💪Homesteading is Bright & It Gets Easier - Real advice after 10 years - bare land to working farm.

[@berniegiesbrecht5527]

What an encouraging video sir, I have 5 acres and 8 chickens out back, love this life!

[@13ChroniclesOfDagger]

Very nice 👌 👍 👏 you are living the lifestyle that men are supposed to live

[@gracehunter7808]

I'm five years in, doing it solo. Real tough at the beginning! This video was a breath of fresh air! Ahh it's so nice to see someone talk about what it's like when things are starting to smooth out! Congratulations to you! You have worked immensely hard and deserve all the fruits of your labor! Bravo!

[@CelesteMcNamara-e6h]

We're 4 years into our homestead and its in the spring time that we really notice the previous years efforts paying off. Less fencing needed, less garden maintenance, less irrigation needed, etc. Great video! And i agree with you. Everyone should have a cow they can breed for milk and meat. They really are lovely creatures.

[@grantsilzer4460]

Dean the Influencer!

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

Common now. 🤪

[@grantsilzer4460]

@ArkopiaKZbin haha

[@ltggill]

Love your channel Dean and greatly admire the hard work and dedication that resulted in your dream lifestyle. Enjoy what you have created!

[@Tracysbrokenwing]

Cows are great🥰

[@peterriley865]

Being your own boss and able to choose your relationships carefully is priceless.

[@RyanSunDynasty]

@@peterriley865 the relationship choosing part is highly underrated. I love everyone who works with me.

[@Wolverine_Workout]

Good Job Dean, it all paid off for you... unfortunately I'm more off-grid in Boreal forest, cutting 10 km of trails and roads from hwy 11 to property was a 2 year long effort, but I'll soon have some homesteads up on 160 acre Unorganized land.

[@543BeeBop]

You have been there only ten years? Da fug! I thought you had been there much longer. What you have achieved in a decade is awesome! Well done! For the first fifteen minutes, I was quietly correcting you, every time you used the word spend; I wanted you to say 'invested' rather than spent. You finally came to that at the fifteen minute mark. You have also invested, rather than wasted your time. Much respect to you. I wish you and your family a wonderful, productive 2025; Happy New Year!

[@loriegroth2472]

Congrats, Dean. Most people don’t have the determination to stick it out those 10 years. You are an inspiration!

[@MQ-cw9qx]

Doing great...but remember equipment does break. But keep on keepin' on.... Hard work pays off.

[@marcod193]

Great job Dean, I hope 2025 is even better than the last.

[@jackieow]

Sweet are the uses of adversity, Which, like the toad, though ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his crown. And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything.

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

Thanks for that. 🙏💪

[@sigrid2402]

Living the dream 🥰. Awesome 👍🏼

[@RyanSunDynasty]

Just finished year one on our farm. Thank you for sharing this as it is very helpful to see someone who is 10 years into this journey.

[@foxfacefarmsorr954]

Hi Dean, My husband and I just love you and your channel! You are the breath of fresh air we needed to keep going. We've been at it for the better part of 40 years and now we're trying to figure out how to morph everything to fit our ever increasing age and it's challenges. Never a dull moment. Keep up the good work and fun content, you're a delight. Thank you for shining the light on the dark days. I had to get rid of my cows (Dexters and 1 Jersey) because the kids thought I was too old and they would hurt me. I miss them everyday. Stay safe and blessings. Lee and Roger~Fox Face Farms, Oregon.

[@Semi0ffGrid7]

Great story and fantastic motivation!

[@gkambs]

You inspired me to do better, get a better plan, and see the bigger picture of my life. I got to see the small accomplishments I make to keep me going. Good stuff bro.

[@Jocimgh]

You are deserve every bit of it. Hard work always pays back if it invested wisely. It makes me happy to see everything you creates. I’m trying to create something similar here in Sweden but I have just started my journey.

[@PR.Hobbit]

Hockey stick curve to reverse Hockey stick curve -- like learning curve

[@georgepeat5269iearth]

Nice hard work period. Aaaahh those first free land settlers Freeedom. Fine work, good health to you& your operation.

[@PR.Hobbit]

That's me too ... I will never run out of projects. I researched 'retirement' -- when did this idea infest us? I discovered that farmers didn't retire so that's what I've been pursuing now because retirement is not what I want.

[@raincoast9010]

"Don't bite my pants!" ha ha ha

[@Deflectionoftube]

Dean, could you do a song about Trudeau take a walk in the snow ? I think it would pair great with your hit song of “Trudeau doesn’t know”. Thanks and keep the great work. From your Albertan neighbours.

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

I may release another Trudeau single at some point here. 😃

[@7dwarfes103]

Dean When I think Canadiana me thinks Bobby Orr /Don Cherry and Lightfoot. You are among them. Congrats!!!

[@7dwarfes103]

MOST AWESOME! Been thinkin of SK for relocation from AB

[@Interglacial_optimist]

Happy new year Dean. 2025 meditational thought. The droughts since 2020 have been caused more by atmospheric evaporation demand than a shortage of rainfall. That means ponds and water containment should have smaller surface area and ten times the depth. Or put a lid on it.😮

[@NBoutdoors18]

Congratulations. Sounds like you are on track for great year. The cows look great. don't hear much about the Dexter bread.

