Our mission is to popularize self-sufficient and healthy lifestyles for the raising of Generation Next. Our core participants are experienced Liberty Community Voluntaryist activists experienced in the power of cooperative individualism and spontaneous order in the pursuit fo the decentralization of power down to the community, family, and ultimately the individual.

Visit our webpage at OccupyTheLand.org

This list is a compilation of the work Ernest and Donna Hancock have done and are currently doing on their land in the Sonoran Desert west of Phoenix

New video added every Friday - the latest one is listed at the top...

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

ALL VIDEOS LISTED HERE: https://odysee.com/@OCCY:9

Dome Prototype: Anchoring the Roof & Wall Layer Update

In this episode of Occupy the Land, we finally resume the guest dome build on our Arizona desert homestead with cooler weather making it easier to work! We prep and install heavy-duty hurricane straps (mule tape) between earthbag layers to cinch the future dome roof securely to the stem walls via a planned concrete bond beam—over-engineered for wind and microbursts. We place cleats and conduit for outdoor outlets, reinforce door frames with cement-heavy hyper Adobe mix, and get laser-level focused on plumb and level as we lay the next course of bags. Targeting two layers this week (three more before windowsills), we're excited to move fast now that the workshop is powered and tools are ready. Join us for hands-on progress on our experimental dome while the desert stays peaceful and green! Peace.

Earthbag Progress: Cleats, Straps & Ready for the Dome!

In this episode of Occupy the Land, we resume the guest dome build after a busy stretch of other homestead projects! With cooler weather finally here, we prep and install heavy-duty hurricane straps (mule tape-style) between earthbag layers to anchor the future dome roof securely to the stem walls via a planned concrete bond beam—over-engineered for wind and microbursts. We also place cleats and conduit for outdoor outlets, reinforce door frames with cement-heavy hyper Adobe mix, and get laser-level serious about plumb and level as we lay the next course of bags. With three more layers targeted before windowsills and dome integration, we're excited to move fast now that tools and workshop are ready. Join us for hands-on progress on our experimental dome while the desert stays peaceful and green! Peace.

From Moon Dust to Green Oasis: Flash Floods & Water Retention Wins

In this episode of Occupy the Land, we walk the property to show the lasting results of an earlier flash flood that filled our sand pond with an estimated 70–90,000 gallons, proving our check dams, berms, and augered holes effectively slow runoff, create temporary lakes, and deeply saturate the clay soil. Months later, the desert remains noticeably greener than surrounding areas—grasses, creosote, and foliage thriving thanks to capillary action pulling moisture upward. We explain plans for perforated tanks, biochar/sand filtration, upper-terrace fruit-tree planting, and continued soil processing with the upcoming trommel. Current work includes raising pads between shipping containers for the future 30×60 building, prepping the workshop for dome strut fabrication, and enjoying peaceful mornings while balancing infrastructure with the homestead's long-term vision of self-sufficiency and food production. Peace.

Chicken Coop & Battery Hub: Desert Homestead Progress

In this episode of Occupy the Land, we push forward on two key homestead projects in the mild Arizona winter weather. Ernie completes the mobile battery shed behind the shipping-container workshop, leveling the pallet platform, adding a wooden floor, and installing the full 15kW 48V battery/inverter system to deliver reliable 120/240V power for welders, plasma cutters, and future dome strut production. Meanwhile, Donna trenches a foot-deep perimeter around the repurposed 12×20 canopy frame, burying quarter-inch hardware cloth to create a predator-proof chicken coop near the garden—ready for chickens soon. With family holiday cleanup done and cooler mornings in the 50s, we prep for livestock, food production, and more builds, blending power independence with practical animal protection in our growing desert oasis! Peace.

Workshop Power Done: 535W Panels & Battery Shed Complete!

