Highly interested in this topic. I am currently working a fulltime job and starting a homestead. We are approximately 1 year in though we had rabbits and chickens before we started. I heard when you begin a homestead you need to get the orchard going asap. We did plant the most mature trees one can purchase and younger trees in addition to berries of all types. I got over 20+ berry bushes and adding to them through my connections. Homeschooling and living off one income while doing these things on Biden's economy is tougher everyday, forcing me to work overtime which then takes me away from homestead 'projects'. Northwestern Missouri isn't the best paying area in the country but cost of living is a lot lower than most, kinda evens out.
I guess, if there were grants, people who donate to such projects (Givesendgo?) to get these things off the ground faster then I would appreciate that knowledge. The goal being of course to move towards making the homestead a fulltime gig versus working offsite. Then being able to barter with other community of farmers would be an additional bonus.
We tried four trees for maple syrup but two died. Batting .500! Never have enough time for the first project let alone doing a project over (a redo). Don't have goats. Trying to establish the fence-line more and more. We made a lot of progress the first year but there seems to be so many more, solar, harvesting water, growing crops, etc.
Chickens, pigs, geese, ducks, rabbits are our animal kingdom. We are gonna try game hens for the first time in a couple of months....there are deer on the property to add to the freezer. Thought this would help in the discussion/curriculum.
You are in a tough spot, a trap if you will. Most of our early investments addressed an objective in common, reducing our long term cost of living. Heating with wood (the outdoor wood boiler), and heating water with an on-demand water heater, are two solid examples. The latest in that line, and one of the last, I hope, is producing our own electricity (the whole-house solar system). Admittedly, these represent investments; the water heater is relatively small (hundreds of dollars), and the boiler and solar systems (tens of thousands of dollars) relatively large. But what they all do is reduce our future ongoing expenses, which reduces the amount of dollars we need to earn, which reduces the need to work off-farm. Of course growing your own food, as you are doing, is a means to the same end. Another possibility is production of a "cash crop." I consider the sawmill business to be a homestead-based cash crop, maple syrup to be sure, meat sales, and even this substack. So be on the lookout for those types of opportunities. Or, develop those opportunities. And if you haven't read "The Nourishing Homestead" by Ben Hewitt, I highly recommend it; if nothing else it is inspirational. The Resilient Farm and Homestead by Ben Falk is also outstanding.
I've never heard of maple syrup from Missouri, which is probably why you're having such difficulty! We did plant fruit trees and shrubs our first year in permanent residence, 2016. The peach bore fruit first, maybe 3 years after planting, then the Asian pears; we are still waiting on the elderberries and plums.
If you go way back, there was a farmer for every 1.4 citizens...hmmm. I call those early U.S. farmers "subsistence plus" farmers. Our pigs are good example: It takes no more time to raise 3 pigs than one, and we take $400 down before we raise a pig for sale, which covers the feed costs. So, in the same amount of time, and with no money out of pocket, you have provided for your own subsistence, and, you have something of a "cash crop" for sale, 2 pigs in this case.
Thank you for the recommendation on the book. While I have solar on-hand....I would not be able to do a whole house. We did invest in a wood stove and it remains one of the projects. Offsetting costs like harvesting water is a project of which I have most of the means to accomplish, but still need a few pvc pipes to connect the totes & barrels.
I have heard pigs are mortgage savers....so waiting to breed the two and get off the ground with that which will be a 'cash crop'. We are enjoying the process and we go as the Lord leads.
One of the things that never seem to be discussed is the two steps forward and two steps back that seem to regularly occur. I think one thing is accomplished and then I have to revisit it again. Chicken coop, or fencing, or whatever the issue....I can see the spiritual struggle more firsthand here than anywhere else.
One of the keys lately has been to be restored by the Word. the 'joy o the Lord is my strength' and another post i had concerning Isaiah's discussing from 30:21-22 if I remember correctly. Seeing the 'Teacher' and learning the lessons the first time is something I have been praying. The struggles will always be there, but how I handle them is going to get us further than actually learning from the struggle. I am not one to enjoy the mental side of this battle, so I need the Lord's strength to get us through the daily grind. I am amazed at how quickly we accomplished a lot in one year, so praise the Lord for His support.
It is amazing what can be accomplished when you persist in putting one foot in front of the other. And I'm with you on the two steps back; I have done that, but basically because I did not read and follow Salatin's instructions in Polyface Designs! Ha! Fencing, and water (without hauling), those are two of the first steps in not going backwards. That book by the way, is worth its weight in gold, I kid you not. Not just the designs, but the knowledge Joel passes along in the text accompanying the designs; not to be missed.
I see a few of his videos and have been impressed with his operation thus far. WhiteHouseonaHill are a family that attends my church here. I try not to bug them but they have some 'cash' crops of their own. Worth watching on youtube.
I have crossed paths as we both at one time or another taught classes. There is a relational aspect I can utilize there for sure. The youtube business alone for them brings in a ton of revenue from my understanding. With that said, the negative side to the youtube business complicates matters as they are inundated with the questions I would ask. Might be time to enter that realm a bit though.
I am seeing the fallout from the DC scum, but I know your state is seeing it from instate scum. That's gotta add some stress. I am seeing the illegal aspect up here even. these lines of communication need to get bigger between like-minded folk.
You are not alone! I and my small family are doing the “same kind of different” as you. Different details, same struggles and goals. We make every effort to keep perspective and trust the process, because the frustrations are plenty and the time/energy limited. He knows, He is in control, and He is coming back.
