Pulling The Trigger

donewithcity · #1 09/23/10, 12:10 AM

Next Tuesday we are flying 1,800 miles from Oregon to view the property we successfully bid on this week. (It is in the Ouachita WASH-IT-AH national forest Arkansas) A beautiful house, on 10 acres, close to the lake and all of my dear wife’s family, I really have no ties besides her except for Mom back in L.A.. But as a city boy, I am reading this forum trying to glean information from folks that have made a similar move.
I am excited and scared. Fortunately she knows and/or is related to most everyone in the county. But we have both lived in the city for so long, that we have never even tasted goat’s milk. So here we are about to move to the sticks, ie, no cable TV, high speed internet, garbage removal, city water, or sewer, etc, etc.
The plan is to start with a few chickens and go from there. Living surrounded by a national forest should prove interesting with all the lions, tigers, and bears, OH MY! LOL
Seriously, our query to the forum is; what should be our initial priorities for setting up the homestead when we first arrive, hopefully by Thanksgiving?

Bearfootfarm · #2 09/23/10, 01:35 AM

Quote:

what should be our initial priorities

With all the "lions and tigers and bears", I'd be investing in some "personal protection tools."

I'm guessing if you've lived in the city all these years, you may be lacking in firearms experience.

The cops won't be 5 minutes away at the new place, but varmits will be all around.

ChristieAcres · #3 09/23/10, 02:10 AM

I'd agree with Bearfootfarm- If you don't have experience with firearms, take a gun safety course, and talk to locals who are experienced. They can recommend what you should buy. You will certainly need to be armed, if only because of the critters. My DH says, "I am not worried about the four legged kind like I am the two legged kind." Being near a National Forest will bring that, too. Also, hunting has been an increasingly more popular topic on forums I am a member of. Are those 10 acres fenced? Are there plenty of "No Hunting" and "No Trespassing" and "Private Property" signs? Locally, we have signs on private properties with forested acreage, "No Brush Picking."

That is a tough one moving there that time of year. I'd concentrate on getting prepared to go through the Winter.

Do you have a wood stove? If so, make sure you have enough firewood to get you through the Winter and keep working on getting more (for the future needs). If you don't have one, I would make sure I got one. My DH, Len, designed & built ours, then modified it to heat our water, and also heatilator drys out clothing (he built us a steel rack that looks similar to a large pot rack).

Do you have your own well there? If so, do you have a generator in case of a power failure? Is there a hand-pump, also, for emergencies? When the power goes out, the well pump won't work... Going without electricity isn't a big deal (as long as that isn't your source of heat), but going without water isn't an option for us.

I'd get stocked up on food, for at least six months or more, that is generally what is done for prep for natural disasters.

Then would be a great time to do research on what homesteading skills you want to learn and employ in your lives. Buy a good canner, dehydrator, and sealer. Start using them. If you don't have a sewing machine or serger, then buy one. If you have an interest in medicinal herbs and self-treating, time to buy the books and read them. Want to grow a garden, more books & reading. Orchard? Yep, more books. If you have farm equipment or will buy some, read up on that subject. You can get great deals on equipment over the Winter and close to Christmas... Also, I'd take a welding class and get some welding equipment (you will find those skills very handy).

One critical mistake many make? They start adding outbuildings, choosing garden sites, putting in their orchard... It is very important you study your sun exposure on your property & know it as it changes through the seasons. That will help you determine the best places for all the aforementioned. As you progress through your homesteading adventure, save yourself some grief- avoid re-inventing the wheel, so to speak!

Critters... Time to research what you would like to have besides chickens. If you have them, they will need a secure chicken house, and probably an electric fence around their chicken yard/pasture. We have an electric mesh fence that works great (coyotes, bears, cougars, raccoons...). Choosing the right dog is important- one who will guard and protect your chickens, not eat them! There are all kinds of critters that will simply be chosen by you to meet your needs. Do you want to raise any pigs, cattle, want a milk cow, goats, sheep? If you want to deter mice, get a good cat.

Well, a bit tired, there is probably more I could add. Undoubtedly, others will! Will check back.

sunflower-n-ks · #4 09/23/10, 06:20 AM

Moving at the beginning of winter, you can use the winter to plan and dream for the animals you would like to have. If there are already buildings, pens, etc for any, that can be a starting point for you. Start small....... A few chickens. Learn how to take care of them and if you like working with them. And how to protect them. Then add something else if you want. But only start with a few of any one thing and don't overwhelm yourself at the learning stage. Animals are a lot of work and the feed bills can mount up.

