It is ok to fear something, in the end fear is what makes us human. But what you should do is make sure that the fear in you doesn´t make you stop trying and isn´t making you stop doing what you love and what you trully want to do.

Doing mistakes and taking a detour... start a new and fail... Questioning your choices and yourself. All that is ok, but don´t let it get the best of you. Trust me I´ve been there, I questioned myself and i went down. But I learned to get up, I learned that one of the most important things is to enjoy the little things. Every win is a win. You got up and ate something? That is a win. You went outside for a walk ? That is something great. You talked to someone new today and had a good time? That is really great. You got up today? I am trully proud of you.

Every step makes you go a step further ahed. Don´t think you need to always make and achieve something big. Enjoy the little things.

Be happy ^^

Article By Chelsea Gregori

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I started homesteading in 2016 when my then-husband found a small farm on Craigslist (not a joke). We had been traveling musicians for a while and were ready for something different. We were after a living from scratch lifestyle: slow and simple. Something that allowed us to reduce our carbon footprint by getting ‘back to the earth’. Although buying a farm off of Craigslist seemed crazy, it ultimately led to the pioneer roots we were interested in. Long story short, we bought the farm.

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How to start a homestead, whether modern or traditional, on land or no land and with no former education on gardening or animal husbandry.

It didn’t take long for me to learn that living a life connected to the land would be a deeply fulfilling and rewarding journey. I learned to do some of the most simple things rooted in traditional homesteading practices to start living from scratch. Still, I incorporated both traditional homesteading methods into my life while continuing to utilize modern conveniences to create a balanced and sustainable lifestyle.

I don’t want to build you a glass castle. It was hard work at times, but the simple truth was that I fell in love with it. Homesteading and homemaking became my entire life. Thus starting what you might call a multilayered love story (with the land), leading to many a new beginning and different perspectives.

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Traditional homesteading vs Modern homesteading

There is no right or wrong way to homestead. I believe that as long as the end result is the same, the way you get there doesn’t matter quite as much. The label doesn’t matter. 

Once you’ve taken the first step and decided to homestead, you’ll have so many decisions on HOW to do it. Some folks enjoy spending time on manual labor and can afford to spend the time, doing all DIY projects, fixing before hiring a fixer, skipping the vet visits and leaning into a more off-grid lifestyle.

When reading about what type of homesteading to decide what style I ultimately wanted to practice, this is what I learned from the internet.

Traditional homesteading relies on manual labor, minimal technology, self-sufficiency through hands-on skills and prioritizing locally-sourced materials. Crop rotation and manual irrigation are common to see, and take root in the local community.

Modern homesteading integrates advanced technologies focused on efficiency and sustainability. Utilizing solar energy is considered a more modern homesteading approach, and more folks utilize modern veterinary practices and communication facilitated through smart devices and social media. By combining traditional wisdom with contemporary tools, you have the opportunity to create a more sustainable and interconnected homesteading lifestyle.

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Are you a traditional or modern homesteader?

I follow plenty of homesteaders on social media, and it’s safe to say that those folks living this kind of life are practicing a more modern homesteading. The most traditional homesteaders are likely not even on social media! What it boils down to is both styles of homesteading share the fundamental goal of self-sufficiency and sustainable living, and both styles differ in their approaches and integration of technology.

BUT HERE IS THE THING. It doesn’t matter, and “modern” homesteading is just an evolved version of “traditional” homesteading. Modern homesteaders are still putting in the manual labor, even if they’ve utilized Google spreadsheets and online garden planners to track their crops instead of pen and paper. To say that traditional homesteaders care more about locally sourced materials and taking root in the community is, honestly, insulting.

I have built rabbit hutches, modified hen houses, practiced crop rotation and watered my garden beds by hand, in addition to drip irrigation. I also am active on social media, have never utilized the vet for issues and plan to utilize solar energy one day.

Some people’s faith brings them to homesteading, others just yearn for a slower, simpler way of life. Some are born into it and love their current situation, deciding to stay close to family members and continue the tradition. All of these reasons for homesteading are acceptable. 

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How do I start a homestead today?

Great question! Let’s look at the most down-to-earth tips and practical advice for starting a homestead. 

First step, and I bet you’ve heard it before, but get off Instagram! Not completely, of course, but know that the beautiful homesteads you see on Instagram didn’t just happen overnight. There were hours of manual labor and love and patience, and sometimes money, dedicated to them. Patience – you can get there, also, if that’s what your goal is!

Next, get a few great homesteading books to have on hand. One of my favorite books for beginners is written by a fellow homesteader and blogger, Lisa Lombardo, called The Beginner’s Guide to Backyard Homesteading.

You don’t have to have herds of livestock or a large, rustic kitchen filled with a mason jar shelf and an amazing family tale of how your farmhouse was gifted to you through the generations to be a homesteader. Even a makeshift kitchen is good enough to create and execute delicious recipes in (ask me how I know).

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1. Identify your personal goals and objectives

My best suggestion is to define your vision, and then align your vision with your current lifestyle. Don’t just try to jump into the deep end and do a complete overhaul of your lifestyle, because you are more likely to burnout and just give up. 

For example, I have a creative mother who knows the power of cooking. Nights at our house were like a global table adventure as she went on her own cooking adventure to prepare the best from scratch meals for us of all kinds. Falafels and hummus, chili, stir fry. No region of the world was off limits! So I knew that food was going to be top of my priorities. 

I knew I’d love to mill and grow my own grain one day, but that was so overwhelming to think about because I had never even made a loaf of bread before homesteading! Years later, I’ve made more loaves of bread than I can imagine and I STILL have not grown or milled my grain, and that is fine.

Start small; start slow.

