What can Make or Break Your Small Farm/ Homestead

[@TimBinns68]

I always love your straight forward videos. One thing you didn't mention is, if a video tells you to get a product to make your life easier, it's probably just an advertisement for something you don't need. You mentioned cornish cross chickens. We had never raised them until last year. The dumbest animal I've ever seen. They would lay on each other and suffocate each other or just fall over dead, so this year we are back to freedom rangers. We are getting our first feeder pigs this year, it's taken two years of learning from honest people like you to finally decide we are ready. It's hard to find good info out there and I want to thank you for being one of the sources of good info..

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Most folks are just trying to sell something. Only thing I've bought in years that really made a difference was an earth way seeder and I need to build a weed burning rig to go behind the tractor I used one the other day and I believe it could be a game changer. It's not easy to use or set up but once you get it right it does good work

[@TimBinns68]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay that weed burner would be a good video when you get it figured out.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@TimBinns68 problem is the fenders get hot enough to burn the crop after a couple of rows , I'm going to double wall them and maybe it'll work

[@mpccenturion]

24 yrs ago - I raised geese. seemed like a good fit for me. Had 6 goslings - Last NAME was DAY. First names were Thanks Giving - Xmas, New Years, Valentines, Good Friday and Easter. FACEBOOK - had 3 geese looking for a good home. I picked them up - and they got named--- June 1 - Canada Day and Labour Day. Food is FOOD, don't confuse that idea ! Thank you Chris - and his Sweetheart! Appreciate your perspective - I am in Canada - -50 F is possible. - but your concepts are gold

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Cold is something we don't know how to deal with -50 here would be an apocalypse.

[@katie7748]

I'm from the Upper Midwest so -50 is no biggie. Just put on enough layers. I miss it, honestly. (We moved to the South to be closer to my in-laws.) It got hot and sticky back home, just not quite as hot and sticky as down here and certainly not for as long. I'll take negatives over triple digits any day of the week. You can always put more layers on but you can't take your skin off! Cute name idea btw 😊

[@lawsonlawnandfarm8073]

Amen! You made a ton of good points! Good to see you again. Y’all need to put more videos out!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Y'all are putting up some outstanding videos on the true grit channel

[@lawsonlawnandfarm8073]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay thanks, I tell you what it’s about as much work doing the videos as it is doing the actual work. But we’ve touched so many people lately, just the comments and emails we get it’s worth it

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@lawsonlawnandfarm8073 you can tell you put the work in them .

[@drcdrdoct9864]

A whole lot of hard truth being spit by Chris here. The hardest thing to learn about farming animals is how to deal with death. Everything dies and most of the time it dies because you were careless or made a mistake. I used to love hawks until I got chickens. Nothing breaks your heart like losing an animal you worked your ass off to keep alive (so you could kill later) and a predator comes in and kills it and spoils the whole animal.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

You can do everything halfway right and there's no guarantee it'll work that's certain

[@kevinilg2657]

Thanks for making the video man I always appreciate all the tips and advice, I'll talk to you soon

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Anytime

[@katherinecade7191]

good to see you folks. both the kunekune pigs you helped me with made it to the table. selling piglets that take a year to grow was too much to feed out if they didn't sell and they can be found cheap often. I like raising the little guys and they taste good. got a few more this year. plan to try raising a regular hog next.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I think you'll be a lot more satisfied with the large breeds

[@geekygardens]

Sound advice as usual my friends. Hope you both are doing well.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

You've got that garden looking good Geeky

[@garyholmes4058]

Sometimes i don't know why i do it at all i tell my grandma all the time "im gonna downsize and only do enough for us from now on" and here i am with 32 pigs again. I guess i just love it to much. I missed my era i should have been born 100 years ago 😂

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

It's hard to give up on your roots

[@gwc3721]

Very good video. Similar situation here in Minnesota. Corn , soybeans and feed all here. You can buy eggs for $2/doz and ground beef for $4+/lbs.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@gwc3721 markets always flooded in farming communities.

[@millsdevan]

Good to see ya Chris! Hope you and Mrs. Darlene are well!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

My health is getting worse. I'm going to step up doing videos while I can

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Great advice as always Chris. One great channel on here is Andy and Megan Lawson's channel True Grit: Appalachian Ways. They grow probably 80-90 percent of the food they have and have livestock as well as vegetables.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

They're friends of mine and they absolutely have some good information

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay Oddly enough, I found Andy after I heard you mention him in one of your videos a while back and found out they live here in Stokes County maybe 15-20 minutes from me. Between them, their family and neighbors, they killed 36 hogs last winter.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@MarkWYoung-ky4uc they do things very similar to the way we do , just little things different. They're keeping the old ways alive and definitely know what they're doing

[@oldnorthstateoutdoors2002]

Just got home from going to look at an International 140 for sale. Thinking hard about getting it. They are hard to beat for the garden. Like the video it has excellent information as always.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

If it's got the tool bars and equipment with it , it would be the best investment you ever put into a garden for certain

[@jvin248]

Those seem good. Popular on youtube (and prices seem going up there!). Can you convert it to 3-point? Then you can use many implements you can find cheaper than Fast Hitch only pieces.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Go get it. I have Daddy's and I have been using it since 1976, in fact, I grew up using it. Both he and I raised tobacco crops with it as well as gardens. For my money, they are the greatest small farm tractor ever built.

