Who here plans to homestead/farm?

[skeeterbay]

I been farming on and off most of my life. I am just wondering who on here is planning on homesteading/farming. For a solution to a long term SHTF situation? Maybe we can kick some ideas around and everyone can learn a bit.

Anyone?

Skeeter

[Erebus]

I grew up on a farm and plan to do some more when I retire. I figure it's a given, in a long term SHTF scenario.

We raised pigs mostly, a few laying hens, and a couple of cows added in for milk/meat. I plan to have a few goats or sheep too.


Erebus

[MdlMkr 7.62]

How about growing veggies in the basement - hydroponics? Anyone tried that too?

[Bidah]

We are already working on it. Right now we are raising milk and meat goats, chickens, and the local mule deer population.. :)

We are also off the power/phone grid, in an isolated area. Even UPS won't come up here..

-Bidah

[Ducttape]

We have raised geese, ducks , chickens, cornish hens, turkeys (all in large numbers , we have 6 kids under our roof so we raise 'em for food), had 30 milking goats ( sold all but 5 little ones ) , and right now we only have 3 mini-llamas, 1 mini-horse, 1 pot bellied pig, those 5 mini-goats and 2 dogs.
We are looking forward to putting in a big garden in the future inside one of those long tube-like green houses but repairs to the house must come first.

I'd really like sharing any ideas with you'all, both successes and failures.

[Dr. X]

In the WNC mountains, during the War of Northern Aggression, subsistence farming was the way of life, and post-SHTF it will return with a vengeance, IMO. Although my property is steep and wooded, I intend to build raised beds to grow our vegetables in. As far as livestock, I have little experience with and nowhere to keep a cow or horse, but I know how to make white liquor, so a trade for beef could could be arranged I'm sure. Not to mention there's quadrillion squirrels and rabbits around here for meat as well...:D

as ever,
Dr. X :cool:

[GUN SNOB]

The wife tried a small garden last year with little success. The soil is sand with just enough red clay to stain your close. I'm going to see if I can find a stable or two to clean for the manure and try again next year.

[skeeterbay]

MdlMkr 7.62: I have started my garden plants indoors and it works fine for that.

We are not off the grid yet. We have tractors and construction equipment around the place. But I figure if the problem is country wide we won't be using them much after our farm tanks run dry. I told the wife and son's if we can't get fuel. Don't expect me to use any fuel for the generators. What we have will be rationed for the tractors. We will be on solar lights and no T.V.

I think I will end up using oxen for farming and logging after the fuel goes dry. I think the oxen are the way to go, compared to a team of horses. Oxen are more sure footed and pull heavier loads. They live well on poorer quality food than a horse and are less likely to be injured from working. Only down side is they are slower than a team of horses. I guess we will keep a good horse or two around along with a buckboard for transportation.

I have seen a lot of statements by folks on other sites. Talking about getting a piece of property for SHTF situation and homesteading on it. I got to thinking, (I know!) Any way I thought it might be nice to kick start this part of the fourm a bit. While maybe being a little helpful to some along the way. What do you all think if we started a few informational threads on such subjects as:

What to look for in property for your homestead.

Choosing and building the proper buildings for your homestead.

Gardening/storing your food crop.

You know some good informational threads for folks. Maybe even a thread talking about how to homestead/garden in town. A couple of neighbors getting together could raise a lot of food in a town. Just by tilling up their yards.

I am no expert about this stuff. Like I say I have farmed on and off most of my life. Never had goats! My neighbor has a couple and one of them and I don't get along to well! We currently have a small farm, 150 acres and a woodlot. I figure I can learn as much as anyone.

Do any of you think there would be a need in doing this? Are any of you interested in sharing your knowledge/ideas on homesteading? Am I out of line and need to slink back to where I came from?:D

Respectfully

Skeeter

[Bidah]

Skeeter, I believe that you are right on the money.

To some extent, the information would tend to be regional, as what will work for someone in Georgia is going to die here in Montana. Our growing season is less than 90 days, more like about 70. A greenhouse is not necessary, but sure is helpful. Either way you have to start plants early. We get snow till mid June.. :)

My wife does most of the work, and I provide input now and then.

-Bidah