Make a list of the things you want to try, and then put them in order from easiest to most difficult. Always keep the goal of implementing sustainable practices in mind early on for long-term achievement. 

Have a separate list of immediate needs that must be met. For example, if you are starting with livestock you’ll need fencing, water sources and infrastructure to house them. If you’re starting with gardens, gathering the material for raised beds or deciding how to cultivate the soil for in-ground gardening will be a top priority. 

Everyone’s lists will look different. As your small farm grows and you move forward from your previous phase, you’ll start focusing on longer-term tasks such as expanding cultivation areas, and integrating technology for efficiency (think drip watering systems, hoop gardens, etc.). Reassess regularly and adjust your priorities as needed.

If you want fresh eggs, you’ll need some kind of chicken coop safe enough for your flock. 

If you want to learn to make your first-ever homemade apple pie, you don’t have to plant an apple tree before making the pie. Buy a bag of apples from the grocery store, learn to make the pie and plant that apple tree. Not only have you learned a new skill, but in the years to come, you’ll never buy apples again.

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2. Choose the right location FOR YOU

When choosing a location for your homestead, put heavy consideration into the lifestyle you’re currently living, the lifestyle you want to live and is achievable (along with a timeline and realistic budget). If you’re tied to a commuting 9-5 way of working, or can’t just jump all in and go off the grid, then you’ll need to look for land that is more urban and less rural. 

Maybe you want to have access to urban amenities, but like to be more secluded to stay away as much as possible. Consider your family unit, and what type of support system you want or require and start searching for land!

A few things to keep in mind when looking for land, assuming you’re starting totally from scratch:

• Climate and Soil Quality

I began homesteading in Florida and the weather got warmer and warmer each year, making it hard to grow anything without hoop frames on the gardens. The soil was just sand in my yard, so raised beds were required unless I wanted to put the time and money into mending the soil. 
Now I’m in Kentucky and the winters are much colder, bringing freezing temperatures, snow and ice. I prefer this, but it poses different challenges for gardening and farming than Florida did. The soil quality is better than sand, but plenty of gravel and rock in some areas. 
Learn about the different gardening methods and if you want to deal with extreme heat or cold weather and take it from there. 

• Access to water

This is a big one! Living from scratch doesn’t mean you have to go without, and access to water doesn’t mean beachfront property. It’s the difference between relying on a rain catchment system, well water or city-provided water. I recently saw a charming cabin in the woods for sale on 80-ish acres, but you had to collect your water from the local fire department or have efficient, and sufficient, rainwater catchment. In addition, you would have to make sure that water won’t freeze in the winter. 
Personally, that type of property is not for me. Consider your water access when looking for property, and how it will affect your day-to-day operations both inside the home and on the farm for your crops and livestock.

• Local zone regulations

This is a big one! Some counties require permits to add structures, like a henhouse, to your land. Other areas don’t allow you to own farm animals, especially if you buy land with an HOA. Call the county extension office and ask what their restrictions are, if any. You might not want cattle or swine now, but what if you do in the future? Thing long and short term and make sure to ask thorough questions. 

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3. Start with the basics and essential skills

When I started farming and living from scratch, I was terrified of chickens. I asked a friend how I was supposed to get the eggs because I couldn’t imagine reaching into the nesting box and grabbing eggs from under a protective broody hen. Now, years later, I’ve helped people buy chicks, I’ve gifted my chickens to others along the way and taught a few how to butcher chickens and handle them with confidence. 

A few basic skills you are likely to learn when you begin living from scratch:

• Gardening techniques and crop management
  • Crop rotation and companion planting
  • Different gardening techniques that will work best on your plot of land
• Basic Cooking and Meal Planning
  • Cooking from scratch to cut costs
  • Utilize homegrown produce and meat
• Community building and communication
  • Visit your local farm stores (Whether that is Tractor Supply, Rural King or a small business). New doors open when you take part in your community.
  • Find your favorite blogs and follow them closely – bonus points if they are also farming in your area!
• Animal husbandry
  • Learning about general animal care for feed and health management
  • Best breeding practices for specific livestock

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Skills you will develop along the way:

• Water Management
  • Rainwater harvesting, irrigation techniques and water conservation practices
  • Learning efficient ways to use water for you gardens and livestock (like if you have a pond on your property)
• Mechanical/equipment maintenance
  • Not a requirement, but you might develop the ability to troubleshoot basic equipment. I once changed the spark plugs and oil on my lawn mower!
  • What tools work best for certain projects . I was terrified of power tools, built eventually built rabbit hutches and modified hen houses!)
• Carpentry and DIY Projects
  • Eventually you, too, will be building hutches or simple shoe stands or jewelry holders if you never have before. The homesteading lifestyle just requires a little DIY by nature.
  • The world of DIY is never-ending when living from scratch, and it heavily involves homemaking. Canning, dehydrating and other food preservation methods will eventually slide into your life, as well.

Encouragement and a little extra something

Embrace living from scratch with the most mindful lifestyle you can obtain and maintain naturally. Practice gratitude and incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine. Reflect often on the things you’ve learned, lost and look forward to. You’ll naturally foster an appreciation for nature, if you don’t already have it. 

Fast forward to where I am now? In 2021, my then-husband and I parted ways. Homesteading was a long term commitment for me, but I also needed a fresh start. I moved to Eastern Kentucky to contribute to a farm here and dig deeper into the made-from-scratch living. But I still managed to struggle with my new life. 

I was working a full-time job in the public relations field while contributing to someone else’s homestead. It was all increasingly demanding in their own ways. Some of which I enjoyed, and others I did not. Eventually, I became a mom which added a new layer.

I also met an incredible man, who is now my husband and father of my firstborn son. He, too, was beginning to homestead and was open to taking a more modern approach than I had previously considered. There was no right question to ask when it came to all the different tangible ways to homestead. 