[@oldnorthstateoutdoors2002]

I bought the tractor. It has a full set of cultivators, a bush hog, a fertilizer spreader, a scrape blade, two bottom pan plow, a set of disc, a hay bale spear, a lay-off plow, and a sprayer frame. Gave $4500 for it all. I thought that was a little steep but I could live with it.

[@oldnorthstateoutdoors2002]

@@jvin248 it came with several implements that are fast hitch and I have two other tractors that have 3 pt hitches.

[@cranerigging3604]

Well said Chris and great to see you ! At 1:05 you bring up a good point that we can be very proud of the fact in this country it's still cheaper to buy food at the grocery store than try to raise it ourself on a small scale . This is because the United States kick's ass bigtime in the agricultural sector and most of the eating public has no idea where the food comes from ! 😁 About 80 % of my business is working with Farms and one Fertilizer plant on the maintenance end and these folks push hard and roll fast . I love living in the countryside raising a garden and having a few head of livestock but if it ever got to the point I could grow the food cheaper myself on a small scale then I have failed at my job . Keep up the great work Chris !👍

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

The American farmer can feed the world no doubt . I should have covered picking battles when it comes to growing things . Like how much work goes into butter beans verse how cheap they are frozen

[@jeffhuntley2921]

Having pigs is really handy while figuring out what vegetables you can grow well. I’ve never had a pig complain that the peppers were lopsided or the corn kernels hadn’t developed fully:)

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I don't get many complaints on quality, some on price . My thing is the stupid questions about GMOs and round up because of Facebook post

[@Porkchop4011]

Chris I'm glad to see you your getting around. I appreciate the information on my 140 I. I had a hiccup I wanted to chew the fat with you about the 140. Great to see you making videos!!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Call anytime

[@jvin248]

Perfect points. Farming is hard when both are working together, impossible when one is not invested in it. Ideas I'd add: .. Find a local butcher to buy meat of whatever animal you want to raise to verify the kids and spouse will eat it. Do you and they like the taste of goat/sheep meat? Not fancy lamb, but old mutton? Rabbit meat? What about goat milk? Can they drink it, will they have it on their corn flakes? Try making butter/cottage cheese/yogurt from store-bought milk and will the kids eat it? If not then don't plan to raise those animals. .. Years ago we picked up a couple hundred chickens because a family just a little too close to suburbia had bought a lot of mail order chicks and their neighbors complained of the noise and the zoning about the time those chicks were half grown. Forced to get rid of them, their fingers were wore out and raw pulling pin feathers trying to put as many as they could in the freezer in a hurry and they were just overwhelmed. .. Wherever you are at, experiment now on a small scale but use methods for your large plans, because you can buy all kinds of fancy fertilizer and compost for a few plants by the house, but you can't afford any of that at the scale you'll need. The 1920s figure was an acre per person to survive a year, before chemicals and hybrid seed.. Debt is a bad situation, avoid it at every opportunity. Don't buy a new tractor like you see on youtube (they got them for free, to sell you), get a small used tractor and repair it to reliability. Don't buy a new pickup truck, put a hitch on whatever vehicle you have now and buy a small trailer to haul stuff. .. If you are planning to sell stuff off the homestead, what test marketing can you do now to see if the product sells, you can sell it, and you enjoy it?

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Exactly!

[@katie7748]

🎯 This is GOLD.

[@TheCajunHomestead]

I just realized I was no longer subscribed to Y’all. I subscribed a long time ago. I was born into to Farming/ Homesteading/Prepping what ever a person wants to call it in the early 1960s. We moved to my Great Grandparents 1900 Homestead, a couple years ago, but, I was there almost every weekend , except when I worked overseas, so I never really left the country life even though I married a city girl who has started to come around to country life. Yeap , I started her off with the worst country life drug”Chickens”. and she likes driving the tractor. I believe a good supporting infrastructure is the most important aspect of Homesteading. If you don’t have it , the first time you are woke up by a angry neighbor or law enforcement because your animals are in their garden or on the highway, you’ll understand. Love your channel because of your common sense attitude, and experience you show. I try not to have fluff or hype on my channel either. Great video.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

That's a good point that can't be stressed enough. One of the reasons I do as good as I do is I've built to make work easier and spent on infrastructure. You can work hard once to build or everyday because you didn't

[@TheCajunHomestead]

I agree with your reply. Thanks

[@JohannaParrishParrish_Place]

This is a interesting truthful video. My uncle's were farmers and they always said it's a hard life.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

You have to want to do it . I don't think I know a single farmer or homesteader that's just in it for the money .

