homestead

Sounds fun

I’m 16 years old and I hope to one day have a homestead when I’m off and married and have kids. My parents buy only junk food and I hate it but I’m forced to eat it. I don’t trust my life and/or money with the government.
I am taking little steps now. I’m planning a little garden in my backyard, I’m learning how to do laundry on a washboard and wringer, and I’m learning how to make soap and candles.

Lived on a farm and cooked all day every day for farm workers and family. She was raised with knowledge that everyone she knew had. Do you know anyone who lives on a self-sufficient sustainable homestead? I do not, and that’s upsetting.

I want it all…organic garden, calves, goats, pigs, and horses, outdoor kitchen…and definitely an outdoor claw foot bathtub (just for summer of course). I do want a real bathroom too…lol

getting there

Several years ago my husband and I decided that we would sell our suburban house and find a place in the country. I had spent a couple years building up our gardens and trying to get native prairie going in the back half of the property. I was the neighborhood nut who collected people’s leaves and grass clippings for composting! I have 25 chickens and 6 ducks here (we’re on 2.6 acres) but I’m not supposed to have all of these animals because we are zoned for residential. When I realized that I wouldn’t be able to get milk goats (3 years ago) we decided that we needed to move to a place where we could really become self sufficient.

This isn’t just about moving to a different location, or enjoying the countryside. This is about changing our lifestyle and making our lives more meaningful. We want a smaller house, less THINGS, more animals, more acres and a slower pace of life. Right now we’re working on getting rid of lots of possessions that we really don’t need or want and we’re getting the house ready to put on the market. We already have found the perfect place to buy. We’re hoping that it will still be available when we are ready.
Leni

I want to homestead so badly!!! Imagine waking up early on the farm, starting off in no particular rush, take some time to meditate, have a warm tea in front of the fireplace with the dogs and cats then head out into the cold crisp morning to do the animal chores…..aahhhh bliss! The plush winter hair of the horses bristling under my fingertips, seeing their breath in the cold morning air which they search my pockets for treats. The sounds of the water rushing into the large tubs, the ice cracking in protest as the warm water breaks it. The sounds of my feet crunching in fresh snow being the only noise cause ever then birds aren’t awake yet.

MAN! iF i NEVER HAD TO LEAVE THE FARM AGAIN IT WOULD BE TOO SOON! lol
So close yet so far away to have this come to fruition. As it stands I am technically already homesteading, I have my animals, we harveest some of our own meat, we have chickens for eggs, etc.. but to do it full time where everything can come from my farm, my efforts, my hands would be sublime. But all that takes time and money.. two things I don’t have. lol But baby steps right? I look back a few years and know I have made milestones really, I am so much closer than years past. I just have to keep working at all the little goals and do as much as I can. It’s not far off from realizing my goal!
Here is a website of a couple that has been homesteading for many years and I quite admire them!
http://www.manytracks.com/

For 7 years I have owned 12 + acres in the foothills of Northern California. At times, there have been goats, sheep, chickens, and rabbits up here, but there hasn’t been any animals now for a long while.
One pasture is fenced, but the garden plots are not and there is no barn. The reason: my ex-wife wanted something in particular, but what it was she didn’t know. So not much got done or when we did get a garden in it was for the deer and voles. Unfortunately, I had to move down to the city for 2 years and the land was ignored. But now I am back, alone, and the homestead dream is alive. And to stay true to that term, I have very little money now, so salvaging the existing fences, irrigation, and tools will be necessary. But I am both excited and grateful for my second chance.