Building a modern homestead

Now, I’m on a new journey full of new opportunities. My husband and I live a happy life with a more modern approach to homesteading. And many new-age homesteaders are taking the modern approach.

We plan to embrace and incorporate modern technology into our farm. The objective is to automate certain jobs to reduce time put into tedious tasks and, hopefully, reduce our environmental impact. It’s important to note that automating jobs and reducing your environmental impact is not only a modern homesteading thing. It all started traditionally.

We’re looking into eco-friendly ways of construction (straw bale housing) and plan to integrate solar panels as a renewable energy source. The next step is to create a new game plan, as I did many years ago for my homestead in Florida, and make this little slice of heaven ours. 

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How are you homesteading? 

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Article Source: https://growwhereyousow.com/living-from-scratch/

For context, I live in a very strict HOA and you can't garden outside if people can see the garden from the street. The issue is that I live on a corner and the entire yard, both front and back, can be seen from the street and we can't use a privacy fence. I've decided that gardening in the basement with the use of grow lights would be the best option given the situation. The issues don't stop with the HOA though, the basement floods every once in a while due to the sump pump and there's mold growing in the basement. What's the best way to grow plants down in the basement given the situation? I plan to grow plants with a DIY gravity hydroponic system and a wicking system. How can I stop flood water from the sump pump getting to the plants and how can I stop mold from reaching the plants? Replacing the sump pump doesn't work (I've tried it before, it's more of a structural problem) and mold removal is not an option (I won't get into the specifics of why because I'll be typing for an hour if I do).

For many small farmers and homesteaders, cows are the white (or, perhaps, black and white) whale of livestock: always top of mind, but seemingly forever out of reach.

Most cows are physically bigger than other livestock, so they require more space and infrastructure than other ruminant animals like sheep and goats. Even mini cows are a bigger financial investment when it comes to upfront cost and maintenance.

If you simply cannot live any longer without homegrown beef and fresh milk, though, you may feel ready to dive in to raising cows. Before you decide to add cows to your litany of livestock, here are 12 things you need to know.

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1. Cows can be raised for meat, milk and to produce offspring for sale. Know what you are going to use yours for before you purchase one.

A cow is a large investment in money, time and resources. Knowing how you plan to use your cow on your farm or homestead is important to make sure you are utilizing that investment wisely.

“The number one thing that people will want to ask themselves is why are we raising this cow,” said Colt Knight, state livestock specialist at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. “It makes a huge difference in the type of land and infrastructure you need.”

Cows can be raised for meat and milk, either for personal use or for sale. Calves can also be sold each year for additional cash flow.

“They need to decide what their goal is going to be,” said Ashley Robbins, livestock and field crops agent for Chatham County at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

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2. On a small scale, raising cows for milk only can be costly.

Cows begin producing milk at about two years old when they typically have their first baby. After the cow gives its first milk, or colostrum, to the calf, she will be ready to milk.

“They do have to have a baby in order to produce milk,” Robbins said. “As long as you milk them, they’ll produce milk. You can milk [a cow] for two years before she’s dried up without having another baby.” Selling milk, however, can be difficult because of the rules and regulations governing dairy production. “A small-scale dairy is not profitable at all,” Knight emphasized.

Some states — 13 in total, including Maine, California and Pennsylvania — allow the sale of raw milk in retail stores, while 17 others allow for raw milk-producing farms to sell the product on their premises. Eight states allow the sale of raw milk only through “cowshare agreements,” where cow owners farmers are paid to board, feed and milk their cows.

However, it is still illegal to sell raw, unpasteurized milk straight from the cow in 20 states, including Alabama, Colorado and Virginia. “In North Carolina, you can’t sell raw milk, so that’s not feasible,” Robbins said. “The milk would probably just be for your personal use.”

If you plan to use your cow for personal milking and do not plan to eventually slaughter it, just know that you will likely be spending more money than you save. “A cow is going to give you way more milk than you can consume,” Robbins said. “You wouldn’t have to buy any more milk, but that’s only $3 a gallon, so if you’re only buying two gallons of milk a month, you’re not saving money.” Robbins said you could get creative to make money or save additional dollars on your grocery budget from your dairy cow. “If you were to raise that calf that she’s feeding and sell it, you’d be able to make money on that,” Robbins said. “You could also turn the milk into butter and cheese, and cut out having to buy butter and milk and cheese.”

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3. If you are raising cows for beef, know where you will process your meat.

Many farmers and homesteaders purchase a cow to raise for fresh, homegrown beef. Butchering cows, however, is complicated and requires a specific skill set and tools, so it is important to know where you will process your beef. If you are raising a cow for beef, Robbins said that grass-fed cows will be ready to eat at around 28 to 30 months, while grain-fed cows can be ready by 15 to 16 months.

“If you just want to keep an animal for yourself in a freezer, buy stocker or a heifer [that’s between] 600 and 700 pounds,” Knight said. “It will put weight on through the summer, and come fall, you can take that animal to the meat processor and they’ll cut it up for you.” Knight explained that if you plan on keeping meat for your own consumption, you can use a custom slaughter facility, but if you are hoping to sell some meat, the facility must be state or federally inspected depending on whether you plan to sell in-state or across the border.

Even if you are not going to sell the meat, you need to know who is going to process your animal. It may be challenging to find a qualified processor depending on where you live.

“We have very few meat processors in the state of Maine, so facilities fill up quickly,” Knight said. “Homesteaders will buy a calf in the springtime, it will get big enough to slaughter in the fall and the slaughterhouses are all booked up through the season. It’s a good idea to call your local processor and schedule time slot.”

