Homesteading

[CGilbert]

I would go with the farm/cattle. If you're able to breed cattle (or really any animal), that'll be a good place to start for making money back. Once you have started turning a profit from breeding (or farming, although farmers markets aren't as profitable as one might think), then you may be able/want to quit your job.

 

[abbygibson1212]

I think I'm going to hold off on the cattle.. At least for now. I'm still young and I'm very indecisive, so I don't want to buy a whole bunch and then change my mind. On the other hand, I was considering breeding dogs, and I know some people frown upon this, I personally even think it's wrong if you're doing mixed breed/ "designer" dogs, but I have bred before and would like to again. I've gotten the whole "there's so many dogs that need rescued" speech before. But if breeders quit breeding then what will happen to the purebred dogs? For example the otterhound.. It is getting pretty close to going extinct, if people get worked up about certain breeds of hippos, etc. going extinct, why not certain breeds of dogs? Anyways, sorry for the rant. But I know people will tell you "if you breed dogs it will cost you money not make you money" but I simply think breeders say that to deter compitition and backyard breeders from happening. I know from experience that you can take great care of your dogs, get all the proper vaccinations and health tests, and still make a profit, be it a small profit but still. Just something I was thinking on since it wouldn't be so expensive to start and won't require using my grandparents land. I've thought lots into breeding dogs, cats, cows, horses, goats, rabbits etc and it's hard to decide what the right choice is. Although I can say I've weeded out horses because that is an expensive endeavor

 

[Baymule]

You go girl! Good for you. I think it wise to keep a part time job because there is always something you need money for. If you don't need everything you get paid, then sock it back because there will be something come along and claim it. Always better to have a nest egg to get you through emergencies. You might want to research raising chickens. You get eggs to sell, meat, and baby chicks. What is the market in your area? Cattle take a LOT of room and are big to handle. Not to discourage you, but you might want to consider goats or sheep because they are smaller and can be easier to handle.

If you want to raise a lot of your animal feed, look into mangel beets www.rareseeds.com they have several different fodder type beets. Also look into pumpkins and winter squash. Both keep well in the winter and are easy to raise. It would not make a complete ration, but it would help on the feed bill. Also Daikon long root radish, the greens as well as the radish are good feed. www.bountifulgardens.com has grain seed. They carry a lot of the old heritage seed. While you wouldn't get a lot in a seed package, if you raised it one year, the next year you could plant a pretty good patch.

If you put a metal roof on your small house, get a heat barrier. It is available from places that sell metal roofing. It will make a 15 to 20 degree difference. If you build it with a gambrel barn type roof, you can make the loft your bedroom.

Mosey on over to the easy garden forum, link at bottom of page, for anything you want to know about raising a garden. Lots of good info there and the people are very helpful. You could plant permanent plantings such as fruit and nut trees, berries and grapes. Then plant your annual vegetables and you would eat like a queen.

We are raising 3 pigs right now, they are going to slaughter in a few weeks. One is ours, the other two are sold. You night raise a couple of pigs the first year, just to check your expenses, then do custom raising for people who want good meat. That's where a big garden comes in handy!

 

[abbygibson1212]

I think I'm headed in the right direction then! I'm doing a barn style roof, and my dad and his Amish friend are building if for me, they said they were gonna insulate it real good for me and I could probably heat it with one space heater. And believe me, I've already got chickens!

 

[MoonShadows]

I have to say I am dizzy after reading your posts. You sound like someone who wants to jump into a plan of what you perceive as an idyllic lifestyle, have it all figured out, with little knowledge of the realities or practicalities of this lifestyle. Slow down and try to make one decision and take one step at a time. Homesteading for a simpler, self-sustaining, more natural and peaceful existence is a journey, not a destination. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[abbygibson1212]

Okay, so wanted to update this, i slowed things down a bit and made some different decisions. I bought a camper (I'm gonna reno it a little, paint and new cushions), I also got a milk cow, although she's a baby so it'll be a while on the milk, got a few more chickens, and planted a nice big garden which is doing really well. So it's becoming clearer what I want, and I'm trying to figure out how to achieve it. I've got plenty of money left, given that my camper and cow were cheap, and I would like to buy five acres or so becuase I'm not opposed to living in a camper on it, i just think it may be hard to find some land that already has a well and septic. I'm thinking as part of my income I could board a couple of horses, I also have two of my own horses, so I have to take that into consideration for my bills now. I'm just trying to figure out this whole tax thing before I make any big decisions. Would 2 horses, 1 cow, and 12 chickens warrant a tax wright off? Lol. I don't have a clue about taxes. I've still got some little kinks to work out but at least I'm heading in the right direction finally. Although, I'd save a lot of money if I didn't love horses so darned much.
Oh, and one big annoying thing that I have to worry about is how to pay health insurance! It's so expensive, and that fact that it's mandatory makes trying to live simple pretty difficult.