I was thinking why do you do what you do? Meaning what are your reasons for homesteading, is finincal, job, choice, and how far do you go what do you grow or raise and what do you have to get from town. We all have reasons for wanting things in life and everyones reasons are different I just want to see the reponses!

We moved form NJ to WV in July for a number of reasons,

1) my mother is here

2) husband retired and we couldn't afford to stay in NJ both being home

3) It is a beautiful place and a great place to have kids

We didn't move here with plans to homestead, just wanted a garden some chickens and no neighbors in site, but now that we are here, I want pigs, milk cow, beef cow and a goat or two. I learned how to can food and bought a pressure canner for next year. Never thought I would eat deer but my neighbor got one and asked if we wanted it so I said why not, now we eat it all the time. So as time goes on we are changing. We have 63 beautiful acres and we can do so much with it. I have all the conviences of life...meaning heat(that we don't pay for, free gas) money(husband pension),house that is in good shape and water(city)I won't run out! I do what I do out of choice and the benefits for my children and there future(health). I want to be able to have as much as possible without going to town and getting it from them if I don't want to. I still want to go to school and have a job in years to come I am only 27yrs old, but I want to work because I want to work not because I need food and have to feed my family. Well those are my reasons, can't wait for the reponses

-- sonneyacres (jtgt12@ntelos.net), January 25, 2002

Answers

Response to Why you do it?????

We really enjoy fresh canned green beans. My husband has dreamed of having chickens and we enjoy a slower life-style. It gives us time to be with the kids, share with friends and keeps us out of the crud of the world. With all that is happening in this world, we find that it is better to be prepared to take care of many of our needs without commercial businesses to help. Sure, we rely on them for many things, but we enjoy doing it ourselves. God has blessed us with healthy bodies and minds and we enjoy doing it. I guess that is our biggest reason. Thanks for the post.

-- Dena (ddew1962@earthlink.net), January 25, 2002.

Response to Why you do it?????

To be near family and to enjoy doing things for ourselves. Nothing beats the taste of fresh vegatables. I like that here we are able to experiment with permiculture--that nothing is wasted. I feel more at peace with all the nature around us. It was hard on the kids to leave a neighborhood with a million kids, but now we don't have to put up with the bullies (and their parents) but bring over the nice friends WHEN we want them. The kids have become MUCH closer and their desire to watch TV (which we monitored) has magically almost disappeared. They are able to have many animals and have learned a great deal of science as well as responsibility here. Selling the fruits of our labors has taught them about math and business concepts. We don't homeschool--but all these things are a form of learning here on the farm.

The thing I love the most is not having some neighbor criticize how I keep my place (more natural than landscaped), complain that I compost ("it will bring rats") criticize where I park my car on my own property, complain that I hang out laundry or complain that I garden (it's not pretty). All things that happened in the suburbs.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), January 25, 2002.

Response to Why you do it?????

Probably more for health reasons than anything else. Didn't use to be a tree hugger, but am becoming convinced that homo sapiens have inflicted some pretty mean damage on the enviroment, and the high- tech-whatever-helps-the-bottom-line methods of raising food employed by the huge corporate farms are inconsistant with raising food in the healthy ways that were in use until fifty or so years ago.

-- fred (fred@mddc.com), January 25, 2002.

Response to Why you do it?????

Working in the computer and diital communications field a combination of the mass pre Y2K hysteria and the industry's reluctance to admit a lack of knowledge regarding system capabilities and potential outcomes on 1-1-00 affected my confidence in society. After the non event, I chose to remain suspended between the technological and self sufficient worlds instead of rushing back to where I had been socially, oblivious to the next glitch of our technologically dependent society structure. On a few past postings I have referenced the movie "The Matrix", which in my opinion correlates greatly with our current social structures. After realizing what most people consider to be security and success and its true values, I feel the self sufficiency philosophy as the freedom of the matrix of technological based society.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 25, 2002.

Response to Why you do it?????

Why do I do it? hum....

When politicians and the powers-that-be drive me crazy with my newspaper writing, I can walk into my sweet-smelling bunny barn and be greeted by 26 pairs of loving eyes all wanting to be petted....many with beautifully growing coats just waiting for me to finish learning how to spin....

After suffering from a lifetime of severe and chronic food allergies, I can eat the delicious food I grow knowing there are no preservatives or other harmful ingridients.

I can end each day knowing I haven't wasted God's resources.

It gives me peace, in spite of all the hard work. It gives my life balance. It gives me happiness.

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), January 25, 2002.

Response to Why you do it?????

The sunsets. Clean air. More quiet. The smell of manure. The sound of the chickens. The space. The fresh eggs. The good tasting chicken. The huge flower gardens. Never having to say first "do I have enough room to plant that?". The small town people. The lack of signs. The lack of street lights. The space, the space, and then, of course, the space.

-- Katie (homesteader@accessnevada.com), January 25, 2002.

Response to Why you do it?????

