Is there an "age limit" to this?

myheaven · #21 02/01/14, 08:49 AM

I was 25 and dh 29 with 4 kids ages 4 and under when we moved to our homestead. My dh was a long haul truck driver. So he got to come home to a list of "honey do." He's now off the road. He now enjoys more down time. Bust bum while your young and maintain while your older.
Btw: we are soon to have our 9th child and I'm still giving dh list of "honey do." I just don't like to sit still.

kat_ingram · #22 02/01/14, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myheaven

I was 25 and dh 29 with 4 kids ages 4 and under when we moved to our homestead. My dh was a long haul truck driver. So he got to come home to a list of "honey do." He's now off the road. He now enjoys more down time. Bust bum while your young and maintain while your older.
Btw: we are soon to have our 9th child and I'm still giving dh list of "honey do." I just don't like to sit still.

It would be awesome if we could live off his income and I could put all my efforts into the homestead. I don't see that happening, at least not right away. I could do part time work too, just to supplement.

I don't like to sit still either. My own to do list is never ending, and I think I even enjoy coming up with things to do.

Vosey · #23 02/01/14, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by where I want to

Besides, when I was younger and working full time plus taking care of animals and a garden, not to mention family, I never had time to spend on websites. So it might just be a demographic of having time to post lots if 1) you're retired , or2) don't have work taking up time.

I was thinking this too! I know there are a number of people on here who barely post once Spring hits.

To the OP, it probably also depends on your area of the country. My brother has a farm in Maine, he's been doing several farmer's markets there since he was in his 30's (15-20 years). The last 2 times I've been back I noticed that a lot of the vendors are in their 30's or so. The Portland, Oregon farmer's markets had a lot of young farmer's when I lived there 9 years ago. Maine has become a magnet for homesteaders of all ages.

Most people spend their 20's enjoying life, eventually figuring out what they want to pursue and figuring out how to do it, wether that's going back to school, working hard to save the money for their land etc. 30's - 40's tends to be when it all comes together.

I say do whatever your heart leads you to do! You have lots of time to figure it all out.

And don't forget, may people on HT have "retired" from the rat race, but it doesn't mean they did that at age 65.

Vosey · #24 02/01/14, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kat_ingram

Goodness. I get a short night's sleep and wake up to find a bunch of responses. That makes me happy. I am so so SO glad to hear from people. If I could just spend a day following you all around and listening to your stories, I totally would. I would like to respond to everyone individually, but time will not allow for that. So to briefly touch on responses:

In part, I am driven towards this because of people who say it can't be done. You tell me I can't do something? My response is "watch me." Not always a good thing, but I think with something like this, it could be. Then again, I could be wrong. That has happened before haha.

I've got a really good idea of what I want it to look like already. I realize that could change a thousand times before I even actually got started on a physical piece of land, but I think that so far I've got it thought out ok. The property we are looking at has a house and out buildings, so we wouldn't need to build ourselves. Though I've worked for my dad's construction business before, and while I wouldn't attempt anything too major, I'm quite handy with tools and I'm certainly not afraid of a little demo work

I'd get myself moved down there, find a job and just get settled. My boyfriend is a truck driver so he'd be off doing his own thing anyway. I'd start with gardening and once I had a good grasp on that, then it'd be onto chickens. Another notch in the belt, and then whatever animal I decide on next. Maybe rabbits or something. Add a little more to the garden. Get another animal. So on and so forth.

I know that it's a never ending story, and that I can't possibly learn EVERY thing there is to know about everything. As much as my personality would like that. I don't have grand plans to live solely off the land and make bank off of it. For us, we just want to go somewhere quiet, raise some of our own food, raise some animals, learn to hunt, and just exist. I intend to keep working, as will he (though it would be nice for him to get off the road, or at least have local routes and be home more), and if I can find a market to build a business of my own in, I'll take that when I can.

I posted above before I read this - I think this sounds like an awesome plan! You already have a lot of skills and your smart enough to realize you don't take it all on at once.

kat_ingram · #25 02/01/14, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vosey

To the OP, it probably also depends on your area of the country. My brother has a farm in Maine, he's been doing several farmer's markets there since he was in his 30's (15-20 years). The last 2 times I've been back I noticed that a lot of the vendors are in their 30's or so. The Portland, Oregon farmer's markets had a lot of young farmer's when I lived there 9 years ago. Maine has become a magnet for homesteaders of all ages.

Most people spend their 20's enjoying life, eventually figuring out what they want to pursue and figuring out how to do it, wether that's going back to school, working hard to save the money for their land etc. 30's - 40's tends to be when it all comes together.

I say do whatever your heart leads you to do! You have lots of time to figure it all out.

And don't forget, may people on HT have "retired" from the rat race, but it doesn't mean they did that at age 65.

If I were looking around here, I would definitely get involved with farmer's markets. Most towns/cities around here have their own, and since I live near the capital, there's a big one there every Saturday for the better portion of the spring, summer and fall. But, if things fall together and we get the property we want, that would mean moving out of state. I would imagine that there would be markets there as well, but I'm not as familiar with the area as I am here. It's something to look into though.

