Four Acres and Independence - A Self-Sufficient Farmstead

Take a tour, accompanied by curious sheep and geese, of Mark Cooper's self-sufficient small farm. Over several years, he transformed a rundown house and hillsides of berry brambles into pasture and gardens where he produces and preserves most of his family's food. Visit the Goose Grotto in a constructed pond, a heritage fruit tree orchard, logs producing shiitake mushrooms, and a cheap-and-easy container kitchen garden. Mark gives us a closeup view of the solar dehydrator he constructed from salvaged materials - and his tips on food drying. He has husbanded up to fifty animals at a time, including two Tibetan yaks! This farmstead in Rough and Ready, CA lives up to the town's name ? and is a testament to hard work, wide-ranging construction skills, and love. Episode 168.

[@Xolette]

Knowledge of how to be self-sufficient was common for our ancestors, but became lost when grocery stores became commonplace. Our society is handicapped by how easily we can attain food. A food shortage in America would definitely cause wide-spread panic. I am in awe of Mark Cooper and others that have been growing their own food for years. Thank you for the video and teaching us what you have learned from trial and error!

[@Gotonytube]

This guy is amazing and this is something I'd totally want to do! I wish there were more information on how he got started and how to start one of your own. Great job!!

[@ceojr1963]

There is always going to be those people that think your ideas aren't good enough, and then try to tear you down. Having been peak everything aware for several decades, it is hard for people to see us not continuing on like we thought we always did. But it has all been a bit of a cycle, up here, down there, even now the growth seems to have lasted forever, but it hasn't and won't. Getting more in tune with how the world grows things is better than not. thanks for the videos.

[@TheProofbox]

This guy is awesome. His home he has built is amazing as well as the systems he has set up. The only thing missing I would love to see is his secret herb garden!

[@StuartSwing]

I thoroughly enjoyed your video - thanks so much for putting it together, and sharing this glimpse into how a small sustainable farm might be attainable for many others. I appreciate your warm demeanour and the comfortable interaction between the two of you. Looking forward to viewing more of your material!

[@itsnotthesamething]

I like what he's done here. I hope he is ever evolving, learning and changing. I'm interested in aquaponic gardening, and Back to Eden gardening, and even container gardening, and I love his container idea at the end of the video. I'm always trying to learn something new, and I hope I can buy a property with a pond on it someday, so I can have goose eggs.

[@MariaMorales-kr1ps]

This is a very ideal place to live far away from pollution and confusions of city life. Mark you have a beautiful place, and I wish people will go back to basic and make life self sufficient, having gardens and animals to grow, taking care of our environment is the great things to do to make our mother earth a good place to live. This video is a wake up call to everyone. Thank you in sharing.

[@Jaepeaa]

This kind of education should be required, thanks.

[@StrainsFYI]

"theres no magic here that ive done" sooo understated. I love this episode, this guy sees things and then reacts. love it. thank you.

[@mukwah1111]

What an incredible property/project/endeavour and lifestyle......very complex, well thought out and orchestrated to be self-sustaining for the most part.......just amazing and congrats on a job super well done Mark ! Thanks for sharing this with us. Very inspirational

[@docdevin1]

On the food and fruit drying, I was always taught you could put them in the freezer for a period and pull back out to ensure no bugs, but that takes up room in your freezer at least temporarily so the microwave sounds like an awesome idea.

[@kakak6101]

thanks for sharing your tour at Mark's farm. he is an inspiration to most of us who would like to preserve planet earth and at the the same time live with its fruits and harvests.

[@DrCarr-nb1tf]

I admire, this guy for doing such a big change, but he certainly didn't give up, what a dream "lifestyle" absolutely brilliant

[@ashlieneevel2708]

Thanks for the great video. I have a deep respect for people who can do this, especially people who can process their own animals. As much as I would like to be able to do it I just couldn't eat an animal whose eyes i've looked into.

[@benificentmillipedius634]

Ashlie Neevel You get used to it. Especially when your belly starts gnawing at your backbone ! :)

[@jackbarnett9264]

I love his 'get things done' attitude and his ingenuity in using what he already has to the maximum. Very inspirational.

[@dennism1989]

This guy is awesome! Smart and knowledgeable about a variety of topics. I could spend the afternoon learning more about this stuff. Seems I have done many things to become more in spirit in self sufficiency and then see others like Mr. Cooper who inspire me further.

[@rayparr1]

Knowledgeable and very unaware all at once. He has the oportunity to wake up, relearn, and become a vegan easily.

[@cavidanhacili7723]

ADA-dan salamlar ve tewekkurler bele menasiz uzun bir weyden exstensive listening edib bizi bu video ile taniw etdiyi ucun

[@vusalburcaliyev7153]

Aleykum😂

[@SithSereyPheap1]

It don't get no better than this Cooper ! Farm living is the best kind of living.Me personally,i just understand city folks......