Escape from prostitution. No, I don't mean the illegal kind. I'm talking about working your tail off for a company who has no morals or values, cares only about making money, and treats their employees like dirt. I jumped out the rat race when I realized that it disgusted me that I was helping a certain company make money. I truly felt that I was helping a company make money that operated under principles that went against everything I believe in for a paycheck, and I actually felt like a prostitute. They were horrible people and treated their employees very poorly. I started to figure out what I spent money on and how I could reduce that expenditure. It just ended up to be homesteading. And I thank God I was led in this direction.

-- Stacey (stacey@lakesideinternet.com), January 25, 2002.

Response to Why you do it?????

Hello Sonneyacres,

We needed a simplier lifestyle to convince ourselves that we could live better and more independently without the hustle and bustle of city life, infra structures, big corporations, and economic strife. We could have bought a house in the suburbs and continue working at our good jobs but, as we grew older, we felt that was not the direction that would assure us a happier and more fulfilling life. When we moved to the Ozarks, we chose to start everything from scratch with undeveloped land. Using our skills and the ones that we learned along the way we were able to "create" a way of life that rallies many peoples imagination of country living.

Some of our friends think that we have turned "hippie" and others think we are "off our rockers". But, the few that have the insight of how much happiness we have achieved with our independence have nothing but admiration for all we have accomplished. Despite the pro and con of the people we know, they all do agree that living in the country is just better.

Here is our 10 best reasons for living in the country:

10) It is cheaper.

9) We like to garden.

8) We like to raise and eat organic chickens.

7) Plenty of privacy.

6) No government restrictions.

5) Its healthier to chop firewood than it is to pay someone to heat our home.

4) Less stress.

3) No traffic.

2) More creativity.

1) Freedom

Most important of all these reasons is Freedom. We are out of debt, we are in control, we make all the decisions on how we live. We chose to live simple lives and that is a far cry from where we were before we came home, back to the land.

Sincerely,

Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), January 25, 2002.

Response to Why you do it?????

I think we have a basic, instinctual need to dig in the dirt, touch it, and smell it (Ever been in a newly plowed field in early Spring?) Period. Everything springs from that. I always tell my kid that I love him more than dirt - without dirt where would we be? Can't exist on a ball of rock or a slab of concrete. Even the oceans have dirt beds...

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), January 25, 2002.

beats 'working' for a living

Russ

-- (imashortguy@hotmail.com), January 25, 2002.

It makes me feel more in tune with myself. I have spent many years working for the benefit of people I rarely see, for a paycheck that is a slip of paper to take to the bank, so I can write checks for the necessities of life. When it all gets too artificial I can go outside, pick and eat fruits or vegetables that I have grown, and feel like a living person instead of an actor in a play, who is going through the motions because that is what I am expected to do.

-- Terri (hooperterri@prodigy.net), January 25, 2002.

When I see my 8 yo son trot off down the lane with a fishing pole, my daughter riding the mare across the pasture and my oldest working with his dad instead of hanging out at the mall or gennerally looking for trouble..... I KNOW why we do this. The eggs, garden, milk and meat are all part of it but underlying reason is that it is a GOOD life. My kids have learned to be capable and think their way through situations.

-- Tana Mc (mcfarm@totelcsi.net), January 25, 2002.

If we had continued living in town, though I gardened, raised rabbits and even a few hens, I would have had to get a job and daycare my child, or not have anymore. It is by far less money to live in the country, it affords you the opportunity to try different things and find your niche in the world. I had no idea that my niche would be goats, I had never seen a goat up close, outside of horsebarn penmates, and zoos! My husband though would have done side jobs, would never have started his own company. It's the only place to raise children, and we are so far from most friends and relatives, they really have to WANT to come to see you. Nobody is going to drive all the way out to the woods, on a dirt road with their new car, just to visit cause they HAVE to! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 25, 2002.

We tried to do it but it isn't working for us. DH is a city boy. I believe if we bought a place already up and established, with barn and fencing, it would have been different. If DH didn't have to do things on his days off after commuting 1 hour each way five days a week. If the son wasn't allergic to the horse or hay (and wasn't lazy) If I bought and trained horses like I had imagined instead of never taking the time to ride. Maybe it would have worked. Now we are thinking of moving south once he retires. Someplace warm all the time (although the way Florida has been lately, it's been cold there too. And drought) We agreed to no aminals in the yard (except for Pookie, my lop) I said I'd be happy with an acre, he said he'd be happy with less.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), January 25, 2002.

Good answer Stacey. I can't add much more except that the world situation almost dictates that we get and be more self sufficient. I feel that the home grown and processed food that you grow and raise yourself will insure a healthier lifestyle, besides what is better that rising early morn. - smelling the sunrise,watching the sun rise over the mountain and or trees, seeing the wild critters starting thier day, prusuing your dailey chores knowing that the rewards of your efforts gives way to a peacful sleep that nite. Can't be beat.

-- Dick Tracy (kbrdrl@lakewebs.net), January 25, 2002.

I wonder why people want to live in the big city, with all the noise and smells of plastic and petroleum. why they would build a big house right next to another big house and have the same lawn with the same shrubs, go the the same stores and drive the same cars. wear the same brand name clothes and belong to the same social organizations. the mountain men had the right idea of going out into the frontier and learning new things and having new experiences, it was much more fun!!!

