Becoming More Self Reliant - The Dream
Information
A lot of people have the dream of a few acres of land and self reliance (as opposed to self -sufficiency, which is a myth!). This group is to draw together the experiences of those living the dream and sharing the lessons learned on the way with those still working towards living on the land.
Members: 135
Latest Activity: May 18
How do you make it work?
A friend who is a valuer told me last year that lifestyle blocks have the highest turnover of ownership or all property types. The idea of land ownership is loved by many, but what does it take to succeed in becoming self reliant? The romanticism of a rural lifestyle vs the reality of living the lifestyle can be miles apart. So, what does it take to realise a self reliant lifestyle and how have you achieved this?
I would love for you to share your lessons and advice to myself and others:
What combinations of activities have worked for you e.g. paid employment vs earning an income off the land?
Where did you start off?
Do you still undertake paid employment part time to get by or have you transitioned fully to living off the land?
What were you biggest challenges and what were your biggest lessons learned?...
Discussion Forum
green control of pampas 2 Replies
What are the best ways to control and eradicate pampas grassContinue
Started by Kate. Last reply by Serra Kilduff Feb 26.
The Myth of Self Reliance 1 Reply
Hi All,Here's an article to make us think a bit deeper about our dreams. I agree with it whole heartily. It links in to wider Transition Towns concepts well:…Continue
Started by Laine. Last reply by Hanna Feb 6.
Dreaming... 9 Replies
My current thoughts are the more $ you have up front to be freehold on land the better, so more time can be spent on the land and less paid employment in transitioning. However, it is a toss up…Continue
Started by Laine. Last reply by Laine Feb 6.
Partnerships in land. 3 Replies
I live in Auckland. I want to leave Auckland. Unfortunately the wife does not. Not able to/ doesn't want to participate in garden. Possible compromise. We live on the edge of north Auckland. Or…Continue
Started by Peter Wadham. Last reply by Kirsten Fathers Mar 30, 2012.
Comment Wall
Comment
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Comment by Sheri on January 25, 2011 at 11:57am -
Hello, This is another interesting site. Path to Freedom is a grassroots, family operated, original urban homestead located in the midst of Pasadena, California.
The Dervaes Family have steadily worked at transforming this ordinary city lot into an organic and sustainable micro-farm.
http://urbanhomestead.org/
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Comment by moggy on January 24, 2011 at 7:54am -
This is a fantastic site for those interested in self sufficiency, there is a wealth of resources you can download. In particular I recommend the handy farm devices book
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Comment by Laine on December 2, 2010 at 5:45pm -
Hi Moggy, I agree it depends on their feed. What I was meaning is that if they are free ranging, then in addition to any commercial food they may be fed they are also getting grass, dandelion, bugs etc. At our place they have comfrey, silverbeet, Sorrel, NZ spinach and many other greens in their diet.
A quick Google search showed these:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/2007-10-01/Tests-Reveal-He...
http://www.suite101.com/content/nutrition-freerange-vs-batterycage-...
Most studies seam to come back to the first one, but the USDA has also done some research.
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Comment by Jenny Harkerss on December 2, 2010 at 1:44pm -
Hi Richard, Just joined. There is a book on Self sufficiency( printed on recycled paper as well) from Australia whichhas all the plans for building and setting up a block of land. I have used it for years and it has some great ideas. There is a couple in Tasmania, similar climate to ours who are totally self-sufficient on a 1/4 acre. absolutely ammazing what they grow. Good luck.
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Comment by moggy on December 1, 2010 at 11:02pm
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although I disagree wth battery farmed eggs, I don't know that there is any evidence to say they are fed on poorer quality food than what I feed my own chooks. Taste is not always an indication of quality as my customers prefer duck eggs fed on bought feed rather than wild duck eggs. I would be really interested to read any links which analysese the nutritional value of battery vs free range eggs. I always assumed free range would be better for you, now i wonder if it is only better for the chickens. (NB not planning on changing back to battery farmed whatever the outcome is)
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Comment by Laine on December 1, 2010 at 9:54pm
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Hmmm, I would seriously doubt that. If the chicken is on poor quality food then the eggs are not going to have the same nutrients, just as a human on a poor diet can lead to infertility issues. I am sure there will be studies you can find online. If I was your neighbour I would also be trusting my taste buds...Taste is an indicator of what is in the egg. If it taste different then there is going to be nutritional differences with the eggs.
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Comment by moggy on December 1, 2010 at 7:36pm
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Nutrition in eggs?
I had a conversation with a neighbour who was buying the cheapest supermarket eggs. She said, she knew free range were better for the chicken and they tastes better, but that nutrition content of battery farmed eggs were the same. Any thoughts on this? it is something I had never thought about. (we have our own chickens and sell our eggs).
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Comment by Janandcolin on November 18, 2010 at 11:30am -
hi there !!, afer some knowledge iI'm sure is out there ! , we have just got two dairy goats very friendly but they do have horns so will need a milking stand with head brace I think to start her milking ( she hads never been milked before ) this is her first lot of kids. any info onwher I can get hold of a very cheap milking stand or how to make one on the cheap or any one with some useful tips I would be EXTREMELY grateful ! thanks ... on the journey ,....
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Comment by Amber on October 30, 2010 at 11:56am -
Hi Folks - would love to join you! Have had a little read of some of the discussions - compost!!! It's been a challenge for me from the start. I do own a property that could enable self suffiency if I didn't have to live elsewhere to pay for it! So - at this point it truly IS a dream but one I'm not giving up!
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Comment by Richard Grevers on October 16, 2010 at 1:45pm -
I saw another article about that house the other day and thought - aha, a target to beat! I don't think we'd want quite so much glass.
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