In this episode of Occupy the Land, we finally complete the power setup for the shipping-container workshop on our Arizona desert homestead! Ernie swaps out smaller panels for four high-output 535W bifacial solar panels, delivering reliable voltage to the 48V inverter and 15kW battery bank. The mobile battery shed (built on a pallet platform) is finished and leveled, housing inverters, charge controllers, and batteries safely behind the container for easy access and future mobility. Donna assists with concrete stabilization while maintaining her thriving garden beds. With the workshop now fully powered for welders, plasma cutters, stamp press, and more, we're set for dome integration, strut fabrication, and future builds—celebrating another major step toward complete off-grid self-sufficiency in our peaceful desert oasis! Peace.

2025 Recap & 2026 Vision: Power, Food & Freedom on the Land

In this heartfelt New Year's episode of Occupy the Land, Ernie and Donna sit down to recap 2025 on their Arizona desert homestead and share their vision for 2026. The year focused heavily on infrastructure—powering the bus, workshops, and guest dome prototype with solar upgrades, inverters, and battery banks—while Donna built thriving raised garden beds with rabbit compost and heirloom plants. We reflect on the holidays with family and grandkids enjoying ATVs, shooting, and desert freedom, the motivation behind occupying the land (decentralization, self-reliance, and preparing Generation Next), and lessons from past activism (Ron Paul Revolution, Love Bus tour, silver education). Looking ahead, 2026 brings more dome integration, food production scaling, water retention refinement, and continued emphasis on private property, privacy-focused tech, and living above the grid. A motivational update on why this peaceful, practical path to liberty matters now more than ever. Peace.

Desert Homestead 2026: Garden Growth & Family Holiday Recap

In this New Year's update from Occupy the Land, we reflect on a wonderful holiday season with family and grandkids enjoying the desert—shooting, riding e-bikes and ATVs, and experiencing off-grid life. Donna shares her thriving garden: heirloom plants (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, broccoli, peppers, etc.) are sprouting beautifully thanks to rabbit compost, natural pest control, and ideal cool-season weather (80s days, 50s nights). We plan to finish the predator-proof chicken coop (with grandson help) for fresh eggs soon. With the homestead cleaned up post-party, we look ahead to 2026 projects—more dome layers, workshop power upgrades, water retention, and food production—while savoring peaceful desert mornings and the greening landscape after rains. Happy New Year from our Arizona oasis! Peace.

Bus Power Overhaul: 48V Upgrade, Battery Swap & Solar Rewire

In this episode of Occupy the Land, we finally overhaul the bus's aging electrical system on our Arizona desert homestead! Ernie clears out outdated 24V inverters, glitchy charge controllers, and tangled wiring, replacing them with a powerful 48V inverter and high-capacity batteries for simplified, reliable 120/240V power. We bypass failed rooftop flexible solar panels, prep for better connections, and organize tools for efficiency, ensuring no downtime during the swap with portable EcoFlow backups and a heat gun for shrink wrap. With family holidays approaching, this upgrade promises robust power for appliances and tools, marking a major step toward energy independence in our evolving off-grid setup!

NonConformist Series Practical Wealth: Off-Grid Living & the Future of Freedom

In this reflective episode of Occupy the Land, Ernie shares the deep motivations behind our Arizona desert homestead project. From the Ron Paul Revolution and silver education to the Love Bus Liberty tour during COVID lockdowns, the journey has always been about preparing Generation Next for a broken system through decentralization and self-reliance. We discuss the critical pillars—private communication (mesh networks & Starlink), secure commerce (Zano crypto), and true property rights—as practical solutions to surveillance, coercion, and inevitable collapse. With stunning desert scenery as backdrop, Ernie explains how retaining water greens the land, why privacy-focused technology matters, and how occupying your own land is the most peaceful, moral way to reclaim liberty and live above the grid. A powerful "why we do this" update for anyone seeking real-world freedom. Peace.

Bus Power Overhaul: 48V Upgrade & Battery Cleanup!

