And more about a complete change in mindset ...
I have become much more interested in maintaining a small ecosystem (or actually several smaller ecosystems) and less about "prepping" in the traditional sense that people think about prepping.
@Timmy59 has been instrumental in this shift. I LOVE reading his posts and following the progress on his little slice of heaven. I will never be able to raise cattle ... Or even have a goat ... But I DO firmly believe I will be able to grow enough fruits and vegetables to be able to feed my critters and substantially cut my feed bill with fermented food, a fodder system and a mealworm and earthworm "farms" and garden leftovers from my dehydrating, fermenting and canning.
To that end, does anyone have any books they've read, bloggers or YouTube channels they follow regularly or any personal stories they can share with regard to creating a as close to self-sustaining garden and small animal farm as you can get in town on what is basically a 1/3 acre of land??
Luckily for me, OKC encourages water harvesting and front yard gardening. I only have enough grass left in the backyard to basically walk from the patio to the compost pile. Enough for the dogs to do their biz at the back fence and roll around in grass by the patio in the front. I LOVE it. They have adjusted pretty well -- especially when I open up the gate to the duck/chicken pen and they can run around the shed and up and down the fence on the southside -- and play with the neighbor's dogs along the fence.
I can hardly wait to start "tearing up" the front yard next spring. Give me something to do in the meantime fellas!! Thanks!!
I have become much more interested in maintaining a small ecosystem (or actually several smaller ecosystems) and less about "prepping" in the traditional sense that people think about prepping.
@Timmy59 has been instrumental in this shift. I LOVE reading his posts and following the progress on his little slice of heaven. I will never be able to raise cattle ... Or even have a goat ... But I DO firmly believe I will be able to grow enough fruits and vegetables to be able to feed my critters and substantially cut my feed bill with fermented food, a fodder system and a mealworm and earthworm "farms" and garden leftovers from my dehydrating, fermenting and canning.
To that end, does anyone have any books they've read, bloggers or YouTube channels they follow regularly or any personal stories they can share with regard to creating a as close to self-sustaining garden and small animal farm as you can get in town on what is basically a 1/3 acre of land??
Luckily for me, OKC encourages water harvesting and front yard gardening. I only have enough grass left in the backyard to basically walk from the patio to the compost pile. Enough for the dogs to do their biz at the back fence and roll around in grass by the patio in the front. I LOVE it. They have adjusted pretty well -- especially when I open up the gate to the duck/chicken pen and they can run around the shed and up and down the fence on the southside -- and play with the neighbor's dogs along the fence.
I can hardly wait to start "tearing up" the front yard next spring. Give me something to do in the meantime fellas!! Thanks!!
.. What we're doing is for several reasons.. Possible necessity,,, Also because we enjoy being outdoors and having this kind of accomplishment / lifestyle.. The wife had cancer and we are well aware of the quality of food that is marketed.. I'm looking at retiring in the next 18-24 months and will need something to keep me occupied.. Hence a produce stand with country produced goods.. Small cash flow and rewarding activity..
