About Land of Nerds
Transforming 10 acres in Lancaster, CA into a resilient food forest. Built by nerds, for nerds.
Impact, tracked in the open
We post our numbers and receipts. These stats update after each build day.
Trees planted
65
As tracked in our plant inventory
Gallons captured
0
Based on project water capture metrics
Volunteer hours
300
Logged from completed volunteer shifts
Who I Am & My Goal
A personal mission to transform desert land into a thriving ecosystem
I'm a software engineer, permaculture enthusiast, Angeleno, and someone who believes that with the right approach, we can turn even the harshest environments into productive, life-sustaining ecosystems.
My goal is simple but ambitious: transform 10 acres of high-desert land in Lancaster, California into a resilient food forest that serves as both a proof of concept and a community resource. This isn't just about planting trees—it's about demonstrating that with permaculture principles, water harvesting, and community support, we can create sustainable food systems even in challenging climates.
I believe in transparency, data-driven decisions, and building in the open. Every tree planted, every gallon of water captured, and every dollar spent is tracked and made public. I also want to release the research to the public and have other nerds use it to build their own agroforests. This project is as much about education and inspiration as it is about food production.
The Journey: 5 Years of Learning
Every failure taught us something. Every success validated our approach.
Hard-Earned Lessons
What Failed
Theft & Security
A 3,000 gallon tank, shed, and tools were stolen. Lesson: Cameras and presence are non-negotiable.
Water Sourcing Reality
Delivery from local wells is costly and restricted. Lesson: Use county water or harvest purely from rain/swales.
Wrong Season Planting
Planting in Spring/Summer fried the plants. Lesson: Always plant in Fall to let roots establish before summer heat.
Cob Construction
Incredibly labor intensive for a shed. Lesson: Use brick methods covered in cob for efficiency + insulation.
County Regulations
Fines for mulch height and "waste". Lesson: Pre-approve everything with the county. Neighbors will report you.
What Worked
Deep Mulching
5 acres of mulch retained massive soil moisture. Win: Plants survived 110°F heat with minimal water.
Native Support Species
Planting hardy natives first sheltered the fruit trees. Win: Created microclimates that reduced wind stress.
Community & Open Source
Opening the gates brought 300+ volunteer hours. Win: Knowledge sharing accelerated our progress 10x.
Data-Driven Gardening
Tracking every plant's health status. Win: We stopped buying species that statistically died 80% of the time.
Where We Are Now
The current state of the land and what we've built so far
Today, the land shows real progress. Our plant inventory includes over 60 trees and counting, with a focus on drought-tolerant fruit trees and native support species. The soil is improving year over year as we add organic matter through composting and mulching.
We've built a community of volunteers who regularly contribute their time and expertise. The transparent ledger system tracks every donation and expense, building trust and accountability.
The infrastructure is in place: water systems, soil building programs, and a clear process for adding new plants. But we're just getting started. The real transformation happens over years, not months, and we're committed to the long-term vision.
Our Growing Forest
Every plant tracked, from seedling to established tree
65
Total Plants
4
Varieties
62
Thriving
34
Fruit Trees
Biodiversity Breakdown
The 2030 Vision
We aren't just planting trees. We are engineering a self-sustaining ecosystem that will outlive us.
Food Forest
A multi-layered system with over 500 food-producing trees, perennial vegetables, and native pollinators acting as a single organism.
Water Neutral
Capturing 100% of rainfall via earthworks and swales, storing enough in the soil aquifer to survive 2-year droughts without municipal water.
Open Blueprint
A fully documented, replicable model that ANYONE can copy to start their own desert food forest for under $5,000.
Community Hub
A permanent space for weekend workshops, free harvest days for locals, and educational field trips for schools.
Climate Ark
A "living bank" of seeds and genetics specifically adapted to extreme heat, ready for a hotter future climate.
Ready to Get Involved?
Whether you want to volunteer your time or fund specific projects, there are many ways to help grow the food forest.