Let me start over-introduction

gabbyraja · #1 03/09/12, 06:05 PM

Hello. My name is Jessica. I am a 30-something wife and stay-at-home, homeschooling, mother of 5 small children. I grew up in the sticks of northern MI, 20 minute drive from anything. at. all. Except for the pony I had for a summer when I was 11, we never had animals. We did have a large garden each year which we preserved. My husband had never lived outside the city until a few years ago.

A few years ago we moved to the old farm of a family member for 6 months. I took it as an opportunity to try out farming some animals, just for our own family's milk and meat needs. I jumped in with both feet and learned WAY more than I thought there was to learn. There were 5 acres fenced for horses. We modified the fencing, but the goats, as they always do, always found all our holes. We had some illnesses, like our sheep being delivered, one kind of slow and with a goiter. 2 days later she died. I learned to recognize barber pole worms, and anemia, among other things, and managed to save the last 3 sheep. I over fed BOSS and selenium poisoned a llama. I managed to figure it out with the helpful folks at goatbeat and saved the last 2. Despite nutridrench I lost one of the goats that ha been given to me for free. I never did find his problem, it was super sudden and he passed quickly, and it never spread to others. We lost all of our ducks and several "fancy" chickens to local predators.

So, I had my rocky start and learned like CRAZY. But i have so much left to learn. Opportunity knocked and we had to move back to the city. But my heart was set and I wanted to move back to the country, set up my tiny homestead from scratch the RIGHT way for what we wanted, and be as self-sufficient as possible. I would love to be on solar, and geothermal, and not pay any utilities. A semi-off-the-grid setup. We still like plenty of modern comforts, I just don't like depending on someone else for them. (we're not build a one room hut in the woods and use an outhouse homesteaders, in other words, though I respect those that are).

We are finally at a point where we are ready to buy our country house. I have to prioritize, as we do not have an unlimited budget and only a short amount of time to look. A much as I want to raise enough meat to fed our family, without having to buy it from local farmers anymore, I have to buy the best house for my large family first, then worry about the animals. However, I really want to keep the other wants in my mind (proper orientation of the home for passive solar, energy efficiency, space, southern sun for future solar, proximity to the homeschool things we do and my husband's employment, etc.). So, I came here hoping to learn the things I might need to know to be able to do the things I want to do on a smaller pice of land than we might want.

I realize I probably need 5 acres or so again, but we just can't do it. So, I'm trying to both find ways to do as much of my wants as possible on little land and land that might have expansion possibilities. I have done a little animal husbandry, but I have not had to do it on so little land before, so I have many questions.

I came here and right off saw a thread entitled homesteading on less than 1acre. I read it through and it gave me hope that we might be able to do at least some of the things I want to within the next 12 months. We do intend to move in and get settled, learn about the neighbors and whether or not they will object to our animals, get our new budget established etc before doing anything more than a few egg layers.

So, after reading through the first few pages of a few forums I jumped right in with my questions. I am a planner by nature, and I learned last time that it is very important to over plan, with the help of those that have been there and done that. So, it looked like I was in the right place.

Also, we eat Traditional Foods only. You can read more about it at the Weston a price foundation website http://www.westonaprice.org/, or ask me any questions you might have. I am currently earning my masters degree in nutrition, with an emphasis on "real food", so traditional methods of animal husbandry are all that appeal to me. The actual practices are not necessary, such as hauling buckets of water vs an auto waterer, or milk by hand versus milking by machine, but I fully believe that the treatment and nutrition of the animal, as well as how much trains true has been changed by humans in the last 100 years, has tremendous impact on the nutrition of the meat and milk. I have spent the last 2 years of my life wholly devoted to the topic.

Lastly, I apologize for typos or a weird read. I am just learning to do these things on my new iPad, and Auto correct is a real bear! Anyway, I am excited to be here and am trying to learn as much as I can, and keep my excitement at finally being able to plan this under control.

Please know that I respect those that have come before and I am merely eager to learn. I have already learned quite a bit in the week I have been posting here, such as tons about rotational grazing! I hope to learn a lot more over the next year.

Thanks
Jessica

wwubben · #2 03/09/12, 06:25 PM

You can provide a large percent of your food by having a large garden along with hunting and gathering.

Tricky Grama · #3 03/10/12, 06:28 AM

Welcome, I admire your ambition, you'll find lots of advice here!
We have 20 ac an hour from where we live here in suburbs. DH has decided he doesn't want to live that far away.

so we just go visit the land now & then.

Patty

Jerngen · #4 03/10/12, 06:39 PM

Welcome to the forums!

Sounds like you've had some adventures already!
We also live in Michigan. Everywhere from just north of the IN border to the top of the U.P. and a couple dozen places in between on both sides of the state

ronbre · #5 03/11/12, 10:44 AM

Hi, I'm just east of Manton (n of Cadillac, S of Traverse city, Michigan)..and would love to help you out with some starts of plants if I have some available that you could use..like Jerusalem artichokes and maybe some Rhubarb or berries??

there are 3 homes within a mile of us for sale ..one is listed at more but is for sale for around $130,00 with acerage..let me know if you are interested and I'll send you more info..

two of the homes have pole buildings and / or outbuildings and all are fairly new..and aren't selling so might take an offer.

would love to have someone nearby with animal products available, as I don't at this time raise animals..

so what area of Michigan have you lived in?

BamaSuzy · #6 03/11/12, 12:08 PM

I would buy as much land as I could because this is probably your "chance" to get it....you can find some nice deals on houses and land IF you'll take the time to look! don't rush, look A LOT, and pray even more! best wishes!

