How would you divert river/creek access into a small hydroelectric generator?

Do you need water rights? Can you place a generator in the water? Curious about setting up power off the grid.

My goal in life is to own a piece of land 3-5 acres maybe and run a small multifaceted agricultural business with the hopes of building a small earth bag home and living there. Usual homesteading stuff, being more self sufficient, but also running a reasonably productive business too. I don’t have any experience with farming and I’m saving up money the best I can. Ideally I’d like to be able to borrow a fair bit of cash upfront to buy a small plot and develop it properly so that it can actually make money effectively and not just be half assed and done in stages. I’ve tried looking into aggricultural mortgages, business loans and government schemes but it is an absolute mine field and I clearly need to get some guidance. I’m aware it’s not going to be easy but is it possible to get a loan for 250k potentially as a first timer if I had a really clear plan that illustrates costs and potential ect. Is it realistic at all? I had hoped to maybe acquire a plot via adverse possession but the resources to find said plots are no longer available which is a real shame. So yeah any advise is greatly appreciated

Hello! We are on 5 acres and have just pitched 3 x alpacas. We are making a shelter for them and a small area with sheep/dog mesh fencing that we have left over.

I was hoping to section off the rest of the acreage as needed but wondering if portable 3/4 wire electric fencing and picket posts will do the job? Or do I need sheep/dog mesh the whole paddock?

Google is telling me all different things about keeping alpacas in!

Thanks in advance!

Hello 🩷🙋🏻‍♀️

TLDR: Has anyone started homesteading/farming and come from a plant based/vegan lifestyle?

Long version: I’m hoping someone can offer some insight based off of personal experience. And please, please understand that I have zero judgments toward farmers and homesteaders. I am (about to be) living this lifestyle so I don’t believe I really align with the vegan/plant based community anyway. HOWEVER!

I consider myself plant based simply because I do not care for the taste and texture of meat and I do not want to participate in unethical practices toward animals and livestock. Plus it just makes my body feel sluggish and weird when I consume animal products. I do eat red meat on occasion if I am feeling low energy but that’s maybe a few times a year. Anyway, we will be raising meat for our families which include chicken, cows and pigs. The idea of processing an animal for the first time (even if I’m personally not the one to do it) breaks my heart. I have always believed that homesteaders are so much more loving and compassionate toward their animals than factory farmers (I think that’s pretty common knowledge) but I’m curious if anyone else came from a plant based lifestyle and struggled with the idea of taking the life of an animal? Please please do not be rude to me here. I’m sensitive and just really wanting personal experience from someone who’s been in my shoes and was able to raise and feel ok about processing/butchering.

I don’t even fish because the idea of it hurts my heart, but I don’t mind when others do it. My husband is a hunter and when he harvests an animal, he lays his hands on it and gives thanks to it and is so loving and respectful toward the life of that animal. He says it still hurts him though but he knows it’s necessary to feed our family, which I believe is also necessary given the size of our family and cost of living going up.

Thank you so much for your time!!

I have 3 big blueberry bushes, a giant blackberry bush that produces huge berries, mulberry tree, sugarcane and a 15x15 garden that produces tomatoes, lettuce, onions, radishes, squash, zucchini, peppers and cucumbers. It's all about making proper use of your space, whatever that might be.

Good morning fellow homesteaders! I'm just getting going, myself, and planning on a DIY greenhouse.

My plan is to utilize 10' long EMT conduit, and bend it to suit. I was thinking of having two 10' EMT meet at the top with a swage coupler and some self tapping screws.

The issue I'm running into is sourcing a properly sized hoop bender. I'm in Eastern Canada, but willing to buy from anywhere, if it can get the job done.

What do you all use for your DIY high tunnel hoop bending?

When I can't sleep, I watch television. I tried watching Jessica Parker (s and the city - I think that's her name), and realized pretty darn quickly that we have absolutely nothing in common. Looking down at the garden clogs on my feet right now, absolutely nothing. That show can make a country girl feel so inferior. It would really help to hear from other homesteading women who can understand this insecurity. Have you ever watched that show? What did you think?

Ideally I want to combine a UV filter with a RO filter. But I have a few questions. 1. Most IV filter units are EXPENSIVE. is there an option to just use a overhead IV filter by the inlet of the pump unit or in the water tank? Trying to lessen the load of the RO filter. Secondly, if I put the pump inlet higher up will that negate the need for fine sentiment filters? Or if I have the RO filter will I not need to worry too much about sentiment. Any recommendations you guys have would be great

We had 7 ducks until recently when a coyote killed one of the females. Now there are 6 (3 males and 3 females) and recently they seemed to have kicked out one of the females. This female that has been ostracized was the sister of the dead duck so she looks just like her.

