BUILDING YESHURUN

Table of Contents

From Vision to a Functioning Community

Yeshurun Farm Community Cooperative is not being presented as a finished community.

It is being built.

Some parts of the vision already exist.

Some are under development.

Some remain future objectives.

We believe there should be a clear distinction between the three.

For that reason, this page is intended to show where YFCC stands today, what is being developed now, and what remains to be accomplished.

Our goal is not to impress people with promises.

Our goal is to document progress.

THE VISION

YFCC is being developed as a Torah-based, largely self-sufficient community in Northern Arizona.

The long-term objective is to establish the land, infrastructure, agriculture, housing, education, community services, and practical systems necessary for families to live and function together according to the principles set forth in Scripture.

That means building much more than houses.

A functioning community requires:

land,
roads,
water,
electrical power,
food production,
sanitation,
communications,
housing,
storage,
workshops,
transportation,
education,
community facilities,
and people with the knowledge and skills to operate and maintain all of it.

The work must therefore be approached in stages.

HOW WE REPORT PROGRESS

Throughout YFCC development, projects should be identified by their actual status.

✓ OPERATIONAL

Systems or facilities that are currently functioning and being used.

⚒ UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Projects that are presently being built, expanded, installed, tested, or improved.

○ PLANNED

Projects that are part of the long-term vision but are not yet operational.

This allows visitors, members, and supporters to distinguish between what exists now and what we are working toward.

PHASE ONE — SECURE THE LAND

✓ LAND ACQUIRED

Every community needs a place to exist.

YFCC has secured approximately 120 acres of rural land in Northern Arizona as the foundation upon which the community can be developed.

The land provides space for:

housing,
agriculture,
greenhouses,
livestock,
water storage,
renewable energy,
training,
workshops,
community facilities,
roads,
and future expansion.

But land by itself is not a community.

The next task is to make the land capable of supporting life.

PHASE TWO — WATER

⚒ WATER SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

Water is one of the first necessities of any permanent settlement.

YFCC’s water strategy is being developed around several principles:

✓WATER STORAGE

Bulk storage allows water to be available during periods when production or delivery is interrupted. Currently, we have 5000 gallon storage capabilities. The current supply is being purchased from local cities and transported to our remote location. This will be increase as demand warrants.

WATER COLLECTION

⚒ Rainwater harvesting can supplement other sources when conditions permit.

⚒WATER PRODUCTION

Atmospheric water generation and other appropriate methods may provide additional sources of potable water.

Once acquired them will eliminate our need to purchase water locally.

⚒WATER DISTRIBUTION

Stored water must be moved efficiently to housing, kitchens, sanitation systems, livestock, agriculture, and other areas of the property. Infrastructure is an on going requirement until we reach capacity. This is done dwelling by dwelling.

⚒ WATER CONSERVATION

In an arid environment, responsible water use is essential.

The long-term objective is not simply to have water on the property.

It is to establish a reliable, redundant water system capable of supporting the community.

PHASE THREE — ELECTRICAL POWER

⚒ RENEWABLE POWER DEVELOPMENT

A community cannot depend entirely upon a distant electrical grid if self-sufficiency and resilience are serious objectives.

YFCC is developing renewable electrical capacity based primarily upon:

⚒ SOLAR POWER

Solar generation is well suited to the environment and can provide a significant portion of community electrical needs. We currently have 40 solar panels with 12 in production.

⚒ BATTERY STORAGE

Battery systems allow energy produced during daylight hours to be stored and used when solar production is unavailable. Currently we have 1360 Amp hours of batter storage, producing approximately 69,000 Kwh of power.

⚒ BACKUP POWER

Backup generation provides redundancy when renewable production is insufficient or equipment requires maintenance. We currently have one backup gas powered generator that can produce up to 8K of power to recharge batteries when sunlight is low.

⚒ WIND POWER

Electricity from wind is produced from wind turbines. We currently have 4 (none) currently in operation. Their total capacity 34Kw of power when in production. These will be used to supplement daily production. The area is conducive to producing energy via wind.

FUTURE ALTERNATIVE GENERATION

Other renewable systems may be explored where technically and economically practical.