-- Karen Mauk (kansashobbit@yahoo.com), January 25, 2002.

I want to be on the farm so I can have peace! Peace of mind, body and soul. Have you ever sat on a deck and listened to the crickets, chickens or the rain? Have you ever looked up and saw a shooting star, a sunset or a white puffy cloud with no buildings to block your view? Have you gotten in your bed and smelled sunshine (clothes from the line)? Ever watched baby goats play 'king of the mountain' on your childs chest? Caught fire flies with a child? These are the things that I long for? I could live in the city but it would not be living!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), January 25, 2002.

Some of us have figured out that REAL life isn't in an artificial (man-made) environment. An office building that hides the fact that the weather is happening. A home that disguises the sunrise and sunset and that the earth/environment/weather is out there and has final control. I don't think that the "Old Man and the Sea" is required reading anymore. Modern human civilization trys to hide the REALITY that we as human beings are awfully small. I am in love with the power of the universe even tho we are subject to it. My trust is in God and his/her choices for us, the children of creation. Wow. I've seen the elephant in the wilderness and respect the power especially since it scared me to pieces. Makes one humble. Too cool for words.

-- Susan in Northern Michigan (cobwoman@yahoo.com), January 26, 2002.

Because I just can't help it. No matter how hard I try, I can't think any other way or change my personality. If I drive by a subdivision, my first thought is not how beautiful those large houses are, but, why would someone build so close to each other? They could have purchased land somewhere and built a smaller house. I just can't get into their frame of mind, probably like they'd never understand mine. Diversity makes the world go round, I reckon.

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), January 26, 2002.

It just feels good!

-- woodsbilly (coleenl@penn.com), January 26, 2002.

I don't know if it would be too dramatic to say that I would probably just want to die if I couldn't smell fresh hay, plowed dirt, my barn, or hear my animals greet me in the morning. The rare times that I have been separated from the land, I have just not found life worth much. I think some of us just have that in our soul and some don't.

I must say that I do find the city rather stimulating to visit. I like live theater etc., but then I know I have my home in the country to go back to. I would really rather live in the actually "down town" of a city than suburbsville though. If I can't have my woods and privacy I would want the advantages of not having to drive.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), January 26, 2002.

hello! i suppose there are several reasons why we homestead. i mean we aren't doing it to the degree that some are, we have electricity and my husband works off of the farm in town at a cement plant. but when he comes home we love to gather thekids and go feed all the animals. we have chickens and ducks, cows for meat and goats for milk and meat. It makes you feel good to bring in food that you have grown or raised, makes me feel like i have done something! and milking is the most theraputic event of the day (i know i spelled that wrong) it's a much slower pace of life and i love it, i love having the opportunity to raise my kids in this manner. They learn so much and it does my heart good to see them running across the pasture or rooting around in the henhouse for eggs, as opposed to standing on a street corner visiting like i see so many town children doing. I grew up on a farm and i couldn't imagine being resticted as a child about where i could go, or watching for cars, heck there aren't 5 cars that pass my house in a day, and if there are, I know who they are! So i guess I do it because it just makes me feel like i'm doing something worthwhile. Good Luck!

-- Susan (dsowen@tds.net), January 26, 2002.

sometimes I ask myself this same question !!?? We moved up to the mountains 22 years ago and have never regretted it to this day. Wished we had came earlier in our marriage. We left suburbia when our girls were 11 and 13 years old. We just got fed up and opened the map and dropped a finger on a town and went !! Didn't know a soul. Now looking back I think we were either very brave or young and foolish. I wondered why my Dad stood on the corner when we left and cried !! Hubby left a good job, I was a mom and wife never having worked outside the home at the time. Left our house to be sold by the real estate...what a chance we took there. Rented a house for a year and looked for our home. We just really wanted a country life with a garden until our new neighbor gave us a MENS, the old original one. Then met a family that a couple of goats and thought..."this would be fun !!"So....I guess we have been having "fun" for a while now ??!! But seriously....we wouldn't want NOT to have our few acres and our goats, chickens and horses. Just can't imagine living with people almost on top of you now. Like the idea of being more self sufficient and not depending of markets to supply food for us. Heat and cook with wood and utilities are kept to a minimum. Knowing every neighbor that goes up and down our dirt country road. Not worrying about locking our doors and leaving the house open so a repair man can get in if we are not home to let him in because more than likely he is a neighbor too. The peace of mind of knowing that we can enjoy getting snowed in for a week or more and not missing a meal. Everyone has their own reasons for moving to the country. Each is right for them...but sure glad we live "Beyond the Sidewalks" !!!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), January 30, 2002.

I do it because it is ME. I cannot survive emotionally without elbow room and animals. I grew up in the country with 500 chickens, two cows, 20 barn cats, ducks on the fishing ponds, and 60 acres of woods, pastures, orchards, vineyards, and market gardens to roam in. Is it any wonder that when we tried to buy a house in a suburb, and actually lived there for two years, that I got severely depressed? Moving here on two and a half acres, getting a milk cow and 25 chickens, gave me peace again.

-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), January 31, 2002.