BamaSuzy · #7 03/11/12, 12:09 PM

Oh---and once you get that house and land and get itpaid off, don't ever ever ever for any reason let anybody talk you into another mortgage, or a second mortgage!!!!! best wishes!

oth47 · #8 03/11/12, 05:46 PM

Find a copy of "One Acre and Security" by Bradford Angier.Good starting point.If you end up with more land you can enlarge,but best to start small,regardless of how much land you have.You can do a lot in a small space with good planning.

gabbyraja · #9 03/11/12, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronbre

Hi, I'm just east of Manton (n of Cadillac, S of Traverse city, Michigan)..and would love to help you out with some starts of plants if I have some available that you could use..like Jerusalem artichokes and maybe some Rhubarb or berries??

there are 3 homes within a mile of us for sale ..one is listed at more but is for sale for around $130,00 with acerage..let me know if you are interested and I'll send you more info..

two of the homes have pole buildings and / or outbuildings and all are fairly new..and aren't selling so might take an offer.

would love to have someone nearby with animal products available, as I don't at this time raise animals..

so what area of Michigan have you lived in?

We live in the Lansing area now and are looking to stay down here. But I grew up in fife lake, went to school in kalkaska. I know you know where that is! I HATED living there as a kid. There was nothing in the world that was going to make me move anywhere but deep inside a city again. Then I had kids, and I started being bothered by nosy neighbors and city ordinances, and my kids need healthy foods that are grown a specific way, and a place to climb trees and run in fields, and get dirt in their mouths, and... So, we're compromising and staying close to the city, where we're still close enough to the health food store, and MSU's performing arts programs, and all of the homeschool activities, but far enough out we can be our own people. I hope it works out for us. Thanks for offering to help us get started, though!

gabbyraja · #10 03/11/12, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oth47

Find a copy of "One Acre and Security" by Bradford Angier.Good starting point.If you end up with more land you can enlarge,but best to start small,regardless of how much land you have.You can do a lot in a small space with good planning.

Yeah, it seems this is what we have to do. Our budget and time constraints seem to only allow for a small bit of land ATM, but we'll do everything we can with it and keep looking to add on.

EDDIE BUCK · #11 03/11/12, 11:23 PM

That part about the sticks..I grew up in the sticks of northern MI, 20 minute drive from anything. at. all.Dang,I thought I was (Living in the Sticks) and I can point in any direction,give myself ten minutes heading in that direction, and I can be down town on main street,smelling that dime store popcorn,thats down the street a tad past the Courthouse and Tax office.

I'll be dropping quarters into one of them parking meters,that "Stick Folks" call highway robbery,because them quarters coulda bought a whole heap more of popcorn,which just happens to be the only reason we came to town in the first place.

Well,that and that soft vanilla ice cream over yonder at Dairy Queen.

It danged sure won't because we like hearing horns blowing,tires screeching,deaf folks boom boxes rumbling,sirens going off or seeing folks that can't afford a belt,and their pants are always down to their knees.Also them dang city slickers acting all uppity with their one finger wave

And lastly, it ain't because we like being that close to the courthouse or tax office.When we show up for them,there's some serious stuff that has just happened, or is fixen to happen, that has our name rote all over it.

Just Joking With You gabbyraja

Welcome To The Forum!!

sunshinytraci · #12 03/12/12, 01:55 PM

Hi Gabbyraja! Welcome to the forum! We are in N. Michigan by Traverse City so quite far from you. I wish you the best of luck finding what you are looking for!! I also can relate to your animal experiences. Years ago, I had my own learning process to go through and there were several probably preventable deaths. Oh, the poor animals that get to suffer our learning curves.... I hope they have a special place in heaven.

Maura · #13 03/12/12, 02:03 PM

We are in the thumb. I don't know where you are, but we buy sides of pastured beef at very good prices, way below store prices. While the prices of residential housing went way down, agricultural prices remained steady. However, a house and some acres should be very doable. Of course, I don't know your housing budget. Homes are on the way up, now.

Callieslamb · #14 03/12/12, 04:04 PM

Welcome. Land here is expensive. Good luck on finding your place.

celticfalcon · #15 03/13/12, 06:36 AM

welcome im in mid mich.
tom

gabbyraja · #16 03/13/12, 01:25 PM

Thank you for the welcomes. I was surprised and excited to learn there were so many other Michiganders here.

Well, we had an offer on a house with just an acre, but they went with the other offer. I'm really quite glad, because that just one acre wasn't thrilling me. Now we're back on the hunt, and a good one came up JUST today. Perhaps it was serendipity. I hope so.

pheasantplucker · #17 03/13/12, 07:27 PM

I second the book "One Acre and Security" by Bradford Angier. That was the first book to kindle my desire to be out away from the rat race. Welcome, too.

Maura · #18 03/13/12, 08:03 PM

Anything close to the universities is going to be expensive compared with similar properties elsewhere. How often do you actually go to cultural events? If you can get out of the area you might find something less expensive. Go north an hour.

gabbyraja · #19 03/13/12, 09:47 PM

We are actually at some event at LEASt once a month. Btwn them and the HS events, twice per week, minimum, then also our own college classes put us on campus 2-3 days per week. That's really why we need to stay close. Not for dh traveling into
the city 5 days per week, but the gas guzzling mini van to make the trip so often with the 5 kids.

nostawmama · #20 03/14/12, 11:43 AM

Welcome to the forum! I am very new myself here but have already found such a plethora of information. I homeschool as well, only 1 right now but more up and coming! Also just behind you in the "back to the farm" movement. I am in the over planning stages now and the desire to get to the land is driving me crazy. Hubby and I are hoping to get to the farm purchase stage within the year but not quite there yet

I have found The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Madigan to be useful in outlining some of the things you can do on a small scale. Doesn't go very much into detail but I like that you can pick and choose some of the things that you can investigate further. I discovered that I really have no inclination to have anything to do with turkeys but love the idea of rabbits!