justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jul 18, 2013 10:23am
Homesteading, living off the land, whatever you want to call it. Could you do it? Would you do it if you could?
It's taken a while but I finally have my wife on board to move to a farm in the next couple years and she actually seems to be looking forward to it. I likely would keep a regular job for the first few years, at least on a part-time basis, but within the first few years I am hoping to quit working a day job and farm/homestead full-time.
It's taken a while but I finally have my wife on board to move to a farm in the next couple years and she actually seems to be looking forward to it. I likely would keep a regular job for the first few years, at least on a part-time basis, but within the first few years I am hoping to quit working a day job and farm/homestead full-time.
Enforcer
Posts: 2,140
Jul 18, 2013 10:27am
I could/would do it, but the Wife and Kids wouldn't be happy
LJ
Posts: 16,351
Jul 18, 2013 10:29am
It's gonna be harder than you think. Everyone I know who has tried ended up going back to a full time job within a few years. All these people had lots of farming and livestock experience as well. The COL in Ohio is just a bit too high to be fully self suffcient off of homesteading. You would need to have another trade that you rely on to make extra money to live. I am sure you could do some freelance web development. Many are blacksmiths, trappers, woodworkers, etc.justincredible;1474472 wrote:Homesteading, living off the land, whatever you want to call it. Could you do it? Would you do it if you could?
It's taken a while but I finally have my wife on board to move to a farm in the next couple years and she actually seems to be looking forward to it. I likely would keep a regular job for the first few years, at least on a part-time basis, but within the first few years I am hoping to quit working a day job and farm/homestead full-time.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jul 18, 2013 10:31am
No kids yet so they would grow up on the farm. No problem there. I am kinda surprised my wife is going for it but she's at the same point I am as far as working for others go.Enforcer;1474477 wrote:I could/would do it, but the Wife and Kids wouldn't be happy
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jul 18, 2013 10:36am
Oh, I know it won't be easy. I'm certainly expecting it to be hard as hell. And I will pick up some sort of trade as well. I am finally getting around to using my screen printing equipment to make some shirts for my mom's 4H club. The plan is to also have a shop on the farm for screen printing. I'll also still do freelance web stuff. I've been thinking about this for a couple years now and will be putting a ton of energy into over the next couple years before we move. Believe me, I'm not just planning on jumping in.LJ;1474482 wrote:It's gonna be harder than you think. Everyone I know who has tried ended up going back to a full time job within a few years. All these people had lots of farming and livestock experience as well. The COL in Ohio is just a bit too high to be fully self suffcient off of homesteading. You would need to have another trade that you rely on to make extra money to live. I am sure you could do some freelance web development. Many are blacksmiths, trappers, woodworkers, etc.
We're also not necessarily staying in Ohio. I've thought of crossing over in to Kentucky. The only requirement is that we are relatively close to a big(ish) city that has a decent number of farmers markets.
LJ
Posts: 16,351
Jul 18, 2013 10:38am
From what I understand supplying food service is the key, not farmers marketsjustincredible;1474488 wrote:We're also not necessarily staying in Ohio. I've thought of crossing over in to Kentucky. The only requirement is that we are relatively close to a big(ish) city that has a decent number of farmers markets.
vdubb96
Posts: 2,210
Jul 18, 2013 10:40am
You can take the man out of the Ghetto but you can't take the Ghetto out of the man!!!!justincredible;1474472 wrote:Homesteading, living off the land, whatever you want to call it. Could you do it? Would you do it if you could?
It's taken a while but I finally have my wife on board to move to a farm in the next couple years and she actually seems to be looking forward to it. I likely would keep a regular job for the first few years, at least on a part-time basis, but within the first few years I am hoping to quit working a day job and farm/homestead full-time.
M
MontyBrunswick
Jul 18, 2013 10:40am
You'll need electricity and car insurance and whatnot. Unless you can master the art of growing electricity, you'll need a job.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jul 18, 2013 10:43am
Another venture I am kind of big on at this point is a food truck. Offer only items grown on the farm, i.e. vegetables picked that day, grass-fed beef, pasture raised pork and chicken, etc. Farmers markets are very big here in Cincinnati, I plan on spending a lot of time talking to the farmers that come to the one in our neighborhood. I'm also going to see if any would let me come out and help them out on their farm in trade for some produce.LJ;1474491 wrote:From what I understand supplying food service is the key, not farmers markets
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jul 18, 2013 10:44am
Yes, the working the land and selling the "fruits" of it would be the main job. I'm not just going to keep everything for myself.dlazz;1474493 wrote:You'll need electricity and car insurance and whatnot. Unless you can master the art of growing electricity, you'll need a job.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jul 18, 2013 10:45am
And I wouldn't say I NEED electricity. But, yeah, it's something I want to keep using.
