The grounds consist of several old growth apple trees, several producing cherry trees, along with pears, blueberries, grapes, peaches, walnuts, chestnuts, and black berries.

We worked on the house primarily on the weekends and only 8 months out of the year, because of the severe winters. It was a journey which lasted 7 years and three days from permit to permanent power.

It incorporates both active and passive solar power and never...