Explore any established garden, fruit areas. Know what is there and plan to make it into what you want and need. The local people will be a big help with a lot of getting settled in. They know the area and its good and bad points.

Remember, animals take daily care in regards to the owner being away. If you dream of trips and vacations that will take you away from home for days or more, know who will take care of any animals you have. It can be a real challenge to have both animals and to travel.

Our Little Farm · #5 09/23/10, 06:40 AM

Make sure all the plumbing, water pipes are insualted if exposed, that way you won't be dealing with a bust pipe in the middle of the winter.
Make sure you have fuel to keep your house warm, be it 'seasoned' wood, propane etc.
A generator in case of power outage is a good investment.

What I would NOT do, is to bring in animals at that time of the year. Wait till Spring, and look at the lay of your land for buildings if you need them.

Stock up on a good pantry in case of bad weather. Candles, books, food, toiletries. A way to cook if the electric goes out and so on.

A gun safety course and the right gun is a must.

If you put out bird feeders, or leave cat or dog food on your porch, you may attract bears and other unwanted visitors.

Enjoy the winter getting to know your area. What grows, what does not. See what you already have on your property and expand on that.

Congratulations!

TheMrs · #6 09/23/10, 06:55 AM

Congratulations, that is a BEAUTIFUL area! DH and I drove through there once on our way to Oklahoma.

We moved to our property this past December. We spent the winter getting unpacked and settled in. We also took that time to plan a garden and decide our course of action. Some unexpected expenditures might pop up once you're actually living on the property. Those will have to be figured into your plan.

I agree that it's important for you to have a way of protecting your family. DH already had that skill upon moving here, but if you don't have it yet I would recommend that you acquire it as soon as possible.

Have fun getting to know your homestead this winter. I've been blogging about our adventure since we moved here 9 months ago.

Grandmotherbear · #7 09/23/10, 06:55 AM

Wlmart carried goats milk. You can get a taste priot to moving in. Meyenberg Dairy. We prefer it- almost tastes like half n half so creamy.
Consider ducks for eggs stead of chickens. Khaki Campbells and Indian Runners are actually more productive than chicken egg breeds.
See what they mean by research?

meanwhile · #8 09/23/10, 07:16 AM

I would also suggest you wait on the animals till spring. Next, I would suggest you make friends with neighbors and collect phone/cell numbers "just in case" you need help. Then, I would suggest you do a lot of reading and listening and just learn a lot about your area before you make decisions. Find out where all your water lines are and if they are insulated. Get a "back up" plan in case power goes out.

Accept that you will make mistakes and be able to laugh at them and learn. For example:
-don't make a fire-pit right on top of the water line since it will melt the water line and you won't have any water
-do not build a fire to burn up the trash right next to an out-building since the wind will blow and catch something else on fire
-fruit trees need sunshine and so don't plant them in that nice quiet little spot near the top of the ridge
-Bears like to get in the compost bin so place the Compost pile away / FAR AWAY from the house or you might have a "visitor" in the middle of the night
-Coyote like to eat domestic kitty cats so be sure to keep yours inside at night
-The Bear can tear up any trash can container you can build. Neighbors like to laugh at "city folks" who think they can build a cute wood trash-can Bin that will keep out the Bears. Some neighbors will even take PHOTOS of it so they can laugh at it all day long! So - ask the neighbors to show you how to build the ugly, Sturdy Bear Proof type of trash can house and don't waste time on the pretty ones

Get lots of books and magazines and read up this winter. Enjoy your new life and home. Good luck

just_sawing · #9 09/23/10, 07:24 AM

Also understand that there is a large cultural difference between where you are and where you are going. I run into this here in TN when people move in. They automatically have an idea that because we speak slower we are slow. I have neighboros with little education but PHDs in living. Thry have been attacked enough that they keep there mouth shut until they know you.
It isn't better way just because you did it that way where you can far. Just because LA has this or that in their school system and we don't we are not dumb.

Our Little Farm · #10 09/23/10, 07:29 AM

Good point. Just because folk live out in the sticks, does not mean they don't have degrees or know what they are doing.

Be careful about saying "we do this that way back in LA". Best advice is to listen to folk and thank them for their input.

Do you have any photos of your new place? We love photos here.

Also, there is so much to learn on HT, what you can't find, ask about.

ronbre · #11 09/23/10, 07:40 AM

if you are not really familiar with the property, your best bet is to spend a little time getting to know it, ask for pictures over the past year if you can get them to get an idea what is planted..or ask previous owners for a list.

