100% sustainability is the ultimate goal in Quay Valley and the Research Ranch and farming program help lay the foundation for a model town for the 21st century.

We have excavated and installed over a mile of irrigation ditches, and begun farming organic wheat on the main part of the property. The creation of the ditches has provided valuable lessons in how to build the miles and miles of river-like water features that will convey water throughout the community and act as natural filtration and storm water catch basins. Natural contours normally used for irrigation strategies have guided our efforts to create a master grading plan that is balanced and the least obtrusive.

For almost two years, the soil has been tested and worked to prepare it for organic farming, and it continues to be tested and treated with the goal of successfully and efficiently growing organic crops. Our plans to eventually test-plant the entire property has helped us identify the best soils for agriculture, and aided our planners in better locating different aspects of the community and infrastructure. With permanent agriculture embedded into the fiber of the planned community, a steady roll out of continual farming efforts is essential to understanding what will grow best and where.

Over 10,000 pomegranate cuttings have been nurtured for more than a year, and we have begun transplanting the saplings on the Research Ranch with very positive results. Relocating good topsoil from other parts of the property has eliminated the need for certain traditional soil preparation techniques for inferior dirt. The irrigation system for our orchard consists of the most efficient drip systems, and the various soil treatments conform to organic standards. The results of this careful planning have paid off, and we expect our pomegranate orchard to bear fruit within two years.

We have planted various species of stone fruits, citrus and nut trees around the lake to monitor growth, health and adaptability to the existing soil.  As a result, grape vines and an orchard consisting of citrus, stone fruits and nut trees are also planned for additional organic farming.