Not only can forgetting to schedule time with a processor be disappointing, it can be costly, as you are left to feed your animal through the wintertime until you can get a spot at the slaughterhouse. This is especially challenging in colder climates.

“That’s the number one expense here in Maine,” Knight said. “With beef cows, you have to store a lot of hay through the wintertime.”

To find a reputable slaughterhouse, search the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service online directory of federally inspected slaughterhouses.

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4. If you plan to sell your beef, research your markets and know where you will sell.

Knight and Robbins agreed that it is possible to make money selling homegrown beef. Though there are laws about properly labeling and safely processing meat to be sold, experts agree that they are easier to navigate than those for dairy. Plus, fresh meat is generally more profitable than milk.

“You could raise those on a small scale and breakeven or make some money,” Knight said. “You would provide yourself with meat, keep half and sell other half and profit off that.”

Just like when you are growing and selling crops, you want to know where you will sell your product before you invest time, energy and money into it.

“If you’re going to try to make money, you need to know who and where the market will be,” Robbins said. “If you can get into a market where people pay higher for a locally-grown, grass-fed beef, you can do pretty [well] just having a handful of cows, [like] if you’re close to a bigger town where you can hit the farmers market. Just one cow will give you 7 or 8 hundred pounds of beef at $6 to $8 a pound”

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5. The best cow breed for you will mostly depend on where you live.

Robbins said that, in part, climate will determine which cows will thrive on your farm or homestead. “Always something to consider what your environment is and if it’s suitable for certain breeds,” Robbins said. “Different cow breeds perform well in different areas.”

Robbins said if you are in a hot climate like Texas or Florida, you may want to avoid furry Highland cows, but sleek, heat-tolerant Brahman cows will thrive. Even within breeds, you can make certain choices to ensure your cows are as comfortable in their new home as possible. “Angus do well [in North Carolina], but red better than black because of the heat,” Robbins said.

The economic forces in your area — for example, the cost of feed — may also impact the breed that you choose.“Feed costs a lot [in Maine],” Knight said. “What we want here is a smaller frame animal so they don’t eat as much.”

In areas where feed is expensive, Knight recommended small Angus breed or British breeds like Hereford, or Belted Galloway (though, he admitted, Belted Galloways may have more value as show animals, because “they look like Oreos”).

Knight said to avoid continental breeds and larger frame breeds like Charolais, though they are well-suited farms in the Midwest, where easy geographical access to grain feed leads to lower prices. Some strains of a particular breed also may be slightly better for milk or meat, but generally you can find a cow that matches your goals regardless of which breed you choose.

“The genetic variation within a single breed is very large,” Knight said. “Over time, we have isolated really good genetics in all the different breeds, so you can get very good performing cattle in almost any kind of breed.”

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6. The cost of a cow will depend on the breed, but you definitely want to purchase from a reputable seller.

The price of the cow will depend on the breed. “If you’re going after a commercial cow, it will cost around $1,000,” Robbins said. “If you’re going after a certain breed, it could be $1,500 to $3,000 depending on what you’re trying to go after.” No matter what breed you choose, make sure you are getting your cow from a reputable source. “The best place to purchase a cow is from a quality breeder or a farmer that keeps good records,” Knight said.

“I would say the best bet would be from a personal buyer,” Robbins added.

Knight and Robbins agreed that it is best to avoid buying blind or purchasing cows from an auction or sale barn, even though the prices may be lower.

“You can buy cattle at auctions or off Facebook, but generally speaking, cattle that are at auction are generally there for a reason,” Knight explained. “They may not be producing that well. At auction, they’re exposed to a whole bunch of different animals may have a higher incidence of sickness.”

Robbins said that the exception is if the sale is a registered sale, where they will provide important information about the animal, like vaccination history and past pregnancies.

“I would do my research and know where my cows are coming from,” Robbins said. “I would not just buy a cow blindly.”

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7. It is important to know a large animal veterinarian that can care for your cow when it is sick.

When you are purchasing your cow, be sure to also ask around for a veterinarian. “Animal health is very important,” Knight said. “You want to make sure they’re growing properly. Just like dogs and cats need annual vaccines, cows need vaccines. Depending on your area, they might need a rabies shot.”

Knight and Robbins both recommended asking the seller of the cow who their veterinarian is, but there are other ways you can find one.  

“Nowadays, a lot of it is online,” Robbins said. “If you have a small animal vet, maybe they know a large animal vet. Your cooperative extension should also have a list of veterinarians that you could work with.”

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8. For cows, the quality of your land matters just as much as the quantity.

Cows require a considerable amount of space when compared to other livestock. “You want at least an acre per cow,” Robbins said. “If they’re going to have a baby, you want two acres for a cow-calf pair. That’s the minimum amount of land.” For cows, the quality of the land — specifically, the foraging material on it — matters just as much as the amount of land.

“Take a soil sample of the pasture and get an analysis,” Robbins said. “That’ll tell you what type of fertilizer or lime you need to put out in order to grow good quality forage. That’s key when raising cows if you want to be able to graze them.”

If your forage quality is low, you may need to provide your cows with more land or two supplement their diet.

“If it’s poor quality forage, you might need 5 or 10 acres for that same cow,” Knight said. “If you don’t have the acreage or the forage quality you need to supplement their diet with some grain. I wish there was a one size fits all answer to that, but unfortunately, you have to know what you have.”

Maintaining the pasture is also an essential part to raising cows.

“It’s better to have multiple pastures, or at least break up pasture,” Robbins said. “You don’t want to continuously graze a certain area because that’s too much pressure on the grass and it won’t grow back.”

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9. Most cows need mineral supplements to stay healthy.

Quality forage will provide cows with the nutrients that they need. “If you’re solely doing grass-fed, it’s a good idea to have a high quality forage out there at all times and have a legume in with your normal grass,” Robbins said.