Our long-term objective is to create a modular energy system that can expand as the community grows.

PHASE FOUR — TEMPORARY COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE

⚒ EARLY DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES

Before permanent homes and large community structures can be built, people need places to work, gather, train, store supplies, prepare food, and stay on the property safely.

Temporary facilities may therefore support the early stages of development.

These can include:

military-style tents,
modified sheds,
temporary sleeping facilities,
kitchens,
storage,
work areas,
sanitation,
meeting areas,
power distribution,
water points,
and training spaces.

These are not the final housing vision.

They are practical tools that allow the community to begin building before permanent development is complete.

PHASE FIVE — AGRICULTURE

⚒ GROWING FOOD

A community that cannot produce food remains heavily dependent upon outside systems.

Agriculture is therefore one of YFCC’s central development priorities.

The agricultural plan may include several complementary systems. We are reserving 5 acres for community agriculture.

MICROGREENS

Microgreens provide nutrient-dense food in a relatively small growing area and can also serve as a commercial crop.

GREENHOUSES

Protected agriculture can extend growing seasons and provide greater control over temperature, wind, and moisture.

COMMUNITY GARDENS

Vegetables, herbs, and other crops can provide food directly to member households and community kitchens.

FIELD CROPS

Larger-scale production can provide bulk food and feed where soil, water, and climate make it practical.

PERENNIAL CROPS

Fruit trees, berries, and other perennial food systems may be established where conditions permit.

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY

Chickens, sheep, goats, and other suitable animals may provide eggs, meat, milk, fertilizer, and other products.

FOOD PRESERVATION

Growing food is only part of food security.

The community must also learn how to:

can,
dehydrate,
freeze,
ferment,
store,
package,
and preserve seed.

Our objective is to progressively increase the percentage of the community’s food that is produced and preserved internally.

PHASE SIX — ROADS, ACCESS, AND SITE DEVELOPMENT

⚒ DEVELOPING THE PROPERTY

A large rural property requires more than buildings.

Access must be planned.

Roads must be maintained.

Drainage must be considered.

Construction areas must be identified.

Agricultural zones must be protected.

Utilities must be routed efficiently.

Future development should be planned in a way that prevents expensive mistakes later.

Site development therefore includes:

internal roads,
drainage,
grading,
building locations,
utility corridors,
water access,
agricultural zones,
emergency access,
storage areas,
and future expansion areas.

The objective is to develop the land deliberately rather than randomly.

PHASE SEVEN — PERMANENT HOUSING

○ FAMILY DWELLINGS

Permanent housing represents a major transition from developing the land to establishing long-term community life.

YFCC envisions private family dwellings supported by shared community infrastructure.

Housing should provide:

family privacy,
durability,
energy efficiency,
appropriate sanitation,
safe water,
electrical service,
climate protection,
and practical use of available land.

The design of housing may evolve as experience is gained and resources become available.

The important principle is that permanent dwellings should support the larger community rather than reproduce isolated suburban living.

PHASE EIGHT — COMMUNITY FACILITIES

○ SHARED SPACES

As YFCC grows, common facilities will become increasingly important.

Future facilities may include:

COMMUNITY KITCHEN

For large meals, food processing, preservation, training, and emergencies.

DINING AND FELLOWSHIP SPACE

For communal meals, meetings, worship, and gatherings.

CLASSROOMS

For children, adult education, technical training, and agricultural instruction.

WORKSHOPS

For carpentry, welding, electrical work, fabrication, mechanical repair, and equipment maintenance.

STORAGE

For food, tools, seed, supplies, replacement parts, and emergency reserves.

MEDICAL / FIRST-AID SPACE

For basic treatment, emergency stabilization, supplies, and training.

ADMINISTRATIVE FACILITIES

For records, planning, communications, finance, and community management.

The purpose of shared facilities is to concentrate resources where they can serve the whole community.

PHASE NINE — EDUCATION AND TRAINING

○ BUILDING KNOWLEDGE

Infrastructure is useless if no one knows how to maintain it.

YFCC therefore seeks to develop a culture in which practical knowledge is shared and passed to the next generation.

