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by  N.Morgan More and more people are moving to a more natural, self-sustaining life-style and in this article, we will discuss how to make this dream of a homestead come true on 1 acre. Everyone’s approach to establishing a self-sufficient homestead, and it’s unlikely that any two 1-acre farms will follow the same plan or methods or agree completely on how to homestead. Some people like cows; other people are afraid of them.  Some people like goats; other people cannot keep them out of the garden. Some people will not slaughter animals and have to sell their surplus stock off to people who will kill them; others will not sell surplus stock off at all because they know that the animals will be killed, and still others will slaughter their own animals to provide their family with healthy meat. Raising a Dairy Cow Cow or no cow? The pros and cons are many and various for a self-sufficient homestead. In favor of raising a cow is the fact that nothing keeps th...

How Hemp Could Revolutionize Modern Homesteading  A story out of Oregon underscored the absolute insanity which comes from a bureaucracy-fueled, over-regulated nation. Joining with a number of other states which have emerged from their power-hungry desire to control aspects of American’s lives that they have no business messing with, Oregon’s legislature officially recognized hemp as a separate entity from marijuana . But the Keystone Cops aspect of the story wasn’t done just yet. The kicker in Oregon is that after it was made legal to grow … it still wasn’t legal to grow. Sure, you can apply for one of three licenses required to grow it (our federal and state governments are absolutely in love with licenses ), but, technically, you can’t get the seeds needed, because they’re still regulated by the DEA for importation as a “schedule 1 substance.”   Insanity . But there’s hope. More about that in a bit. More http://bit.ly/1J0YXZ7 'via Blog this'

We’re Out Of Toilet Paper!? 7 Off-Grid Alternatives To ‘TP’  Homesteading and living off grid have their perks, but every now and then you may run out of an essential item – such as toilet paper – when your backup supplies are empty. It’s a delicate subject, sure, but poor sanitation can have a disastrous effect. For example, in the Middle Ages, Europeans believed that warm water would open pores throughout the body and allow diseases to enter. As a result, cleaning habits that we take for granted today were considered taboo back then. In some cases, bathing and keeping yourself clean was even prohibited. Diseases then spread like wildfire. People rarely removed all of their clothes and never bathed, let alone wash their face or their hands. A simple handshake or contact of the skin would be enough to transmit diseases between two people and could result in death . If you truly do find yourself with no “TP” one day in the homestead or in the wilderness, here are s...

Indispensable Non-Power Hand Tools For The Homestead  If there is one thing I hate, it is not having the proper tool for a job. I compare it to asking a girl to marry you, and then asking your future mother-in-law to accompany the two of you on your honeymoon. It just does not work. But back to tools — specifically, non-electric ones. Before my crazy days of tool purchasing, it was common for me to discover I did not have the right size socket, or my C clamp was not wide enough for the brake job. The key to being self-sufficient is just that: being self-sufficient. This means having the proper tools and supplies on hand to allow you and your family to survive and thrive for an indefinite period of time. I advocate that if possible you should have everything from bullets to Band-Aids, beans to bull horns. I understand it takes time to purchase and procure things. Believe me, I’m in that boat myself, but I’m moving forward toward self-sufficiency. More http://bit.ly/...

3 Fridge-Free Ways To Preserve Meat Long-Term  Before the age of modern refrigeration, most people relied on what we would consider primitive methods to preserve meats . If you were wealthy, or had the means, you might have relied on ice to preserve some foods. The extremely wealthy bought fresh meat and fish daily from market. But for those who did not have means — the common every day folks — this was simply not feasible. My ancestors were farmers , frontiersmen, soldiers and other common folk. For them, the cost of buying fresh meat daily, or even feeding their family fresh beef and pork from their own farms daily, was out of the question. Killing game, or butchering a farm animal, was done when needed, and the meat had to be stretched to feed their families as long as possible. Today we face the rising cost of groceries and the threat of terrorism, EMPs and other scenarios where the lights may go out and not come back on again for months or years. These threats are...

Milking Your Animals – Best Practices For The Rookie Farmer  So now you have cows and maybe some goats. All you need to do is go out and ask them nicely to fill your pail with milk , right? We wish it were that easy! There are some things that you need to know about milking before you just go out and grab a stool. We have some tips for beginner farmers about how to milk your animals . How to Keep From Getting Kicked by Your Milk Cow You’ve likely seen horses or mules kick. They kick out behind them but cows don’t; they kick forward. This is especially troublesome when you’re sitting right where they can land a hoof . Even if they miss you, there’s a good chance they’ll get the milk bucket. More http://bit.ly/1F6YOQO 'via Blog this'

How To Homestead When You Rent Part Five  Homesteaders wear coats of many colors these days.  Beyond the traditional land owner working their spread, there are homesteaders that live in cities, suburbia, condos, and apartments.  Many rent their homes and do not own them. In their own way, each homesteader does what he or she can.  They “homestead in place” and make the best of it. Their universal goal is to be self-sufficient and to live a simpler life, as difficult as that might be.  A simpler life, although not necessarily an easier life.  Be aware of that. Regardless. a simpler, most self-sufficient life is the goal of most homesteaders . This is a goal that is within reach of all of us. More http://bit.ly/1F6lvEN 'via Blog this'

9 Crucial Steps For The First-Time Homesteader  Homesteading is growing in popularity, as Americans look to get back to the basics. While images of log cabins out in the woods or farms miles away from civilization come to mind, you could technically homestead in a heavily populated area such as a neighborhood if you wanted. Wherever you live, you’ll discover an entirely new sense of independence not only because you’re “living off the grid ” and away from society, but because you are no longer dependent on outside sources, such as grocery stores and restaurants, for your survival . Here are the important aspects of homesteading: More http://bit.ly/1EOYBDy 'via Blog this'

Picking The Perfect Tractor For Your Homestead  If you find yourself with a new small farm or homestead , you will also find yourself with a chore list the length of your right arm. A good small farm or homestead is like a good marriage — it is a beautiful thing, but it takes effort and hard work. Hard work is something that you will never run out of, I assure you. Plowing, planting, harvesting, shoveling manure, cultivating, moving dirt, mowing and so much more are daily duties for the small-time farmer . Horses are nice, but I have never been a horse man, and I don’t intend to start being one. If you are like me, and don’t exactly feel like running back to 1889, I suggest you seriously consider a tractor. A piece of land less than 150 acres can be managed with one machine. Two is preferable, and I have never worked a farm over 50 acres in size with less than two. Of course, if you only have small piece of land, one is plenty. More http://bit.ly/1EH9jMg 'via Blog...