In this episode of Occupy the Land, we tackle a long-overdue overhaul of the bus's off-grid power system on our Arizona desert homestead! Ernie clears out outdated 24V inverters, charge controllers, and tangled wiring, replacing them with a powerful 48V inverter and high-capacity batteries for simplified, reliable 120/240V power. We remove failed rooftop flexible solar panels, prep for better connections, and organize tools for efficiency, ensuring no downtime during the swap with portable EcoFlow backups and a heat gun for shrink wrap. With family holidays approaching, this upgrade promises robust power for appliances and tools, marking a major step toward energy independence in our evolving off-grid setup!

Workshop Power-Up: Battery Shed & Predator-Proof Coop!

In this episode of Occupy the Land, Ernie and Donna tackle separate but complementary projects on their Arizona desert homestead. Ernie constructs a compact, forklift-mobile battery shed behind the shipping-container workshop to house inverters and 15kW of batteries, ensuring safe, high-capacity power for tools while planning expandability. Meanwhile, Donna trenches a foot-deep perimeter around a repurposed 12×20 canopy frame, burying quarter-inch hardware cloth to create a predator-proof chicken coop near the garden. With family visits approaching, we organize supplies, repurpose materials, and fortify against desert critters, blending power independence with livestock prep in our evolving off-grid haven!

Desert Oasis Makeover: Grass, Gazebo & Family Prep!

In this episode of Occupy the Land, we transform our Arizona desert homestead into a welcoming holiday retreat! Donna leads the charge by laying used artificial turf (sourced affordably from a replaced sports field) over a leveled, sifted area beside the bus, creating a soft, green "lawn" for barefoot comfort around the pool and future outdoor kitchen. Ernie anchors a sturdy steel gazebo with concrete footers to withstand desert winds, envisioning shaded relaxation and family gatherings. With daytime temps in the 80s and nights in the 50s, we prep for East Coast visitors arriving for Christmas, adding barbecue setups and ironing outdoors under perfect weather—proof that off-grid living can be both rugged and inviting!

Power Shed Build: 15kW Off-Grid Hub & Battery Fortress!

In this episode of Occupy the Land, Ernie builds a compact, mobile 6×8 battery shed on a pallet platform behind the shipping-container workshop to house four massive 300Ah batteries, inverters, and charge controllers—delivering a full 15kW of 120/240V power for the entire back-of-property zone. Designed to be forklift-movable and wind-resistant, the shed keeps critical electronics safe from potential fires and desert elements while feeding the workshop and future projects. With the tractor busy elsewhere, we level the site, add a wooden floor, and plan shelving, all while prepping for a second shipping container and a 30×60 covered workspace between them. Cooler weather and greening desert signal it's time to push hard on power independence and homestead expansion!

Flash Flood Jackpot: Sand Pond Overflow & Green Explosion!

In this thrilling episode of Occupy the Land, a modest desert rain turns into a full-blown flash flood demonstration as water races across the property, filling our sand pond with an estimated 70–90,000 gallons in hours! We walk the washes to show how check dams and berms slow the flow, create instant mini-lakes, and soak the clay soil deep enough for trees and grasses to explode green. With capillary action pulling moisture upward and the desert already greening dramatically, we celebrate proof that water retention works. From sheeting runoff to overflowing channels, witness the power of simple earthworks turning moon dust into a thriving, water-rich homestead after just one good rain!

Potato Patch & Container Shuffle: Rainy Day Desert Moves!

In this episode of Occupy the Land, we seize a rare cloudy, cool day (and a surprise sprinkle of rain) to push two big projects forward. Ernie digs a rodent-proof potato patch in a natural low spot that catches runoff, lining it with hardware cloth against burrowing critters and hungry bunnies whose tracks are suddenly everywhere. Meanwhile, we haul and spread gravel to firm up the "moon dust" so a professional can safely move our huge storage trailer, clearing the way to place a second shipping container and create a 30-ft covered workspace between them. With rain in the air and bunny pressure rising, we're racing to expand both food production and workshop space on our greening Arizona desert homestead!

Homestead Upgrade: Solar Workshop & Live Worm Delivery!

