Homesteading in Indiana

I don't have a big place, so I decided on Shetland sheep, since they're small, thrifty, and pretty self-sufficient. One of my ewes has a little udder, so we'll have lamb(s) this spring. I don't spin, though. Do you? I have to send the wool off to a processor to get turned into yarn.

I am in Ladoga, that's near Crawfordsville. I have bees, a garden this year, poultry, and a horse. AjaxLucy, how do you get away with SHEEP in the city? I'm considering moving back in closer to work, but it's tough finding a house with any ground to speak of...

I'm currently in NW Indiana. I recently bought 2 acres 1/2 hour east of Valparaiso. Waiting for the buyer for my health food store to come along so i can get going building my homestead. Any single female Hoosiers wanting to homestead in this area?

Regards,
Paul

"Unigov" consolidated government structures of the city of Indianapolis and the surrounding Marion County back in 1970, so basically the city extends out to the county line now, and includes urban neighborhoods, some suburbs and some farmland, as well as the downtown area. Marion County ordinances say I can't keep hogs, but I can have sheep, chickens, even a horse or cow if I had enough room. We just had our first lamb born this afternoon - a chocolate brown ewe lamb with white around her ears - soooo cute!

I was born in Terre Haute (Terri-ble Haute) what we use to call it. lol I went back there last fall, and it has really grown and is better than it use to be.

We moved to Indpls. when I was 2. As an adult I lived west of Bargersville, Greenwood, Greenfield, Southport and McCordsville.

I live in Texas now..so don't know if I could make it this year. I was there in the fall and my daughter is coming here this summer. When I do visit, it is in the Autumn, because I miss that.

I have a daughter-Bargersville, daughter- New Whiteland, son-Indpls. Nephew-Noblesville, Nephew-Fishers, brother-McCordsville.

Anyone near Terre Haute?

Has anyone ever been to Fowler Park?
(south of T.H.) It has all the old cabins and Pioneer Days. The first cabin put there(near the entrance) was my great grandmother and grandfathers home.

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Harvesting is not just what you bring from the ground, but what you bring from inside you!

We have 2 acres right now, but hoping to get the 2 1/2 acres next to us in the next year, in Owen County. We are between Gosport and Spencer. We put out a good size garden, have chickens, soon to get goats, and our coonhounds! We are starting our "pole barn" house in the next couple of weeks. The storm that came through on April 2nd, totaled our mobile home so we will be starting our dream home with the insurance money.
We aren't totally self sufficient yet, but are working toward that goal and hope to be there in 5 years.

Hi Y'all,
I'm a Native hoosier too.
I grew up in Franklin Co., on a farm, close to Cedar Grove & Brookville.
I Have Family all over that area of Indiana.

I moved to Indy in ' 66 to work at Ford Motor Co.
After 37 yrs. with Ford, Im retired to 13 acres with a pond, in
Sweet Owen County, near Spencer.
We're almost halfway between Bloomington & Terra Haute.

I'm not strictly speaking a homesteader, though.
I am Retired. I put out a garden last year. Not sure I will this year though.
I find plenty around here to keep me busy, with fishing, shooting, brewing,
feeding the wild birds, watching the deer & turkeys.
About once a month we have a bunch of Friends & Family out for dinner
& an evening.I love to cook.
Shoot, I love my Job!
Stay busy, a lot.
Take care.............

__________________
Be Intense, always. But always take the time to
Smell the Roses, give a Hug, Really Listen, or
Jump to Defend your Friends & What you Believe in.
'Til later, Have Fun,
Old John

Potluck sounds great just let me know what to bring and such.

My wife and I, and of course our 2 kids, live on 2.25 acres with a pear tree, apple tree, medium sized raised-bed garden, 6 hens and 23 chicks....at least until we get hungry! We really want a milk goat one of these days soon, and might be getting some pigs.

As far as "homesteaders" - you can't call us real homesteaders, but we love learning and seeing new things, and our kids are in it with us all the way.

We are in for a potluck anytime, just as long as there is a good ol' helping of Hoosier Casserole there! (that would be green bean casserole with fried onions on top for all you non-Hoosiers....)

Could any one tell me if potatoes grow very good in Indiana and when chould they be planted or should they have been by now??

They can be planted right now and yes, they grow very well here, at least from my experience. I never knew how much better home grown potatoes were until I started growing them a few years ago. Good luck!!

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If you can dream it, you can do it. Time isn't an excuse; it's just part of the challenge. Pursue your dream whenever you can, however you can. The first step is belief.

fellow hoosier here too... I know where Scipio is lol. About 10 minutes north of me - I live in a town about the same size - Commiskey - home of Lorten's restaurant - they have HUGE steaks for $4.95....

I grew up working on my grandparents farm and swore I would never ever farm again. lol. Came to my senses about 4 years ago. Now do a garden, mini fruit tree orchard, and of course berries...

Well, all of this is interesting. There have been two attempts at get-togethers , that I know about. One was south somewhere and that maybe happened twice. The other was, maybe 4 or 5 years ago at a park in Indy during the Indiana State Fair. We're East Central Indiana; Randolph County. Ericjeeper, I'm fascinated by your post. You're maybe in Green Twp.? We have deep roots in Morgan County; family lived for years (think 50 or so) where the two big barns burned north of Martinsville earlier this week.

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This world is not my home; I'm just a'passin' through.

So when is the next attempt at a get-to-gether....I'm in!

This summer we all hope I think some one said somthing about June but I am not for sure.

Wow! So many right here in Indiana. We are city folk her We are currently looking for a nice bit of land, the closer to Indy the better. Went to look at a 5 1/2 acre piece in Greenfiled today. Right in our price range at $135,000. Too bad the previous tenants were PIGS! The land was beutiful, the neighbors looked nice, the home was big with 4 bedrooms and two baths...oh yeah did I mention the clump of hair left in the tub? And ther couple dozen beer cans by the front door? The place is empty but would still takes weeks to get anywhere near livable. Disgusting and disheartening. It seems our dream is a long way off. If any of you hear of some nice land in the area, pleasse let me know.
Thanks,
Sarah

I see where in the past everyone was wanting it.. Mom of 4 has it planned.. all we have to do is show up and meet and greet. June 24th McCormicks Creek state park. Pitch in..please Do not come empty handed.. Bring enough to feed your own family and we will be assured to have plenty..

Just found this post. I'm in Crown Point (NW Indiana) for the past few years. I was originally from Illinois until the Lord called me here. We (wife & 4 kids) have 30 acres. We do chickens (meat and egg) & pigs. We are an hour from Chicago (where I work) and two hours from family in Illinois. I love the freedom (Illlinois is well on its way to taxing you to death as well as taking your guns from you) and couldn't imagine living anywhere else. I'm not thrilled with the development growth but will deal with it when it comes.

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John 9:4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us.* The night is coming, and then no one can work.

Gideon's War,

We're almost neighbors! I live in Leroy. I've been in this area my whole life. As soon as I sell my home and 2.5 acres, I'm on my way to the Missouri Ozarks. It has become too polluted, crowded, and expensive to stay here.

Best of luck to you and your family's life in "the Region"!

We're in Bloomfield, which is in Greene County, on 17 acres. It's my husband, myself, and our three kids; a nearly 7 year old girl, a 5 year old boy, and a 2 year old boy. They are all three homeschooled. We have a large garden (actually after reading about NAIS all morning I'm itching to start a couple more raised beds for extra food; I'm in a bit of a survivalist mood right now), 23 chickens, 5 ducks, 4 guineas. We have three goats (we'll be adding another next week as my daughter's birthday gift) and pick up two Shetland Sheep this Saturday.