Homesteading "off the grid"

[NostalgicGranny]

Solar power would be nice . . . but the start up costs are too much.

 

[NostalgicGranny]

Does anyone else here have animals?

We have 6 acres - our little hobby farm. 7 goats, 2 potbellied pigs, 4 range chickens (2 roosters, and 2 hens), 2 ducks, 4 dogs, a cat, and a stocked pond. We had more chickens and ducks but believe the coyotes got them. We also have a small garden that is frying in this 100+ degree heat we have been having here in Texas this week.

Who has a vegtable garden this year?

 

[NostalgicGranny]

If there is enough support for a homsteading forum they say they will create one. Check it out here:
http://christianforums.com/showthread.php?t=7219271

 

[Henaynei]

I have no room or ability to truly homestead, but am developing relationship with local homesteaders and CSAs to try to bring my living closer to where I live

 

[morningstar2651]

Solar power would be nice . . . but the start up costs are too much.

http://www.virtualsecrets.com/build-a-solar-panel.html

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate how to build a solar panel from individual components (not to mention that I was curious). With the correct components, the cost of constructing a solar panel with longevity against environmental degredation can cost up to 60% less than commercial solar panels of the same Watt rating (not to mention that what you create, based on your assessment of the environment a solar panel would be used in, could actually be more resiliant than a "cookie cutter" manufactured solar panel).

 

[PastorJim]

It can be. From what I understand their are varying levels of "homesteading".

"Off the grid" usually refers to not using things like public utilities, I think. Mom and Dad have been doing this stuff since the mid to late 80's, but I've just now started reading up on what other people call it... so I don't know all of the proper terminology.

My folks are homesteading. Since I was kid they have been pretty consistantly living in a very small shack with no plumbing (or electricity for most of the time... the did have it for a couple of years when I was a teen). They usualy keep sheep and goats, grow a big garden, and make a lot of their own furniture, too.

We're not homesteaders, but we are "off the grid".

When we bought our farm, there was an old granary next to the water that I converted into a shop.

After about two years, I realized that it was much too big for what I needed for my shop, but just right to convert into a house for my growing family.

So we refitted it to become a house and it's been a fantastic home for us. The thing is, the power company would not run lines out to it so we had to come up with our own power. We started experimenting with solar and now, every building on our farm is solar powered.

We grow/catch/kill 90% of our food and barter for the other 10%.

There are several mom and pop places and Amish markets here so I have a deal with several of them to barter fresh produce for dry goods.

I make a good living owning my own business, but we barter for most everything we have. My oldest daughter is about to start driving so I poured a driveway for one of my neighbors in return for an old truck that my son and I are fixing up for her and plan to give it to her on her birthday.

I bought an old lawnmower at a flea market for twenty dollars, put some new spark plugs in it and traded it for a bicycle and a brand new window unit air conditioner.

We're pretty self reliant. We have our gardens, the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay and the rivers around us, as well as two fully stocked private ponds.

 

[fivepointTULIP]

I have done the homesteading thing, not to a completely off the grid point, but close enough that I know I CAN do that if I want. I enjoy it.

But I think I may be a big-city girl trapped in a homesteader's body!

 

[gladtobefound]

Well if you read a post I wrote on another thread in response to fly fishing you will see that I am interested in living off the grid. In that reply I wrote about finding me a wife and getting me a wood burning stove and oil lamps..and it was not in jest. I would really love to live such a simple life.

 

[TheChristianSurvivalGuide]

I am just wondering if there is anyone here who is into homesteading, voluntary simplicity, or living "off the grid".

I definitely am and aim to be fairly self-sufficient on a homestead inside of five years. Currently I strive towards preparedness and risk mitigations until such a time as God allows me to be truly self-reliant.

Check out my site for articles on preparedness principles, some gear reviews and the like! I'm just starting out so feel free to throw some criticism my way.

 

[cobweb]

I definitely am and aim to be fairly self-sufficient on a homestead inside of five years. Currently I strive towards preparedness and risk mitigations until such a time as God allows me to be truly self-reliant.

Check out my site for articles on preparedness principles, some gear reviews and the like! I'm just starting out so feel free to throw some criticism my way.

I appologize, but my folks are pacifists and absolutely not interested in stockpiling weapons. We ran into quite a few militia-types in the late 80s and they aren't really into that at all.

 

[TheChristianSurvivalGuide]

Well for one, I'm not a miltia-type and I don't "stockpile" weapons. Secondly, survivalism and preparedness is so much more than the Rambo mentality.

And lastly, nothing to be sorry about. Your choice is yours alone. So long as your choice or action does not victimize another, there is no quarrel with me.

 

[silence_dogood]

I appologize, but my folks are pacifists and absolutely not interested in stockpiling weapons. We ran into quite a few militia-types in the late 80s and they aren't really into that at all.

How on Earth did you get that out of his post?

 

[silence_dogood]

Well for one, I'm not a miltia-type and I don't "stockpile" weapons.

Agreed. I collect weapons because I appreciate their historical significance, but I don't see how that's "stockpiling". If it is, then I guess I'm "stockpiling" pinball machines and guitars, since I collect those as well.

Secondly, survivalism and preparedness is so much more than the Rambo mentality.

Actually, they're two very different things. In fact, if you ever spend some time in prepper communities, then you know that those sort of people are usually mocked pretty unmercifully.

 

[cobweb]

How on Earth did you get that out of his post?

I did what he asked and checked out his site.

 

[silence_dogood]

I did what he asked and checked out his site.

So did I and there was nothing there at all about militias or stockpiling weapons. In fact, he appears to be linked with Jack Spirko and Survival Podcast, which does not support militias or stockpiling weapons, so I'll ask you again: how on Earth did you get that out of his post?

 

[TheChristianSurvivalGuide]

Well in all honesty I am confused as to how you get to thinking I am a militia-type. Beats me, but oh well. Think what you will.

Silence - you're so right when you say there is a division between survivalism and preparedness. I just don't want to have to break into professor mode to explain it all.

I have started a new forum specifically tailored to Christian Preppers at my site. CF will not allow a link to be posted so you'll have to PM me for a link or Google search - The Christian Survival Guide .

 

[TheChristianSurvivalGuide]

Oh, and TCSG is not part of the survival podcast though Jack Spirko was the direct inspiration for the site and I am active in the TSP forum community, amongst others.

 

[from scratch]

I requested a homesteading forum and they referred me to the gardening forum. I told them it was not quite the same thing. They don't think there is enough interest in that sort of thing. It is in the suggest new forum section: Homesteading/Farming forum - Christian Forums
It would be helpful if anyone else who was interested said so.

Would love to hear about your soap making. I have played around with it a little myself.

I am not sure if I could provide a link to a homesteading site I like and participate in. One can find it at homesteading today dot com - all one word. I find it pretty complete.

 

[from scratch]

If there is enough support for a homsteading forum they say they will create one. Check it out here:
Homesteading/Farming forum - Christian Forums

what is enough interest? A christian site would not be where I would go for the subject matter. Most folks here are city rats. I am still working on clearing my place. Making great progress. I'll plant paper shell pecan in the spring. Had a single cherry 'mator plant cover more than 25 sq ft. Oinions didn't do great, but hear lots of people had oinion problems this year. You should see my finished compost reserve pile. I get all I can haul home free from a near by city. While supplies last of course.

 

[RedLioness]

I am just wondering if there is anyone here who is into homesteading, voluntary simplicity, or living "off the grid".

I just told dad what you aid. He is interested in emergency amenities.