Now the 5 ducks (3 males and 2 females) hangout together while the lone female duck is always alone. We have even spotted one of the male ducks chasing her off when she comes up for food.

Any ideas why? They grew up together and lived as a group for nearly 2 years.

Any advice on the best time to cut haskap for rooting? I have done currants for years, they don't seem to care when you cut them they almost always root. I've also done figs and hazelnuts with little issue.

I'm having trouble with the haskap. Last year I did 20 or so cuttings just after they started leafing out and none rooted. Is there a best time to cut, or is there something I am missing? I'm using #2 rooting hormone.

https://youtu.be/E-zFjiOLICM I got this beast of a tiller but it might be too much for my size of property. Its what i got now so I'll keep it and that honda motor runs so smoothly

I’m located in northeastern Mississippi (Tupelo area) and wanted to grow some tobacco. Anyone in the area every grow any and have suggestions?

How are you guys treating the discharge from your pump out septic systems when you have a water softener installed in your house? We are on well water with extremely hard water and we use a water softener for all the water in the house.

The problem is all the salt build up from the discharge of the septic tank! I hate to think we are adding salt to our property but the alternatives like installing a cistern to haul city water or getting a vacuum truck to suck the tank out are very costly.

Anybody have any experience with this? Is it not enough salt to even worry about? Thanks!

Thinking of putting a bat house on my property I have a couple spots that I think would be a good fit. But I've heard they can be finicky in choosing a spot looking for advice input feedback on how to do this in the most successful way Thank you

I’m a veteran with a 70% disability rating looking to get a va home loan and set up a homestead. I have a few possible locations around the US I’d be ok with going, but would like advice on the better/ less expensive locations for this next chapter of my life. Ten acres or more, for that tax break, more acres preferred. I plan on being able to still work during the day, and be not to far from a larger city.

I have a chicken who doesn't seem to be doing too well, but I have no idea what the problem could be. The rest of the flock seem fine.

Her symptoms:

• She looks bigger than usual - I don't know if it's just that she's fluffing up her feathers but the others aren't doing this.

• She's walking strangely - slowly, and it's like she's stomping, bringer her foot up higher than necessary, and her toes aren't curling in as she lifts her foot so she's walking very flat-footed.

• She's very, very, docile - she would usually make a small initial protest at being picked up, but she's just stands motionless and doesn't make any fuss. She isn't leaving the coop to get her food (I've been taking her over to the food myself then she'll peck around at the food).

• She's generally quite listless. I've also just noticed that she's tremoring slightly.

• Some of the chicken poo is yellow where it's usually white, too, not sure if that's a symptom or if she's even the one doing those poos.

Does anyone have any idea what the issue may be? She also happens to be my favourite chicken in the flock :(.

Whenever we have guests drop in I always like to serve some food from the farm. Here's today's appetizer.

This will be my first time ever having chickens as an adult. What’s the best kind to get for laying hens?

Looking for recommendations for NYS or federal funding for solar panel installation. Property is zoned as residential but solar would be installed to power energy to a yurt.

My husband and I are looking at land at the moment and having a veggie/fruit garden. I'd like to preserve what is surplus to our needs, but it freaks me out not knowing if the preserves are going to make me sick. Like what do you mean people pressure preserve ground beef in jars in the pantry?!

A second question - I know we can buy half a cow and freeze it in portions. Is there similar versions of things like bulk poultry?

Currently living in Colorado and the land here is too expensive.

So looking into our second choice Oregon.

Aiming for 20+ acres

250k budget for land & utility setup Water/Septic/Electric/Internet

450k budget if a livable dwelling exists on the land.

I have searched and searched and I keep finding places in our budget but they do not offer decent internet.

We both work from home and need very fast & reliable internet connection.

Any suggestions?

I recently transplanted some blackberries from my old house. But, when I went outside this morning something ate one of the shoots. Will it continue to grow and produce a new shoot and solid root system to produce later?

I've been looking into growing some mushrooms (the non-magic kind, haha). So far, enoki and lion's mane have sparked my interest. I think it'd be nice to have some meat alternatives because I'm not able to obtain my own meat due to living in an apartment.

My wife is a little weird about growing things indoors, especially mushrooms, so I think it might be sort of an outside thing. I have a storage area that is attached to the side of my apartment. It's dark and damp. Do you think I could have any luck growing them back there? What're your guys' experience with growing mushrooms, I'm curious.