Training may include:

Scripture,
agriculture,
greenhouse management,
animal care,
food preservation,
carpentry,
electrical work,
solar systems,
plumbing,
water management,
mechanical repair,
first aid,
emergency response,
communications,
conservation,
administration,
and leadership.

The goal is not to create a community dependent upon a few experts.

The goal is to create a community filled with capable people.

PHASE TEN — COMMUNITY BUSINESSES AND ECONOMIC PRODUCTION

○ BUILDING A LOCAL ECONOMY

A sustainable community must eventually do more than consume resources.

It must produce value.

YFCC can support community-owned or member-operated economic activities that help fund infrastructure and reduce dependence upon outside income.

Possible activities may include:

commercial microgreens,
produce sales,
seedlings,
nursery products,
livestock products,
food preservation,
training programs,
workshops,
agricultural consulting,
construction,
fabrication,
repairs,
renewable-energy services,
and other enterprises consistent with YFCC’s values and capabilities.

The long-term objective is to create an economy in which an increasing amount of value is produced within the community itself.

PHASE ELEVEN — CARE SYSTEMS

○ CARING FOR MEMBERS THROUGH EVERY STAGE OF LIFE

As YFCC matures, the community should develop greater capacity to care for members who need assistance.

This may include:

elderly members,
widows,
fatherless children,
members recovering from illness or injury,
families facing temporary hardship,
and other legitimate needs.

The goal is not to create dependency.

It is to create enough collective strength that genuine need does not automatically become disaster.

PHASE TWELVE — GENERATIONAL CONTINUITY

○ BUILDING BEYOND OURSELVES

The final goal is not simply to finish a collection of projects.

It is to create something that survives us.

A mature YFCC should be able to pass forward:

land,
water systems,
electrical infrastructure,
housing,
farms,
livestock,
workshops,
businesses,
schools,
knowledge,
governing institutions,
and a functioning community culture.

The most important inheritance, however, is not physical.

It is the knowledge of YAH and His Word.

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 — KJV

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children…”

Every system we build should ultimately support that responsibility.

WHAT HAS PRIORITY?

Not every project can be done at once.

Development must follow necessity.

A practical order is:

1. LAND

Secure the place.

2. WATER

Make life possible.

3. POWER

Make infrastructure functional.

4. ACCESS AND SANITATION

Make the property usable.

5. FOOD PRODUCTION

Reduce outside dependence.

6. TEMPORARY FACILITIES

Allow development to continue on-site.

7. PERMANENT HOUSING

Establish stable community residency.

8. EDUCATION AND WORKSHOPS

Build knowledge and capability.

9. COMMUNITY BUSINESSES

Build internal economic strength.

10. EXPANDED COMMUNITY SERVICES

Increase long-term resilience.

This order may change as circumstances require, but basic necessities must come before cosmetic improvements.

HOW WE MEASURE PROGRESS

YFCC should not measure development only by money spent.

We should ask what new capability has been created.

For example:

WATER

How many gallons can we store?

How much can we produce?

How many days can the community function without an outside delivery?

POWER

How many kilowatt-hours can we generate?

How much battery capacity is available?

How long can critical loads operate without the grid?

FOOD

What percentage of our food are we producing?

How much food can we preserve?

How much seed are we storing?

HOUSING

How many people can be housed safely?

EDUCATION

How many children and adults can be trained?

EQUIPMENT

What work can we now perform internally that previously required an outside contractor?

ECONOMY

How much community income is produced from land, businesses, or internal enterprises?

Progress becomes real when capability increases.

EVERY PROJECT SHOULD ANSWER ONE QUESTION

Before YFCC invests major resources into a project, we should ask:

Does this make the community stronger?

Does it help provide:

Food?

Water?

Power?

Housing?

Education?

Safety?

Income?

Training?

Transportation?

Care for members?

Long-term stewardship?

If the answer is no, the project may not be a priority.

We want development driven by necessity and purpose rather than appearance.

WE EXPECT TO LEARN

Not every idea will work exactly as originally planned.

Some systems will need modification.

Some crops will fail.

Some equipment will prove unsuitable.

