Young guys and some questions about homesteading

[Wigglesdabum]

Well I am only 23 and actually in the Marine Corps right now, so none of this really applies now, and some day plan to marry my girlfriend of almost 2 years. Well when I get out and after I am done with college I want to buy some land away from any super large cities but within 15-20 minutes of a smaller town. I am all about preparing for the worst and planning ahead so I am looking into homesteading. I am trying to figure out how much land I would need to keep some a couple of goats for milk and some pigs for meat. Also I am looking at getting some chickens and having a decent garden, and possibly some bees for myself and my significant other. All of this would be taken care of on my free time since I would like to hold a regular job to support ourselves. Is that a realistic goal for a young couple? I have no experience with farms, but believe me I am accustomed to hard labor so I can certainly put in the effort. The way I see it happening is milking the goats daily, collecting eggs, and feeding all the animals daily and then cleaning and doing other major tasks on the weekend. Are these realistic goals for someone working a full time job? Sorry for the very broad and probably dumb question for my first post but I am trying to get as much knowledge from you fine people. Thanks for any help and I hope to be seeing you around!

[willow_girl]

Sure, you can do it.

It will help if your GF shares the same vision.

[Kmac15]

Thats how we do it. We are on 15 acres but don't use even half of it. even have the bees and pigs LOL

[whiterock]

Welcome. You would need to start with some land. Get some fruit trees planted and a home/well/septic etc. Next would come the garden, start small and build up as experience grows. Next would come the chickens/rabbits/other poultry. Relatively easy to handle. Pigs would be next. Chickens and poultry can make use of excess from the garden. Goats/milk cow would be the last thing. Twice a day milkings daily will take up some time. Bees are a good thing, but get the garden established and your feet on the ground first.
You didn't mention where you would try to locate as to what part of the country. This can be a big issue, property cost/taxes/ water/utilities and such. Do some research on these costs before you locate.
Ed

[chickenista]

Willow is right.
It needs to be a shared vision.
And start slow.
Don't go out your first year and get goats, pigs and chickens and plow and plant 2 acres.
Put in a small garden and get chickens and when that is old hat and a bit dull, you can expand the garden and add another critter.
Keep us posted!!

I am friends with another young one here and he has done just fine. Fruit trees and a garden, chickens and turkeys.. I showed him how to butcher and now I get turkey hens from him now and then.

[Wigglesdabum]

Thanks for the response everyone. For the question of where I would want to be located. We will be in the South East most likely SC or NC (not by the coast). We both grew up in the Appalachians she was in NC and I was in SC. I am working on her slowly to get her on board with it all. I don't want to just drop the whole idea on her at once and make her think I am crazy hah. I talked to her last night about rotating a surplus of a years worth of food so that we would always have a years worth on had and she said she thought it was a good idea. So we are making some progress hah.

My neighbors have Apple Trees so I was thinking about doing that. So do yall think 10 acres would be good? I am not made of money so I am trying to make due with the smallest amount of land I can.

[chickenista]

This is a good time for NC/SC right now. It is a buyer's market.
You two should come on home, find a little place and get her a box of chicks.
Apple trees are great and if you do it right with varieties, you could technically have fresh apples all year. Early June apples through to Arkansas Black that are ready in late November and store until June.
I would suggest getting an old place that would already have apple trees and a garden spot in and full grown plantings etc..
You would have to do some puttering around the place, but it is instant gratification. Your farm is already there and you don't have to start from fresh construction mud.

I am here in NC, in the foothills, but I am from deeper in the mountains if you have any questions. I would be glad to help.

[Ross]

Welcome to HT!! I think your goals are worthwhile, but you seem to doubt your SO will get on board. You could try pointing out the other benefits of rural iving like little or no street crime, less noise or polution, nicer neighbors (hopefully) A great place to raise kids etc.
I recomend reading some of the boards you might not normally check into here and see if you couldn't introduce your SO to the homesteading through the website. Its what we're trying to build here, a useful resource that helps others! Thank you for your military service too.