[@IngloriousHomestead]

thanks

[@DeeSixHomestead]

Great video! 🎉

[@northerngirlhobbies]

Totally!

[@AlmostHomestead]

I appreciate your videos Dean. Really inspiring stuff. Put in the work, and reap the rewards. You have really built (and are building) a great setup for you and your family. It's good to see you with the cows showing them some love. I am so excited about getting our new mini farm going this year. Our neighbor has Angus cows in our pastures right now and I absolutely love connecting with the cows. Looking forward to getting our own cows. I just had shoulder surgery two weeks ago from the beating I took setting up our previous place so this winter will be spent recovering from that. But the future is very exciting. Rock on!

[@peterriley865]

Great Video,its always good when see someone working and making progress. Best wishes for 2025.

[@absolutelyperilous]

Wise words and universal insight. Happy 2025! Wishing you amazing adventures--beyond your wildest imagination! Just don't fall off the scaffolding again!

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

Happy New Year 🎊

[@honeybadgerisme]

You could always sell enough eggs to buy a freeze drier and then make powdered eggs and powdered milk. If you have the space-red raspberries really rock when freeze dried.

[@csenecal7429]

I wonder if you are familiar with an Alberta boy Takota kohn in around red deer he is also a system builder he also has great info on permaculture. Love your channel Dean I’m also wondering where you got your tropical fruit starts I’ve been wanting to get figs and kumquat do you have a source?

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

I was on Takota’s podcast. He is a very smart young man. 👍

[@WhocarezWhocarez-nw8ke]

Great job Dean 👏

[@kevinevans9281]

Awesome. Planning has started at our place SE of Edmonton. You have a couple of followers / implementers out here. I like the idea of an incubator. Save a few dollars on those cute chicks my wife loves at Peavey Mart.

[@raincoast9010]

Cows! Yes!

[@teresal5553]

You can sell your produce, eggs and even meet for more profit. I know someone who has a self-serve set up for purchasing one product or two products at a time at the front of their property in a shed that is on the honor system with a lockbox where people stick their cash. They also have a deal worked out with the locals that they bring back these plastic egg carriers. You can post instructions on washing the eggs, lay date on a black board, and be creative! My friend says that it is very rare but she has not paid for her produce or eggs, but he’s generally given an I/O you with money showing up a week or two later for said chicken products without paying. That’s the beauty of living in a rural area and also the scary part because everybody knows everybody or know somebody who knows that other person.

[@belieftransformation]

Well done, Dean & family! Happy New Year & thanks for sharing your accomplishments! I was raised on a farm on the Alberta prairies & I remember when things were organic & pure from the land. It was a beautiful life, & your children will appreciate you teaching them how to live with the land & animals! Bravo! I do a permaculture yard in a small urban town . My biggest question is is to keep the deer from eating it all😉

[@raincoast9010]

thanks for posting, i don't think u tub counts my posts. they shadow ban me.

[@queble11]

Great video thanks for sharing

[@bethwhite2857]

Had plans , worked hard, learned, and build yourself a homestead... great job Dean

[@westcoastwoodsman2289]

Congratulations! I can't lie, I'm a little envious for sure. I couldn't agree more with your statements at the end of the video, you are living the dream in my opinion. We have a plan, we are working towards something similar but not at the scale that you have. I look forward to the day when i only have to leave the property on occasion and we are self sustaining as much as possible, given our limited resources. Keep grinding!

[@northerngirlhobbies]

Excellent motivational video! The clay will be the major downside to developing on our raw 5 acres. I’m really hoping that the initial infrastructure doesn’t take 10 years. Currently working on a business plan, thank you for the intelligent conversation.

[@arnoldschmidt2753]

Well Deano ,I'm still impressed with you and your achievements. Where's your shovel? I'm still looking to buy lots of smoothies ,but I am only able to put you on a payee through my bank. I just can't risk 3rd party vendors .

[@arnoldschmidt2753]

Wonderful video Dean, Short term pain ,long term gain.👍

[@chrisgibson9629]

Great job, very informative

[@SN-tx9yh]

Awesome job Dean. Hey just a suggestion, walk around a bit while talking and give us a little tour while listening

[@flamingmoe1805]

Inspiring me to get stuff done.

[@MyAlaska12]

Been following you since your greenhouse build. Thanks for sharing. If you make it to Alaska in the next year, would love to discuss building a greenhouse with you.

[@civisparatus3295]

Thank you for the encouragement Dean. I currently live in a suburban area with plans to buy a plot of land and start producing what I can. Right now I am in the "do all the research and try to plan without knowing what i'll end up buying" stage. It is intimidating but I know with all of my heart that is the right thing to do for my family. Your words help ease some of the anxiety and your videos are invaluable for planning how I want to begin. Also, when can we get a tour of the shop???

