New to Homesteading

goodtobeus · #1 01/14/08, 09:34 AM

We are new to homesteading.Both of us are in our 50's and we have 1 teenager at home.We want the self sufficiency of being homesteaders and are trying to make our biggest decision of whether to stay ahere we are in a small rural village in upstate NY our to seek a more secluded location with more land.any words of wisdom will be appreciated.

texican · #2 01/14/08, 09:42 AM

You've done the best thing you could do already.... you found this site...

Windy in Kansas · #3 01/14/08, 09:42 AM

Welcome to the forums. Feel free to join right in on any of them.

In my opinion a lot of decision should be based on how many acres you need for animals. Also do you have the time to care for more land? In some areas one must even mow pastures to keep them from growing out of control. I grew up in western Kansas where that wasn't needed due to lower rainfall. I'll gladly take the rainfall instead.

Again, welcome. Windy in Kansas

turtlehead · #4 01/14/08, 09:53 AM

Welcome!

Sit down and figure out what you mean by "homesteading" and what your goals are.

Do you want to raise enough garden produce to get you through the entire year?
Will you raise animals for meat? What kind? What requirements do they have?
Will you raise any of your feeds yourself (hay, corn, etc.)? What are the requirements for that?
Will you raise any of your own grains (wheat, corn, etc.)?
Do you want animals for milking? What do they require?
Will you be heating with firewood? Cooking? Do you want your own woodlot or will you buy wood?

Then figure out if you're going to be physically and financially able to do all that. Then decide if your current location suits your needs or if you need to relocate.

A cow requires more land in Texas than in Ohio, because of the quality of pasture. So this is going to take a little thinking and research.

Start small and don't let it get overwhelming. Take breaks. ENJOY the process. Celebrate every little accomplishment. Post here

Ralph in N.E.Oh · #5 01/14/08, 04:19 PM

Turtlehead gives you great advice.

Welcome to the forum.

One consideration is what is your vocation? Can you find that type of work anywhere or are you looking for a change? Can you work from home?

I will say stay small you can raise a great deal of food both vegatable and meat on a small place...plus you get the added benefit of knowing your farm very well. Pracitice sustainable methods, you will never be sorry.

Tricky Grama · #6 01/14/08, 04:50 PM

Welcome! You'll get lots of ideas, I'm sure. I'm envious that you are in upstate NY! We'll be in Old Forge in August.

Patty

tyusclan · #7 01/14/08, 05:03 PM

All good advice, so nothing really to add there.

Welcome to the forum!

comfortablynumb · #8 01/14/08, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texican

You've done the best thing you could do already.... you found this site...

may god have mercy on their souls.

katlupe · #9 01/14/08, 05:32 PM

Welcome goodtobeus! Glad to have you here. Nice to have another NYer homesteading! We have quite a group here in NY. Where exactly are you located if you don't me asking?

katlupe

farmmaid · #10 01/14/08, 05:38 PM

Welcome to the forum. As Katlupe said we have a nice group that gets together about every 2 months to exchange ideas etc. Where in NY are you. We live near Binghamton, NY

**Terri** · #11 01/14/08, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodtobeus

We are new to homesteading.Both of us are in our 50's and we have 1 teenager at home.We want the self sufficiency of being homesteaders and are trying to make our biggest decision of whether to stay ahere we are in a small rural village in upstate NY our to seek a more secluded location with more land.any words of wisdom will be appreciated.

You CAN do either. Either way will work.

My MIL had an avacado tree, pens of meat rabbits and pens of chickens under the tree, and earthworms and a compost pile under the rabbits.

She lived in California, so property taxes were VERY high. Most of what she needed was of course bought, but, she ate the vegetables, the avacados, the eggs, the old chickens, and the rabbits.

Then again, some people live on very little and she did not. She LIKED using a washing machine and drinking coffee every morning!

It all depends on what you wish!

goodtobeus · #12 01/17/08, 07:36 PM

We are in eastern NY, Columbia County to be exact. Thank you to everyone who commented.
Has any body grown vegetable plants under the lights during this time of year? We are trying and experiment with some, we'll let you know how it works.