Sustainable Living
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In the states in what is termed "tornado alley" it would be best not to live in a mobile home or travel trailer. Travel trailers are easily damaged by storms (happened to us when we lived in one while my son was ill).
A good underground saferoom is a must ...a storm shelter, and hopefully not one of those stupid things that gets water in it and has to be pumped out every so often. If I was going to do a storm shelter, I wouldn't waste my money on one of those commercially built water (snake, spider, rat) traps. Best to build your own, or at least have something built into the side of a hill ...a good walk out basement, or something like that.
I do see the logic in restoring an older mobile home, but you have to have the means to get it to your property. That can be thousands, depending on location. Building an earthbag structure would be under $4,000-5000 for a nice sized 2 or 3 room dwelling. Again, that depends on sourcing materials. I'm just estimating based on what that family on the YT channel built. That was before the recent soar in prices due to "Covid." Theirs costed under $3,000.
Also, find a state that gives homestead exemptions (on property taxes). At least at this time, some states still do that.
It's late and I should go back to bed. lol
I love this topic.
Right. It's true, lots of new age people are into this. I find it odd, since in my parents generation, it was just everyday life. Another group that uses the term are vegans, but they don't really live what they preach.
Well, I follow a bunch of toutube channels who are Christian and they are doing the homestead life...some are off grid. But their main goal is to raise as much of their own food as possible. So, it's not just a new age thing. There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to be self sufficient. It is just a desire to get back to a system that honors God more and is good for the family.
Off grid living is difficult. It's not an easy lifestyle whatsoever.
Especially if you are not going to be allowed a rifle. Crossbows, compound bows, and trapping are going to be mainstays for game meats... otherwise I'd recommend goats and pigs. Forget about chickens...ducks and geese are much easier. A work horse or two are nice...but so are oxen. You are going to have a difficult time getting property with water or water rights...and that's going to be crucial. And the one thing that everyone likes to forget about is the latrine. You are going to need one... especially around the end of your first year when you find yourself getting sick from not having one all year.
Salt and a food cache is your life. Shelter is important. But most of your day is going to be spent centered around your food supply. (And cooking)
Chainsaws are an almost essential for forrested areas. Otherwise just a couple saws and axes. Gasoline and oil are consumables
Electricity is going to be a luxury...and a necessity. A windmill, alternator and marine battery storage with a inverter isn't going to be out of the realm of possibilities for things like a radio to call out for help if needed. Or a waterfall or steep hillside with a creek can produce juice. Unless it dries up or freezes.
No cell phone, no internet access, and no crowds.
And just remember the golden rule...there is just enough brains in every animal to tan it's own hide. That includes you.
Especially if you are not going to be allowed a rifle. Crossbows, compound bows, and trapping are going to be mainstays for game meats... otherwise I'd recommend goats and pigs. Forget about chickens...ducks and geese are much easier. A work horse or two are nice...but so are oxen. You are going to have a difficult time getting property with water or water rights...and that's going to be crucial. And the one thing that everyone likes to forget about is the latrine. You are going to need one... especially around the end of your first year when you find yourself getting sick from not having one all year.
Salt and a food cache is your life. Shelter is important. But most of your day is going to be spent centered around your food supply. (And cooking)
Chainsaws are an almost essential for forrested areas. Otherwise just a couple saws and axes. Gasoline and oil are consumables
Electricity is going to be a luxury...and a necessity. A windmill, alternator and marine battery storage with a inverter isn't going to be out of the realm of possibilities for things like a radio to call out for help if needed. Or a waterfall or steep hillside with a creek can produce juice. Unless it dries up or freezes.
No cell phone, no internet access, and no crowds.
And just remember the golden rule...there is just enough brains in every animal to tan it's own hide. That includes you.
Don't allow anyone to discourage you from living as sustainably and self sufficiently as possible. Goodness, my family lived without running water for a good while. We didn't get sick because of using a "thunder bucket" in a closet (for emergencies) or an outhouse, or using alternative ways to wash clothes, bathing in a metal tub on an enclosed back porch ...raising a garden, chickens, and geese...pigs, etc. And besides...if it's such a horrible thing, how did people do it for thousands of years without electricity? It's healthier to work for your food (not to mention, less taxes bc you're not paying for food in a grocery store), and not having all that radiation bombarding your body...getting more affordable organic produce, organic and pasture raised meats...more sunshine and fresh air...less stress (although stress of a different kind at timed) and better sleep.
Plenty of states have land available with water rights ...ponds, springs, creeks, etc....and there are other ways of getting water.
Take a look at these YT channels.
"Off-grid with Doug and Stacy"
"Lumnah Acres"
"My Self Reliance"
If you want something middle of the road, try... Deep South Homestead.
It's going to be vital to learn and know these skills with the way things are going. Those who prepare will be grateful they did.
Plenty of states have land available with water rights ...ponds, springs, creeks, etc....and there are other ways of getting water.
Take a look at these YT channels.
"Off-grid with Doug and Stacy"
"Lumnah Acres"
"My Self Reliance"
If you want something middle of the road, try... Deep South Homestead.