[@katie7748]

I wish more people realized that even Pa Ingalls had to go into town. So much wisdom and good advice here. I appreciate it. Thank you.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Glad to help

[@joshsanford983]

Thank you for putting out real information

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

You have to know what you're really up against to succeed

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Thank you

[@joelrobertson71]

Great video. I'm in AZ which couldn't be a more different place than NC. I raise quail and have a raised bed garden. The infrastructure alone makes it completely unprofitable. My reasons for doing this were never about money. It has always been about having a connection to food. I really appreciate this video. Nothing but truths.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I used to do it just because home raised tasted better

[@RobinsTinyHomestead]

Hi Chris, Hope you and the family are doing well. God bless.

[@toniclanton7368]

Glad to see y'all !!!

[@jeffboothe2102]

Hey Chris, I enjoy your wisdom and experience. I hope you're feeling OK.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I'm getting worse health wise but I'm going to do as many videos as I can

[@Pamlicoprepper]

Just found your channel. I’m down the road from you on the coast. You’re right about having good dirt. I don’t for a garden. Having good luck with citrus trees in the ground and my garden is in pots. Keep up the videos I will have to go back and watch what you have already put out.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Good dirt's scarce down there best I can tell

[@Jayslifeoutloud]

Very wise words, thank you.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Hope it helps

[@Haggie-Farms.74]

Good to have someone that dont suger coat. Good job

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Hopefully It'll help folks out

[@jeffhuntley2921]

Only thing I’ve done consistently is fail and lose money but it’s a good learning experience and I thoroughly enjoy it. Always appreciate the knowledge!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

It's not just you , I've failed at many things . Sometimes you keep trying and figure it out and sometimes you figure out it just won't work . Trick is to keep the money loss at a minimum while you figure it out . I made the mistake once of figuring out the money I spent raising cows vs what I made

[@garyholmes4058]

Can't wait for another video!

[@lisanowakow3688]

Great advice Chris and Darlene! I want a small farm to know what I’m feeding my family. There is nothing wrong in staying in touch with your reasons to farm. Thank you both!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Growing a good percentage of your food is an obtainable goal , just need to pick your battles

[@RaisedOutdoors]

Great information! Glad to hear from you!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I'm going to try to do as many videos as I can this summer. My health is going down hill and I want to get as much information out as I can

[@RaisedOutdoors]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay prayers bud. Hope the health gets better

[@huntready1435]

Appreciate the truth you put out! Too many fairytale channels out there feeding everyone bs.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I saw two tonight saying you could do it for free . Mind blowing

[@katie7748]

​@@HomesteadingtheHardWay Those ones grind my gears 🤬

[@lavenderlilacproductions]

Good to see you, Chris. Thanks for talking with us.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Glad to

[@fullerhomestead2022]

Hey Chris! I have learned so much from your videos and appreciate you sharing the knowledge you have. I have a question regarding some duroc pigs I have; the two gilts I have have grown so nicely (they are sisters from the same litter). I purchased a duroc boar who was approximately 1 month younger than the girls for future breeding. All three are supposed to be full breed duroc...I know the farm I got the girls from and trust them, but the boar was a first time transaction for me. I think they all look nice, but am concerned the boar is not growing as fast as he should (he's 8 months old). Could it just be that he was a runt and slow grower? Thanks for any input you could provide. If you need more info from me, I'm happy to provide it. Thanks!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Email me [e-mail]

[@shanerobbins1501]

The Real Deal

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I love these talks of yours. Do NOT turn into an animal rescue and don't get what's for free on Facebook are some great pieces of advice. All of this is great advice!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I know several people with 1100 lb pet steers because they made pets out of them and can't eat them

[@katie7748]

​@@HomesteadingtheHardWay🤦‍♀️

[@henrydillard6217]

Zoning and deed restrictions are huge problems. Completely unconstitutional as well but i digress.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I've seen several folks have to shut down because neighbors complained enough to get zones changed over petty things like roosters crowing or front yard gardens

[@toniclanton7368]

Hey hey hey Chris and Ms D ❤

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Hey Toni I think you were first comment

[@fivem3398]

