Is anybody here doing homesteading / hobby farming?
directory.google.com/Top/Hom...teading/
How much self-sufficiency is too much? Would anyone here actually make their own soap? What about plowing a field with horses instead of using a tractor? Sewing your own clothes?
I like some of their ideas, but I think I would keep some modern conveniences... such as the computer for one. And I certainly can't see myself sewing my own clothes :)
directory.google.com/Top/Hom...teading/
How much self-sufficiency is too much? Would anyone here actually make their own soap? What about plowing a field with horses instead of using a tractor? Sewing your own clothes?
I like some of their ideas, but I think I would keep some modern conveniences... such as the computer for one. And I certainly can't see myself sewing my own clothes :)
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Re: Homesteading?
Mon, April 19, 2004 - 7:18 PMa mule/jackass is abetter animal plowing aid.....stronger and better work ethic..not that i ever used one to plow with..but some of older relatives did. -
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Re: Homesteading?
Tue, May 3, 2005 - 5:12 PMHey is any one out there? We have a 5 1/2 acre hobby farm with a horse, chickens and a peacock. We also have cats and dogs. Would like to get in toucvh with other part time farmers. -
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Re: Homesteading?
Tue, May 3, 2005 - 9:43 PMhi, judi. welcome. this is not a very active tribe, but don't give up.there are a few people here doing what you are.
also, search tribes for a similar interest group. i think there is one.
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Re: Homesteading?
Wed, May 4, 2005 - 4:46 AMHi Judi.
I don't know if you'd consider us "hobby farmers" or not but we have 6 horses, 5 corriente roping steers, 2 goats, 4 dogs and 2 cats. Our place is irrigated and we grow a pretty good amount of grass for the horses and steers.
We used to big time ranch (cattle) for a living, but it got to where we couldn't make a living at it any more. So I guess now I'd consider myself a "mini rancher" as I never have enough time to grow a garden or anything. I have always wanted to have a few chickens though. -
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Re: Homesteading?
Fri, May 6, 2005 - 5:32 PMHi Lisa,
I think the term Hobby Farming basicley covers any one with any amount of ground that either grows things or raises animals without intending to make a profit. We have 1 horse, 6 cats, 2 dogs, 3 goats, chickens and a peacock. We plan on getting more horses as we get more of the land cleared and properly fenced.
It's sad that farmers can't make a living anymore, in NC the farmers used to supplement their income by growing tobacco but now they are hurting and alot of them are selling out.
You should get some chickens they are fun to watch plus you get the fresh eggs. If you leave them run loose they eat bugs, and since you said you don't garden you won.t have to pen them up for planting. Chickens love seedlings.
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Re: Homesteading?
Fri, December 8, 2006 - 10:39 PMwe have 2 mules, 2 horses,chickens,pecocks,dogs and cat,a 30 orange grove and I grow a small garden. Live right on a lake full of fish,gatorsand turtles and the woods around us are full of deer,turkeys ,rabbits,squirles,hogs and the like. this spring I made a deal with te guy that owns the place who is also my boss he paid my insurance on the truck ,gas and a few basics and I did some extra work on some of his rental property, then I ha everything turned off ,no phones ,,lights,refriarator or computer,I , got a tell ya it kind of sucked in the summer with no AC and all the bugs but I ate well ,got in shape,proved it could be done and relly did have a good time made a little money starting some horses for some nieghbors and some fence work but it was worth it and I was sorry to end it,but the real world set in and I need a new truck so off to work we go and the power is back on along with all the other crap we think we need. Right now I'mm looking iat some land out in Montana in the Rockies and hve evry intention of moveing out there and going toatly off grid have a few ideas on how to pay few bills I'll have but any suggestions would be greatly apppreciated
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Re: Homesteading?
Sat, December 9, 2006 - 8:11 PMWe make our own soap (it's not hard), I sew my own clothes (work and hunting clothes), we make our own beer and spirits, and I have plowed a field using a horse. I do enjoy hot water, though indoor plumbing in only a convience in the winter time (we are too high in altitude to grow much in the way of vegs, unfortunately). We keep chickens and they normally produce more than enough eggs for our use. Yes, I am on the grid, and I do commute to the city three days a week for work, and I'd have a hard time making a living w/out the computer; however, I'd be very happy to revert to living as we did back in the late 1700's or early 1800's as long as they'd let me hunt for the food I needed (it is nice to have the innoculations against desease we have now). It's really not that hard to be self sufficient. The hours you work are probably greater than working a 9-5 job, but there's a whole lot less stress, and you don't have the commute times.
Bear
