I am originally from a lush green valley on the Colorado border. I now live in central New Mexico which is dry and hot in the summer and cold and dry in the winter. Our annual rainfall is about 9 in. We are well behind that total this year (2014).

I saw an online video by produced by Geoff Lawton entitled "Greening the Desert". It was mind boggling to find out I could make simple changes like adding mulch for example to improve our dry compacted soil. I had to know more so I took his online course. I used my own property as my class design project. I am happy to say that I have implemented many of my designs and already see so much improvement on our property.

I am continuing to apply thick layers of mulch everywhere and will soon have five acres covered in mulch. I did not need to add any fertilizer to my small orchard and though we had a late freeze that took many blooms, the fruit I did get was not bothered by pests. The soil underneath is so rich in one years time. I have also started keeping bees and hope to add more hives each spring.