Homesteading can seem like a good idea to many, but there are some things that you should consider ahead of time.
This was something that I considered long before we moved to Arkansas and began to work on our homesteading dream. Recently though, I have appreciated it all the more, so I thought that I would spontaneously shoot a video on it. It’s just me doing a random walk and talk on the situation.
HOMESTEADER HELPERS
BASIC IDEA
Basically, before you move into the middle of nowhere with no one around and get a bunch of animals, you may want to remember that there may be times in the future when you will want to leave for a bit. Maybe vacations, weddings, funerals, steemit meetups, or whatever.
If these trips take more than a day or two, there's a some pretty good chance that you may need someone to watch your animals for you. They may need to be fed, watered, milked, or tended to in some other way. Thankfully for us, we have @bluerthangreen & @allforthegood on the next property over, plus a lot of other great neighbors nearby.
I cover a lot more in the video (and sometimes I just randomly ramble) but your homestead is supposed to be blessing to you, and not a sentence of life without parole. If you are aware of this periodical need ahead of time, it just might help make your life and your homestead a lot more enjoyable once you get there.
SUPER-COOL “HOMESTEADERS UNITE ON STEEMIT” LOGO CRAFTED BY @ALLFORTHEGOOD
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-having-animals-that-need-care-when-you-are-gone
Until next time…
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Great advice even for the people that don't have a huge homestead. If they have crops and/or animals planning ahead for those times needed away will keep you sane :) Even having just one pet, needs planning to take a trip where they couldn't go. Thanks for sharing your wisdom on this.
Thank you for agreeing, and also adding some more thought on the subject as pertaining to even less animals. Excellent point!
You are most welcome. Thought it would be good to add for those not going full force with homesteading yet.
Also, you get a FULL POWER UPVOTE on your comment because you made a real comment pertaining to the post!
Thanks for that @beccadeals!
You're welcome and thank you. You know we are all watching your great posts. For those just getting started homesteading, your knowledge and experience helps a lot. Especially when someone comes across a hurdle of some sorts, they could just search your posts and you may have already come across that and have a solution. Or maybe you could offer advice to someone new to the whole homesteading idea. So thank you again for your great posts. You are not only sharing your work, you are also helping many people with their own.
This is great, I'm very interested in your vlog style of post.
A great video with some informative tips for people considering homesteading
I watch occassionaly with my wife some f the homesteading shows on TV I forget there names but I see some where people have got themselves into it falling in love with the concept but not doing much research and preparation and struggling
As I am getting close to retirement full homesteading is not something I will do but may try to be a bit more self sufficient on the property we bury when I do retire and settle somewhere
I think that every little bit more self-sufficient we can be the less money we need to be spending, which works in our favor. Good idea, as you move forward.
I think so as well not only is it good financially but I think growing yourself you also know it is really organic and natural I don't trust always organic labels
When I was growing up my Mom would go up to northern Wisconsin and us kids would take turns going with her. My Dad always stayed home on the farm with the other kids. He would do something special with us we didn't normally do. Even if it was just going to the A&W drive in for lunch.
Yes animals are always an issue for homesteaders. Always useful to find nearby friends and neighbours that are confident in looking after the animals.
Maybe we'll see a SteemitSitters network for animal sitting one day...
Now that sounds like a great idea!
Mind if I borrow this idea and flesh it out a bit? It has some potential...
(For the record - I'm a professional pet sitter.)
Hi @aunt-deb, glad you like the idea. I'd been looking at it in the context of the homesteader community I'm involved in. Maybe we can share some ideas?
I would love to brainstorm a bit! I can see a lot of areas of 'cross-over' that would benefit everyone.
I'm just going to bed, but I will catch up tomorrow if that is okay?
No rush. I'm on Chicago time, so we have a bit of a gap in zones. Rest well!
UpVoted and follow . Please follow me back.
Absolutely, its always good to not only plan ahead, but have the help when you need to just get away.
That is right!
Finding a great area where community is like minded sure helps . It takes many hands, hearts and minds to make anything a success. Sure appreciate your guidance and quality content!
Thank you very much. I figured that I should put this out there and perhaps it will bless come people.
Wow @papa-pepper, you are amazing. Photos and fun activities.
Help me
@usmanosama
That is so cool
Please visit to my blog @indramaulana
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STOPGreat post!
I am soooo jealous! I have always wanted my own smallholdings (same as a homestead, but in the uk). I have a tiny garden (yard) that I can grow a few potatoes, carrots, courgettes, tomatoes and peppers in but not enough to feed us properly. one day I hope to be able to afford to buy some land and set up properly, with my own chickens and goats too! but for now, I watch on with envy lol great post, thank you!