Iliketurtles
Posts: 8,191
Jul 18, 2013 10:47am
I probably could do it. But I would not try to if I didn't have to.
M
MontyBrunswick
Jul 18, 2013 10:50am
justincredible;1474496 wrote:Yes, the working the land and selling the "fruits" of it would be the main job. I'm not just going to keep everything for myself.
Yeah that sounds pretty terrible. I wouldn't do that.
M
Manhattan Buckeye
Posts: 7,566
Jul 18, 2013 10:52am
"It's gonna be harder than you think."
The issue is going to be that there is no such thing as holidays, vacations, etc....Someone will have to be around at all times on a farm. If one has the revenue and capability to employ someone then it can work. It is difficult to do everything yourself.
The issue is going to be that there is no such thing as holidays, vacations, etc....Someone will have to be around at all times on a farm. If one has the revenue and capability to employ someone then it can work. It is difficult to do everything yourself.
LJ
Posts: 16,351
Jul 18, 2013 11:01am
I dont think this is an issue for most who want to do this. It's a lifestyle moreso than a job.Manhattan Buckeye;1474501 wrote:"It's gonna be harder than you think."
The issue is going to be that there is no such thing as holidays, vacations, etc....Someone will have to be around at all times on a farm. If one has the revenue and capability to employ someone then it can work. It is difficult to do everything yourself.
vdubb96
Posts: 2,210
Jul 18, 2013 11:03am
Maybe you could grow beets??
M
MoldyDog
Posts: 70
Jul 18, 2013 11:03am
I suggest "Mother Earth News." At least check out their website, but the magazine is great.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jul 18, 2013 11:06am
This is accurate.LJ;1474518 wrote:I dont think this is an issue for most who want to do this. It's a lifestyle moreso than a job.
Beets will absolutely be grown. I am actually going to be planting some in the fall in my ghetto garden.vdubb96;1474519 wrote:Maybe you could grow beets??
I've ended up on the website a few times after being linked from various homesteading sites/facebook pages. I will check out the magazine as well.MoldyDog;1474520 wrote:I suggest "Mother Earth News." At least check out their website, but the magazine is great.
S
Sonofanump
Jul 18, 2013 11:07am
No. I enjoy living in 2013.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jul 18, 2013 11:09am
So do I but I think I would have preferred the 1880s.Sonofanump;1474523 wrote:No. I enjoy living in 2013.
LJ
Posts: 16,351
Jul 18, 2013 11:09am
What all fall veggies are you going to do this year?justincredible;1474522 wrote:This is accurate.
Beets will absolutely be grown. I am actually going to be planting some in the fall in my ghetto garden.
I've ended up on the website a few times after being linked from various homesteading sites/facebook pages. I will check out the magazine as well.
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Jul 18, 2013 11:09am
No thanks.
Scarlet_Buckeye
Posts: 5,264
Jul 18, 2013 11:11am
I don't support this move AT ALL if it means the possibility of this site shutting down. Just putting that out there...justincredible;1474472 wrote:Homesteading, living off the land, whatever you want to call it. Could you do it? Would you do it if you could?
It's taken a while but I finally have my wife on board to move to a farm in the next couple years and she actually seems to be looking forward to it. I likely would keep a regular job for the first few years, at least on a part-time basis, but within the first few years I am hoping to quit working a day job and farm/homestead full-time.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jul 18, 2013 11:12am
Some lettuces, cabbages, beets, carrots, turnips, and probably some beans. I haven't planned it out completely yet but will hopefully have a better idea after this weekend.LJ;1474526 wrote:What all fall veggies are you going to do this year?
Q
queencitybuckeye
Posts: 7,117
Jul 18, 2013 11:12am
Which is fine, but in the context of this topic, the future is going to look more and more like the past. The days of working for others is on its way out in favor of individuals figuring out ways to take care of themselves.Sonofanump;1474523 wrote:No. I enjoy living in 2013.