Robbins explained legumes like cow peas and crimson clover are good in the summer, and cold season legumes like hairy vetch will supplement pasture-fed cows in the winter.

Even if you plan to grass-feed your cows, use a soil test make sure your forage is providing them with all the minerals they need.

“If your ground is low in selenium, sulfur or zinc, you may be able to balance the minerals for your area,” Knight said. “The feed store would know that.”

If you are feeding your cow hay, you may need to get a nutrient analysis of your hay.

“All hay is different,” Robbins said. “Once you get your results back, you can chart it with the minimum nutrient requirements.”

Knight said that many cow owners forget to supplement their animals’ minerals. The required supplement depends on what you feed them and where you are located.

“If you want to do grain, then you need some kind of high-protein corn,” Knight explained. “Feed stores also have bags of minerals depending on where you’re located.”

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10. Fencing and housing is essential for cows.

Cows also require some infrastructure — namely, fencing around the pasture to keep them on your property. “You need to have good permanent fencing around pasture so you can keep in the cows,” Robbins said.

“Cows are big animals so they can knock over an ill-constructed fence very easily,” Knight added. Though cows are fairly hardy, they also need shelter to occasionally escape the elements. “The structure needs to have good ventilation,” Knight said. “They don’t have to have an insulated barn, but they do need a clean, dry place to lay in the winter time.”

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11. Cows need fresh water

Even though they are grazing animals, cows need a steady supply of fresh water. “Always make sure that they have access to fresh water,” Robbins said. “A lot of people just they can have them drink out of the ponds or streams, but that’s not good for the environment and that’s not fresh water, so it does affect them.”

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12. To learn even more things about raising cattle, it might be helpful to take a class with your local cooperative extension.

Knight recommended that farmers and homesteaders looking to raise cattle should participate in some kind of beef quality assurance training. Knight runs a course through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and other extension branches may have similar courses. “It is a good way for beginners to learn all the basics of cattle husbandry and record keeping Also, it has a low stress handling component associated with it,” Knight explained. “That’s a great opportunity to go over what cattle need and what to expect when raising cattle. ”

Even a basic level of rudimentary education about cattle husbandry will help you to better ensure animals on your farm are homestead are as healthy and happy as they can be.

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Article Source

Article by HomesteadingFamily

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There are many things I wished I knew before we started homesteading. These things would have made it easier when times were difficult or I felt like giving up. Hopefully these tips will help you wherever you are in your homestead journey.

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The Difference Between Simple & Easy

The first thing I wish I knew before homesteading was the difference between simple and easy.

The homesteading life is a very simple life in that it makes sense. You put your seeds in the ground, you harvest them and they go on your plate. In some ways, it’s extremely simple, but it doesn’t mean it’s easy.

It’s very easy to picture this homesteading life where you’re relaxing on the patio drinking coffee, listening to the rooster crow and watching your children playing out in the yard. But the reality is that homesteading takes a lot of work and a large commitment and, unless you’re intentional about it, there’s very little time for sitting and watching.

Homesteading is for people who really want to be involved in the here and now of their life to make things better for their families… even if it means a lot of work.

When I first started homesteading I had a bit of a misunderstanding between simple and easy. Yes, it’s a simple life, but it’s not always easy.

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Don’t Take On Too Much at Once

Taking on too much at once will always come back to haunt you. Right now there are a lot of people feeling the urgency to do more.

The reality is there’s a large learning curve to everything we do and every new skill we want to learn on the homestead. It’s important that you’re prepared for that.

Things can be really easy to get started, such as the garden, but once it gets into full swing it takes a lot more work to do all the harvesting and preserving on the other side. Start slowly, start methodically, and add on new skills only once you’ve mastered the previous skill.

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Bonding

When you work closely with friends or family on one specific task, then you get to celebrate the fruits of your labor together. That bonds people together in a way that’s rarely seen in today’s modern culture.

When you’ve struggled through bad weather, worked out in the hot sun, had to deal with problems or issues, and then you can sit down at the end of the day and enjoy the rewards of your work, that’s such an incredible feeling.

If I could have seen the relationships I would build with my children in the early days, when it was hard with small children and toddlers, it would have helped me get through those difficult seasons.

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A Little Bit Everyday Goes a Long Way

It’s so much easier doing a little bit every day instead of doing a large task all at once. You’ll get so much more done if you just commit to consistently doing a little bit each and every day.

It’s also easier to fit smaller tasks into a busy schedule when it’s broken up into shorter portions of time.

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The Importance of Managing the Home

One thing I wished I had realized earlier on is that if my household is not functioning on a basic level then it’s going to be very difficult to layer on animals, gardens, or other projects.

It wasn’t until our household was running smoothly that adding more tasks to the homestead wasn’t overwhelming. Make sure your household is running smoothly before adding in other projects.

Learning to homestead while on a budget is another important aspect of homestead management.

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The Flavor of Homegrown Food

I knew homesteading meant I would save money and get food that was healthier and more nutrient-dense than from the grocery store. But what I didn’t realize was how much better tasting the flavors of that food would be!

We can barely go to a restaurant now, even a high-end restaurant, knowing how much that dinner will cost us, and justify the expense of eating out when it just won’t taste as good as we can make it from home.

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Learning New Skills Takes Time

If you’re learning something new and feel like it’s taking a long time, that’s because it is. Learning new skills takes a while and it can be challenging. But once you learn that skill and it becomes routine, you’ll find it takes much less time out of your day and you don’t even remember the struggle of learning it.

Just know that once you get through the learning phase, the practice and execution of it ongoing won’t take as long. This is why I go back to tip #2 of not taking on too much at a time.