It's going to be vital to learn and know these skills with the way things are going. Those who prepare will be grateful they did.
Latrines don't have to be very complicated... usually just a deep hole in the ground.
It's about keeping the bacteria contained to an area that drains sufficiently and is far enough away (100ft) from fresh water supplies and farming fields.
It can be a "lagoon" but the smell in the summer will likely make you wish you went a different direction.
And for whatever reason frogs love lagoons.
You can have just a long deep trench with an opening covered by the outhouse. A latrine isn't necessarily a means of indoor plumbing. It can be if you use plumbing and have a pump and etc. But again all this is a lot of work taking time away from groceries.
But it's possible as you get established to continue to work on labor saving projects.
Growing peas, beans, and starchy foods (potatoes, corn, wheat, barley, oats) will help keep your diet balanced in extreme climate places. And help with the all important calorie intake. Liver, and fatty foods will be your friend.
It's about keeping the bacteria contained to an area that drains sufficiently and is far enough away (100ft) from fresh water supplies and farming fields.
It can be a "lagoon" but the smell in the summer will likely make you wish you went a different direction.
And for whatever reason frogs love lagoons.
You can have just a long deep trench with an opening covered by the outhouse. A latrine isn't necessarily a means of indoor plumbing. It can be if you use plumbing and have a pump and etc. But again all this is a lot of work taking time away from groceries.
But it's possible as you get established to continue to work on labor saving projects.
Growing peas, beans, and starchy foods (potatoes, corn, wheat, barley, oats) will help keep your diet balanced in extreme climate places. And help with the all important calorie intake. Liver, and fatty foods will be your friend.
Self-sufficiency is not the same as sustainability, which is a buzzword meant to destroy self-sufficiency. A good example is how the forests in California have been destroyed by the climate activists (climate Nazis?) who keep chanting *sustainability*. They actively blocked the clearing and burning of the undergrowth in those forests, when that is an essential part of maintaining the health and viability of forests. Then the fires raged in these forests and people who chose to be self-sufficient had to flee. While millions of trees were burned to the ground for no good reason. No doubt some of these activists were also arsonists.
The New World Order does not want people to be self-sufficient. They want people running to governments for handouts, and that is exactly what Biden is doing right now. Buying votes with handouts, and claiming that *Climate Change* is the biggest hazard facing humanity. Which is total rubbish.
if it interests you Tone, I live off grid.
Yeah, off grid is cool, but i'm not talking about that necessarily. I thought off grid meant off the internet too? Anywho, I'm not sure what off grid entails, but I like the idea of minimalist and self-sufficient living.
Yeah, I like the idea of something compact, yet roomy as possible to deal with high winds and storms.
Hmmm Mhmmm, this is why the cob structures are interesting...can probably dig one right into a hill, or rocky outcrop. I also saw a picture of a cob unit standing amidst a bunch of wiped out homes...maybe from a tornado or hurricane. I think I read something about them being able to float as well.
Very doable. So, I would just need to locate a nice plot(s) of land, where I won't be hassled...?
I'm all over it.
Thanks!
Ha ha...yeah, I figured a big ole water tank can be sunk in a good spot with some hole riddled mainline pipes lying in some trenches with a foot or two of filter rocks. You know a divided tank where the solids stay on one side to be broken down and the liquid is siphoned off away from the water table.
I'm no stranger to hard work...it's one of my spiritual gifts!
Agreed. A large portion of the Messianic movement (aka Hebrew Roots Movement) i identify with emphasizes such skills, which I attribute to being in tune with the natural cycles of planting and harvesting as well as observing the Biblical Festivals, especially Sukkot (Tabernacles), when whole congregations plan and execute all the logistics necessary for mass camping. Plus there is the idea of the Greater Exodus (The Greater Exodus (hebroots.com)
I can't say that I've looked into everything associated with the movement in depth, but I agree with very much of what I have encountered and I have a natural interest, in the ability to go mobile at a moments notice and thrive on the move in the wildlands. Hey, back in the days when I played D&D stoned and/or on acid...you best believe I was a Druid/Ranger with an affinity with the forest and the ability to communicate with animals...ha ha...ha...
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Yes...land prices are very good in Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee. I think even Texas has good land prices. I'd look for something with some good hills and a spring or well. There is already a good homestead/off-grid community in Missouri. Maine and New Hampshire have a lot of off-grid properties, but wow....the cold!
Earthship homes are ones that are built into a hill ...earth berm, etc. Your whole front side of the house would be like an atrium or greenhouse/sunroom for growing food, aquaponics, etc.
Building with a dome roof and curved walls adds strength against tornadoes and earthquakes.
Yeah, I'm a South Cali. boy...so...cold is one of my worse enemies...
But, you know what the Good Book says about loving ones enemies...uh oh...
It looks like an interesting tool, but I don't buy into the belief that burning wood causes pollution or is dangerous to the climate.
It can get cold in some of those more "southern" states, but nothing like New Hampshire or Maine. lol
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