I've always appreciated your videos. You can tell when someone is the real deal. You can also tell when they're not if you just take the time to look around the back ground. Some warning signs are tractors with all the paint on the bucket and no oil around the remotes, EVERYTHING being in raised beds, or the host saying "you guys have got to get one of these". It's like you were saying about the best ground being already farmed...if a video tells you they have found a new and better way, you might want to step back a little. Not saying they haven't, but people have been growing stuff a long time and it's rare to find anything truly new. I want to find a video with some old fella in a khaki dickies jump suit, a chew of tobacco in his mouth and coffee can of chops feeding his chickens. That's a fella that knows what he's doing.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Rules we different in the old days , you went hungry if you didn't know what to do

[@_1COR15.1-4]

Thank you, God bless ❤

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Always glad to help

[@markellis6727]

I appreciate your common sense, always enjoy your videos, this from just a old gentleman farmer

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I wish common sense would come back in style. The world would be far better off

[@davidslocum5718]

Great video I really appreciate all the advice, more videos would be great. I watch everyone several times.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I still trying to get them up more regular

[@garyholmes4058]

Same here I bet I watched every pig video 5 times.

[@OrganicMommaGA]

Yes, it can be hard work and seem like there are few rewards at first, but in my opinion, it is worth every drop of sweat, every ache, every bit of effort because farming is a long haul thing. We don't garden because we want instant gratification - we garden because we believe in the future that with enough of the right kind of attention (and some prayer) we will be able to harvest something we planted. I look upon every "failure" as a learning experience, and try different things to see what works for me, my family, my microclimate, my garden. I refuse to spend all of my savings on a "maybe", but I will shop smarter and plan before making a purchase. I do think that's one thing new farmers/gardeners often do - they jump in with no real plan, just some ideas and some "information" from social media or dreams. Make a plan but remain flexible - you might surprise yourself. :)

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

This pretty much nails it . And remember no one does it just for the money

[@edwardpotter8342]

Just came across your channel i love it Subscribed to it I live in eastern north Carolina im very interested in what you are doing & would love to talk to you. God Bless 🙏

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

We're in Lenoir co. Email me [e-mail]

[@jamesgatlin4162]

Turkey creek nc here. Used to work on tobacco farms years ago.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I know where that is

[@Caleb-et7js]

Im running 40 beef cows and feeding all my steers out growing almost all my feed and im having to drive a hour one way to get mineral and dry molasses to grind feed.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I never realized how luck we are to still have feed mills in most towns

[@stevem5447]

Gentlemen speaks 100% truth

[@pattondobbs1647]

Keep it simple. You’re either made for it all or you’re not. From Central Florida.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Fair enough

[@brandonroller3228]

Chris, I live in the panhandle of Florida, what pig breed do you think best? I can put them in 2acres of woods but its mainly pine. Or just pen them and fatten.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Any old line breed or cross will do fine as long as they're decent bred pigs

[@timhenslee1025]

I understand your points .I used to work on a 600+ acre total confinement hog farm, then come home to my grandmothers farm and often work till after midnight taking care of my 6+ sows and 20 or more ewes not to mention what ever crop ground i could rent .Even go work out if i had time. Till i got burned out ,from the big hog farm i worked on .I started driving trucks and saved up enough to buy 30 acres with the thought ,I'd work it like i did my grandmothers farm but with being a truck driver even locally and living an hour and a half away , and 3 hours total got to be too much. Especially with no liveble house and land sorely in need of drainage tile .I paid the place off and sold it 2 years ago for less than i paid for it.When i decided to get someone to farm it for me noone was interested unless they could buy me out at firesale prices.I worked out a deal with the new owner i can live on 5 acres and farm it when i ,if ever get out of the nursing home/rehab centers where my poor health has put me the last 4 years.I have diabeties,conjestive heart failure,diaphram paralysis,undergoing kidney dialysis and have a tracheotomy, among other things. lol Still hope to get walking at least a few feet and use a motorized cart to get aound. Love your video ,excellent advice! And i turn 64 in may so hopefully theres time left,just wish there was some way to tell which youtube channels were fake or had faulty advice. Thanks Chris and God bless you and yours.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I hate you're dealing with health issues like that , I know how that is .