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The Importance of Good Infrastructure

Setting your homestead and household up the correct way using permaculture design principles does cost money and labor upfront, but in the long run, it will save you time, energy, and even money later on.

Things like hose bibs, fences, barns, outbuildings, the location of your garden, orchard, etc. These things all cost money to get set up the right way, but if you can do it right from the beginning, you’ll save yourself so much time and energy (and even money).

For example, if your animal’s feed isn’t convenient to where you feed the animals and it takes you a couple of extra minutes each day to feed them, then over the course of a year, you will have wasted hours of time!

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Character Building

As a kid, when you grow up on a homestead and you’re responsible for animals, gardens, and other chores, you learn a level of responsibility that’s rarely seen in today’s modern world.

My children are incredibly responsible people! They know how to cook, they know how to garden and to raise animals, and they also know how to problem solve.

Being on a homestead has created the opportunity for them to learn these skill sets and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. There are many reasons why you should start homesteading, and this is one of the biggest.

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The Need for Community

Finally, the last thing I wish I knew before we started homesteading was the importance and the need for community. Sometimes homesteading can feel lonely. A lot of times we homesteaders are doing what we’re doing because we feel very passionate about being resilient, more self-sufficient, etc., but that doesn’t mean the people around us share that same enthusiasm.

If you start talking to your friend about the latest thing you made, or the amazing herbs you’re growing and their eyes kind of gloss over, don’t get discouraged!

But let it help you realize that’s why it’s important to get plugged into a homesteading community where you can feel connected and supported, and fellowship with like-minded people.

It’s something I underestimated in my earlier years. I had no idea of the importance of the community aspect.

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Article Source: https://homesteadingfamily.com/10-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-i-started-homesteading/

Everyone probably should practice water conservation, whether there is a crisis or not or whether you live off grid or not. We are not here to tell you what to do, however, we only offer suggestions, but during a crisis you will need to know how to conserve your precious water or you may not survive, so why not start now so you do know what to do when the time comes.

Dried pasta is a staple that many people stockpile for emergencies, but it takes water to cook, or does it. Dried pasta is dehydrated of course, and thus, requires a liquid to reconstitute it so it can be eaten.

One way of cooking pasta without water is to let it simmer in the sauce. It will take longer, but this method works well. Simply pour whatever sauce you plan to use in a pot or even a slow cooker and turn on low heat. Once warmed add the pasta and let cook until done. The sauce may reduce, but you can add some wine, chicken or beef stock or a splash of water to add volume. You can use a skillet to cook pasta using just sauce or other liquids besides water, but it will require your constant attention until done.

You can cook pasta in any type of meat or vegetable stock or use wine as the liquid.

Maybe you don’t plan on using a sauce and do need to use water, but this does not mean that you have to pour the water down the drain when done, nor do you need to use as much as you think. You only need enough to cover the pasta, and you do not need to keep the water at a rolling boil, which will reduce the volume of water.

Save the water for making soups, cooking beans, vegetables or make gravy. The pasta in the water will act as a thickener so a cup of pasta water and some pan drippings adds up to thick, rich gravy.

You can steam vegetables at the same time you cook your pasta or potatoes. Place your vegetables in a metal colander and set over the pot of cooking pasta or potatoes. This saves on fuel and on water.

The starchy water can also be used to water plants after it has cooled to room temperature. Freeze the water for later use if you have to, but never pour it down the drain.

Boiling potatoes, or vegetables, save the water as well and use as described above.

Wash and rinse dishes without letting the water run. Some people will fill up one side of the sink with soapy water and wash their dishes and then allow the water to run in the other side of the sink as they rinse, water that is going down the drain. The rinse water going down the drain is being wasted. Use a dish tub to catch the rinse water and use to water your garden or to flush toilets. The soapy wash water is not recommended for watering plants, but gray water (rinse water) can be used to water the garden. Do not pour on the plants directly, but instead, allow the water to saturate the ground around the plants.

Rinsing produce, then catch the water in a tub or bowl and use to water plants and to flush toilets, as well. You can set aside a five-gallon bucket to collect water in and then carry to the garden or use to flush when you have collected enough.

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More On Boiling Water

As we stated above, you do not need to let your water rapid boil the entire time when cooking pasta, potatoes, or even beans. Simmering will get the job done, and you will use less water and fuel.

The steam rising is water going to waste so when cooking potatoes, pasta or other foods, bring the water to a boil and then reduce. Some people actually turn the heat off when the water reaches a boil and then they put the lid on the pot to allow the potatoes or pasta to cook in the hot water. However, this method is not precise, so it is recommended that you reduce the heat to a simmer. Keep an eye on the process, because there is no need to overcook. Keep in mind the less boiling you do the more fuel you will save.

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Source: https://prepforshtf.com/water-conservation-in-the-kitchen/

Without completely deforesting the whole area that is.

I'm on a journey of self-sufficiency with a focus on pre-Industrial skills. I gave making salted butter a try today, and it was fantastic!

I sourced the pasteurized heavy cream from my local farmer and bought a quart. I wound up making two batches. 12oz of cream yielded about 8oz of the butter. I do not have anything fancy and simply shook a mason jar for about 15 minutes. It took 10 minutes to go from cream to whipped cream. Once I got to the whipped cream stage, I felt stuck and slightly panicked because it is very difficult to continue shaking at that point and I thought I put too much cream in the jar. But, 5 minutes of effortful shaking later, the cream transformed into yellow butter! I was delighted and amazed. I used this guide but made some adjustments in the second batch, particularly adding salt to the initial cream and to the butter ball itself.