I LOVED what you said about people "retiring" from the rat race, and it not necessarily being at 65. That had not occurred to me. I know that for most people, whatever their plans are, it does take a while for things to come together. That's why I want to start now so by the time I'm in my 30's or 40's I'm at a place that I can feel good about, instead of starting out just then.

Maura · #26 02/01/14, 11:03 AM

Well, if that piece of land turns out to be all wrong for you, you'll be young enough to feel you can start over on another piece of land. So, even loss can be a win.

kat_ingram · #27 02/01/14, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maura

Well, if that piece of land turns out to be all wrong for you, you'll be young enough to feel you can start over on another piece of land. So, even loss can be a win.

Very true. I've already had a few do overs in my life, and I'm coming to appreciate that fact. Nothing is certain and when one path doesn't turn out, you choose another. I like to keep my options open for that reason, and not pigeonhole myself into something.

Old Vet · #28 02/01/14, 11:09 AM

The first advice is to start small and grow from their. If you start at 20 then you have a chance to do that.

kat_ingram · #29 02/01/14, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Vet

The first advice is to start small and grow from their. If you start at 20 then you have a chance to do that.

Oh yes. Slow and small. I've bitten off more than I could chew before but good old Mom and Dad were always there to give me a proverbial Heimlich. Provided we get the land we want, that won't necessarily be the case. Mom and Dad will be a half days drive instead of a half hour drive. Not that I won't ever get in a bad situation regardless, but at least I won't be running full bore into something that was easily avoidable.

#30 02/01/14, 11:28 AM

If I was your age & wanting to start homesteading there are a few things I would consider to be top priority . Land that lays well & has fertile soil , a good permanent water source . Personally I would want enough woodland to provide a steady source of firewood & an area that would be good for a nice sized pond . The more diversity the better .
You're never too young to plan & plant a nice orchard , grape vines , berry bushes , build & stock a pond , etc .
No doubt the right piece of property will be more difficult to find & more expensive to buy than less desirable properties but in the long run will be much more rewarding & valuable to you & also to others if you ever decide to sell .
Good luck & get started , years fly by .

kat_ingram · #31 02/01/14, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WV Hillbilly

If I was your age & wanting to start homesteading there are a few things I would consider to be top priority . Land that lays well & has fertile soil , a good permanent water source . Personally I would want enough woodland to provide a steady source of firewood & an area that would be good for a nice sized pond . The more diversity the better .
You're never too young to plan & plant a nice orchard , grape vines , berry bushes , build & stock a pond , etc .
No doubt the right piece of property will be more difficult to find & more expensive to buy than less desirable properties but in the long run will be much more rewarding & valuable to you & also to others if you ever decide to sell .
Good luck & get started , years fly by .

I am in agreement with all of that. Thank you. Great advice. My question now is in regard to the pond. I would LOVE to have a stocked pond because fish is my one of my favorites. I'll take it over steak or chicken any day.

But I've also been spoiled, because I've spent time in Alaska, pulling crab pots, fishing salmon out of streams and cooking it up that night. Granted, I like just about any fish, so that isn't really the issue. I've just heard about how unsanitary farmed fishing conditions can get and how it's better to buy fresh, cold water wild fish. Is that only in regard to more commercial fish farms?

Also, what kind of maintenance goes into a pond, if any? I would love to have it for many reasons, fish, water plants, etc. Oh, and if I were to have a pond on my own property, could I fish it without a license? I would think so, but then again a lot of what I think runs contrary to the government and their regulations.

solsikkefarms · #32 02/01/14, 11:45 AM

I'm the type of person who when i want to do something i jump in and do it to the max. Life is about having adventures, making mistakes, and learning from them. If you have a dream just do it, there's never a perfect time and place for anything other than life.

**Terri** · #33 02/01/14, 11:49 AM

Kat_ingram, if the internet had been available when I was 20 I would also have been homesteading in my 20's. I simply lacked enough information.

I did have one other strike against me: I am a female. Back then it mattered quite a bit, as when a woman asked a question she would get a different answer than if a guy asked it. BUT! Once I had my own place I learned that the plants did not care as long as you fertilized them and the critters did not care as long as you held the feed bucket and the boards did not care who drove the nails.

Homesteading is a true equal opportunity activity. Age does not matter and gender does not matter and color does not matter. What matters is what you do, not who you are.

kat_ingram · #34 02/01/14, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solsikkefarms

I'm the type of person who when i want to do something i jump in and do it to the max. Life is about having adventures, making mistakes, and learning from them. If you have a dream just do it, there's never a perfect time and place for anything other than life.

Ah, see there is a part of me that wants to just go for it, all else be darned. I'm not getting any younger and I absolutely hate having to wait, as much as I enjoy the planning stages.

Then there's the part of me that knows how carried away I can get, and how that usually leads to poor decision making. I'm all for adventure and I have made many a mistake that turned into a good life lesson. Then again, there's a fine line between learning as you go and learning from mistakes and running off like a madwoman and getting into heaps of trouble.

kat_ingram · #35 02/01/14, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terri

Kat_ingram, if the internet had been available when I was 20 I would also have been homesteading in my 20's. I simply lacked enough information.

