Homesteading and living simply

  • Thread starter Thread starter unitive_mystic
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
U

unitive_mystic

Guest
So currently I’m working on my homestead. I’ve gained some inspiration from some catholic honesteaders, permaculturalists, Pope Pius, and the catholic land movement. My house is going to be made out of about 3 shipping containers, one will be the kitchen, second will be my room/living room, third will be divided into sections for kids rooms. Electricity will come from about six solar panels, water will come from a well, and the majority of the food will come from my permaculture and animals. I’ll set up a horse boarding station and run that business as my main source of income. My money will go into the food my land cannot currently produce, gas, insurance, and emergency savings. Any extra money will go into an emergency savings or charity. I don’t feel any need to focus my money on “upgrading” my lifestyle into one that makes less self sufficient, I don’t have any desire to be separated from the land. People look at me like I’m crazy for not wanting more than I need and willing to sacrifice some modern conveniences for a more free lifestyle.
 
You will need a good water source to run agistment, good fencing and facilities and public liability insurance.
You will also need good agreements drawn up for each horse boarded.

What facilities do you plan to offer for horse agistment.

I would get a back up generator too
 
Last edited:
unitive_mystic said:
water will come from a well
Click to expand...
Did you run tests to ensure the water is drinkable? What about if some algae, bacteria, or insect eggs decide to infest the water? Is the water chemically balanced for long term consumption? What if neighbors decides to over fertilize their fields and it gets into the water (the most common problem in some parts). You won’t be able to sue the neighbors because the source of those fertilizers may be far upstream raining water flows before sipping into your well. And those water analyses have to be periodic and cost money. Cistern is a way to go, but can you afford and maintain a rain cistern? And what if it doesn’t rain?
unitive_mystic said:
permaculture
Click to expand...
You understand that “permaculture” is a trendy fashionable modern term for what people in antiquity did (and I don’t believe the hype since none of the farmers I met ever used the term). In old days their supply of food required certain trees and plants that took decades to grow. It also required livestock and most populations relied on fish being brought from afar and being kept salted, fumed or dried.
 
You probably don’t even imagine how labor intensive it is to clear weeds using a Hoe. Not a single farmer (among the thousands) I met that lived through that experience wants to go back to it.

Say you find out half an acre needs clearing of underground rocks to be viable for planting. How many months are you going to be using one of these?

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
Last edited:
Permaculture is quite valid, It started here a few decades ago. The original permaculture gardens are amazing. Its about creating microclimates so different foods can grow that would not thought to be growable in the area normally.

Its about soil and water conservation. Both these things are crucial in the Australian climate. Our soils are extremely poor, there is not much nutrient left in them, because they are so old. Water is a commodity we don’t have much of here.

Well or bore water is ok to use, but needs to be tested first. It won’t be enough to supply if the bore or well is poor, though.
 
adgloriam said:
Did you run tests to ensure the water is drinkable? What about if some algae, bacteria, or insect eggs decide to infest the water? Is the water chemically balanced for long term consumption?
Click to expand...
You do realize millions of people (in America) have Wells, right? Wells do not have algae, bacteria, or insect eggs in them.

And potable water is potable water, it doesn’t need to be “chemically balances for long term consumption.”.
 
I am intrigued by the concept. I watch shows on TV that include “living off grid” and Alaska the Last Frontier. Granted they are scripted and we only see small parts of it, nonetheless I am intrigued by the idea of living a more simple life. Best of luck to you. I see no reason to live a lifestyle that you are not comfortable with just because society dictates something different as the norm. Society isn’t always correct.
 
I’m not quite there yet! Me and my brother are still planning everything and raising the correct funds.
 
I’m not quite there yet. I do not know much and I want to make sure I’m well educated before I peruse this idea. I think I’m going to make sure I’m aware of all the requirements of maintaining a well before installing it.
 
I’m thinking maybe by the beginning of summer, I do have a drone so I will make sure to get some footage.
 
You know I was thinking alaska would be a good place but I feel like so much resources would be used just to stay warm. I’m thinking idaho or montana would be ideal.
 
All this is fine ,Is it the will of God for you ,have your prayed over it .
 
You should check out the show "Alaska The Last Frontier on Discovery channel. Somewhat hokey, and very scripted, but interesting nonetheless.

I would imagine that the far north part of the state would be as you mention regarding staying warm, but the more southern part might not be that much worse than Idaho or Montana.

I do think that your skillset will need to be extensive to live this lifestyle. You need to understand construction for home repairs, mechanical skills for any machinery you might have, gardening, and preserving the products of the garden, just to name a few. Nothing insurmountable but definitely necessary.
 
Last edited:
Yes of course, I will definitely get a back up generator.

Not quite sure what facility I will provide yet, I’m going to have to figure that out though.
 
I’m pretty good with the tool, as my previous job has trained me.
I might look into alaska again because I heard of programs where you can get land for super cheap. Which is a big deal.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top