[salmonslayer]

You can do it Devil Dog and the advice you have been given is good. I was stationed at Camp LeJeune off and on for 12 years and at Parris Island for a couple years and had homesteads at both places. You can do a lot with 5 to 10 acres and to my way of thinking, I would rather have 10 acres that I can afford to take care of well than 100 that I dont have the time or money to work properly. Our current homestead is 12 acres and we have a couple cows, a huge garden, fruit trees, a pond, a big barn, separate shop etc.

And if your going to get out, seriously consider staying in the reserves or join the National Guard. The benefits are worth more than any pay you would get but when times get tough they can be a real life saver.

Just remember that you dont have to start out all at once with everything. Start slow, learn from those who have already done it, and enjoy the journey.

[Fishinfool]

First off thank you for your service to our country. I'm kinda in the same boat. I'm 24 and starting to homestead. The only difference is I've been around it all my life so I'm diving in a little faster than what a beginner should. Like others have said just take it slow and make sure your other half is interested. If she is not spark her interest with some of the things she may find fun. Mine has really grown fond of wanting to make candles and soap. Start yourself with a small garden and a few chickens and just make sure it stays fun. As far as what your wanting to do 8-10 acres would be plenty for you.

[copperkid3]

Originally Posted by chickenista

Willow is right.
It needs to be a shared vision.
And start slow.
Don't go out your first year and get goats, pigs and chickens and plow and plant 2 acres.
Put in a small garden and get chickens and when that is old hat and a bit dull, you can expand the garden and add another critter.
Keep us posted!!

I am friends with another young one here and he has done just fine. Fruit trees and a garden, chickens and turkeys.. I showed him how to butcher and now I get turkey hens from him now and then.

************************************************** ***
Let me continue along that same theme. Remember this if nothing else sinks in. Shared visions
can change over time. Keep that in the back of your head. My soon to be ex was the gung-ho
one wanting to get 'back to the land' and raise our own food; crops & animals. I'd grown
up on a farm and knew the hard work involved. In fact, I was more than willing to get started
on her 'vision'......to the detriment of building our "dream home".......which is still unfinished, but
we got rabbits, chickens, goats, geese, guineas, turkeys, etc. years BEFORE we even
got moved into our home. She just left me a few months ago; filed for divorce and I'm now
stuck with taking care of all the remaining animals and now she wants to take the remainder
of our assests so she can party hardy. Part of your girl friend's 'getting on board' should be that
BOTH of you get plenty of pre-maritial counseling and talk this part thru as well as anything
having to do with MONEY. I dated mine for over 10 yrs. before popping the question;
thought I pretty well knew her. After the honeymoon was over, found out she had outstanding credit
card debt that exceeded $7500.00 that I knew absolutely nothing about!!! Forewarned is forearmed.
I'm broke and struggling day to day. Be careful.

[Wigglesdabum]

Oh yea if I learned one thing in the Marine Corps it was be careful before you get married. I think the statistic is 80% of Marine Marriages end in divorce, I know its worse here because insane amount of stress and constant deployments but there are alot of gold diggers here too. I don't plan on popping the question for a couple year until I am out of college. I still have to see if I can make it through college faithfully hah. (kidding, kind of) I appreciate the help I will work on here and try to get her on board with it.

[Usingmyrights]

I'm 27, only have about 5 acres, but I'm starting my homestead. My 5 year goal is to start a small homebased business offering farm fresh goods to include, produce, honey, eggs, goat milk and cheese. I also plan on using the beeswax to make soaps, candles, lip balm and other natural goods. Its a little odd for a guy to do this stuff, but I don't want it to go to waste and I see it as a chance to make a little side money. I'm also interested in making mead, though I would have to get licensed for that. During the winter months I could offer fresh game from trapping.

