Are there any homesteaders from up state N.Y. who would like to share experiences? We have been on are homestead/farm for about 18 months and have learned alot .We still have plenty more to learn.Hope to hear from you soon

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), February 08, 2000

Answers

Hi folks, its sure good to know that there are others out there in NYS like us. We live in Chenango County, have homesteaded here 14 years. Actually my husband's been here 14 years - we married just over five years ago, and I joined him here. It was not a big adjustment at all. We have a log cabin, gas lights, refrigeration, hot water heater and cook stove. We burn strictly wood for heat. I quilt, do custom sewing (with a tredle sewing maching), make our soap, grow herbs- you name it- always willing to learn. We run a small organic vegetable farm and also have maple syrup for sale. We love our lifestyle - get many "looks" from folks that don't know us and many folks actually envy our commitment to doing things different. What more can I tell you?

-- Joyce & Doug Besemer (daisysdream@netzero.net), February 08, 2000.

Hi Upstaters! I live in Saratoga County. Only my toes are beyond the sidewalks as my job is an hour away. My plan is to spend more time on homesteading activities after I retire. So far, I just keep a few ducks and raise organic vegetables. Love the ducks! Besides the amusement factor, they provide quite a few eggs. The local food pantry has been getting the surplus every year. Thanks to a raccoon problem last year, there are only two hens left. One has been laying eggs for over a week. She probably started early because I've had a heat lamp on in the barn, and the extra light must have triggered her to lay. The lamp is really for a very old drake who must be going on 8 years old, if that's possible. I hope others from upstate NY will also chime in!

-- bluetick (coonhound@mindspring.com), February 08, 2000.

We're in the catskills on our homestead for 20 years now. Currently we raise sheep and keep bees. I have established a small wool yarn and other wool products buisness. Also we bottle and sell honey and make candles. Our children are grown and we both have off the farm jobs. Hope to retire in 6-7 years and homestead full time. We have 2 wood stoves,ones an Irish Waterford cookstove that I've used nearly 15 years. I've been a subscriber to Countryside about 30 years! Would love to network with all you other New Yorkers. Its funny when I tell anyone we're in N.Y., they are so surprised....I guess they think the whole state is a suburb of New York City!

-- Kate Henderson (sheeplady@catskill.net), February 08, 2000.

I'm glad to hear from you all.Maybe I wont feel so alone at times "my family thinks were nuts at times"I guess I should give you some more info on us.Tim and I have been married for 15 years.Weve lived in conn. until 18 months ago.We have 4 children 13,11,7,and 7 months .We have beef cows ,a goat ,chickens and pigs .We've put 1 pig and about 20 chickens in the freezer .We are redoing an old post and beam farm house "which is now to small with are new baby'Once the main house is done its time to put an addition on!"Will it ever end?"I do not home school but am seriously thinking about it.Tim is an electrican for a local paper mill and is going to school 3 nights a week .I am a stay at home mom.I have a huge garden in the summer ,I also sew , quilt, can ,knit, crochet and just about whatever else you can think of .Hope to hear from some more N.Y. staters

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), February 09, 2000.

Hi Everyone! I'm midway through my "five year plan" to leave town and buy my very own homestead. Thanks to Countryside I've been able to figure out what is really important to me. I love this forum, and read every word written. I will be purchasing land in Broome Co. as my work is here. I am in the city now, but each year have a very large garden and can/freeze the surplus. I bake bread, make and sell soap, and am always trying to learn skills that will help me when I take the plunge! The reason I'm waiting is so I can pay cash for my place and hopefully cut my outside job down to three or four days a week. Patty, and everyone else, thanks for being so generous with your time and experience. I'll bet there are lots of folks just like me out here who are learning from you. I'm a temporarily displaced country girl counting the days.

-- Cathy Horn (hrnofplnty@webtv.net), February 11, 2000.

Hey everybody! We live in the lower catskills, been in a rough cottgae in the woods now for about three years. We're planning to build a house this year, if nothing else sets us back (well, I'm building it, she's going to keep her city job for a while. Getting a small sawmill soon, thinking of building timber frame/cordwood if I can get the inspecter to go along. Gardening has been inconsistent, need better fences; but this year it'll be great! We have some skills and knowledge, but don't too much yet.We would love to communicate with others in the area, maybe help each otheron projects, etc. I just love this forum.