[@oklahomesteader]

ooohhhhhh SPOT ON Chris!!!!!!! Totally agree

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Got to know what you're really up against to succeed

[@dfgyuhdd]

Keeping your day job and running your homestead "on the side" is not that bad. It's a more realistic plan. One thing that does is takes away some of the pressure of being profitable. I guarantee that your homestead will not come close to whatever you're making at your day job, especially in the first few years.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I can't understand how people think they can quit work and start a small farm and make it . You would have to have an enormous amount of start up money

[@henrydillard6217]

You would have to have a side job that you can do at the homestead as well, like welding, auto mechanics, tractor mechanics or something. ​@HomesteadingtheHardWay

[@jvin248]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay Money and/or skills (such as repairing old tractor and equipment rescued from fence rows instead of buying new). Some sold their itty bitty house in California "for a million" and moved to the midwest buying five acres for an itty bitty amount of cash leaving them with a cash horde to soak off for a while and no mortgage. One spouse may have a solid remote-capable side gig or say a teacher or nurse kind of gig. Some do youtube! Make it look good, sell the dream, and get free stuff. There seems to be a common point around 50k-75k subscribers they move to a new house (maybe buy) then around 150k subs they are buying a bigger place and start showing off new equipment they got for free to do reviews and continue showing it off. Then at 250k+ they are spending on even bigger things, it's so marvelous up there. Eventually they make an announcement they are quitting youtube because views are suddenly way down because youtube changed whatever system rule was pushing their channel to viewers. They struggle with the bills and can't sustain their now lavish youtube lifestyle with all the stress.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@henrydillard6217that's how we do it , I ran a tractor, equipment, fabrication shop here on the farm.

[@regenerativelifewayne]

Facts great advice ! Why am doing aquaponics, diy solar etc in my backyard, I know my limits etc

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I've always wanted to combine aquaculture and aquaponics. We did it in high school in green houses tilapia and tomatoes

[@waydownyonder8446]

First time here. Subscribed and will be backed.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Thank you hope we help

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Thank you for the support, hope we help

[@codyb8278]

I fenced in 3 acres with treated wood posts high tensile horse fence 4 foot high best investment ever keeps livestock in n others out

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I wish I had invested in a good fence around everything thirty years ago even if I'd had to borrow the money to do it

[@wovenrootsfarmstead5177]

Western NC here and we have a lot of folks trying the homestead/small farm thing here as well. 95% of them quit after the first year. 95% of the ones that quit say they didn’t realize how much work, time and commitment goes into it. It’s a 365 day per year job. The small farmers that can make it work and also work a full time job off of the farm are few and far between.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

That's why I do these videos. So many people go into it not really understanding what it is and the really unlucky ones invest way to much money into it and end up hurting or foreclosed on . I manage to make something close to a living off this small place but it took years before I made a profit.

[@AlleyCat-1]

Your 1,000% correct about it being hard if your spouse/partner isn't on board. Mine is like that. He was against me getting a few chick's, but told everyone about having eggs through the first winter when they matured. Was mad when i bought a goat that was suppose to be preg & kid out soon after (she wasn't), even madder when i got a 2nd goat that was in milk but wasn't suppose to be pregnant. She kidded out (triplets a day or so later). Even though not having to buy eggs saved us money. Getting the goat's provided us with butter & ice cream on top of milk to drink, which my boy's were going through 6-10 gallons every 2 wks. We didnt have a big enough fridge to hold more than 4 or the money to buy all that. I eventually ended up with some pig's & between the goat kid's & piglets, they paid for their own feed. I was thrilled with that. That had been my 2nd goal. 1st was to feed us so we could buy less at the store. I dropped our grocery budget down from 7-800$ every 2 wks with these animal's. Started making a "profit" (i wasn't counting time or gas). We had enough excess milk to fatten up the piglets & make the adult's happy (they knew when it was time to milk, noiser then feeding time. 😅 I would do it all again if I could go back. We were renting our place when we started homesteading. Now we're on 8 acres & it's not set up to have pigs to give them as much room as I'd like them to have, so i may quit raising them, as they are also the biggest expense. I'd like to get more property, but what we have here is WAY WAY over priced & the way the interest rate is, not possible. I'd have to move to the midwest to east/south. But can't do that right now anyway. But 1 thing I've learned ... if hubby isn't going to physically help, I'm not letting him interfere with the business side (when & how much & where to sell the animal's for, I always get the short end of the stick). Now I'm having physical issue's that make walking painful, so our small acreage is enough. Without the family all pitching in, i don't ever see us ever being self sufficient. Hubby has too many habits to make that even a thought 😅

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

It's a common problem for both people to not be on board. I wish I had some advice that would help

[@AlleyCat-1]

@HomesteadingtheHardWay don't marry a city boy (or a narcissist) that could be good advice. Lol For me, it's ok, we've been on this journey (homesteading) for about 15 yrs, married/together for 30. I've done it by myself with little bit of help from the kid's when they were little. But that's ok, I do this because I've always love the farm life (except I've never loved weeding the garden. Lol) & it helps to provide good for my family, but they'll be city folks I'm sure.