[jwal10]

Buy enough for your future plans but not more than you can afford. Pay as much down as you can. Do it right the first time and build it the way you need and want. Bought my home place when I was 14, it was 14 acres. I farmed for 20 years (1000 acres 1/2 owned 1/2 rented) After the kids were born and my health deteriorated I sold the farm and moved to town and built a small house because I didn't know if I would live, I had good insurance and wife would be able to take care of it. I lived and even went back to work for 16 years. We kept part of the farm without the house, just 6 acres, a pond and old barn for camping and fishing. Later bought an acre and built an off grid cabin as a getaway. Moved there last March. January this year I lost my job and with continued health problems moved out here to this little retirement cottage to make life easier. I retired for good in July, I am 55, still want to get back to the off grid cabin. It is and was perfect, 1 acre set up for 3 pygora goats for milk and meat, 3-4 hens for eggs to hatch and eat and a couple of rabbit does for meat....Land here is expensive now but is very good soil and a lot of rain that grows grass well. It has a creek and backs up to timber company lands, great place to glean nuts, mushrooms, fruit, berries, wood and get out in nature. Make your plans, look around at what others are doing, homesteaders like to talk about what they are doing, get as much hands on experience as possible and go for it....James

[Bluesgal]

I wish that I had your forethought and started this 20 years ago when I was your age. It took me a long time to get past lure of the big city and it's lifestyle. There is some very good advice to be found here in HT. My advice would be to take it all in but do what YOU think is best for YOU. There is no one right way. Do it in steps and find your niche. Best of luck to you and thank you for your service.

[Studhauler]

Originally Posted by salmonslayer

You can do a lot with 5 to 10 acres and to my way of thinking, I would rather have 10 acres that I can afford to take care of well than 100 that I dont have the time or money to work properly.

This is echoed in a book that Forerunner (HT forum member) has recommend, "Ten Acres Enough" by Edmund Morris.

Link to PDF file of the book.
http://www.archive.org/details/tenac...ghpr00morrrich

[FarmboyBill]

i guess Im the cynical rasser when I say your SO is the most major significant aspect of anything period, that you do. If she isnt into it. It wont happily happen.
Next. If your in the military, and your going to work, Seems like you could have any place your heart desires nearly. U arent going to beat a GI loan I wouldnt think anywhere on the outside. Are you going to be buying and hauling all the feed to your rabbits, chickens, goats/cows, hogs. If so, thats going to be a big chunk outa your pocket, and alotta times at very innopertune times. If your going to grow it, they youve got to buy the machinery. One time investment nearly, But then u gotta become a machanic. You can get by cheeaply, or you can go whole hog. New machinery might last a bit longer, but new tractors wont. Lots to think about.Are you subscribeing to the usual magizines dedicated to this kind of lifestyle? Lots to do and learn, and like my dad always said, Ya cant learn it from a book. Unfortunatly, my dad was only partially right.

[Callieslamb]

I think 5-10 acres will be plenty...you will always want more. But be smart about it. What can you really afford. It's better to afford what you do than not be able to afford it and keep trying. We all have a dream but need to temper our dreams to reality.

Yes, you can do all that- even with that other job. It can be a great life. But go slowly- build slowly so you don't get overwhelmed and your dream turns to frustration. Remember that she might have some dreams too and you will need to listen to them and make it work out for BOTH of you. We tried a milk cow. I loved it - Dh didn't. I wasn't going to let a milk cow be a hill our dream was going to die on. Maybe we will try again later - maybe not. In the mean time, we continue to build a dream and a life together.

[pheasantplucker]

Yes, it's very doable. I agree though that it will be easier if your wife is in your corner to help. Bees don't take much in the way of time. I don't know about pigs. I'd settle for rabbits, goats and chickens. The thing that will absorb a great deal of time will be keeping ahead of the weeds in your vegetable garden. Aside from that, I think it will be a joyful way for you and your spouse to live. Sounds a lot like my place. My wife and I have 14.5 acres. Small log cabin. We're 4 miles from a town with a population of maybe 100 people. Ten miles from a town with perhaps 250. Twenty two miles from a town with a place with I'm guessing 10,000 citizens. Good luck and as someone earlier said, "Thanks for your service."

[michiganfarmer]

Make sure your girl friend wants the same lifestyle or you will be very alone.

Teufel Hunden