Homesteaders

[Wolfstead]

I'm a future homesteader. We have 100 Acer's but there's currently nothing out there. We are gardening now and growing lots of veggies and fruits, but unfortunately, we are limited on space and can't have livestock or birds in the city. But we're trying to absorb as much information as possible so we can hopefully get out there in a few years. We plan on having a large flock of chickens, guineas, goats, pigs, deer (for hunting) and a large pond that will feed an aquaponics system with a few types of fish. We already have a small system now and are going to do tilapia. I can't wait!

 

[wyoDreamer]

@Wolfstead I am curious, what state is your land in? or rather, what type of climate?
You have an ambitious plan, good luck!

 

[Wolfstead]

Yeah it is ambitious, very ambitious, but we're in it for the long haul so no matter how long it takes, we're determined to get there. And we know we won't be able to do everything all at once but we are going to do as much as we can as soon as we can. We are in Texas. It's really hot and dry, which is why we are doing a lot of the plants in an aquaponics system and going to be doing things to fix our rather poor soul. One of the first structures we plan on building out there is a green house with an automated water system so we can get things growing before we ever actually make the move. We don't live too far from the land so we can go and tend to things when we need too, just not every day. That's another reason that we are trying to grow as much here as we can and learn as much as we can before we go out there. We're working on growing and preserving as much as we can here and not only learning what we need to do, but practicing what we can as well. We won't make the move till we're as prepared as we possibly can be. We're hoping to be able to move in 3 years, but we know it may take longer and that's fine. Again, we're in it for the long haul.

 

[lazy gardener]

You might like to view the Back to Eden film. The guy who pioneered this method (Paul) was gardening in an area that was very dry, and he found this method solved many problems associated with dry areas. It also works well in just about any climate.

 

[Wolfstead]

That sounds familiar, I think my husband was talking about that. He's the one that's dealing with most of the stuff to do with fixing the soil and building the structures and I'm doing most of the research on the animal's and things like that. I'll definitely look into it though! Thank you! He is also looking into permaculture and...Well, I can't remember exactly what it was called, but it's a way to reverse desertification. Lol Again, that's more his area of expertise.

 

[Maeschak]

Yup, and I know you will be especially excited about this... she's a registered dexter!! She's the long leg type, polled, dun in color (but carries both black and red) and cute as can be. We've got big plans for her here! She'll be my old horse's full time companion (our steer "graduates" this fall), a momma cow, and share some milk with us.

Man, I have been wanting Dexter's for a few years now.! Where did you find her? I have been looking at all sorts of places in MD, VA, WV, etc

 

[Kiki]

Man, I have been wanting Dexter's for a few years now.! Where did you find her? I have been looking at all sorts of places in MD, VA, WV, etc

check this out:
http://www.dextercattle.org/pdf/member_list/mem_list.pdf

 

[wyoDreamer]

check this out:
http://www.dextercattle.org/pdf/member_list/mem_list.pdf

Thanks for the reference!

 

[Maeschak]

check this out:
http://www.dextercattle.org/pdf/member_list/mem_list.pdf

Thanks so much- I have been all over the Dexter boards for awhile now but don't think I have ever seen the member list.... so thanks!

 

[lazy gardener]

That sounds familiar, I think my husband was talking about that. He's the one that's dealing with most of the stuff to do with fixing the soil and building the structures and I'm doing most of the research on the animal's and things like that. I'll definitely look into it though! Thank you! He is also looking into permaculture and...Well, I can't remember exactly what it was called, but it's a way to reverse desertification. Lol Again, that's more his area of expertise.

BTE will be right up your alley. I believe that the reversal of desertification involves using livestock to fertilize the soil. Symbiotic relationship between the livestock fertilizing the soil, and renewal of grass lands in conjunction with the livestock. Getting away from the feed lot mentality. You might want to talk to Short Grass. She's got a lot of useful information.