Start Homesteading Now

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Start

Homesteading Now

By John Stuart, Carol Mack and Megan Phelps

Although many people dream of buying several acres in the country, sometimes

it’s more practical to start homesteading where you are.

Heidi Hunt, an assistant editor at Mother Earth News who homesteaded

on a farm in northeastern Washington, recommends learning as many homesteading

skills as possible before moving to a place in the country. “Planting,

harvesting and preserving food are skills that can be practiced almost

anywhere,” Hunt says.

In fact, many aspects of homesteading work as well in the city as in the

country. Installing solar panels, building with straw bales, heating with wood,

collecting rainwater and even raising chickens are all possible in the city or

suburbs. Just be careful to check all relevant zoning and local ordinances

before you get started.

Whatever your homesteading plans, Hunt says it’s important to focus on

your priorities. Decide which parts of the dream are most important to you.

“Learn the skills and find out what’s involved. Each new

homesteading activity requires new tools and skills, as well as a certain

amount of money and energy,” she says.

Some of these activities require more money and time than others —

another reason why it’s a good idea to start with smaller projects, such

as learning to garden before buying farmland, or doing some basic home repairs

before deciding to build your own home.

If you pursue larger projects, there are many ways to learn more about your

interests. For potential farmers, apprenticeships and volunteer opportunities

on organic farms can be invaluable. Renewable energy workshops around the

country help people learn about small-scale solar or wind power. To learn about

building, options range from volunteering with Habitat for Humanity to

attending natural building workshops. For a list of homesteading resources, see

Plan

the Perfect Homestead in the April/May 2006 issue of Mother Earth News.

 

 

“Fortunately

art is a community effort - a small but select community living in a

spiritualized world endeavoring to interpret the wars and the solitudes of the

flesh.”

-Allen Ginsberg

 

 

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