[@suebadger92]

Yup..my dogs are my downfall....but they're my passion also....but so are my goats,rabbits,chickens lol. Currently culling and reevaluating everything. Thanks for this message.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I love mine we just have too many

[@paulfontaine288]

Thanks for sharing , watched most of your videos, This french Canadian has a bit of a hard time with the southern accent. my second year with piglets . I have a question for you . We have cayotes around and i rotate the pigs out on pasture with electric , i always lock them in at night , I wonder how old or how big should they be before i can trust them outside at night? Thanks

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

We're infested with coyotes but they don't mess with the pigs . We have trouble with horned owls getting pigs under two weeks old but it's rare . In the old days we turned them out to pasture with the sow at two weeks but didn't have coyotes then

[@paulfontaine288]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay Thanks ,

[@williamstoker8027]

The US government is trading farmland for solar farms. The solar farms are put on some of the best land. The farmers are locked into a 30 or 40 year lease. The farmers make more money. In Tennessee there are thousands of acres taken out of production. The government passed a law every state has to have a certain percentage of electricity from renewable energy.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

That's true . Between that and development it's eating up far more productive land than we can spare .

[@katie7748]

I saw a pretty big one in Iowa last summer. Both sides of the freeway, as far as the eye could see. Ngl, I cried driving through it.

[@codyb8278]

My goal was to at least make enuff money off the pigs to pay for themselves and to pay property taxes achieved that goal this year 0 debt here so if I don't got a pot piss in least can't take my property if taxes are paid

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

That's a good example of a realistic goal . I wish we could do away with property tax. I figured it up once and we've paid for our place ten times

[@evalinakenady1589]

We’re building a farm from scratch in Arkansas. It’s been a learning experience for us. I’m glad I found your channel, thank you Chris and Darleen for the great content

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

We're here to help and glad to

[@baddogcustoms7496]

Crystal coast of North Carolina here. I’m not a farmer no denying it but I have chickens & grow food like them Carolina hot peppers, banana peppers, maters & taters, cucumbers, squash & “trying bananas this year 🤷🏻‍♂️” & a year into my “funky chickens” thing mainly bearded & non-bearded polish & Polish Silkie hybrids. Could say show birds if that’s your thang but ya I just love them funky chickens lol. Anyways wanting to grow more this year. My family in Bolling green KY been farming 75+ years it’s tradition. they have all the animals horses, goats, cows, chickens & more chickens”, guineas, peacocks, donkeys, mules. I’m sure I’m leaving something out somewhere. no hogs bc a few neighbors are hog farmers. My Aunt “Donna Duck” also works at the stockyard there locally, if you was to walk in there you’d know her name bc of her amazing country cookin no doubt she’s earned her rep & is loved. even cooking for 5000 people on the regular at the stockyard & being one of the toughest women I’ve ever met Barrel racing more then half of her life raised her kids to barrel race & her grand kids. And putting up with Uncle Roy 6’8” bull rider for most of his life. Rolls hay & everything else. It surely takes its toll. Idk where I was even going with this but wanted to mention the unmentionable “Weather” of course shouldn’t have to be mentioned but in eastern coastal NC & well most of the world mother nature can be awfully cruel & beat down & destroy it all time & time again. Not a lot we can do about it but preparedness surely helps!! Tons of rain? have a nice water catch system. Bc the piercing heat is coming soon. Plan accordingly, plant crops that like dryer climates on higher dryer land & crops that like more water in lower land more water holding areas. If & when possible of course. Surely such doesn’t have to be mentioned but is definitely a “Make or Break you situation“ Anyways 5am time to start the day until next time Be Charming & Keep Farming. Jolly from the Crystal Coast hope we all have a Great Season 💪🏽🤠🎣

[@davidhorsley7698]

Do you like Hampshire pigs in Durock I have a hamster

[@jeffhuntley2921]

I’ve had durock Hampshire cross’s and they were some of my fastest growers. Put on a lot of fat after 225 lbs tho.

[@johnportwood6223]

Thank you good info i wish i could get this info thru to som young pepel i know😅

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

They'll learn the hard way and they'll remember it don't worry

[@guernseygoodness]

Keeping animals usually doesn’t last long for people that never had animals before. I noticed that in the raw milk dairy business. Most people give up because they don’t realize the time commitment.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Everyone says it's easy and fun , nothing about hand milking at four AM is easy or fun . And it has to be done regardless of whatever else is going on . We had a small goat/cow dairy for twenty years it was way more trouble than it was worth

[@katie7748]

That's why most people will tell you to do your homework and start small. Anyone who tells you otherwise is full of crap.