[@TheKev7133]

He has a great setup and seems to be very self sufficient. Glad to see people taking initiatives to cut their cost of living.

[@prasadpatole5087]

how come this video doesn't have 1 million views even after 9.5 years !!! This guy is just awesome

[@ScottHaley12]

Kudos! I've been of a "Green" mind since 1971, and this is one of the best setups I've ever seen. Plus, the video was very well done. Keep on truckin', and Happy Trails

[@jaredhuber7359]

Amazing. I am just getting ready to move to my 7 acres and have been deeply inspired by the ideas seen here. Very cool.

[@richi6928]

i loved it....Mark Cooper you are a real man. even my dream is same as yours......being in touch with mother nature..

[@MrSouthofBoston]

We live on 9 acres and just started to utilize our property. A few chickens, cattle and garden. Thanks for posting. I found this video to be very informative.

[@saronaalesana684]

Thank you for this very inspiring video. I like how you make so many things yourself with keeping your costs to a minimum it's just awesome. You got me thinking about drying my tomatoes and cucumbers to preserve them better. Ive got a glass sliding door getting replaced. I think it would make a good dryer, now I just need to learn how to build it.

[@RealityStar9]

People say country folk are backwards but I think they are the most enlightened. They enjoy the most freedom by doing many things themselves that most of us rely on others for and it costs a lot less money. I'm envious.

[@mytuber81]

Great video. Nothing better than being self-reliant and self-sufficient instead of expecting someone else to do for you.

[@peakmoment]

Mark raises the animals for food. He loves and cares for them, also knowing that in time he will harvest and eat them, grateful for their lives and nourishment.

[@Thekozlowskis]

Hello Janaia, what an amazing inspirational video this has been. I thank you again. I enjoyed it so much. What I think is really great about the man in the video is his is his reusing of oid unwanted stuff to make amazing usefull things on his home stead. Like the cage for the geese to protect them and the amazing sun drying unit made from bits. I have lots of new ideas for homestead now and am really excited. sue

[@paulotheurbanfarmer5982]

I always come back and what this video I love this guys story, love the drying system and geese, I would love to get geese to keep the grass in trim but here they are noisy, love his safe island system for them.

[@pontiaccoyote]

Thank you for sharing Mark's ingenuity. I am glad to see more people out there work with material on hand. Very good program. Thank you.

[@ronmiller7916]

When I was a kid, my grandmother had a slug problem with her roses. She use to put coffee grounds mixed with egg shells around the roots to keep them away.

[@peakmoment]

From Mark (part 5): I believe our very survival as a species depends on the cumulative decisions we make . That comes down to me and you . Best wishes to you in creating the world you want to live in.. Mark

[@6771Randy]

I live in Foresthill , Ca roughly the same elevation of Rough and Ready. I loved watching this video!

[@jdcpac]

This was great, I love it. This is what I really enjoy watching. Regular people doing different things to be as sustainable as they can or want to be. We don't have to reinvent the wheel, we just need to see how our neighbor is using it differently than ourselves and apply what we learn from all our neighbors to to the best we can and inspire others.

[@ehhhwhatsupdock]

I absolutely love the different ways he has used the land and recycled material to create a nearly perfect, in-balance habitat! :) I may have to creatively acquire a few ideas! LOVE this youtube channel! Thanks for taking us along for the ride peakmoment!

[@Simonabraham1987]

This guy is freaking awesome, he should win the ''Man of the Year'' award or something

[@rangersdaughter]

Hi Mark! What a great place you have. Love all the creative food ideas!

[@d5a4m3o2n1]

This was a really inspiring, thanks!

[@TerrierBram]

Very nice production. This is what I want too! I started in my basement, now from this base I going to find my piece of land. Inspiring. Keep on going the good work!

[@veggievendetta131]

Oh crap! I grew up down the street from his homestead!

[@diysolar6469]

This is nice and I think you can make it more largely than I am expecting, farming is a nice business for today. Just keep your animals safe. :)

[@franklinquijote4607]

Yes very inspiring I am looking forward to live simple life when I retired good job and keep healthy.

[@LomilomiHealing]

Aloha, Love this episode of Peak Moment. Awesome info, very motivating & inspiring...

[@HaveGunsWillSurvive]

DONT KNOW WHEN THIS VIDEO WAS MADE BUT IT REMINDS ME ALOT OF OLD DRIVING INSTRUCIONAL VIDS FORM THE 70'S WHICH ARE STILL BEING USED FOR SOME REASON.

