The Wild Homestead Blog

Defined loosely, a homestead is a self-sufficient, or largely self-sufficient operation run by a family or small community. Most modern homesteads seek to operate "off the grid." In other words, all utilities, food and basic needs are met within a small community.

Common approaches to a lifestyle "off the grid" include the use of solar energy, rainwater collection, small-scale gardening and animal husbandry, extensive composting and employment of long-term food storage techniques. To operate a homestead, one must have skills in a wide range of areas because outside services will be limited.

Some homesteads are essentially one-man operations. Larger homesteads may be referred to as communes, intentional communities, ecovillages-- places in which groups of individuals or families work together and labor can be distributed according to specialties.
Goals, organization and community 'rules' may vary widely but in general the homestead, or homesteading community, will impart a more gentle impact on the environment and more freedom in the lives of its members than the average middle-class lifestyle.

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I have always been drawn to conservation work, and this has naturally led me to seek ways in which I can minimize my own impact on the environment. Oh yeah, and I'm a conspiracy theorist that doesn't want to have to depend on the system when the system starts falling apart :)
My motivations for doing this project are as simple as that. My motivations for documenting this project are much greater.

• Outreach. I want to be able to connect with others following this path and those interested in this way of life.


• Education. Providing resources and education opportunities for others who would like to follow this path. Approaching childhood learning with the 'unschooling' philosophy.


• Motivation. It's simple, an audience (or at least the illusion of an audience) motivates me to keep going; keep making improvements, keep looking at what I'm doing, keep asking myself "How can I make this better?"


• Organization. Especially in the early stages of an idea, organization is extremely important. I can look around me and have all these ideas and become completely overwhelmed by the projects that lie ahead. Creating these lenses and keeping the blog allows me to organize my thoughts and my ideas in a way that makes it easier to work on, piece by piece.


• Documentation.
Being able to keep a log of what I have done and what I intend to do will help me in the future if I intend to write grants, apply for graduate school and use this project for my thesis, or any other projects requiring documentation.

Aside from establishing a sustainable way of life for ourselves, we also seek to establish a sustainable environment for wildlife. Here are some of our goals for the next 10 years.

• Minimize the spread and impact of invasive species which are very common in previously overgrazed pastures.
  
  • Check out my project lens The Tallows are Taking Over!, to find out more.


• Document, restore, and promote the human and natural history of the property.
  • Take a look at An Old Home; A Beautiful work of Art for more information.


• Incorporate vegetation that supports reproduction, food and shelter needs of native wildlife.


• Establish designated walking trails around the property to reduce the impact of human traffic in the "wildlife" areas.

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At this point, we are not remotely self-sufficient. The only things we have working for us are the land (its potential) and the ambition.

Here are some things we would like to change:

• Reduce our dependence on outside sources of food by 75%


• Reduce our dependence on electric appliances and electricity.
  We currently operate a washer/dryer, a refrigerator, a central AC, water heater, a conventional range (we use a toaster over for smaller items), a 1 HP well pump and a few smaller items like a blender, a TV and DVD player which we use occasionally, two laptops, a fan, my husbands recording studio and lightbulbs (a mixture of CFLs and LED bulbs).


• Reduce our consumption of water by half (while increasing our need for irrigation systems for the gardens and animals).


• Reduce our vehicle use and eventually replace our vehicles with alternative means of transportation. For our location, biking is possible individually but not suitable for the entire family.


• Eliminate debt.

Shaded forest areas
6-7 acres: including bamboo thicket. The main problems in these areas are overgrowth of blackberries, privet, tallow trees and (in some areas) bamboo and air potato vines. Also, the loss of pine trees due to pine beetle infestation.

Dry, grassy pasture areas
10-12 acres: Main problems include tallow tree overgrowth, blackberry overgrowth, invasive grasses and forbs and red fire ants.

Cool bog- both sun and shade
2-3 acres: Threats have not been identified but are much the same as in other areas. This spring in the bog produced TONS of dragonflies of different species and also provides habitats for different species of frogs. This is one of my favorite areas on the property.