I made 1 pound of butter and I have about 8oz of cream remaining, but I will probably just use that in my desserts (I add cream to my raw milk and consider that a dessert haha). I think I will try making pancakes with the buttermilk tomorrow. The butter tastes fine, and I've gained a new skill. For hours after I made the butter, I felt a deeply seeded sense of joy akin to how I feel after giving it my all at the gym. Between learning how to make butter and moisturizer (I make a tallow-shea body butter), I feel further appreciation for the effort that is required to make everything. Human labor is invaluable. I plan to produce my butter from now on.

Having a garden can be a wonderful way to grow your own vegetables, beautify your property, or attract local wildlife. You can plant a large garden in your backyard, or you can plant a small garden if you have limited space. You can even plant a garden using nothing but containers. If you are thinking about starting a garden and you are not sure where to begin, then there are several things that might help. Consider different garden types, prepare your garden plot and tools, select your seeds and plants, and then plant your garden.

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Choosing a Type of Garden

Decide what you want to grow or do with your garden. There are many different types of gardens and uses for a garden, so think about what your ideal type of garden would provide. Some of the different types of gardens include:

• Vegetable garden. This may be the most popular and practical type of garden. By growing your own vegetables, you can save money and increase the number of fresh vegetables you eat.
• Flower garden. A flower garden adds beauty to your yard and it can be a relaxing escape for you. If you are mainly interested in beautifying your property, then a flower garden may be the best choice. You can plant perennials, annuals, or a mixed garden.
• Butterfly or hummingbird garden. You cannot grow butterflies or hummingbirds, but you can plant flowers that will attract them to your yard, like pollen-rich wildflowers, dill, fennel, and milkweed. A butterfly or hummingbird garden can be a great type of garden to plan with kids.
• Wildlife garden. A wildlife garden is one that helps to support the animals in your area by providing them with sources of food and shelter. These are typically plants that are native to your area, so you would need to learn what your native species are to plan your garden.

Consider how much space you have available. If you have lots of space, then you can plant a garden in the ground. If you have limited space or simply do not want to plant in the ground, then you can also plant a garden in containers. You can grow a variety of different plants in pots and keep them on a patio or in a sunny spot of your yard. Some plants even thrive in containers indoors, so using containers may also be ideal if you live in an apartment.

• If you live in an area with good soil that is not too rocky or sandy, then growing your garden in-ground is a good option.
• If growing your garden in-ground is not a viable choice, then consider buying containers to grow your plants in or building above ground beds. Above ground beds are great because they are easier on your back and can be moved around your yard if desired. Make sure the containers or beds are large enough for the plants you want to grow and that they have good drainage.
• If you are limited on space, but still want to have your garden outside, then you can grow a vertical garden. These types of gardens use small planters or stacked crates and upright-growing plants.

Determine how much sun your plants will get. Many plants require around 6 to 8 hours of full sun to thrive. If you do not have an area that will provide this much sun, then you can still plant a garden. You will just have to choose plants that thrive in the shade or with less sun.

• Try checking the area where you plan to grow your garden a few times per day on a sunny day to see how long the sun is shining in that area. For example, you could check at 7am, 11am, 2pm, and 5pm, and make a note if the sun is shining on that area around that time. If the sun is shining on an area during two or three of your checks, then sun-loving plants will probably thrive there.

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Preparing Your Garden Plot and Tools

Choose a plot. Location is important when you are planning your garden. Most importantly, determine if the area you want to use gets enough sun. Then, consider if the size is appropriate for what you want to do with it and also consider how you will water this garden. You should either be able to pull a hose over to it if it is a large garden, or be able to carry a full watering can to it if it is smaller.

• If you are going to be growing a container garden, it is still important to identify a suitable area to place the containers. The area should have good sunlight, enough room for the plants to grow upwards, and they should be easy to transport to a source of water or located somewhere that is convenient to bring water to them.

Test the soil. Good soil will have an adequate amount of lime, phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. Find out how much of each you have in your soil, and what you need to add more of to get the best growing plants. If you are planting a container garden, then you don’t need to worry about this. You can just use potting soil that is appropriate for the type of plants you will be growing.

• You can purchase an at-home soil testing kit from many hardware and garden stores. Follow the directions to find out the properties of your garden soil.
• You can take soil samples from around your garden and have them sent to your local state-certified soil testing lab or university extension service, and for a small fee they will lab-test your soil and send you the results within a week. This is much easier than testing the soil yourself, but it does cost more.
• Take multiple soil samples from around your garden to make sure that you are getting accurate test results.
• Test your soil’s pH to see if you need to make changes to balance it. To do this, use a pH testing kit or make your own test at home and check the soil from your garden. Certain plants prefer different pH levels, but it is best to have soil that is as close to neutral - a pH of 7 - as possible.

Prepare your soil. Once you have your soil and pH tests completed, ready your soil by adding the necessary nutrients to help your plants grow.

• Add organic matter to help enrich your soil with nutrients. You can use compost (from your own compost pile, if you have one), decomposing leaves, peat moss, or decomposed animal manure. All of these are available for purchase at local gardening centers if you don’t have easy access to them.
• Add fertilizer to your soil to help substitute in nitrogen, phosphorous, or potassium that you may be lacking. The label on the fertilizer bag will tell you exactly how much of each of these nutrients is present. The numbers 5-10-5, for example, tells you that the fertilizer contains 5% nitrogen, 10% phosphorous, and 5% potassium.
• Following the results of your pH test, if your soil is alkaline (above 7), try adding lime or wood ash to neutralize it. If your soil is acidic (below 7), add peat moss or decomposing leaves. Depending on what plants you want to grow you may not need to alter the pH. It is easier to grow plants that will survive in the existing soil.

Research your area. It is important to find out information about growing conditions in your area. Look online, speak to a local garden consultant, or call your cooperative extension service.