I did have one other strike against me: I am a female. Back then it mattered quite a bit, as when a woman asked a question she would get a different answer than if a guy asked it. BUT! Once I had my own place I learned that the plants did not care as long as you fertilized them and the critters did not care as long as you held the feed bucket and the boards did not care who drove the nails.

Homesteading is a true equal opportunity activity. Age does not matter and gender does not matter and color does not matter. What matters is what you do, not who you are.

You know, I hadn't even thought about that. I'm just old enough to remember the days before technology had taken over completely, and I still remember parts of my childhood, running around my parents acreage, playing in the dirt and grass and trees and just being happy.

I am also young enough to not have experienced a whole lot of any discrimination in general, maybe aside from age. I am looking forward to a few years from now when I break free from my current stage. Right now, it's still a little bit of being treated like a child since I'm "only" 22, yet I "should know better" and have my "whole life figured out by now", "what is wrong with you, why aren't you popping out babies yet?"

But I hadn't ever even thought of how things have changed for women over the years. I am sure that if I didn't have the internet, I wouldn't be pursuing this. I always wanted this sort of life as a child, but since then it sort of faded into the background. Until a few years ago when something just clicked again.

And while I have heard some remarkable stories of women who built up everything from the ground for themselves, I'm honestly glad I don't have to do it alone. I'm old school enough to be very grateful for a partner of the male sort who can kill the spiders for me and do some of the things I don't want to :P

sisterpine · #36 02/01/14, 12:19 PM

It seems that many of the members here were like me raised in small cities and always were interested in growing stuff building stuff and being more self sufficient. Many of us read MON before it was perverted and the old country magazines etc. We had our careers and families in the city and just dreamed of the country. As everyone finished their peak income years and started winding down we were able to make the choice to move to the country and finally follow our dreams. Some of us were old by then but most were middle aged...we had already been slapped down by life many times and learned to get back up. Homesteading requires a "I can do this" attitude even more than money!

kat_ingram · #37 02/01/14, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sisterpine

It seems that many of the members here were like me raised in small cities and always were interested in growing stuff building stuff and being more self sufficient. Many of us read MON before it was perverted and the old country magazines etc. We had our careers and families in the city and just dreamed of the country. As everyone finished their peak income years and started winding down we were able to make the choice to move to the country and finally follow our dreams. Some of us were old by then but most were middle aged...we had already been slapped down by life many times and learned to get back up. Homesteading requires a "I can do this" attitude even more than money!

That's encouraging. I might not have much money right now, but I've got plenty of attitude and enthusiasm. Sounds like I just have to redirect the enthusiasm more toward making money right now

big rockpile · #38 02/01/14, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kat_ingram

I'm 22. My bf is 27. I guess I got a little spurred on by a conversation I had when I asked him where he saw his life going in the next five years. He pointed out that he would be 32 then, and that just sounded so old to me, even though I know it's really not.

I can only imagine what he and I could do in two years, or five, if we worked 4 jobs (I'm assuming that's between the two of you, not four each?) I'm in a position now to pick up some extra hours right now. At any rate, I think it's a good idea. If you can make more money, pick up more skills, why wouldn't you?

Yes we was working two each. Plus I might add during Winter I would run Trap Line and Coon Dogs. Half of my wife Pay went for Bills, rest went in savings.

We both had very good paying Jobs for the area.

big rockpile

kat_ingram · #39 02/01/14, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big rockpile

Yes we was working two each. Plus I might add during Winter I would run Trap Line and Coon Dogs. Half of my wife Pay went for Bills, rest went in savings.

We both had very good paying Jobs for the area.

big rockpile

Huh, I know next to nothing about trapping. How does that work? I mean in terms of income? I'm assuming that goes for supplemental cash flow. I've been considering different ways to make an extra buck here and there. All depends on what sort of need there is in the particular community.

I've got hunting (more specifically bow hunting) on my list of skills to learn, and now I could add trapping to it. It's a fairly passive thing correct? Set traps, leave them, check them so often? I'm sure that's a very rudimentary description.

#40 02/01/14, 01:02 PM

I wouldn't think that contaminated fish would be a concern in a farm pond unless there was agricultural runoff from neighboring properties or some other outside source of contamination . You wouldn't need a license to fish or hunt on your own property , at least not in any state I've lived in . If you google farm pond forums you'll find more info. than I could write in a week . There are also people on here who have ponds & raise fish , maybe they'll chime in .
Before I start anything I research , research , research , read everything I can get my hands on , books , internet , etc . & I think your age may be a benefit in learning because older people who know how to do a lot of the things you want to do get a lot of satisfaction out of helping younger people . Not too many young people want to do these things anymore .
Researching your area is as important as researching how to do something . For instance when I had chickens I maybe sold enough eggs to buy feed for my chickens , that's not counting housing , time spent , etc. I would like to have a few chickens now but I can buy farm fresh eggs in my area for $5.00 for 4 dozen .
If you want to generate any income from your homestead intensive research is very important .