-- Rod Perrino (redjouster@aol.com), February 11, 2000.

Patty - where are you? NY is a pretty big state. We are in Maine, where the climate is similar to much of "upstate" NY. We visit with our best friends, and harvest excessive bambis, each year in western NY, just a little north of Penn. I'm sure there is SOMETHING an old guy from Maine might know that would be of assistance. And by the way, what do you consider "old"? Notice that, being the silver- tongued devil that I am, I never came close to asking you how old YOU are? It's a gift! Good Luck!

Brad

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), February 12, 2000.

We live in St Lawrence county.About 20-30 mins from Cananda.As for age all iI'll say is I'm over 30 .Ouch that hurt!Hope to hear from some more of you upstaters.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), February 15, 2000.

Hi Patty: I'm somewhat near you..I live in the High Peaks area of the Adirondacks not far from Lake Placid. I grew up on a homestead quite a few years ago..and even tho I've been teaching for years, I've always been involved in self-sufficiency, alternative energy, alternative construction and homesteading skills in general all along. I am retiring very soon and am hoping to get more involved on a full-time basis. I live in an underground home, heat with wood, can, dehydrate, used to have goats, poultry, horses, donkeys, etc. will be planning those additions very soon. Contact me if you have any questions or just want to talk. Layne

-- Elaine Cosgrove (adirondackwoman@westelcom.com), March 02, 2000.

Hi All, We are in Tioga County and are fans of countryside. I don't have much to contribute except respect for homesteaders in any form you may be living it. The philosophy of Country Side can be applied to any level of homesteading you may be living in. I'm glad to be able to talk to like minded people. We work outside the home, have two children, rent a house in the country, garden and read about things that interest us for our future homestead. bye

-- margaret kastner (coophole@aol.com), March 04, 2000.

HI PATTY, WERE FRON UPSTATE NY. NEAR OSWEGO AND MDISION COUNTY. I'VEBEEN HERESINCE 84. WWHEN WE MOVED IN WE WANTED A WOOD STOVE AND A TROY BUILT TILLER. THAT WAS OUR GOAL. THE LIVESTOCK CAME LATER. IT TOOK A WHILE WITH 3 KIDS TO RAISE. HOWEVER, WE DID IT. I CAME FROM THE UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN,OUR FAMILY FARM WAS HOMESTEADED. I HAVE GREAT MEMORIES OF IT. I WANTED MY CHILDRENAND GANDCHILDREN TO HAVE THE SAME. WELL THEY DO. ESPECIALLY THE GRANDKIDS. ONE OF THEM WRITES ABOUT OUR SMALL POULTRY FARM. WE LOVE IT. MY HUSBAND IS NAVY RETIRED AND ATTENDING COLLEGE. I NEVER THOUGHT HE'D LIKE THE GOOD LIFE IN GOD'S COUNTRY I THANK GOD EVERYDAY FOR IT. GOD BLESS GARY AND PRISCILLA WILLIAMS GP83196@AOL.COM

-- GARY AND PRISCILLA WILLIAMS (GP83196@AOL.COM), May 24, 2000.

Well since this came up again thought I would give a little update .The weather has been very wet ! Farmers are having a tough time with the fields , my garden is not in yet ! The old owners son of our farm has offered to buy it , so we have been doing some farm hunting .The thought of a move was much easier without livestock .For the right price we may take him up on it , but there isn't alot for sale in our school district and price range .If I move I don't want to have to redo another house or at least I want to be able to hire someone to do it !"I like my husband and wouldn't want to have to KILL him "

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), May 24, 2000.

Hi We moved a year ago to McDonogh (chenango county) and we also would like to share experiences. You are welcom to contact us.

-- Charles Napolitano (cnapo@citlink.net), September 18, 2001.

I haven't seen anything from anyone in Wayne County, but would love to hear from any Wayne County (specifically southwest Wayne County) or Northwestern Ontario County or Southeastern Monroe County homesteaders (we're near the borders). I have sheep and a garden, orchard, and brambles, we burn wood, and I spin wool, weave rag rugs, quilt, mend, and care for my disabled daughter. Any Countrysiders in the area? Anyone interested in alternative energy in this neck of the woods? I have been trying to convince my husband to try solar or wind. Enough from me; I'd love to hear from you!

-- Linda Kingsley (lkingsle@rochester.rr.com), October 23, 2001.