In this busy-week update from Occupy the Land, Ernie finally consolidates every tool and supply into the shipping-container workshop, creating elbow room and rediscovering lost treasures. He builds a lightweight aluminum solar array and installs four 300Ah batteries for a massive 15kW 48V power station that can run welders, plasma cutters, and the stamp press simultaneously—no more electric bill, ever. Meanwhile, Donna adds live red wigglers from Uncle Jim's Worm Farm (that miraculously survived days at the tiny local post office) to her thriving raised beds and continues sun-oven baking with perfect loaves of bread in 30–35 minutes. With the homestead now fully organized, powered up, and worm-boosted, we're ready to integrate the dome roof, build the trommel, and welcome family for the cooler holidays on our greening Arizona desert oasis!

Off-Grid Gardening: Raised Beds & Chicken Coop Move!

In this episode of Occupy the Land, we explore thriving garden beds on our Arizona desert homestead, enriched with rabbit compost and protected by fly traps, creosote-wrapped railroad ties, and a relocated carport frame for a future chicken coop. Donna's raised beds, shaded for summer and planted with healthy transplants, promise fresh produce, while we cover the pool for winter after siphoning dirty water. Ernie bakes homemade bread in a sun oven at 350°F, showcases a road horn for tractor grading, and relocates workshop supplies from the old dome site to the shipping container for efficiency. We plan trommel builds with salvaged parts, aquaponics revival, and celebrate the greening desert through water retention!

Growing in the Desert: Compost, Plants & Perfect Weather!

In this episode of Occupy the Land, Donna takes center stage on our Arizona desert homestead, layering lightweight rabbit compost—praised as "the bestest ever"—onto raised garden beds for a nutrient-rich, cold-compost boost that attracts fruit flies but promises quick results. With perfect 70s-80s daytime and 50s nighttime temps, she plants heirloom, non-GMO starters including lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, broccoli, and peppers, aiming for seed-saving and fresh eats. We discuss past aquaponics experiments, shade cloth strategies, and the importance of daytime warmth with nighttime cool for growth. Meanwhile, Ernie wraps up workshop organization post-fire rebuild and plans dome progress, celebrating the greening desert and our off-grid journey toward food independence

Building & Growing: Electrical Setup & Garden Beds!

In this episode of Occupy the Land, we make strides on our Arizona desert dome build by installing cleats and conduit for outdoor electrical outlets, preparing for patio power and hot tub possibilities. With cooler weather, we resume hyper Adobe earthbag layers, planning windowsills and dome integration. Meanwhile, Donna enriches garden beds with lightweight rabbit manure compost from neighbors and plants heirloom, non-GMO starters sourced from town. We organize the workshop for efficiency, eye a concrete pad expansion, and celebrate the greening desert after rains, balancing construction with food production in our off-grid homestead!

Desert Neighbors & DIY: Backhoe Work & Laundry Soap!

In this episode of Occupy the Land, we dive into a busy day on our Arizona desert homestead! With the tractor back from maintenance, we attach the backhoe to help a neighbor dig a septic tank, reinforcing community ties with a promise of mutual aid. We trade our broken Ram 1500 for an F-150 and plan for a three-quarter-ton truck upgrade. Donna trims creosote for compost, using bunny manure from a neighbor to enrich garden beds, while experimenting with hedge-like growth. Meanwhile, we craft homemade laundry soap with borax, washing soda, and Castile soap to save costs, showcasing our off-grid ingenuity and sustainable desert living!

Cooler Days, New Projects: Generator & Garden Plans!

In this episode of Occupy the Land, we tackle end-of-summer maintenance on our Arizona desert homestead! With cooler 63°F mornings, we set up a new flex-fuel generator (propane and gasoline) as a backup to our trusty diesel generator, ensuring uninterrupted power while we repair our solar system's charge controller. We haul four food-grade IBC totes to store 3,000 gallons of pool water for gardening and construction, and Donna assembles a chicken coop to protect future garden beds. Amidst impending monsoon rains, we prep for a side-by-side vehicle purchase and share the greening desert landscape, showcasing our off-grid resilience and progress!