• Find out when frosts start and end on average, so you know the right time to plant. Planting too early or too late can kill your seeds or plants, so it is vital to know when the best time to start is.
• Learn about local weather patterns that might impact your garden.
• Look-up the best time to harvest your fruits, berries, and vegetables in your area. Some of these may be straightforward, but some plants require a little more know-how about when the best time to harvest them is.
• Make a schedule of when each of your specific plants needs to be planted based on their habitat requirement and growing needs. Some plants may need to be started very early in the season, while others may not need planting until the summer.

Gather your tools. To make gardening as easy and relaxing as possible, it is important that you have all the right tools. Use a shovel, gloves, gardening trowel, a garden fork, baskets or buckets to hold weeds, and a watering can at least. You can purchase other tools, but it is not necessary for a small to medium sized garden.

• For a large garden you may also need to purchase a wheelbarrow, rakes and hoes, loppers, and a post-hole digger.
• Look into installing an automatic sprinkler system if you don’t have time or the ability to hand-water your garden.

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Selecting Your Seeds and Plants

Determine if you want to start your garden from seeds. Many plants do well when you start them from seeds. Check your local garden center for seed packets and look at the label to see how long they take to grow, when is the best time to plant them, and how much water they need.

• Growing from seed can take anywhere from one to four months depending on what you are growing, so it is important to plan ahead.
• Growing from seeds is the cheapest option, as a pack of seeds costs only a few dollars or cents. Full grown plants purchased from a gardening store can cost anywhere from $1 to $50 each.
• Growing from seed has the advantage of allowing you to start the seed in a container and keep it indoors or put it right into the ground. However, planting a seed in a container and starting it indoors may result in a healthier plant than starting outdoors in the ground. It may also provide your plant with an earlier start since you will not have to wait for the last frost.

Consider transplanting mature plants. The benefit of transplanting a mature plant into your soil or container is that it is already partially grown and will bear fruit sooner. The plant will also be more likely to survive and thrive. Transplanting mature plants takes only a few minutes of work once the rest of your garden has been prepped.

• Check your local garden store for mature plants and make sure to check the tags on the plants to determine if they will work for the type of garden you are planning.

Check out flower bulbs. If you choose to grow flowers, you also have the option of planting bulbs. Bulbs are easy to plant, and some of them (the perennials) will come back every year. Some bulbs are annuals and will need to be replanted every year.

• Keep in mind that bulbs only bloom for a few weeks at a time.
• Check your local garden store for bulbs that you can plant in your garden and enjoy year after year, such as tulips, daffodils and alliums.

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Planting Your Garden

Arrange your plants. Choose where you want each plant to go in your garden. Keep in mind the amount of sunlight they need and the overall size they will grow. Starting with small plants can be misleading, as some may get very large and eventually need bigger plots or containers.

• Typically it is safe to give about 10 inches (25.4 cm) of spacing between each plant, but make sure to read the seed package or tag on the plants to see how much room they will need.
• You will also want to leave enough space between rows so that you will be able to walk between them. Plan to leave about 18 inches (45.7 cm) between rows.
• Try to keep your plants in groups by variety. For example, you can plant all of your vegetables in the same section of your garden, and keep your flowers or berries in another section.
• Find out which plants will grow the tallest, as they will create shade over time and should only be planted near other plants that will also grow tall, or near plants that require less sunlight and more shade.

Plant your seeds or plants. Using the arrangement you have devised, place each plant in the garden. Dig a hole twice the size and the same depth as the root ball, or as indicated on your seed packet. The depth will vary anywhere from 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) to 2 inches (5.1 cm) for seed depth depending on what you are planting. It does not matter if you are planting in a container or in the ground. Use the depth guidelines provided on the seed packet.

• Don’t dig a hole that is too deep. Only dig far enough to allow room for all of the roots without covering up the stem or leaves. The soil in the ground should be level with the soil of the plant you are planting.
• Gently set each plant into its hole, so as to not damage any part of it. Use your fingers or a trowel to slowly scoop dirt back into the hole over the roots. If the plant you are planting is root bound, meaning the roots are wrapping around the container, gently massage and loosen them before planting. This will help the plant roots spread out into the surrounding soil instead of continuing to wrap around the root ball, choking itself out.

Add mulch. Getting as many nutrients into the soil as you are able will help your plants to grow full and healthy. Mulch will help with this and it will also help to prevent weeds from growing. Spread mulch between each of the plants in a layer about one inch thick.

• For vegetables, add straw or decomposed leaves as mulch around your plants for the best results.
• Flowers do well with wood chips or bark as mulch.

Water your plants. The first few weeks after planting should have a bit more water to help the roots to get settled. Avoid over watering, though, by flooding the top layer of your garden. You only need to provide about one inch of water per week, so you may not need to water your garden at all if it rains.

• Use a watering can or a spray attachment to your hose to water the plants. Water them from high up, so that you don’t damage any of their leaves or stalks.
• After a few days of watering 1-2 times daily, you can water less often. Move to watering once every two days or so.

Keep an eye on your garden and weed it regularly. Once your garden is settled, give it time to grow. A healthy garden will last several seasons if it is properly taken care of. Make sure to check your garden for weeds on a regular basis and pull out any weeds you spot.

Consider putting up a fence. If you are growing a vegetable garden, then you may want to put up a fence around it to protect it from wildlife. This is not absolutely necessary, but it can help if you find that you have frequent invaders.

• Keep in mind that deer can jump very high. Your fence will need to be at least 8 feet (2.4 m) high to prevent them from jumping into your garden.

Harvest your garden. When your garden has grown to maturity, harvest the fruits of your labor. Carefully pick or cut vegetables, berries, herbs, and flowers for use in your own home. Or, simply enjoy walking and relaxing in your garden if you have created it to beautify your property.

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