Questions from a homesteading newbie!

Kraken-

Welcome.

When we first moved into our partly built house here in Maine, that first winter we burned kerosens and propane, and we spent around $2000. then we got the insulation up, and shifted to wood burning.

Your heating down South like that should be far less.

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I certainly didn't mean to be disrespectful about arkansas ..but i can't imagine using more than a tank of propane in Arkansas..when we go throuh maybe 2 or 3 here in Michigan if we heat exclusively with it..if we use wood..we go through a LOT less..maybe one tank..and we get to 40 below zero F here..

sure we put up with a lot cooler temps normally..than you guys do..but my guess is you'll use more in air then we will in heat..

I live in NW Mississippi. The only thing we have on propane is the heat, but we also have a fireplace we use a lot (and we keep our thermostat below 70). Our house is over 3000 sq. ft. and no way do we spend $3000 a month on propane...$300 is closer, if that much.

Another book I would recommend is Storey's Basic Country Skills.

I also agree with starting small...a garden and chickens first. I grew up on a farm in AL, but hubby was an Air Force brat. Since we've been on our farm (five years now) he's been learning a lot! It's been frustrating for me at times (like when he mowed down the peanuts after I told him they were ready to be harvested). Ease into it so you don't get discouraged. The rewards will be tremendous!

Good luck!

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I'm running so far behind I thought I was first!

http://hickahala.blogspot.com/

Welcome to the forum, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, it is truly a wealth of information and onlyonce have I been made fun of for asking a question. (funny, don't think that person is around anymore)

I live 45 minutes south of Fayetteville in the country and we love it. It does get cold here and even snows once or twice a year. We have a wood burning stove and both purchase and cut wood. I do have a newly installed propane stove and I like the fact that even if the electric goes out you can still cook.
Do you happen to know if the electric goes out much in the place you are looking to buy?

In my opinion, the more alternatives you have in heating the better.

again, welcome!

The best advice I can give you is at all costs figure out a way to avoid saying you've moved there from California--even if you grew up in Arkansas. SInce you grew up there you are further along than most newbies and know how to work the ropes.

California was just a figment of you imagination, a very bad figment .Seriously, just avoid discussing that if you can. (I mean when you're talking to strangers, get my drift?)

Sounds like you'll do good.

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THE BEGINNING IS NEAR
5-star double-rated astronavagatrix earth girl

I think preparing your better half might be half the battle. You are going home, your better half is going to "Green Acres"!

I love gardening, picking fruit, swimming in the river, etc. My better half loves to paint. Make sure that you see to it that the other side has what they want too.

And what is this about heating your house anyway? (look where we live)

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Growing trees and food in Costa Rica.

Welcome! I live in South Dakota with brutally cold winters. We have a rented propane tank and we are on the budget plan. Last year we paid $205 a month and we were "over" at the end of the contract so now this year we will be paying $95 a month.

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Teach only Love...for that is what You are

books...........I like John Seymour's books also

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"When you are having dinner with someone and they are nice to you, but rude to the waiter, then this is not a nice person.".....Dave Barry

OK, I'm not in the frozen tundra of Michigan but I cannot imagine using 2 tankfuls of propane annually in Arkansas. I would expect to use only 1 to 2 in IL, where we actually have to heat our homes!

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Moms don't look at things like normal people.
-----DD

How big is your tank? Most of the people hear abouts have a 250 gallon tank. Some have a 500 gallon tank. So a tank full is not a good measure.

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God must have loved stupid people because he made so many of them.

Buy ll the tools you THINK you may need IF you can find them cheaply. If you thinbk you will need them someday, and can get them cheap, then likely, someday you will need them, and be pleasently supprised and glad that you have them on hand. I have more tools, and farm machinery than anyone else around me. I dont loan anything out unless I go to church with them, as those people are the only ones I think I really know, but, in reality, I know im kidding myself in that. I would rather take the tool wanted and do it self for the person wanting it than loan it out to them. I am a good neighbor, but im not a loaning neighbor. I grew up on a farm, and when I came here to Okieland, I knoew what id havew to have, and I quickly learned that the locals dont have anything to loan out nearly, so it dosent bother them to loan out what they have in hopes that you have what they dont and they can borrow yours when they need it. Ben Franklin was a great and wise man. Never a barrower nor a loaner be, and iove lived by that my entrire life nearly. Youll be more prouder of your country experience if you own and use your own equipment than if your just a spounge on alla your neighbors, I think

Hey, Kraken! Welcome to the wonderful world of Homesteading!

You've received a lot of good advice here. Aren't these folks great?

I agree with everything that's been written so far, but will add my own Pony! variations on the theme.

Yes, get a woodstove. Then, collect every stray piece of decent firewood you find. When the county road crews are out to trim/cut back the right-of-way, you get out there by them and offer to clean up the big pieces. They'll love you, and if they have time, may even lend a hand.

Listen at least twice as much as you speak. Watch what you say. Folks are related by blood, marriage, or alliances that have been forged over generations. Never say anything you don't want to hear back. When you do speak of another, make sure the words are kind. If someone tries to drag you into gossip, DO NOT GO THERE!

But do get involved in your community. Show up to lend a hand, donate a dish, kick in a couple bucks. People want to know that you're in this for the long haul, that you're not just one more city fool high on dreams and low on the reality scale.

Some things that happen on your homesteading adventure will be wonderful and surprising and splendid. Other things that happen will not be not so good -- okay, some things will be really crummy. But you have to learn to go with it. Do what has to be done, see if you can use the experience to avoid the negative occurrence again, and move ahead.