[@debbiepate3755]

Love this. we have 10 acers in Texas. Garden and have a small orchard with peach, apple, plumb, fig, mulberry trees, grape vines, and black berries. we want to get a mule and wagon, goats, chickens and milk cow yet. They all come in handy if we go off the grid.

[@LadybugGirlShow]

Very impressive homestead. Love your solar food dehydrator! Hoping to plant some fruit trees!

[@AlexFate]

A great video - I really enjoyed watching that - Ty.

[@peakmoment]

The most popular Peak Moment show of all time.

[@jamessmith-on9mj]

Peak oil ? Where is evidence? Monopoly on oil caused peaking prise which has nothing to do with ability to supply demand. You miss informing people

[@MsMikuHatsume]

james smith peak oil is real. It is a proven fact.

[@austinhoffman219]

North America has the largest deposits of oil shale on earth. 301 billion metric tons.

[@ultranerdyhackerguy9745]

To: Whomever it may concern... It is _NOT_ illegal to live off-grid; nor is it a justifiable reason to used deadly-force! _PLEASE HELP!!!_ www.gofundme.com/tylertruitt People are being threatened with lethal violence, arrest, and illegal eviction from their property under the guise of *_"Public Safety"_*... This is little more than an illegal land grab that harms Land, and property owners for daring to not use government utilities! Bottom line... *_If these laws are truly enacted for our "Safety"; Then why are people being threatened with LETHAL-FORCE for having rain-water purification system, solar panels, or simply "going off-grid._* If you're *_(Like Me)_*, & can't donate much; then, please share this on FaceBook to help people like *_Tyler Truitt_* @ www.gofundme.com/tylertruitt fight back against the government.

[@getredytagetredy]

+UltraNerdyHackerGuy ...Brother there is a audio/video book on you tube by Jeremy Locke called "The end of All Evil" non religious..lol..You would do yourself a service to listen to it...

[@norcalprepper8302]

great video and great Homestead. this Homestead is only about 10 minutes from the one I'm building

[@davidthegood]

So... what fun thing was in the barn? Maybe Galt's engine? Great video.

[@slane1974]

This was my favorit peak moment this year. I love seeing what others are doing to prepare for after the peak

[@davidleigh443]

I love this episode. Self Sufficiency and Frugality are my favorite aspects f this channel. I wonder if Mark ever read Scott Nearing's Living the Good Life. Also, does Mark do anything else to earn money to pay property taxes, buy equipment and animal feed, etc. Does he sell his harvests at Farmer's Markets, etc.

[@Noz7777]

This has to be the best peak moment ever! Seriously cool inventiveness, permaculture style

[@leehutchins7566]

Great video, I agree, self-sufficiency and self-reliance is a lifestyle. I can't wait to move out of the city and to a country block and do what you guys are doing. Keep up the good work. I am curious, will there be an update in the future?

[@peakmoment]

There won't be an update with Mark on his property. He has sold his property, is living in a sprinter van that he has insulated, added solar panels for power, and is doing a to of backpacking and river rafting. We just may do a show with him on living small!

[@leehutchins7566]

That is quite the change, good for them. A show on him living small would be great.

[@insAneTunA]

A great tour through this awesome garden. Awesome video!!!

[@theberserker5077]

excellent info, project and sweet ending.

[@hermenutic]

I had a book titled 5 Acres and Independence. It was a good idea and this is a good refinement of the idea.

[@321B00M123]

Thank you for your amazingly informative video. lots of complimentary aspects of viable sustainability moving in sync.

[@bonnienanab956]

WHy are people so rude in the comments? are you jealous of his energy level and his devotion? Leftovers from the 60's ? seriously, maybe you should read into history and our forefathers. Pioneers. They were people with solid families, and Pride, they were not worried about BIG SCREEN TV'S, WALMART, and what they could buy. They cared about there families. I love this thank you for sharing

[@cathymillar9900]

Wonderful video. Thank you

[@peakmoment]

From Mark (part 3): I believe that the choices we make on how we spend our money and what we support is the most powerful tool we have left. My hope is that people will really truly consider more than the bottom line when making every day purchases because every dollar you spend is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. (continuing)

[@shellyswan14]

This video gave me a few great ideas, thank you so much for sharing with us :-) Keep up the great work brother!!

[@JohnDoe-vt3xz]

Man that's cool. I want to do that stuff when I get older

[@peakmoment]

Mark cuts barrels in half lengthwise, so he has 2 trough-shaped units. He probably drills some holes for drainage. Puts his soil in there, so the nutrients mostly stay within the barrels rather than leaching so quickly into the ground below. It's a fast way of making raised beds -- and his way of dealing with the pervasive bermuda grass.