That's right, at least you can watch me for now. But I do hope that you get there one day.
thank you! You have inspired my latest post 😊
That is why there are not many vacations when you are a homesteader. We will not have anyone close to us that can take care of the animals if we leave so it will be no leaving for us. I would like to go to the get togethers but I can`t for that reason.
yeah we are really blessed to be right next door to a few other families that can cover for us when we travel.
That's the trick--get other peeps you like and trust to move in nearby (or even on your property in RVs!) and then all the vacations can be had! :D
Another awesome chat about the real life issues, even if you just have domestic you will still face the same issues. Sharing for folks to learn the reality!
Its nice you have the possibility to live a close to nature life with your fam! Wish you all the best man
Thanks @papa-pepper. I always enjoy post.
Agreed. It really helps to choose a location where you have some like-minded people nearby to help out when help is needed. Harvest time is when my homesteading friends really rely on each other. Canning produce is time consuming AND labor intensive. That task is done with more efficiency and laughter when you have helpers. Recently I had a friend need to process a large number of chickens that she raised for meat. She sent out the call, and a handful of us arrived to help her out. Despite the unpleasantness of the task, the companionship was priceless. So, yes, considering who your helpers in homesteading will be is a wise step that every prospective homesteader should take.
good post, upvoted
Great video and advice! Some people get so excited about taking the homesteading path that they forget that this is an EVERYDAY JOB! There is no time off! Animals don't stop eating for a few days or crops stop drinking water. Being a homesteader is a 24/7 job and if you aren't going to be there then SOMEONE has to! I'm blessed to be surrounded by my husbands family so if we want to leave someone is here to look after our Homestead. Thankfully his entire family lives here so we don't have to worry about a death or wedding out of town or state. Thanks for sharing!
Having back up caretakers for your animals and property is an excellent idea - even if it's just one dog or one cat. At least half a dozen of my clients are the result of 'Plan A' falling through and their need for someone to do on-site critter care.
The closest I've come to a homestead situation was a place involving chickens, but the concept applies across the board as @papa-pepper notes.
Excellent tip!
(For the record, the chickens were a nice change of pace and they kept up egg production, so that was good. So were the eggs!)
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I don't think I'll ever have room for animals but I do have two bins with red wigglers. ~smiles~
I live on the west coast of Canada and the summer drought trend is motivating many toward no lawn landscapes. I am looking into Hugelkultur as a possible niche market in landscaping.
I just think with the seasonal rains and the access to free bio mass is a win win situation for homeowners here.
Keep on Steem'n on!
Great post and advice, I'm trying to live in nature like that, hope the comunity get big and good, greetings from Spain! I have just come here. keep it up!
Fabulous tips, didn't think of that one.
A great thing to consider when looking at land and where your going to lay your roots.
Something to really thing about.
8 Years for my bride and I today! Leaving the homestead is tough and we do do the one stays home and the other goes to the family event. But we make sure to plan once or twice a year to go together. Fortunately we have good neighbors that will cover for us....
Let me know when the meet up in WI is going to be, I have to travel to work there in two weeks, maybe the schedules will match up.
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We have ran into this even on our small homestead. It's very hard to find reliable people to watch your animals.. Even when you do it's looked on as a major favor.. and you feel as though you have to make up for it in some way.. No matter how rare the trips are...
Congratulations @papa-pepper!
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Good advice man, more people should realize this. Many animals suffer because of people not thinking ahead, also a lot of house pets suffer for this reason.
I am a huge animal lover but there was always this total responsibility thing playing in the back of my head so I decided not to take one in, and now since a year I am traveling around and I am so glad that I have this freedom...
Somehow dogs seem to find me in my travels, I have met many great animal friends on my journey until now.
I think my big love for my parents dog and all other animals attracts them into my life :)
What a beautiful gift.. traveling and still have a lot of loving animals in my life without the big responsebility of owning one.
While writing this I just came to this realization and feel a lot of gratitude for this. Thanks for sharing this wisdom and helping me come to this realization amigo!
I wish you the best @papa-pepper
Upvoted, followed and resteemed
my mother found out recently that she inherited 40 acres of land in KZN South Africa (where I'm from and live). there are apparently a few squatters here and there but they dont take up much of the land (maybe i can use them as "Homestead helpers"). i had left my Job in I.T about 2 years and wanted to persue my passion which is music, trade bitcoin and get to this land and start farming, but i have no experience in farming besides helping my dad in the garden growing up and visting family who also have farms. i was thinking of doing a permaculture type scenario on the land but I'm not sure if that would be the best option. do you have some advice for me?
what is a "homestead" exactly?