my "Notes"...

*NOTE*- Yes, I AM crazy.

That basically answers all your questions.

Do you have any proposals for this dreamland utopia to survive where so many many others have failed?

Hmm... yes! I'll post that next...

~Teotz'~

Edited June 24, 2008 by Teotz'

[apothecary]

Does calling yourself crazy somehow give you free licence now?

I don't think you're crazy, you certainly are something... <___base_url___>/uploads/emoticons/default_rolleyes.gif

[Ace]

Haha, I can see this turning into another one of those threads... I think the main thing is a huge amount of ambition and very little life experience on Teotz's behalf. Not enough experience in having hopes and dreams knocked out of your perceived reality to understand that life never quite goes to plan.

Out of interest, how old are you (honestly) Teotz?

I'm still pretty young tho, so I got plenty of time.

[Teotzlcoatl]

Honestly, I'm 19.

Sina, no hard feelings, I appercaite the advice and see what your saying...

Your telling me- "Don't talk about it, do it!"

That's good advice for anybody... It's just I've got so many ideas I like to get them out, you know?

Not enough experience in having hopes and dreams knocked out of your perceived reality to understand that life never quite goes to plan.

I have had a BIT of experience with that... <___base_url___>/uploads/emoticons/default_sad.png

Edited June 24, 2008 by Teotz'

[Ace]

Nothing wrong with hopes and dreams Teotz. Like Sina said, you really need experience in many things before you can truly look at having a go at your life ambition. Farming, building, construction, agriculture, ecology, maybe chemistry, the list goes on and on. You best bet would be to look at what other people have done in their attempts at similar things. Find what has been successful for others and mould it to your circumstance. Most importantly, dont just say that you want to do this or that - get out there and do it. I think that will be the main thing most people say to themselves on their death bed - 'why didnt I just do it instead of just talk about it?'. Even if you dont end up where you had hoped, at least you can say you tried. End of motivational speech

[MindExpansion]

"Dedicate your life to your dreams, and you will find happiness."

[Teotzlcoatl]

"A man who can make a living enjoying what he does, will never work a day in his life"

[ThunderIdeal]

sometimes we put our dreams aside because it's more important to "shit in comfort"

it's a nice dream teotz. i'd suggest you will have some real legal difficulties, especially if all this is going to happen in the USA. my other suggestion is that 1000 acres is heaps of land, realistically, 5 acres is more than plenty for one person to grow all of their own products and to pass quite a bit on too, if the land is well utilised (and it should be - if it's not, then you have to spend more time/energy in transit, basic permaculture concept). the other thing is that rainforest soils are infertile.

good luck. my goal is to be self sufficient. like me you will probably have trouble buying land in the first place.

[Ace]

rainforest soils are infertile

Do you mind expanding on this point TI? I'd have thought they would have some of the most fertile soils on earth, but that was just because it is part of a healthy ecosystem. Seems odd that they would be infertile (and likely unusable, if that's the case).

[ThunderIdeal]

well, if you cleared some rainforest and put ALL OF THAT BIOMASS on the ground and let it rot, maybe it would be fertile. i'm not too sure on that one. if you remove the vegetation, you leave nothing.

put simply, most of the nutrients in a rainforest come from the leaf litter, and when they become available to plants they are quickly used and there would be potential for leaching too i imagine.

it confuses me too, because over the years you'd think there'd be a tremendous buildup of humus. in theory, wouldn't that mean the soil has more capacity to store nutrients long-term? i just had a squiz and found this statement "Rapid bacterial decay prevents the accumulation of humus. ". i still find that perplexing but there you go.

edit: unusable? pretty much ;) i think some parts of the amazon can be used but it's a far cry from good agricultural land.

Edited June 25, 2008 by ThunderIdeal

[MindExpansion]

I think I've heard this before too, and that it surprised the people who tore down rainforest for crops, but I could be remembering something that never happened who knows.

Peace

[ThunderIdeal]

well, before the west arrived, they are said to have cleared a small area, burnt it, planted their bananas and whatnot and lived there for a couple of seasons, then they'd move on. extremely sustainable. not only this, but if you search into 'bio-char', certain south american people seem to have discovered a way to burn vegetation slowly and create a product that acts like humus (if i understand it correctly... it is not well understood but it is being researched and when they find out what's going on, they may find it's suitable for use overseas).

[Teotzlcoatl]

I'll need to look into all this sort of stuff...

Thanks guys.

Who said it was gonna be in the Amazon?

Maybe "rainforest" was a bad word to use...

How about "tropical"?

If I end up a millionare one day <___base_url___>/uploads/emoticons/default_rolleyes.gif I'd like to have a number of locations around the world- India, the Pacific islands, Mexico, the Andes, the Amazon, etc.

All being botanical reservations and entheogenic retreats.

Edited June 25, 2008 by Teotz'

[apothecary]

Amazonian soil especially is pretty acidic. It isn't INFERTILE.

Only plants which are used to this can cope with the acid. Same way Pinus trees edge out competition over the years.

Burning vegetation provides a direct application of alkaline material (ash) to the soil, and probably allows for good colonisation by microbes once the soil cools down to a warm level.

[Peyofox]

Dreams are free....