[@azmike1]

I don't know if it's right or wrong but "profit" is a great motivator this century as well as the last 300 years. Balance and "doing it right" is fantastic. But this world toady is entrenched with technologies that enslave us and those that can break way to enjoy real nature will live longer, healthier lives. I'm doing the best I can. I feel sorry for those that can't. Or won't. Thanks for the post of this great video.

[@floresnjose57]

I subscribe to that. The future is dark for city people that only think to acquire the last technology toy . KEEP IT UP.

[@gails3964]

Love his farm. I'm trying to grow my own food to save my family some money and not get hormones, herbicides and pesticides in my food. It's hard to do and any good videos like this help in understanding what others have done. He gave me a few ideas to try.

[@sparky55s]

awesome video with some super tips Thanks for the good info. I'm going to try this mushroom growing thanks again

[@Stephen-ie7uq]

Mark, you're living my dream. I'm curious, are you able to sustain yourself financially thru odd jobs or do you have to work a steady job? I plan to have the livestock and vegetation that you do (for a seasonal Ontario Canada climate) but I also want to buy some acreage with a year round creek so I can install a water wheel for free hydro. Maybe a Persian wheel with a sand filter for potable water.

[@peakmoment]

Stephen Brennan Mark does additional self-employment, not as an employee at a regular job -- Construction, remodel & repair.

[@Joewalshe38]

Enjoyed that, thanks. I do feel that a crucial part of this type of lifestyle is to combine it with community living. That way you can share, exchange, trade with each other for goods you can't or don't produce yourself. That's how we do it in East Clare, Ireland.

[@valhala56]

I'm going to show this vids to my kids. This is the future.

[@conquerorofbabylon]

Very inspirational Mark. Thank you.

[@garytrent9693]

That was Awesome! Thank you .

[@bitethebullet8213]

it's awesome and so are you!

[@NWBushman]

This is very cool. Mark knows his stuff.

[@peakmoment]

From Mark (part 2): I seriously strive to use as little outside recourses here as possible. But for example I don't have enough land to cut hay and produce enough feed to carry animals through winter so I buy some. I spend 75% more to buy organic chicken feed for example instead of the cheaper G.M.O stuff. I could have more productive gardens by buying fertilizers and amendments but keep that to a minimum and rely on composting instead. (continuing)

[@therotaryrocket]

man that guy is freaking awesome, can't wait to have more projects of my own like that. If only i had the land or space to do so, but i guess i can start small.

[@MrBsmurfy]

i very rarely comment. this is a great video, and Mark is remarkably able at speaking less but saying so much more than many many other videos on youtube. well done

[@MrDuckskin]

Amazing! Many great ideas for hobby farms

[@SuperBick1]

thanks for sharing, stimulating to say the least.

[@peakmoment]

From Mark (part 1): The goal here for me is to be as self reliant as practically possible. To be truly independent, even if it were possible which it is not in our modern society would be an extremely difficult and lonely life. Greater independence from things the are destroying our world and moving toward greater self and local -sufficiency I believe is a good goal for everyone and will take as many different forms as there are people. (continuing)

[@wiheedotcom]

Great video, and life style. Thanks for sharing it.

[@matrixview]

Why am I so drawn to this lifestyle? Well, actually I know. :-) GREAT video!

[@urutuc]

Absolutely great ... amazing job ... a very inspiring thing to watch. Thanks

[@andreawisner7358]

One of the best. I like his resourcefulness. Thanks. (I did notice the thing about weeds and blackberries. Blackberries are awesome, maybe just need to be controlled a bit. It's there a pm on eating weeds?)

[@ith101]

all very interesting you obviously know what your talking about thankyou.

[@ljsneed1]

Wonderful video, thank you so much guys!

[@13ou812]

thank you for posting

[@seofriendlywebsites]

Thank you for this video. Very inspiring.

[@sallysmith7675]

I really enjoyed this.

[@liza123jax]

Absolutely Fantastic ... Thanks for sharing!

[@nilsmoraes]

Thanks for shearing

[@NikLyons]

This is livin the dream!!! Thanks!!!

[@MrMac5150]

This man is very very smart.

[@MrGreenbudha]

i love what he doing! a true inspiration!

[@JWnFlorida]

LOVE IT!!! Thank You!!! More Please!!

[@BritchesAndBrambles]

I really appreciate Mark's approach. Does he have a website or blog which we could follow to learn more? Some information isn't applicable to life in Wisconsin, but the principles most certainly are. ~ Michelle

[@niklar55]

You could probably use an old upright fridge or freezer cabinet. Provide an airflow, in and out, and put a fine mesh over the shelves, so stuff doesn't fall through.

[@jeannetteanderson4801]

Great video. Love the dehydrator!