Hi all, I have been a wanna be homesteader for as long as I can remember. When my folks almost bought a dairy farm, I was the only kid that was all for it. Whenever we were traveling to texas from California, (every summer)and Daddy would see a broken down old barn, he would say that's Sis's house. When we were missionaries in Europe, for 11 years, I would pore over the books by John Seymour,about self sufficient living. I lived on the 8th floor in a very large city,and grew all kinds of vegetables. I knew such interesting facts about country life,that I could not speak of to another soul, because they would think that I was out of my mind. The smell of horses is divine, the cluck of a chicken is to me the most soothing of sounds,fresh tomatos and corn are way up on my list. So I'm proud to be a wanna be homesteader!!! The only problem now is that we just bought a small farm, and now I'm afraid of all those other interesting country facts that I don't know!!!!!! YOu know the stuff they forget to put in the books!!!!! We are very excited and hope to be on our place by summer,( our buyer must sell his home first) The old domino effect. I'm sure you all will be hearing from me very soon. I have really enjoyed this forum in fact it is the only one I come to. I'm going to need you all to fill in the blanks for me. Thanks for loving the same things I do!!! Love you Lots, Susan n'Emily, in Tn

-- Susan n' Emily, in Tn (animalcrackers55@hotmail.com), April 02, 2001

Answers

Hey Susan n'Emily, I guess some of us are just born country, I don't ever remember not loving country down home take care of myself live off the land kinda stuff. When I was a kid we use to sell seeds for fund raiser at school, it was a very exciting time of the year for me dreaming about the vegtables and flowers that spring would bring that where in those colorful packs. I always had me a little garden at the end of Mama's, my sisters never did this. Dream on and may all your days be glory filled. sherry in arkansas

-- sherry (chickadee259@yahoo.com), April 02, 2001.

Congratulations on your impending move!!!! The folks here will be sure to help you out - they have all been so kind and wonderful to me, anyway (and VERY patient!!!)

I envy you - and look forward to hearing of your adventure!

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), April 02, 2001.

Hi,

Just thought I'd say how nice it is to "meet" others who are John Seymour fans. If we were all like John the world would have many many fewer problems.

-- debra in ks (solid-dkn@msn.com), April 02, 2001.

Sounds like your move will just be the next step. If you were gardening on the 8th floor, your past wannabe and already to innovative. You'll make it, you sound like a survivor. A real modern 'steader.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), April 02, 2001.

Welcome Susan'n Emily, you have come to the right site to learn. Hope you take the magazine. So many subjects on homesteading are explained there. I just got my computer and have found many web sites that hook in to colleges. They answer livestock and gardening questions too. Better Homes and Garden has a site for recipes and remodeling. You can e-mail me if you want to get the sites from me. It's so exciting getting you own property. Hope you have wonderful neighbors like us. We share things and the neighbor next door lets all of our cattle run together, then we all help with shots and worming. Start slow and you won't get so tired you can't enjoy.

-- Joanne (ronandjo@sisna.com), April 03, 2001.

Hi, sure wish you well in your new adventure. I think Joanne made a very good point. We were so excited to get back to the land this time that we went a bit haywire at first and got way too many projects going all at the same time. We have spent years trying to undo some of the early mistakes we made. Go slowly forward and enjoy the process. God Bless

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), April 03, 2001.

Hey there, My suggestion is: if you're not sure, ask someone. You wouldn't believe how many people have so many different answers. I asked all the old farmers at the livestock auction. Wealth of knowledge there. Then the poor county agent who was always helpful. (He did admit that my questions are now more normal) And with this technology, you can ask here. You take what you want and learn by your mistakes. Hopefully, you learn before something dies. Don't worry, you'll do fine. Hope you move in soon!

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), April 03, 2001.

Hi again,thanks for all the support!!!!! If we get in before this summer, I plan to plant tomatoes,corn,yellow squash,garlic,rosemary, and maybe the asparagus ( we will see) as far as animals go,chickens ( hens and broilers), rabbits for meat and show, and that's about it for the livestock for a year or two anyway. My daughter would love a horse yesterday of course, we will see how that developes. My neighbor has approx. half or our property in permanante pasture, which suits me fine right now. If we get a horse it can run with his animals, I know that for sure. If I should have use for the other acre, we can just move the fence. I am thinking about starting up a nursery business, very slowly as I still work part time off the farm. My job now is low key with alot of flex built in. I could raise a specific variety of plants,(not yet chosen ) I will have to do bunches of research befor I start, but hey what's a farm for anyway!!! So I figure it will take me about 5 years to do everything I've mentioned here, what do you think? Love you Lots, Susan n' Emily

-- Susan n' Emily, in Tn (animalcrackers55@hotmail.com), April 04, 2001.

You would be surprised how many of us ask abnormal questions when we move to a different climate! I was raised on a small western ranch my grandparents homesteaded, late 40s and 50s, no electricity, no indoor plumbing, raised most of our food and all of the feed for our livestock. Have raised grain, garden, livestock out west most of my life ... and have spent the last three years trying to figure out how to deal with climate since I've moved to Kentucky! Nothing works like it did out there! So no matter how experienced or inexperienced you are going in ... believe me, there is always something new to contend with if you are dealing with a farm/homestead lifestyle. Have fun!

-- SFM in KY (timberln@hyperaction.net), April 09, 2001.