My husband and I are here on recommendation of our doctor.  A year ago I told my doctor that I feel ready to do something with my life, and bring an income in for my family.  He strongly recommend urban farming for us.  Ever since we have been working closely with our doctor developing business plans and proposals.  Prospects look promising, a financial start is the only thing holding us back.
    I am Naomi and my husband is Leo, we have two sons.  At the age of 20 my life changed from a 3.5 gpa college student seeking a degree in Wildlife Biology to a psychiatric patient in a hospital.  Turned out I was Bipolar and spent the next 6 years in and out of psychiatric hospitals.  I ended up on Social Security Disability as my sole source of income.  After six years hospital visits became unnecessary.  Now I am married to a wonderful man and we have two sons.
    We have a great opportunity if only we can seize it.  My 80 year old father James has 1.5 acres, that we have permission to use.  This land is on farm rich soil with three sources of water.  We would like to have a small urban farm with chickens and ducks for egg production and grow bamboo for it's lumber.  Through much research we have determined that this desert valley can grow bamboo.  That several species of bamboo can grow in harsh desert environment.  The closest bamboo nursery being in Tucson AZ with similar climate, if they can do it so can we.  There is a demand for fresh eggs and bamboo here in Las Cruces, NM; and no local bamboo available.
    Although my husband Leo has been seeking Social Security Disability (and been denied four times); we would rather live independently of social security checks.  Leo has severe back pain and Neuropathy in his feet, making it very difficult to walk and uses a four pointed cane.  On his worst days he has to use his walker.  He has severe Spinal Stenosis from several herniated disks and Osteoarthritis in his spine as well, along with many other health problems.  We are going to continue to seek Social Security Disability for Leo but for now we are supporting all four of us on just my sole social security check.  Our financial goal is to find an alternative source of income to support ourselves other than relying on the government.  We just need a jump start, then we can make this work!
    A year ago I was able to get my Associates of Science and wanted to continue to get a Bachelors in Environmental Science.  However the stress of schooling makes it difficult to maintain my mental stability.  My mental health can not combine with just any job, it has to be the right type of job for me.  I need to be working outside with my hands and with plants and animals.
    Already I am clearing an area for a chicken run.  Every dollar will help even if we don't reach our financial goal; each dollar can go towards fencing, feed, and plants.  Currently I am trying to afford fencing for the chickens and ducks.  Next we will be purchasing at least a few bamboo plants to get us started at $160 each 15gallon plant.  And $500 for plowing and leveling some of the land.  The idea is to have chickens and ducks in the bamboo groves because they have benefits for each other.

We can get started on our Urban farm even if its a slow start.......

WHY BAMBOO?
    Bamboo lumber is the new green steel, its strength is amazing and it is environmentally and economically sound.  Easy to grow very quickly and affordable for consumers.  A better source of lumber over any tree because it grows quickly as a crop and keeps growing, to be harvested every year once it reaches maturity.  Bamboo is an environmentally friendly product that has a world wide movement to become a commonly used resource.

    Thanks for taking the time to read this.  Any questions, comments, anything you would like to know just get in touch with us.  Any contribution to our urban farm will be used wisely and greatly appreciated.

    Naomi & Leo