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Hi from lower Alabama

PostPosted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:32 pm
by Msgoldielocks
Hi. I've been lurking around here for awhile and have almost commented on many threads, but since this seems to be a fairly small, active community, I thought I'd introduce myself before just jumping right in.

We have a small homestead, just about 2 acres, and big dreams. We started off innocently enough with a garden about 4 years ago. We bought plants and seeds from the local feed store, stuck them in the ground and waited for a small, disappointing yield.

Since then we've added 5 raised planters, a flock of chickens, a pair of turkeys, tilled an enormous unused portion of our yard, cut several trees, built a barn, and will be getting milking goats in a month or two.

This is our first year starting seeds indoors. We found a used "grow lab" and have things popping up already. We also have a notebook in which we decided EVERYTHING needs to be recorded in.

Oh yeah, I've also had a couple of babies myself. They are a huge part of why we're doing what we're doing. But really we want freedom and independence. I don't want to eat poisonous chemical laden food or gmos. I want our kids to know where food come from, and we want to be good stewards of our planet.

We do what we can; we recycle, compost, cloth diaper, shop used and local, but we still want more. We (hubby and I) have big goals and obviously there's a lot to learn and benefit from others' experiences.

So that's it in a nutshell. I just wanted to say hi before I just jumped in and started commenting and asking questions. Hope to learn and share lots along the way.

Re: Hi from lower Alabama

PostPosted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:05 pm
by pa_friendly_guy
Hi there, welcome aboard, glad to have you with us. Sounds like you have made some great strides toward setting up your homestead. I happened to pick up a Mother Earth News wiser living series, Guide to Self-Reliance awhile back. My Mom was in the hosp, so I am guessing it was around Nov. There is an article in it about homesteading on an acre. Since you have twice that much ground you should have no problems. ;) There isn't an inch of the land that isn't used for something, but it has a yard, small barn, pigs, chickens, small hay field, a milk cow or milk goats, Bee hives, orchard, a lot of veggies, and a house. Its a nice article, if you can find a copy I would recommend it as a starting place. Each Homestead has to be different to meet the needs of the Family living there, but it is a good place to start. It sounds as if your goals are similar to what they have accomplished there on one acre. Good Luck.

Re: Hi from lower Alabama

PostPosted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 12:01 am
by Lollykoko
Welcome Goldie! We are so glad that you have joined the conversation.

Re: Hi from lower Alabama

PostPosted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 5:34 am
by GrahamB
Welcome! As you've probably figured out, we are not one of those forums that tell you what you must do. We work out our problems in a friendly and enthusiastic manner. You've only got look at all the pyromaniacs on here and how they have developed the hot butt heater.... no wait, rocket mass heater. There are lots of different projects going on here though, and all in a friendly, non-judgmental way. Most of us have small plots like you that we are trying to make productive, so welcome to the club. :)

Re: Hi from lower Alabama

PostPosted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 3:18 pm
by Msgoldielocks
Thanks y'all! We definitely want to do a rocket mass heater also. Our kitchen/dining area has practically zero insulation and is ccccold in the winter. We have a window planter and a bench in one corner and we'll take that out and put in a rmh. It is all really overwhelming sometimes. I just try to remember to take one thing at a time. We also jump in feet first frequently and learn as we go. Although that sometimes means redoing things...

Re: Hi from lower Alabama

PostPosted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 4:47 pm
by matt walker
So glad you joined up Ms. Locks! Welcome. Your place sounds wonderful and I love the description of how you guys found yourself immersed in the lifestyle. It does kinda creep in in tiny seed packets! Can't wait to hear more about your adventures there.

Re: Hi from lower Alabama

PostPosted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 6:45 pm
by TruGrit
.. I'll say howdy too Goldie, even though I'm a noob here ... these are great folks and I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I have ..

.. btw, I'm gonna swipe your notebook idea .. thx! .. :mrgreen:

Re: Hi from lower Alabama

PostPosted: Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:21 pm
by mannytheseacow
Welcome Ms Goldie Locks! I'll be excited to see the changes you folks are making at your place. I've got a lot of planting to do too as soon as this weather breaks. Really looking forward to this growing season (and the harvest season, too).