Advice for a young couple?

Absolutely! We definitely don't want to be self-sufficient in the sense that it's "Us and only us...We don't need anyone!" I am coming from a church where all of the members live a few miles apart, and we see one another all through the week. I cannot imagine life without fellowship among believers. The sole purpose of man is to worship and glorify God - what a wonderful calling this is! We view life as something to celebrate, not only on Sunday, but throughout the week. To me, this includes not only striving to make everything I do beautiful, but also to spend as much time as possible with my brothers and sisters in Christ, building one another up, and rejoicing together in what we have been given.
We simply feel that we can best carry this out by "living off the land" as much as possible, not necessarily completely. Raising our own food, and providing what we can for others. Being financially stable, perhaps not rich, but not in debt.

I suppose self-sufficient really is not the right term. We need to come up with a better one...

Thank you for being honest and open with your thoughts!

Blessings,

Erin

Oh good, I was worried that I sounded harsh, too strong, later on that evening. So good.

Nah. You told it like it is. Good for you. Some people make it sound too easy, and it's not, and it never has been. You know what you're talking about. You covered a lot. One thing I was waiting for you to mention was the cost of medical care and health insurance. People just don't realize how comfy our government and our economy have made it for them until they "ruff it."

avoid debt. learn to garden. read a lot. study. learn from your mistakes. be flexible.

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Let a smile be your umbrella against the thunderstorms of life.
have a great day.
when i call on Jesus, all things are possible.

Hi,

I'd keep posting. Check on farm link. In reality the average age of a farmer is old. In many parts of the county they would be happy to slice off a portion of land for labor.

No, no, no, you were honest - not enough people are honest any more. I was very encouraged to hear you coming from a very similar perspective.



That's a great idea!

Question, though. In a lot of areas around here (Central NC), you cannot just put a tent or trailer on your property because of zoning. Plus I can't get a mortgage on land without a house on it and paying for it outright ain't happenin' on my budget!

Is there a way to get land reasonably without a mortgage?? I'd love to hear feedback....if I could swing THAT, I'd gladly live in a tent or yurt or teepee till I can save enough to build my house.

Thanks. Sassa

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"Start Where You Are."--Pema Chodron

Same problems here. This is the lllooonnngggg way to do things but it should end up working for us. First we bought a regular house in town that was easy to finance (worst house in a good area of town) with very low down. We fixed that one up and sold it for a decent profit. We used that money to put a good down payment on this place (it's easier to get financing for land when you have a big down payment). We have fixed this place up and if/when we sell it we should be able to pay cash for a place if we relocate to an area with cheaper land prices. We haven't decided what we are going to do and will probably end up staying here and building here but it's nice to know that we would have the option of selling if we wanted to or had to.

You guys are really nice. This is my first time with a general post. I spend my time in the animal departments mostly but I enjoy this forum. Yeah, the health insurance and the vet bills... one week, I trucked in 4 lambs on 4 different days! I am very fortunate though, I have a very inexpensive vet.

There is one other bizarre cost I would mention: containers. I think one of the main pursuits of ranching is cheap feed and there are easy ways to acquire this however it is expensive to store it unless you want 50 garbage cans on your place. Containers are the problem of my life. The one good word of advice everyone has always given me and which I have never taken for reasons of impatience, is buy everything from farm auctions. I am going to capitulate on this container issue though very soon!

kirsten in SD

I would highly recommend Carla Emery's book (you can find her website on the Carla Emery memorial section of homesteading today). Reader's digest has a book that escapes me now that is all about homesteading. I found the information about layout very good.

You have all the time now to think about where/how you will locate and store things. You don't want your gardening tools to be in the barn far from the garden. You don't want the barn so close to the house that flies are a problem. You need a way to get the composted manure from the barn to the garden.

Put the word out at the church that you are interested in canning jars/jelly jars. Start canning and jelly making now to learn. Also, you should stockpile as many jars as possible for the future. Many older folks are so happy to contribute jars to a young person that will use them. I got some from two ladies this week.

Get to know the farmers at the farmers market. Ask questions about how they grew what they brought. What kinds and why. Are you in an Apartment? Can you grow some container veggies to get experience? How about a balcony worm bin to eat your kitchen scraps?

Learn to sew and make all your curtains/bedding. Know what to look for in property before you start looking (keep a list)
--NO EASEMENTS
--water for the animals year round (creek or pond)
--outbuildings
--fencing
--coops
--woods

Put the word out at your church that you would like to help someone in their garden. I can't give away free food from mine! I'd love it if someone would help pick our garden when we are on vacation so it will be productive (plants shut down if you don't keep them picked).

Small local baqnks are the banks that loan on bare ground. Bank of America and the other chains pretty much do NOT!

When we bought land, the realtor was able to tell us who was lending on the bare land. Of course, she WANTED us to be approved so we could buy so she could earn a commision!

You also have to keep in mind that its a journey. Rare is the person who comes in already knowing everything. I came from the suburbs of Chicago and the Lord moved me where I am now. He put in my heart on getting handier. It started out instead of calling the plumber, try fixing it yourself. I left the burbs in 2004 and now have 30 acres. The Lord shows me something new everyday as I walk with Him. You just have to ask Him for help and what He wants you to do and just do it.

If you asked me a few years ago where I'd be, I wouldn't have said here. But I'm glad for the journey and I know I have a long way to go before my work is finished.

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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.

I think you have gotten great advice. All I can add is don't expect to be able to do everything at once, or do everything well. Murphy's law seems to run rampant on the homestead too, lol. A sense of humor is a must.

Hurrah for the two of you! Everyone posted great advice. I would add - believe in yourselves and your shared vision. Homesteading - whether on a small or large scale - is hard but satisfying work. I'm doing it for the second time at age 53. I did it in my late 30's with three children and they were the best years of our lives - and I weighed 50 pounds less then!

As to buying land without a mortgage, I would recommend a land contract. I have owned four places all bought on a land contract and all were satisfying exeriences. Research their legality in your state. Place ads for land wanted on a contract, and talk to others who may have bought their land the same way. Each of my properties had buildings on them - all in need of minor repairs. This last property is 10 acres with a 10x18foot cabin on skids. I have no well, electric or sewer and a wonderful cedar swamp and abundant wildlife - primarily turkey and deer. Next spring I start a cordwood house there with my boyfriend. I bought this place with very little down, $300 a month and no credit check. The mortgage holder is wonderful and if I were able I'd buy more land (this is the smallest acreage I've owned). I also recommend going through everything you own and purging any unnecessary items. This pile of cast offs or future yard sale stuff will vary with each person. For me it was ALL electrical appliances, all dressy clothing, all knick knacks, excess luggage (had 3 sets), and boxes of books and papers I'd carried around for 30 years. Haven't missed a thing and have only collected tools, building materials, homesteading magazines (used), and food/medicine/toiletries supplies. I have managed to continue my dream despite being unemployed for since October 2005 and don't care one bit what other people think of my choices. It is, after all, me who has to live this lifestle. Good luck.

Ponds aren't good for sheep. She has sheep.