Some building methods will need improvement.

Some assumptions will be wrong.

That is part of building.

The important thing is to learn from each attempt.

A failed experiment is not wasted if it teaches the community what not to do next time.

We should document:

what worked,
what failed,
what it cost,
what we learned,
and what should be changed.

Over time, that knowledge becomes one of the community’s most valuable resources.

DOCUMENTING THE BUILD

This page should continue to grow as YFCC grows.

We intend to document major projects with:

photographs,
videos,
project descriptions,
equipment specifications,
lessons learned,
current status,
and future objectives.

Visitors should be able to see the difference between the vision and the present reality.

Members should be able to look back and see how far the community has come.

Children should eventually be able to see what their parents and grandparents built.

CURRENT PROJECT STATUS

This section should be updated regularly.

LAND

Status: ✓ OPERATIONAL

Approximately 120 acres secured for community development.

WATER STORAGE

Status: ⚒ UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Bulk storage and distribution infrastructure being developed and expanded.

SOLAR POWER

Status: ⚒ UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Renewable electrical generation and battery storage being installed and expanded.

AGRICULTURE

Status: ⚒ UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Microgreens and broader agricultural production form part of the developing food system.

TEMPORARY FACILITIES

Status: ⚒ UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Temporary structures and support facilities are being developed to support construction, training, and early on-site activity.

PERMANENT HOUSING

Status: ○ PLANNED

Permanent family dwellings remain part of the long-term development plan.

TRAINING CENTER

Status: ○ PLANNED

Agricultural, conservation, and practical-skills training facilities remain part of the vision.

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

Status: ○ PLANNED

Mechanical, construction, fabrication, and maintenance spaces are planned as the community develops.

EXPANDED LIVESTOCK

Status: ○ PLANNED

Livestock and poultry systems will be developed as water, fencing, feed, and infrastructure permit.

DEVELOPMENT IS NOT THE PURPOSE

It is easy to become focused on equipment.

Solar panels.

Water tanks.

Tractors.

Buildings.

Greenhouses.

Roads.

Tools.

All of these are necessary.

But none of them are the reason YFCC exists.

The infrastructure serves the community.

The community serves the people.

And the people serve YAH.

Psalm 127:1 — KJV

“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it…”

We can build impressive infrastructure and still fail if we do not build righteous people.

Therefore, physical development and spiritual development must occur together.

WE ARE BUILDING FOR PEOPLE WE MAY NEVER MEET

Some of the trees we plant may produce their greatest harvest after we are gone.

Some of the buildings we construct may still be standing when our grandchildren are old.

Some children who eventually learn a trade in a YFCC workshop may not yet be born.

Some families who someday benefit from the water system may never know the names of the people who installed the first tanks and pipes.

That is all right.

Not everything we build has to benefit us personally.

Proverbs 13:22 — KJV

“A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children…”

We are building with generations in mind.

WATCH YESHURUN GROW

This page should become the ongoing record of YFCC development.

Each major project should eventually show:

PROJECT

What we are building.

PURPOSE

Why the community needs it.

STATUS

Operational, under development, or planned.

PROGRESS

What has been completed.

NEXT STEP

What remains to be done.

LESSONS LEARNED

What the project has taught us.

PHOTOS / VIDEO

What the work actually looks like.

That allows anyone interested in YFCC to see the difference between words and work.

WE ARE NOT WAITING FOR A PERFECT TIME

Communities are not built in a day.

Neither are farms.

Neither are families.

Neither are generations.

We begin with what YAH has placed into our hands.

We improve it.

We learn.

We build.

We teach.

Then we build again.

Zechariah 4:10 — KJV

“For who hath despised the day of small things?…”

Small beginnings are still beginnings.

One water tank becomes a water system.

One solar array becomes a power system.

One garden becomes a food system.

One workshop becomes a training program.

One family becomes several.

And eventually, what began as an idea becomes a functioning community.

THE WORK CONTINUES

YFCC is not finished.

That is precisely why this page exists.

We want people to see what has actually been completed, what is being developed, what remains planned, and what it will take to move from one stage to the next.

The vision is large.

So the work must be steady.