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

Shop is just packed and messy. Can’t show it all. 🤪✌️

[@Mynx5050]

All the best for you and yours. Thanks❤❤❤❤

[@MactheKnife-b5r]

Really enjoying your posted content. As an central Alberta organic farmer, I'm excited to see you succeed in your endeavors as a farmer too. Happy New year, may you have a blessed year.

[@gypsyhaizhomestead]

Happy new year. I'm at the beginning of my journey and only have one shed on my 40 acres and am ordering some trees this month. However, I would like for info on planning out infrastructure ideas

[@YllaStar95970]

Home schooling should also reap a mighty reward, for all those concerned. Turning this homestead into a generational asset, and by which should guarantee a healthy insurance against whatever trends are in favour. Your family could have strong roots, which is really one of the fundamental principles of choosing to have a family in the first place. No one likes to see a loved one suffer. Especially unnecessarily.👍

[@Canadianduke23]

Happy New year sir

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

Happy New Year

[@duanethieme4186]

Happy New Year Dean! Thank you for sharing your ingenuity, trial, error and progress it's been a blessing!

[@stamperitis]

Love your enthusiasm and energy

[@tomhamilton7726]

Outstanding. Well done, Dean.

[@Gulogulo7387]

Happy new years sir what kind of cows are those? They look hairy Dexter's.

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

Dexters, correct. They grow a beautiful winter coat. 💪

[@mikesuderman6277]

Hey Dean! Thanks for the inspirational message! Gives my wife and a hope. We are in Manitoba on 80 acres of bush land. There was nothing here 6 years ago but have developed a bit of infrastructure. We built a root cellar you may like to see next time you are in this area.

[@gracehunter7808]

Would also love to see a video about how your health improves after a while of living on mostly home grown food. I'm in the unhealthy stage, especially with almost no refrigerator and no freezer, and would love a glimpse of a healthier future:)

[@ashleylovepace1941]

My ears hurt for your ears standing out there in -25 with no hat. You’ve done it! Made it past the hump! I’m still plugging away but learning from you and others along the way until I can get there.

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

Keep plugging along for sure. 💪👌 -25C is a bit brisk; hat came out today at -35C 🤪

[@vivb.7161]

How many acres does Dean have? Besides the winter, looks like no severe weather there?

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

80 acres, Just windy and cold always

[@dantheman9135]

Crush on, ThankQ

[@InLakech_AlaKin]

❤️

[@melonetankberry5211]

happy new year dean.

[@barbraprosper9065]

❤🎉

[@stevenjohns7017]

Plant a seed and watch it grow. The Oak tree (your future) that you planted 11 years ago will be here for generations. Well played buddy.

[@truth_farmer]

I also have angus beef cows and I have had friends who have had Dexter's in the past and they always bragged them up until they start to have cattle to sell and when they sell them, they get half as much as I get for my calfs and we both have the same expenses, why raise Dexter's? Most of my buddies have switch to Angus bulks and breeding the Dexter out.

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

Small farm, safer to handle, less meat butchering all at once, and dual purpose milk and meat.

[@azokalum]

Resume at 12:45

[@shortyshorts1636]

I would love to live this life. But I fear being legally blind is going to majorly impact this dream. I mean I will not be able to run any of the heavy equipment. Although I have been gardening for years and even built my own greenhouse in my backyard 12x6 with 2x4 and twinwall. There is severe limitations with blindness.

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

Sorry to hear that. Sounds like you need to be part of a team that can handle tasks you are unable to do, while you can do tasks you are capable of. 💪✌️

[@robmantle3710]

Great work matey, how much land do you have in total?

[@AnthonyTarabochia]

You are my favorite Canadian. I can't wait until you and your family become fellow citizens of the USA.

[@sigrid2402]

Are Dexter cows A2?

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

Yes. A2A2 in some of mine

[@Arranterrant]

Hey, HaPpY NEW year 2025!

[@adamfrank5230]

Do you sell Apple trees?

[@vivb.7161]

Dean i wish majority ppl in the world were like you instead of all the brainwashed sheeple!

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

Just 2 cows here gets the ag tax reduction.

[@bobjones9727]

Great video. You might want to consider a future expense. That is defending what you have built for yourself over the years. Perhaps you already have.

[@Snappypantsdance]

? You’re not clear in what you’re saying. There are lots of ways to defend what we have built up.

[@Arranterrant]

Hey, could we see you become a falconier? Every land owner should have a pet falcon, hunt some rodents or blackbirds with it?

[@ArkopiaYouTube]

Have a neighbour that does that. Maybe a good hobby in my later years.

[@Arranterrant]

Now theres a future video to wait, Dean and his falcon neighbour

[@vivb.7161]

Shrinkflation

[@shawnorcutt2119]

Canada's future is much brighter without Trudeau 😅

[@SgtSnausages]

Motivation is completely useless here. Discipline is where it's at, folks. Disioline gets shit done ehether you feel... motivated... to do it or not.

[@patricklyons7683]

Good for your family Dean, very impressive. Remember you're health is priceless sir

[@farmupfamily]

we love your content. you are doing awesome work. we're entering year 5. y'all are inspirational. sask ffs. awesome. many come to this slide at different positions. isochronous curves.

[@vivb.7161]

Shrinkflation