SolFed Farms

Explore Kalamazoo's Green Future

Discover sustainable living and hands-on learning in off-grid tranquility at SolFed Farms (a 501c3 nonprofit organization) where nature and community thrive together. Join us to explore community building through farming and our natural building workshops in Kalamazoo.

Solfed Farms Nonprofit offers natural building workshops, farm education, fresh produce, and community garden spaces in southwest Michigan. We inspire and empower youth and adults to produce their own food, medicine, energy and shelter through education and collaboration.

Check out what's happening on Instagram:

Taking hot lava to the next level. Farm just got a little more epic!Our kitchen finally has a backsplash! I came home to this beautifully installed artwork by Jana Hanka. It is incredible and I am moved beyond words to have such wonderful people in my life to gift our house with their art. The part above the sink was completed by Ondrej and I finished the grout on it today. So fun, so wonderful and our home feels even more hand crafted and special!We are teaming up with Kalamazoo Valley Community College to offer a hands-on Natural Plaster and Green Roof Installation this Spring. Stay tuned for more infoDear Cuba, What a beautiful country you are. Your people- so resilient, brave, determined, and scared. What you have gone through! What will become of you? A land of scarcity you can hardly stay afloat. Your educated and resourceful but still there is not enough to go around. Your horses, skinny from parasites with no medicine in sight. Your people, in blackness throughout most the night. When the world tries to choke you, can you still breathe? A government taking it all from the people and leaving them to suffer in the wake. My government withholding it all and leaving you in the dark. oh Cuba, dear Cuba. What can I do? Dear America, What a beautiful country you are. Your people- so enraged, brave, divided and scared. What you have gone through! What will become of you? A land of abundance you are drowning in it. Your so divided, so confused, there is too much news to swim around. Your people, sick from the food, media and lies with no end in sight. Your people, in blue light throughout most of the night. When this world tries to swallow your joy, can you still find it? A government taking it all from the people and leaving them afraid. My government lieing and deceiving it all and leaving us in the dark. Oh America, dear America. What can I do? Mexico president says Trump tariffs on Cuba’s oil suppliers could trigger humanitarian crisis https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/30/mexico-sheinbaum-trump-tariffs-cuba-oil-crisis?CMP=share_btn_url Cuba has an oil supply for 15-20 days and America is seemingly successfully blocking all oil imports. Imperialist, fascist and criminal.A look into the process of SolFed farms Hands On Straw Bale and Timber Framing Natural Building Course. More info about next semester's class coming soon!If you know this guy, you know what a treasure he is. Special thanks to @intdevllc for coming out as a guest speaker this week for our Hands On Timber Frame and Straw Bale Natural Building Class. Dean gave a great talk on Natural Building as a permaculture approach, a way of letting the land speak, rather than forcing our needs on the land. Dean captured the classes attention by drawing on the wisdom of the great work his company is doing as well as the great work humans have been doing since the beginning of time. Touching on Natural structures from Straw Bale to Super Adobes to hempcrete and beyond. If you are looking for a team to help your dream home come to fruition, this is the guy. check out @intdevllc for his excellent portfolio
Tyler Baumann, Workshop Participant at 2025 Earthcraft Skillshare

"The Natural Building workshop at Earthcraft Skillshare was real, hands-on learning in the best way. We mixed mud, shredded straw, and worked side by side, figuring things out together. It felt good to use simple, natural materials and see how accessible this kind of building really is. I left feeling capable and connected."

Tyler Baumann, Workshop Participant at 2025 Earthcraft Skillshare

Jaron Siegel

I’ve been visiting SolFed Farms for a decade, and it remains one of my favorite places to learn and connect. Their kids’ programs, sustainable building projects, and community workshops are hands-on, welcoming, and inspiring. Larissa and Ondrej are a true wealth of wisdom — Larissa’s creativity and vision shine through in every program, and Ondrej’s craftsmanship as a builder is exceptional. SolFed is a place where community, sustainability, and generosity come to life

Jaron Siegel

Cassie Ballard, Farm School Family

The SolFed heart and soul is deeply felt at every point of interaction. Whether you’re at the work of art straw bale home, in the forest at the kid’s farm school program or out immersed in the community classes, Larissa’s wisdom, vision, and creativity is palpable.

Cassie Ballard, Farm School Family

Our Mission

Our mission is to cultivate resilient communities and restore the health of our planet by advancing regenerative agriculture and natural building practices. Through education, innovation, and collaboration, we empower individuals to embrace sustainable living, rebuild ecosystems, and foster harmony between humanity and nature. We are committed to co creating a learning environment for youth and adults to grow and process their own food, medicine and shelter. This involves natural building and farming workshops, youth education programs, running and operating community gardens to support regenerative agriculture. Other projects include land restoration, invasive species management, hosting events for the public, and a community solar array installation for community and Solfed members to have access to sustainable energy

Your Questions, Answered

What services does SolFed Farms offer?

SolFed Farms offers community tours, Farm School Program and natural builidng classes in Kalamazoo to educate and empower our community.

How can I participate in the workshops at SolFed Farms?

You can participate in our 2025 Fall Course through KVCC - Intro to Straw Bale and Timber Frame Building - Click here to register or learn more

Does SolFed Farms provide tours of the farm?

Yes, we offer guided tours showcasing our off-grid systems, straw bale house and sustainable farming practices. Contact us for more info and to schedule a tour!

I have more questions about Natural Building and Off-grid living, can you help?

We love hearing your ideas, meeting new folk and brainstorming ideas about creating a sustainable future.  Contact us!

Can I host my event at SolFed Farms?

We love events! We would love to hear more about your event and explore how we can work together.

Reach Out to Our Team

Contact SolFed Farms for inquiries about our off-grid community and educational programs in Kalamazoo.

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