So you want to start a homestead. Here are some things you might want to ask yourself first. This is the introduction post for what we have learned so far from our journey to start a homestead. I will be going into other things as this goes along. If I was to put it on one post there would be too much information at one time, so I will break it into parts until we get to the point where we are in the process. I just wanted to share it with everyone, so if the are thinking about this they will have some ideas. It can be a process to knowing and understanding everything.
How much land do I need?
It all depends on what you plan to do, if you want livestock like goats and cows, you will need about an acre per cow of good grass to keep it feed. Goats will eat everything and are good at helping clean a piece of property but most of the time they eat what you do not want them to. Understand that a large plot of land will require some upkeep and you will need some equipment to keep it all up. A tractor with a loader and some implements, a bush hog, a box blade among other things. You will need to know how to take care of the equipment and also maintain that equipment. Are you just wanting some chickens and some land to plant for gardens? Have a fruit orchard? How many houses will be on the property? Will you have septic tanks or compost toilets and a well? They have to be a distance from each other and the well will have to be away from any livestock you have. Figure out what you want to do first and then go from there. No need to look for and buy 20 acres of you only need 5 acres.
Buying Raw Land or Pasture Land?
Do you want to start with raw land or land that has been cleared already as pasture? Raw land has it advantages like you will be able to have some bigger trees already on the property you will be able to keep for shade for your animals and to shade your houses when you get them built. To make the pasture or your gardens you will have to clear and root all that area to be able to plant your garden or get your grass started for your animals. You will have to have some experience with clearing land like the operation of heavy equipment and equipment or the ability to pay someone to do it for you. With pasture land, you will most likely, have no trees on the property and will have to plant trees and wait the years it takes for them to grow. you will have the grass for your animals, more than likely, to start grazing and not have the time of waiting on the grass to get seeded in and growing. You can start fruit trees growing and have your garden going fairly quick.
Land Ready To Start?
Do you find a place that has already been set up as a homestead and go from there? It will have its advantages but then you have to make someone else's dream your own. You will have to have the knowledge to remodel and make it want you want or the cash to pay someone to do the work for you. Have fruit trees already growing and producing fruit, hopefully, the tress you want on the property, the barns and everything you need. This can come at a high cost in the beginning but everything is already set up for you to just start your journey.
We started with raw land and it is a challenge but it as been a good journey so far. The reason we started with raw land was the fact that we wanted to make it our own and not have to make another person's vision of a homestead fit our idea of our homestead.
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