[@markthompson7961]

Tbx Chris. I laugh my ass off at some of the YT videos like I made 500,000 on pigs with a half acre. I left the family farm 40 years ago and now Im hunting for 12-20 acres to farm now that Im retired. I have modest goals, raise 4 feeder pigs, sell 3 and keep 1 for us. Grow some veggies seldom seen at the farmers market like broccoli, Asparagus, blackberries, blueberries along with the typical tomatoes, squash, etc. i already have bulk feed lined up for the hogs. If I get enough land I'll sew a lot of alphala and orchid grass and sell square bales . I'm not hoping or trying to get rich, just break even to making 1-2k a year while freezing or dehydrating veggies that don't sell or the hogs won't eat. Men aren't much on canning and my wife isn't a country girl. She'll help pick and sell but she isn't super domestic in the kitchen🤣

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Hay was a main source of income for me for years . Darlene knows how to can but we freeze most things whole lot less work . Have to pick your battles

[@michaelchaffin7510]

Don't let friends, family or neighbors have deals or freebies they will take advantage of you.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

True enough. Another thing we figured out is set your price and stick with it . Our competition starts high then goes to dirt cheap when it won't sell . I start at a fair price and usually sell out of everything if not the hogs get it

[@michaelchaffin7510]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay that's exactly right firm pricing and fair I have bn selling my feeder pigs for 100 and if they don't I will flatten them up and to the sale barn

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@michaelchaffin7510 I don't have much trouble with the pigs they're sold way ahead of time but the produce is tough . Profit margin is tight and it's a lot of work but I'm trying different things and I might can figure it out I've got ideas anyway

[@katherinecade7191]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay yep if the animals don't sell, they go to freezer or auction

[@jeffhuntley2921]

That’s why I raise my family’s pigs. My brother did it a few times and his friends and in-laws could never agree on things. With me, it’s just “pork is in the freezer if you want some” no other questions are asked:)

[@rodolforodriguez4540]

Thanks

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Glad to help

[@bbgbs1974]

I want to grow out a few feeder pigs next year. Is an area 45’x85’ a reasonable size pen? 2-3 pigs

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

More than enough half that would be better depending on how well drained it is . My topping pens are 30 by 50 for ten . A 32' by 32 would probably be fine and an 8 by 8 shelter

[@5276cclare]

Hello from Ireland

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Hello !

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I'm not sure why but I keep answering comments and it disappears.

[@nickstockstill6420]

Hey Chris my grandpa passed away this year and he left me his 1958 Massey Ferguson 65 diesel and it runs but needs a lot of work. Are they hard to rebuild and go through or is it better to have a shop go through it? It’s biggest problem I’ve seen so far is the power steering cylinder in the front leaks like crazy thanks in advance I love you channel

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Just depends on what you're doing to it , most of it's pretty simple. Email me and I'll talk you through what I can . [e-mail]

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Email me [e-mail]

[@nickstockstill6420]

OK thank you. I’ll definitely sent you a email.

[@bamatractor]

Tell it like it is! Its interesting watching these homesteaders. They spend 25k to grow $500 worth of food. They spare no expense making it look like they are living offgrid. I grow a nice garden, but it still cost more than I can buy for. Chicken feed cost more than eggs.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I have no interest in being off grid ,I grew up like that . They sure do have a lot of new expensive things that you don't need and no knowledge of things you do

[@davidhorsley7698]

And Durock Sal

[@uncledanny7]

I’m no farmer by any means I have always tended me a garden and tried to grow some extra to sale it seems like I have always been a year behind on what people are looking for.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I think everyone struggles with that . I've had some success looking at social media seeing what people are asking for / where to find .

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I learned something today, what's popular on the cooking shows plays a big part in what people are looking for that particular season

[@uncledanny7]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay that makes a lot of sense

[@iowaoutdoorfamily]

New subscriber!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Thanks for the support

[@iowaoutdoorfamily]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay Absolutely! Doing my research... land is so expensive in Iowa. Don't want a hobby farm going for sustainability.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@iowaoutdoorfamily it's probably not going to get any cheaper unfortunately . I've seen people buy larger parcels and divide them and make enough to pay for the piece they keep . I've also seen several families go together then divide it . You also might qualify for a beginning farmer loan it's age dependent and you might have to be already farming it would be worth checking on they do down payment loans as well USDA

[@iowaoutdoorfamily]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay I appreciate your insight.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@iowaoutdoorfamily I wish someone had told me I could have got a government start up loan 35 years ago .

[@ryanmiller3384]

He's right I'm in year two on raising Berkshire pigs had to have shelters built 250$ a shelter waters feeders sow crates wood chips for nursery area in barn and feed for 7 months per pig ya your done in the hole 10k we just had our last litter of pigs and once these are butchered we're done i.work 60.70hrs.a WK and now that everything is double it was when trump was in office pre COVID we now have to give it up to be able to pay our bills and be able to save something good luck I hope you all do as he said and figure it out before it's figured out for you And you forgot the mid night emergencys of piglets being born in jan and gotta stay up and dry em off so they dont freeze or frozen water at 5am when you gotta.work in a hr the unexpected work that you dont plan will happen kills your time then cost ya more money when your not doing what you make money at daily

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

It didn't bother me that bad until I got sick now it's tough to be out all night with a sow having trouble or a bad calving.