Other than that ..when you already have a house, I would suggest the first thing you do is plant any trees that you think you are going to be needing, esp fruit and nut trees and any needed shade trees, as they take the longest to grow, falll is a good planting time in that area.

then i would make sure the house is squared away to what you really need, and safe, and then move on to making a safe place for any animals and put in your fall garden.

if there isn't a lot of room for a small garden at least get in some salads and greens if you use them..they'll save you a lot of money and pretty much grow all winter long in that area.

welcome and best wishes..bre

geo in mi · #12 09/23/10, 07:48 AM

There is no initiation rite to become a homesteader..... It is not a requirement to drink goat milk........ Relax and enjoy your new surroundings. The new people you meet will be just like the people you left.......Drive to Hot Springs for pizza once in awhile.... Heed the good advice of lorichristie and others here..... Study your own situation and do what makes sense to you......

geo

brosil · #13 09/23/10, 07:55 AM

Take your time, expect to make lots of mistakes and I'd recomend a Remington 870 12 gage. With a slug barrel, it will put down any animal in the Americas.

Txrider · #14 09/23/10, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMrs

Congratulations, that is a BEAUTIFUL area! DH and I drove through there once on our way to Oklahoma.

Ditto, that is a very beautiful area...

birchtreefarm · #15 09/23/10, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandmotherbear

Wlmart carried goats milk. You can get a taste priot to moving in. Meyenberg Dairy. We prefer it- almost tastes like half n half so creamy.
Consider ducks for eggs stead of chickens. Khaki Campbells and Indian Runners are actually more productive than chicken egg breeds.
See what they mean by research?

Duck eggs also taste better, although home raised chickens produce way better eggs than anything you will buy in a grocery store (unless they sell local eggs). But we have both, and I'd take a duck egg over a chicken egg any day.

Ducks are also cuter than chickens, IMO.

Our Little Farm · #16 09/23/10, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geo in mi

There is no initiation rite to become a homesteader..... It is not a requirement to drink goat milk........ Relax and enjoy your new surroundings. The new people you meet will be just like the people you left.......Drive to Hot Springs for pizza once in awhile.... Heed the good advice of lorichristie and others here..... Study your own situation and do what makes sense to you......

geo

Windy in Kansas · #17 09/23/10, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donewithcity

But we have both lived in the city for so long, that we have never even tasted goat’s milk.

I'm age 63, grew up on a farm, farmed on my own, and yet have never tasted goat's milk either. For the first few decades of my life I never even knew anyone that owned a single goat. In the 1970s a lady I knew did buy and start raising a few goats. Where I currently live there are quite a few goat herds.

salmonslayer · #18 09/23/10, 08:29 AM

Great advice from all! We just moved here to the Ozarks from Alaska at the end of April and we love it. We took most of the advice given above and its really helped us get settled and to avoid many of the pitfalls. Read as much as you can and dont be afraid to just tackle things, we have done things in the last 5 months that we had only read about and dreamed about.

I would also add that it never hurts to ask a locals advice about something. We are grateful for the help and advice we have gotten and its saved us time and money. Good luck.

wy_white_wolf · #19 09/23/10, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donewithcity

.... what should be our initial priorities for setting up the homestead when we first arrive, hopefully by Thanksgiving?

Welcome to the forums.

Protection/food/water/shelter. That's my order. Protection depends on the threats in the area. I'll let you decide on what they are. Stock pile enough food and water to support you until you can restock in case of emergency. Since the house exists, what does it have for heat and power? are you isolated if you lose power? Do you need backup power system?

After arriving I'd set some goals, First long term (10 years at least) then mid and short term (1, 2 and 5 year) that support/reach the 10 year goals. I wouldn't buy anything but supplies/stocks until you have these set. Getting goats mays be a bad idea if you figure out that you would like to do some traveling. Even spending the night when visiting a relative can be hard when you have animals and a garden to tend to.

WWW

artificer · #20 09/23/10, 09:34 AM

Did you own your last house or did you just rent? If you've never owned a home, its going to take a while to just learn to live in it. You are now the landlord, and responsible for everything. Well? Septic? More things to learn about. You don't need the added stress of animals. Granted, chickens are fairly easy, but unless you have the predator proof housing already made, it can be disappointing.

Other than picking up training/equipment for wildlife control, I would suggest just taking a year of discovering the different style of living. Don't make major changes until you understand the long term consequences. Its easy to become overwhelmed quickly, and then the fun goes quickly. Take it easy, and ease into homesteading. Read, plan, talk to people, ask questions here, be ready to change plans if things don't work out as you thought they would.

Good Luck

Michael