Highly interested in this topic. I am currently working a fulltime job and starting a homestead. We are approximately 1 year in though we had rabbits and chickens before we started. I heard when you begin a homestead you need to get the orchard going asap. We did plant the most mature trees one can purchase and younger trees in addition to berries of all types. I got over 20+ berry bushes and adding to them through my connections. Homeschooling and living off one income while doing these things on Biden's economy is tougher everyday, forcing me to work overtime which then takes me away from homestead 'projects'. Northwestern Missouri isn't the best paying area in the country but cost of living is a lot lower than most, kinda evens out.
I guess, if there were grants, people who donate to such projects (Givesendgo?) to get these things off the ground faster then I would appreciate that knowledge. The goal being of course to move towards making the homestead a fulltime gig versus working offsite. Then being able to barter with other community of farmers would be an additional bonus.
We tried four trees for maple syrup but two died. Batting .500! Never have enough time for the first project let alone doing a project over (a redo). Don't have goats. Trying to establish the fence-line more and more. We made a lot of progress the first year but there seems to be so many more, solar, harvesting water, growing crops, etc.
Chickens, pigs, geese, ducks, rabbits are our animal kingdom. We are gonna try game hens for the first time in a couple of months....there are deer on the property to add to the freezer. Thought this would help in the discussion/curriculum.
You are in a tough spot, a trap if you will. Most of our early investments addressed an objective in common, reducing our long term cost of living. Heating with wood (the outdoor wood boiler), and heating water with an on-demand water heater, are two solid examples. The latest in that line, and one of the last, I hope, is producing our own electricity (the whole-house solar system). Admittedly, these represent investments; the water heater is relatively small (hundreds of dollars), and the boiler and solar systems (tens of thousands of dollars) relatively large. But what they all do is reduce our future ongoing expenses, which reduces the amount of dollars we need to earn, which reduces the need to work off-farm. Of course growing your own food, as you are doing, is a means to the same end. Another possibility is production of a "cash crop." I consider the sawmill business to be a homestead-based cash crop, maple syrup to be sure, meat sales, and even this substack. So be on the lookout for those types of opportunities. Or, develop those opportunities. And if you haven't read "The Nourishing Homestead" by Ben Hewitt, I highly recommend it; if nothing else it is inspirational. The Resilient Farm and Homestead by Ben Falk is also outstanding.
I've never heard of maple syrup from Missouri, which is probably why you're having such difficulty! We did plant fruit trees and shrubs our first year in permanent residence, 2016. The peach bore fruit first, maybe 3 years after planting, then the Asian pears; we are still waiting on the elderberries and plums.
If you go way back, there was a farmer for every 1.4 citizens...hmmm. I call those early U.S. farmers "subsistence plus" farmers. Our pigs are good example: It takes no more time to raise 3 pigs than one, and we take $400 down before we raise a pig for sale, which covers the feed costs. So, in the same amount of time, and with no money out of pocket, you have provided for your own subsistence, and, you have something of a "cash crop" for sale, 2 pigs in this case.
Not that you asked, but those are some thoughts.
Thank you for the recommendation on the book. While I have solar on-hand....I would not be able to do a whole house. We did invest in a wood stove and it remains one of the projects. Offsetting costs like harvesting water is a project of which I have most of the means to accomplish, but still need a few pvc pipes to connect the totes & barrels.
I have heard pigs are mortgage savers....so waiting to breed the two and get off the ground with that which will be a 'cash crop'. We are enjoying the process and we go as the Lord leads.
One of the things that never seem to be discussed is the two steps forward and two steps back that seem to regularly occur. I think one thing is accomplished and then I have to revisit it again. Chicken coop, or fencing, or whatever the issue....I can see the spiritual struggle more firsthand here than anywhere else.
One of the keys lately has been to be restored by the Word. the 'joy o the Lord is my strength' and another post i had concerning Isaiah's discussing from 30:21-22 if I remember correctly. Seeing the 'Teacher' and learning the lessons the first time is something I have been praying. The struggles will always be there, but how I handle them is going to get us further than actually learning from the struggle. I am not one to enjoy the mental side of this battle, so I need the Lord's strength to get us through the daily grind. I am amazed at how quickly we accomplished a lot in one year, so praise the Lord for His support.
It is amazing what can be accomplished when you persist in putting one foot in front of the other. And I'm with you on the two steps back; I have done that, but basically because I did not read and follow Salatin's instructions in Polyface Designs! Ha! Fencing, and water (without hauling), those are two of the first steps in not going backwards. That book by the way, is worth its weight in gold, I kid you not. Not just the designs, but the knowledge Joel passes along in the text accompanying the designs; not to be missed.
I see a few of his videos and have been impressed with his operation thus far. WhiteHouseonaHill are a family that attends my church here. I try not to bug them but they have some 'cash' crops of their own. Worth watching on youtube.
I’m sure they would appreciate your questions and you; my unsolicited advice is to let the questions fly!
I have crossed paths as we both at one time or another taught classes. There is a relational aspect I can utilize there for sure. The youtube business alone for them brings in a ton of revenue from my understanding. With that said, the negative side to the youtube business complicates matters as they are inundated with the questions I would ask. Might be time to enter that realm a bit though.
I am seeing the fallout from the DC scum, but I know your state is seeing it from instate scum. That's gotta add some stress. I am seeing the illegal aspect up here even. these lines of communication need to get bigger between like-minded folk.
You are not alone! I and my small family are doing the “same kind of different” as you. Different details, same struggles and goals. We make every effort to keep perspective and trust the process, because the frustrations are plenty and the time/energy limited. He knows, He is in control, and He is coming back.