[@baddogcustoms7496]

Have to say love seeing an Eastern NC Local on here! Carolina Strong Farm on!! New subscriber 👍🏽

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Thanks for the support

[@andystampfli9127]

I guess I'm spoiled... My free range chickens are 3 years, 2 years and this years... Yes I lose some every year. However, as a trapper, I don't have predator issues more than a night or 2. I also have an Amish feed mill 2 miles down the road where pig feed is $20 layer feed is $17.50 and broiler feed is $18 all in 100# / 2 bushel sacks. The chicken feed has oyster shell in it. The pig feed has mineral in it. Even going to the farm I can't justify grinding my own for only a couple bucks savings for 4 or 5 bushel. I'd still like to figure out how to over winter hogs in central Wisconsin, with a frost free time of less than 4 months. Most people around here do feeders June through September. I don't have a barn and plan to do a pen in the yard for pigs. My chickens are free ranged no coop year round. Yes they have a building they can use but honestly the prefer the small trees. Yes they lose combs to frost bite and no they don't mind. All I do for them in the winter is heated water and from what I've heard heated waterers are a favorite chew toy of pigs... So how do I handle that?

[@thebonestead]

Thank you! Honest and to the point! We are gonna be starting a 10 acre homestead and the desire to buy goats and pigs and start a garden is a bit overwhelming. I think I need to do it all at the same time. But the property we are going to has been untouched in like 17 years. Lots of cleaning and maintenance to do. Probably should wait before getting all of the “fun” stuff first.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Slow and steady, start with clearing and infrastructure. Get the trees planted . Hardest thing about a new set up is figuring out what needs to go where and planning for what might need to be changed later

[@thebonestead]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay that’s true! The land has some old fencing already but it needs a little help and I may just move it somewhere else that’s more convenient.

[@mysticalcat713]

​@HomesteadingtheHardWay Yes, slow and steady is ideal. With the way the world is today, sometimes you have to get things while you can and figure it out as you go. You may not be able to get certain things or do certain things in the near future.

[@katie7748]

Do yourself a huge favor and take the advice these lovely people have given you. Slow and steady to be ready.

[@tikimandude112]

based farmer

[@timothybryantjr9514]

I breed game roosters brother and free range all hens and biddies it can be done

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@timothybryantjr9514 I used to have about thirty games running lose up here kinda as a clean up crew eating scrap grain and feed , scratching through the cow pies etc . They lasted a couple of years kinda held steady hatched enough to cover the loss . They definitely did better than laying hens ,I did a video when they got wiped out I had high hopes they would last

[@ChesterHickman]

What should I sale my pigs for. They are feeder pigs

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@ChesterHickman i can't really answer that there's too many variables. Depends on the local demand , kind of pigs you have , how much they weigh etc .

[@thenodiggardener]

SawHeather from Sage and Stone recommend you, so came to listen... The US is at least full of states where land is still available. Here in the UK our farms are bought by city people wanting a 'weekend house in the country', who then seem very shocked when they get here and find that they do indeed live in a working countryside. Sadly, they are decimating it, and our councils are letting them with monstrosity houses. Still, the counsellor's palms are so well greased them can slide on them all the way back to the cities 🙄 Meanwhile, the rest of us stand very little chance of ever getting land without a lottery win.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

It's not much better here , there's some land for sale but you have to out bid developer's for it and the cost is unbelievable.

[@TheBigBlueHouseHomestead]

Homesteading isn't cheap, nor is it easy. You'll spend too much for making your own food. Half the things you try to do will fail. But if you smile pretty for the camera, and tell the false truth......you make money on youtube. It's a sad cycle of homestead nonsense.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I still say a lot of homesteads are just hobby farms doing videos which is fine if people understood that it's entertainment not education and the reason it didn't work was it won't .

[@aaronharrell3561]

​@@HomesteadingtheHardWaydo you know anyone who wants to buy a super a farmall

[@patriciahazen3843]

@@aaronharrell3561 Where are you located? What is the story on your Super A? Looking for IH140, Cub, Super A with attachments...

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@patriciahazen3843 we're in eastern NC there's someone made a comment here sounds like they're selling one

[@aaronharrell3561]

@patriciahazen3843 It's a McCormick Super A Farmall with 3 point hitch, has hydraulics, new tires, runs great. I'm in Wayne County, North Carolina