Nick and I have had to work in miserable conditions under which we'd never have worked back in the suburbs. But we are doing it to build a life for ourselves, and we feel stronger and more blessed with every adventure we survive.

'Steading has increased our knowledge and our tolerance of the unexpected, unpleasant, and things just plain out of our control. We're learning how wonderful it is to have neighbors who are neighborly, and how great it is to be able to reciprocate.

Life is slow in a rural area. You need to take it slow from the start, too. A garden (not too big, but big enough that you can put up at least a bit of your produce for Winter), some small livestock (I like rabbits better than chickens, so I got them first), and then plan.

Plan some more.

Then dream.

And plan.

And since you're reading, I second the suggestion for John Seymour's books. They're more about inspiration than nitty gritty details (though they do give some detail). And read Joel Salatin. Good stuff.

All the very best to you in your new adventure!

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Je ne suis pas Alice

http://homesteadingfamilies.proboards.com/

Pony gave the best advice of all concerning your relocation concerning dealing with people.

I'd like to add that you must refrain from saying, "Where I/we came from they did it this way". People really resent that. Wouldn't you?

When I'm asked why I moved here, I give all the negative reasons why I left my previous state and the positive reasons why I came here.

If you need something repaired, expect to have it worked on at least 2 times before it is done right.

Don't tell people that your place is paid for, they'll think you're bragging.

Expect very low wages and don't gripe about how low they are. Nobody cares. They are working for low wages. too.

Best wishes on your relocation!

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Terri

Welcome to the forum!

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A kind word, gesture or deed can mean more to someone than you may ever know. It may even change their life.

Welcome!

My advice is to add 1 new thing at a time, watch how it/they/YOU are doing carefully before adding anything else.
for example- lets say you want a fruit orchard. I'd suggest a few of whatever you want to get started, say, 6 apple trees, with different varieties for pollination purposes. You could probably add a couple of blueberry bushes, or a row of raspberries or something without adding too much stress on yourself all at once. But don't make it too big all at once, or you'll find yourself quickly overwhelmed.
Start with a few chickens. Work your way into things like butchering slowly. Believe me, from experience, it is horrifying to have over 100 chickens to butcher in a single day, your first time round! But a few egg birds, a few meat birds, and maybe some banties for pest control will be a good start.

As you test different things out slowly, you'll figure out what grows best where, where you need to expand for growth, what the best place is for outbuildings and gardens in relation to your house, the road, etc. Let the homestead grow "organically" rather than try to put everything in all at once.

There are so many things I wish I'd done differently when we started, I know I burnt myself out there for a while. We grew too fast, and didn't think things through. There were never enough hours in the day to get things done. We wanted to do EVERYTHING, and never stopped to consider, there were two of us, with 2 very small children, DH worked full time, and we didn't have extended family that was willing to help. (willing to use our stuff and eat our produce, but not help.) We ended up trying to do the work of 15 people, and... crash and burn.

Now I've got a teeny tiny place, a few bushes, some small gardens, some chickens, a few goats, 3 rabbits... and we are content for now, until we are ready to grow again.
Start small, and be ruthless in saying no to yourself. Prune your homestead heavily when it seems like things are getting out of control. It'll hurt sometimes, and maybe even be embarrassing when you realize you are "failing" at a certain project you had high hopes for, but the relief when certain problems are gone is immensely worth it.

Other than that, I'd just say, have the time of your life!

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Botanical and wildlife art blog-
http://botanygirl.livejournal.com/

Actually how much you use depends on how well insulated the house will be and how warm you choose to keep it in the home. A little bit of prep in the way of insulation will go a very long way.

Well, I wanted to post an update and let everyone know that we DID just sign on a home! YAY!

After lots of looking around (and several disappointments), we ended up going with a nice brick home on 3 acres. The acreage is small but it's only two of us and we don't want to overwhelm ourselves with too much land or too much work.

We are going to till a small garden to begin with and maybe do a few rabbits and chickens and do our best to just keep our living expenses low.

I want to put up some veggies and fruits and hang my laundry!

The whole process has been overwhelming and exciting and we are so glad that we can look toward our future with a smile!

Yippee! I'm happy for y'all! You'll let us know how everything is going and keep in touch, right?

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I LOVE DONUT BALLS

i dont like to think tooo much before i speak ... heehee ... i like to be just as surprised as you are.

Here in south central KY, we have the propane heat, stove, and dryer. Think the tank is a 500 gal one. Top it off when they are still on summer fill prices, usually just before the heating season starts. With many propane companies, as being a new customer they may give you a nice discount on a fill price, they may not. You may have to switch to a new company to get a new customer discount, if it is a leased tank. If you will be owning the tank, well then you can usually get very good prices when you are able to shop around for propane.

Our place is a little over 1800 sq ft, and that full tank lasts normally through the winter, and into late spring or early summer. When the needle drops below the 5% mark (as it did a couple weeks or so ago) then we had the gas co come and bring 100 gallons (thats their minimum for delivery) since the stove and dryer are propane. Rather not completely run out, I do use the clothesline when the weather permits though.

I recommend replacing a standard thermostat with one of those programmable ones...think they are maybe 20-30 bucks? We have ours set to where it is tolerable for either season. Probably have it set to much cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer than many others might prefer, but it works for us. Usually hold off on using the air until cant stand the heat/humidity combo......and in the fall try to hold off using the heat until it gets a bit chilly even with the windows shut. We like having the windows and using the natural air flow (or maybe accentuated with some window & ceiling fans).

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Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons...for you are crunchy and good with ketchup!

Congratulations! Very happy for you.

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A kind word, gesture or deed can mean more to someone than you may ever know. It may even change their life.