Cooler Days Ahead: Supplies & Green Desert Progress!

In this episode of Occupy the Land, Donna and Ernie embark on a supply run to bolster their Arizona desert homestead! They snag a discounted flex-fuel generator from Harbor Freight for reliable backup power and secure four food-grade IBC totes to store nearly 3,000 gallons of pool water for gardening, chickens, and construction. Battling a chilly 63°F morning, they also address a leaky tire on their dump trailer and plan to enhance their workshop setup. With recent rains turning the desert green, they share their excitement for upcoming tree planting and composting efforts, showcasing the vibrant progress of their off-grid oasis!

Desert Water Wins: Stucco Check Dams & Dome Prep!

In this episode of Occupy the Land, we tackle monsoon water retention by stuccoing a check dam with a mix of Portland cement, fine sand, and chopped basalt and fiberglass mesh, testing its durability for future dome applications. After recent rains confirmed our drainage strategy, we strengthen the dam to saturate six acres of soil, creating a sponge-like effect with augured holes. We also prep for the next layer of hyper Adobe earthbags, organizing wiring and supplies for the dome build. Despite Arizona's 110°F heat challenging our cameras, we share our progress and plans for a greener desert homestead!

Sustainable Desert Living: Workshop Setup & Water Filters!

Desert Dome Build: Wiring, Drains, & Monsoon Challenges!

 Desert Homestead: Electrical Prep & Freedom Philosophy! - Sept 13, 2025:

Storm's Coming: Earthbag Dome Progress & Drainage Checks! - Sept 5, 2025:

From Earthbags to Clay Pots: Desert Construction Insights! - Aug 29, 2025:

Building in the Heat: Earthbags & Desert Laundry Hacks! - Aug 22, 2025:

Off-Grid Essentials: Tractor Gear for Dome Construction! - Aug 15, 2025:

Off-Grid Comfort: Cooling the Bus & Building the Dome! - Aug 8, 2025:

Essential Tools and Equipment - Aug 6, 2025:

Project Occy - Aug 6, 2025:

Tractor & Trailer: Building Our Desert Dome Foundation! - Aug 2, 2025:

Desert Living: Water Tanks, Solar Racks, and Earthbags! - July 25, 2025:

Storm Surge: Channeling Water for Off-Grid Living! - July 18, 2025:

Dome Floor Prep & Desert Commute: Occupy the Land! - July 11, 2025:

Pouring the Dome Floor: Earthbags & PVC Prep in the Desert! - July 4, 2025:

Earthbag Dome Dreams: PVC Baseboards & Desert Experiments! - June 28, 2025:

Desert Days: Earthbagging and Monsoon Planning! - June 20, 2025:

3D Printing a House? Earthbag Walls Rise in the Desert! - June 16, 2025:

NonConformist Series: Occupy the Land Presentation - June 2, 2025:

WHY Occupy The Land? - May 4, 2025:

Future-Proofing The Dome Foundation - April 28, 2025:

Assembled Frame: Home Dome - April 19, 2025:

Home Dome Prep - April 4, 2025:

Planning a Dome With Modern Comforts - March 22, 2025:

Local MESH network; Occupy Communications - March 8, 2025:

The Dome Workshop - March 1, 2025:

Making Ready the First Dome - Feb 22, 2025:

Wrestling the Dome - Feb 14, 2025:

Putting it All Together; Finished Workshop Floor - Feb 8, 2025:

Status Update - Feb 1, 2025:

Prototype Projects - Jan 31, 2025:

Slice by Slice - Jan 19, 2025:

Pouring the First Round of Concrete - Jan 12, 2025:

Building the Check Dam - Jan 4, 2025:

America Takes A Break - Dec 29, 2024:

Foundations - The First Dome - Dec 22, 2024:

Occupy The Land Goes Live - Dec 22, 2024:

Anarchapulco_OccupyTheLand - Sept 11, 2024: