Is Homesteading About to Become Impossible?

[@melissawilson8521]

My aunt looked at my home canned goods and said I must have more time on my hands than she does. I quickly told her we have the same 24 hours in a day, just different priorities. Thank you for all your canning videos that teach safe canning. I have been building up my pantry for 2 years and have learned so much from your videos.

[@SuttonsDaze]

That's great!

[@palominogirl2732]

And, that saying where someone says, "You have the same 24 hours a day that Einstein did?" Well, he had helpers. His wife ran the house, etc. But I agree with you about the priorities. I do it all day long. Do I work on a book for KDP, or can sweet potatoes, etc.

[@cgat1955]

Mellisa I’ll bet she’d be round at your house when stocks get low. I can food all the time as a single person, I’ve got 3 adult children who have all made themselves into families. 2 of them are on the ball and know what’s happening but aren’t realising they need to prep immediately, the other 1 doesn’t believe me when I tell her that her family is in danger and she works for the government. I’m canning for all of them as well as myself they know their mum loves them like nobody else

[@RandiMochamer]

Yeah… my home-canned foods are healthier than anyone’s store-bought foods!

[@RandiMochamer]

Eating out of the freezer like every early December, planning for Canuary!

[@MissJean63]

I live in a retirement community. I have a very small backyard that I am prohibited from digging up the ground without approval of our HOA. No problem. During lockdown, I bought small swimming pools, drilled holes in the bottom and filled it with soil. I then bought grow bags. I even did a hanging cherry tomato row with 2 liter bottles. I gardened for three years until I got tired of my hubby complaining about “the mess”. I gave it all away. This year, I told him I want raised wooden beds for Xmas. I know he bought them. Can’t wait for Dec 25!

[@DarleenHereford]

Sounds like a Great Idea. ❤

[@Swrqltr]

I used to live in a hoa community with similar restrictions. I quietly moved my bushes slightly forward. I planted tomato plants behind the bushes and kept them trimmed to the height of the bushes. I planted green peppers between the bushes and kept them trimmed in front and height. We had regular inspections but no one caught on

[@bonnieganschow9137]

I have always said it takes more time and more money to live this lifestyle. I work full time and am away from home 12 hours a day - yes, change your priorities to get it all done! 🙏🙌❤️

[@leavingayeye5198]

Learn how to sprout beans and microgreens. Chia greens grow quickly and are very nutritious.

[@tammihughes6229]

Way to go!!!

[@jennifernebraska9728]

My beef with acreages is the big house with a huge 3 acre green, watered, mowed yard which is no longer growing food. They have popped up around us. The water runoff poisons the creeks. Then they call the cops during lambing and weaning season due to the noise, or that my yard with pasture poultry is unsightly. A few years back we had a doctor buy 40 acres then build a beautiful McMansion near the lot line next to a generational hog farm. They sued due to the smells and noises. They lost but cost the farm family time and money. Thanks for listening as I needed to let this out.

[@superawesomejunkmonk]

That’s crazy! In our CC&R’s it specifically states because we are residential/Agricultural that there will be all manner of noises and smells due to animals and harvesting and people have to live with it .

[@roughroadstudio]

40 acres and built their house next to a pig farm is NUTS!

[@nomopms1]

Sounds to me like the Dr goofed!

[@monicaluketich6913]

Hope the doctor kept his day job! A homesteader he was not! 😅

[@JudyKruse]

Now that shows just how stupid educated people can be. Did the Dr. think his McMansionshould shut down a farm? He shouldn't have built next to a farm. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

[@GrammyClover]

My husband and I, both in our fifties, live on 2 acres. We volunteered to help an older gentleman tear down a building that was collapsing. He asked us to take as much building materials as we thought we could use. We built 6 raised beds for gardening. We used wood that was too spongey to burn to fill them up, then used smaller branches, unfertilized soil, and topped with good fertilized soil on the top 18 inches. The wood will break down and it kept the cost down for our taller raised beds. Finding ways to cut costs and reusing is part of homesteading also in my opinion. Working with what you have.

[@SuttonsDaze]

It is amazing what you can do with a little ingenuity!

[@belindadunne4312]

Fantastic! We reused old cedar boards from an old fence to build two big and deep raised beds. There's so many opportunities to reuse and make it work with some outside-of-the-box thinking. I love watching homesteader shows because one can glean so much.

[@spiderling88]

I live in the inner city. I have converted most of my yard to garden space. I compost and collect water. Several neighbors have started gardening, we all support each other. It's been cool that even where we live we can make food and build community.

[@SuttonsDaze]

That’s wonderful!

[@Barbara-jn2gw]

that's so great

[@joannc147]

I LOVE that you are building community! I share eggs with my neighbors and have given seedlings to a young family starting out with raised beds. In turn, I’ve rec’d homemade bread and other small gifts. It’s wonderful.❤

[@tammihughes6229]

That is wonderful ❤

[@WelcometomyCapeCodlife]

I live on 1/3 acre, in a tourist area. I’m turning 64 next month. I have chickens and several raised beds, containers and grow bags. I swear I have enough seeds to plant a full fledged farm, but seeds can last awhile as you said. I’ve turned to scratch cooking more and more. I’ve taught myself preserving food with a water bath and recently upped my game and bought a pressure canner a couple of months ago, which I love! A year and a half ago I bought a whole house generator, and we have steadily be making repairs on the house, the plan is to have it in tip top condition by the time we turn 70. Also because I live on the Massachusetts coast I can dig clams, gather oysters and even go crabbing. I also when time permits go foraging. Even at my age I love learning new skills. Love your channel! ❤

[@deannakunz3257]

I’m in a suberb apartment…for years I’ve been canning, fermenting, freezing…stocking my pantry with what we need when we find sales. I’m 64 would love to have a house and garden. Right now, my balcony does what it can. We live in Southern Ontario, nothing is growing right now…but I do what I can in these crazy times…I have been trying to learn how to make soap..

[@leavingayeye5198]

Soap is really easy, no worries. Pick one natural recipe and practice. I use aloe gel made into ice cubes instead of water. KZbin can teach you and just write down the steps from the video and follow them step by step until you've mastered it.

[@deannakunz3257]

@@leavingayeye5198thank you so much for the heads up! Great advice my friend! Cheers from 🇨🇦…stay safe & toasty!

[@bgatlin5918]

Yard and Estate Sales are great places to find good garden tools.

[@carolhinman8431]

yes, I have found some wonderful cookbooks from the 1920s, canning jars, pressure caners et. the younger folks that go to the sales just walk past these items.there have been quite a few fondue sets at the last sales I went to.

[@katrinaward1069]

So true Lisa. You make time for what’s important to you. I have a 7-7 M-Th office job that often spills into Friday. We have 8 - 4x8’ raised garden beds, 7 fruit trees, chickens, goats, and forage for wild mushrooms and berries. We purchase food we don’t grow from local farms and ranches as much as we can. I can and freeze dry. I don’t watch much TV, am not up on the Home Goods styles, or have impeccable makeup. It’s busy but so worth it.

[@SuttonsDaze]

It’s all about priorities.

[@gailoreilly1516]

We have lived on the same property for 65 years. It was zoned agricultural all of those years. Then one day, I found out I now live in a recreational zone. Am I supposed to be having fun here now? The only change has been a wood lot and new house. At 70 yrs old, I still don't have anyone to play with in this recreational zone. All of the woods are posted "keep out".

[@codeN_8]

Hunting land now. That is generally what recreational is used for.

[@4themotherload]

I won't say all city people want to move rural and change the landscape, but a lot of them do. People being able to afford a home is becoming a problem, but if you find your self with a little bit of something there is so much you can do. I would love to have acres of land, animals and a huge garden but that's not in my future - so I have my small garden and I support the farmers in my community that are doing what I can't. Thank you for teaching me skills that don't require a farm. I am may never have my own chickens but that doesn't stop me from having Ugly Chicken in my pantry. Hope your doing well, All the best ❤🥂

[@joyceslusser3148]

I see a problem with the need to “run to the store” for something being the driving force behind all the dollar stores. I grew up with weekly to monthly shopping trips. We planned trips to save gas and time, we had a list and we stuck to the list/budget. And we didn’t have deliveries or delivery services. When your need for a pizza delivery weighs heavier in the equation than your need for fresh DIY meals, you aren’t a homesteader. 😢

[@preppernut]

We had what was called a "hobby farm" for 30 years. Got up early, went to bed late seven days a week. On five acres we had 99 laying hens (not allowed to have more), 50 meat chickens, 4 pigs, 6 ewes and their 9 lambs, two dozen rabbits, two dozen ducks, a couple of goats, and sometimes we added a dozen turkeys and a beef cow. Everybody got fed twice a day...the last job of the evening was to wash close to 100 eggs. On top of that we had a small bakery. We did all our own butchering and sausage making, We also heated completely with wood, (winters would often get down to 40 below occasionally), so we hauled wood. We were on a well that wasn't very good, so we hauled water and were very careful with it. Our garden relied on rain water, and we had barrels everywhere. (and yes, it was packed in 5 gallon buckets, two at a time.). What convinced us to quit and move away? Slaughter regulations. We treated our animals like pets and they died humanely. We could not stomach the idea of packing them into a vehicle to drive them away to get killed. They would be terrified. Now we live in a slightly warmer growing zone with raised beds, a few hens and three rabbits, 2 bucks and a doe, but she won't be bred unless absolutely necessary...it is the manure we want. We finally can grow fruit trees (the other place it was only crabapples that survived the climate), which we are really happy about. Water is not a problem, thank God. Even though we only have an acre of land, we should be able to feed ourselves if food is unaffordable.

[@SuttonsDaze]

That’s a lot of work!

[@andreagardner2335]

I live near apple country. So many orchards are now suburban subdivisions.

[@preppernut]

@@SuttonsDaze You do what you gotta do, no other income coming in for ten years. But it was a good life.

[@Search4Facts]

@Andreagardner... Same here in Florida. Massive amounts of orange groves are now subdivisions :(

[@leavingayeye5198]

Respect to you and you will be ok. I've a feeling you will be divinely guided.

[@SandraMalone-pq4mn]

I can, freeze, ferment, freeze dry, cold store, and dehydrate. Plus I eat a lot FRESH!! I have 96 acres. Work 7 days per week for decades, but understand life, We live our life, day to day, season to season. it's not about vacations and "time off". I never understood I was a homesteader until a few years back. It still doesn't matter, as I do what I do!

[@heidimisfeldt5685]

🌳🌲🏡🏠 I can only dream about having some land. How wonderful that would be, going for walks at home, having my own little forest. Small orchard, a raised garden, maybe small animals. I sure dream about it.😊❤

[@joannc147]

@@heidimisfeldt5685 and that dream doesn’t need much room! Raised beds, grow bags, fig trees, berries - plus hens, meat rabbits & quail can be kept on a very small plot of land. Just steer clear of HOA’s 🤣🤣

[@SherryEllesson]

Growing food should include sprouting. Cheap, takes little space, requires no lights and is a nutritional powerhouse.

[@giancolabird]

Could you suggest an affordable source for seeds? Thank you

[@debrahumphrey9538]

I love sprouting!!! I can absolutely enJOY a sprout only salad as I sprout many things 😊

[@mysticalwonderland8479]

Sprouting and mushroom growing, it’s affordable in the right climate and oysters are very easy! Studies say oyster mushrooms are excellent nutrition especially if you are in a food desert.

[@AsikariLoneWolf]

​@@giancolabird Here in our small town, we have a free seed library in the public library as well as one at the local community college's library. Both are available to the public. You "check out" the seeds you want to grow and "return" some of the resulting saved seeds.

[@tammyturowski6703]

​@@giancolabirdamazon

[@LindaAnderson-m2f]

Leisa... Thanks to you and Phil. I live in MA in Senior Living in 3 small rooms. But thanks to you I have found so much space to prep. I only wish I could make neighbors to stick up. But I wont preach to the choir anymore. Even family members too. But my granddaughters think...as you say. You rock Nana I broke my ankle not long ago and couldn't and did not need to go food shopping for the whole time. Thanks to you and Phil. But I especially liked to video when the 2 of you want chicken shopping for 600 pounds if chicken. He is just so cute. Anyway I have learned from other preppers but have really nir watching them much anymore. Elisa you have taught me more than anyone else. And you care..a actually care about all if us. When you did the hurricane videos and you showed the caring for all of them. And your feelings you showed. All I can say is wow. I cried right along with you. Thank you again. Linda

[@SuttonsDaze]

It is wonderful that you have found ways to prep in a small space.

[@heysuz701]

We live in the country now. Purchased a few acres of raw land. Decided to take the cash up front needed to connect to electric and rural water and get a small solar system and set up rain water catchment and filtration for roughly the same price. We can take the money we aren’t spending on the monthly bills (around $150-200/ month) to improve and expand those systems. We used to live in an apartment. We both worked full time and still managed to have a small garden and shop sales to can and dehydrate to put up food. When my husband became bed bound for several months I was still able to keep up most of the things we did, just not as much. It can be done.

[@thuggineternal]

I blame that scene from Snow White where she's outside throwing grain to the chickens and interacting with the wildlife who are her little helpers. All with a lovely tune in the background. That's what did it for me. I've been wanting to homestead since I was 8.

[@maryallan453]

Lol. After at least 35 years of homesteading, I am still waiting for the mice to clean my floors... When I was growing up my aunt and uncle had an 8 acre homestead with pigs, chickens, a big orchard and a huge market garden. It was obvious that the work was extremely hard but some of my happiest memories are of summers spent with them.

[@karenallen919]

I enlarged your photo to look at your book shelf. I have a volunteer job 3 days a week that resells old library and donated books then $$ donated back to library. I have quite a selection from gardening, dehydrating, bread baking, etc. A friend found my GRAIL of 10 FOXFIRE books. My favorite are my WW2 cookbooks that emphasize wartime rationing. My biggest laugh is the one to explain "how to make moonshine".

[@donnettehenderson2447]

I keep looking at her bookshelves in all the videos too. ❤

[@ruthjames4299]

We recycle and reuse everything we can - yes it takes time but it’s great to have a stock of basic needs (nuts, bolts, screws, buttons). Seed saving is also a great way to save money and ensure continued food supply. 🇦🇺

[@simonefeaster5131]

Love this, Leisa! We each must become more self sufficient…in whatever ways that fit/are available to us as individual circumstances dictate. I have a small urban property but my little back yard (80 ft long x 12 ft wide) is more than enough to grow food for my family of two. I can, preserve and am learning to make foods from scratch. I have careful plans to add to my equipment and skill set each year; for me it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Absolutely love your mindset and your many tutorials (canning😍)! People have got to wake up and be ready for the days ahead. Sending you my thanks and best wishes for a full recovery after your surgery ❤

[@SuttonsDaze]

Keep up the good work!

[@HurairahHomestead]

My sewing machine is non-electric. I also have a non-electric washer. Instead of sticking clothes in a dryer, I hang out on a line to dry. I only use the electric washer if I have something BIG that needs washing...like pre-washing yards of cloth before cutting.

[@Dangeresque_2]

I live in a mid sized city and we have a program where you can get two $50 grants for rain barrels. You can also get grants to make rain sink gardens to help with down pours that overwhelm the sewer systems.

[@SuttonsDaze]

That is awesome!

[@embroiderygirl3926]

im in a subdivision with no chickens allowed. I have half an acre and have planted 3 peach and 2 apple trees, blueberries, I have blackberries trellised on one fence, and 6 grapevines on an arbor. Right now i have 6 raised beds. Our yard has a slope, so they are trellised on the slope, and i have plans to add additional beds. I also have large pots i always grow some extra tomatoes, lettuce, celery, etc in. I just picked up a hog today, and we buy a side of beef each year. I buy bushels of corn, purple hulls, peaches, apples, and tomatoes each year to suppliment my garden, as my fruit trees are 3 years old. I can a lot, including meals. I buy my eggs feom local people most of the time. That is notbas easy in the winter when im not going to buy produce and chickens stop laying, so i end up buying from the store. I have 2 rain barrels. Id love land, but we have to live where husband can get to work, and he is not interested in working and coming home to farm and yard work. I buy bulk grains, so really only pick up milk and little items every few weeks. Am i a homestead? no, but im just enough, my friends probably think im weird.

[@aquadrops6138]

Try rabbits, since you can't have chickens. You are achieving great goals with what you have to work with. Yes, you are ahomesteaders. Take pride in what you are achieving and never give up. Adjust your methods to achieve your goals.

[@superawesomejunkmonk]

Or try quail!

[@joannc147]

Love what you’ve got going on….well done! Agree with the other 2 comments. You can raise meat rabbits outside, they qualify as “pets” and should be allowed by an HOA. No sound! Quail should also be “under the radar”. The birds are hardy and prolific egg-layers. One male and 4-5 female quail will keep you supplied with eggs and meat. Stay weird! My family thinks I’m crazy🤷🏻‍♀

[@ArtandDiamondsWithEskies]

I'd absolutely say that you're a homesteader. We make the best with what we do have, that's what homesteading is about.

[@superawesomejunkmonk]

@@joannc147 lol to the stay weird! I love it

[@26skogen]

I worked 12-16 hour days and grew my own food. You are so tight, it's all about priorities.

[@pamelaveith-h1p]

My town of 3000 people have also been experiencing the crazy appreciation in house as well as land prices. In MA this means my property's value has surged in value for real estate taxation. Last year my taxes increased $405 and this year they increased another $825...I'm more than pinched. Budgeting for 2025 has proven more than challenging. Grain and other supplies for my chickens, fuel for the cultivator I use in the garden and gas for the car...who knows how much to add when figuring out what to plan for. I'm retired, fixed income. I did one weekly market with jams, pickles and baked goods from April through October and plan to do it again in 2025. Its a lot of work to have what I need weekly for this market. I'm also thinking I need to find the time and energy to do at least one other market during the week this coming summer. I'm hoping I'll have the energy to keep up so I can hold onto what I've built.

[@EvaKölbl-j2n]

I live in Bavaria, Germany. We do small scale homesteading. 8 chickens, 25 meatbirds, we are growing and canning a lot of vedgetables and fruit. We bake bread and make our own pasta. But we never could live just out of our garden. Here raising meatbirds is a lot more expensive than bying chicken in a supermarket. I do it for fun and for better quality of meat. While watching your video I was cooking tomorrows lunch. A stew of cabbage, carrots, potatoes and some smoked sausages. The total costs for a family of 7 are less then 10 €. Making well tasting but cheap dishes once or twice a week helps a lot with the ever rising prices for food. I teach the recepies to my children (11 and 13). Even a small take out pizza here is a lot more expensive.

[@debraericson4893]

You should have one of your talks on how people plan on making it next 4 years

[@grandmasoffgridliving]

It will be much longer than 4 yrs. Nothing rolls back in that way. We all have to adopt to new methods

[@lauraIngleswilder74]

We will make it much better then we did the last four years!

[@Barbara-jn2gw]

FOR SURE. disaster incoming.

[@change691]

​​@@Barbara-jn2gwwe need to brace ourselves and do everything we can to survive it... God help us all.

[@paulawinstead5660]

@@Barbara-jn2gw Disaster has been the name of the game for the last 3 yrs

[@PhyllisGuinn-n9t]

I hope you are feeling ok. God bless you. We need you.

[@tiffanyguynn8852]

Feed costs went up 75 percent in the last 4 years. Feeding 20 cows now for the same price i fed 130 plus ! They keep saying cheep feed, haven't found it yet. Been almost 40 years in this!

[@Grassmonster3]

I was homesteading for a few years on a rented steading - a few dairy goats, two pigs who were my rotovators, chickens, ducks and geese. I was breeding the poultry for sale mainly and yes, it's graft and I was holding down a fulltime job at the same time. I'd been around farms most of my life one way or another so I knew what I was getting into but my now ex had romantic ideas about what it would be like. When the reality of the muck and bullets 365 days of the year, a close relationship with mud in winter and finding that there was no time off, he fell out of love with the idea and left the lot to me. I'd do it again but on a smaller scale and on my own.

[@denisewilson8367]

Similar to my last experience LOL. He ran away at 3 in the morning and never came back, after watching me, not lifting a finger at all.

[@Grassmonster3]

@@denisewilson8367 Lol City boys don't have the staying power

[@JenHomesteadingRN]

I just added an 8 raised bed garden to my yard last year. Still learning how to garden and hoping to get better each year. I will never have a full scale "homestead" as the most livestock I can have where I live is 4 chickens and even then I have to go through hoops to be able to have them. Thankfully I can at least have rain barrels as water is ridiculously expensive here. I had to cash out some of my earned time at work so I used the money for a freeze dryer. I'm hoping to build up a big stock of homemade MRE's and ingredients for when the garden struggles. I'm trying to do what I can to be prepared for when things are worse off than they are now.

[@patriciatinkey2677]

Smart

[@JB-qw9hj]

Its 530 am and im heading outside, 15 degrees and a little snow to let the chickens out. They are so talkative always but more in the morning . Coffee and chickens evry morning!! Love it.

[@joannc147]

Ah, then there’s cocktails with the hens in the late afternoon! Fond memories of nibbling on pistachios with one or 2 hens hopping onto my lap to share a snack. 🐓🐓

[@ArtandDiamondsWithEskies]

I have coffee and dogs every morning LOL

[@jennbama]

I work full time, partially disabled, grow a garden and can everything i can get. Yes priorities. I'm trying to get a greenhouse built fire before next season this extreme Temps this year killed everything

[@regib422]

We are a small family on a small property in the suburbs. Thanks to you guys, I'm learning to small garden to supplement and grow bags have been my life saver in his crazy weather. Window gardening and grow lights got me further than i ever expected.

[@retiredinnameonly8429]

I understand I favored signs that say welcome to California: now go home for years. I have a plan to make the most of my yards, vining crops in front with food crops hidden in flowers in containers. Back yard for easily swiped foodcrops that remain out of sight. All container gardening: buckets fabric bags planters cuz pocket gopher!Lining the driveway fence with earthboxes ihave been using for 20 years!!! Garden towers(2) use what you have! I have sliding glass patio doors that were removed and saved. Perfect to make a teepee for early planting! Keep preaching to the faithful Leisa!

[@debrahumphrey9538]

I think and act a lot like a homesteader even though I live in an apartment!!! I grow a small amount of food (as much as possible on my tiny patio) with a 1000 watt grow light! However, I may end doing that this year, as it's now costing over $100.00 a month to keep it running 18 hours a day from March thru October, and just not sure it's financially worth it anymore!!! I think that $100.00 a month might may be better spent buying organic fruits and veggies from the local organic farm stand. I do a lot of freezing, canning, dehydrating, freeze drying, and big batch cooking. Finally got 2 shelving units for my 2nd bedroom, extended pantry. Waiting for the holidays to be over, and then it's game on in organizing that room and getting everything in order!!! I'm so EXCITED to get this project done...have enough saved to buy 2 more shelves if needed, after the first part is completed!!! Stack it to the rafters friends it's only just begun... Brightest Blessings!!! 💗

[@SuttonsDaze]

Sounds like you’re on the right track!

[@matty9165]

Get the led blue and red grow lights, They are so cheap to run. I grew "herbs" very well with them. They are about 1 x 1 ft in size. and very cheap to buy and nothing to run.

[@monicaluketich6913]

I have automated hydroponic units (tiny) for lettuce and herbs. It keeps the LED lights on 12 to 14 hrs a day, depending on what I am growing.

[@patriciacooke886]

I bought Muscle Racks from Walmart either in December or January, just happened to catch a good sale price of $84.99 for the size I wanted. I was watching another YT channel where she bought 3 units an was able to make two units for storing her canned foods.

[@sheilal3172]

Good on ya! I suggest very strongly that you run back-to-back duct tape or bungy cords around the shelving about two inches up so the odd earthquake doesn't send everything to the floor. Best wishes.

[@reneemays8111]

I live in a mobile home park. And I have my spare room as a pantry. I have been canning a lot lol. I have a freezer full of meat when on sale and now turning it into canned beef roast. I have a couple of chickens hidden between my mobile home and shed. I have gardens on my porch and small raised beds. I have berries that I'm waiting to produce. I have quail in my spare bathroom for eggs and meat. I have grey water catchments. The biggest thing right now is I need to work on fortification and a waste plan. You can do it. I know I have a lot more space than a lot of people but use every inch u can.

[@tsa-wnc]

You are truly resourceful and an inspiration! I bet you have the best “yes I can attitude” - hats off to you!

[@sheilal3172]

That's amazing. I hope the chooks are quiet LOL!

[@reneemays8111]

@sheilal3172 thank u

[@reneemays8111]

@tsa-wnc thank u. it has taken awhile to get here. But it's worth it.

[@Nana9112go]

Boy are you right about a tractor. We are almost to the point where we will have to bite that bullet. Ugh!! Great job ma’am. The hurricane destroyed our driveway and it’s just to big of job.

[@cottagerose6012]

Thank you for all the wonderful information you share with us all 😊

[@SherryEllesson]

Lisa, I live in the middle of my 9.25 acres in a rural part of the state. The land parcels to one side of me are anywhere from 10 to 80 acres and are mostly owned by wealthy folks who (so far) are leasing out land adjacent to mine to farmers, but I'm told will be selling off parcels and building large homes. My 35 yr old Kubota tractor has taken about three big bites ($3K to $5K) in repairs but I wouldn't be able to maintain my land without it. Taxes in my county were reassessed this year and my property taxes doubled. I don't have food animals and have no intention of doing so, though sometimes I think renting a family of goats from someone might be helpful. I do consider myself something of a homesteader, and agree fully that this is not an inexpensive way to live; but for me, the quiet (so far) and the sight of wildlife right off my back porch, fresh air, and privacy are worth the inconveniences. Old saying, "ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choice" was never more true than with homesteading.

[@BernadetteWalker-ux6fo]

We are Waco, Texas. Before (you know) it was a great small/ big town. Then the TV show, and bamn!!! It is insane the amount of people that are coming here. The rural areas are becoming no more. It is very sad. We would love to move to the country but, it is all becoming apartments. The tiny bit of country left, is way too expensive (3x the price for land). So, we make the most of what we have. Wish we could have the land with the peace, but we know it will be impossible. This is a great important video, thank you!

[@debbywelchel3893]

Your right I love the corn fields we are 10 acres in the middle of hundreds of acres. I just love it. It's quiet and I enjoy it every day. Wise advice you have helped many of us. Thank you so much. Have a Blessed day and praying you are healing quickly.

[@palominogirl2732]

Feed is crazy. So about two years ago, I experimented with the layer feed. I thought, "In the olden days, there wasn't layer mash, etc. So the chickens got corn, right? For two years I've only been feeding corn (both whole and cracked - they choose which pan to eat out of), and haven't lost a bird except one to a hawk. I have a couple favorite hens that are over eight years old - no issues. The eggs are fine, nice shells, they lay a lot, depending on time of year. Just putting that out there. Oh, and even today, with a dusting of snow, they are out running around in the pine needles, out in the grass. I save pumpkin goop in the freezer and that is a treat they like, too.

[@roughroadstudio]

@@palominogirl2732 They got corn but they also got kitchen scraps, and were left out to free range for bugs and greens. They were fed back their own shells broken up and scrambled in their own eggs for the protein and calcium. So corn and scratch were supplemental along with food scraps.

[@BeckyScottandDeviHenn]

Egg bound chickens are fun 🥹 We’ve been preparing for this for over 40 years (we were homesteaders before it was cool) The kicker is 2 parents with dementia, didn’t plan for that, I digress. The bears trying to get into the beehives, bunnies eating our food, so now our gardens look like prison yards. The weekenders buy land and have nicer stuff then those that live here, their right, just annoying, lol! We also had to insulate our septic drain field, lack of insulating snow. One reason canning keeps changing and evolving, (I seed save heirloom seeds), is also the soil, water, environment that has changed, it is not our grandmothers garden anymore. Find a passion, skill and trade with someone who is in need (we trade honey for stuff, also, handy to know a guy who knows how to fix stuff) Thank you Leisa!

[@aquadrops6138]

With everything in the environment changing it is more important than ever to do soil test and add back in what is missing. Don't forget the much needed minerals that have been stripped from the soil.

[@BeckyScottandDeviHenn]

@@aquadrops6138 Yes!! Like a checking account, you can’t just make withdrawals, you’ll run out. Have to make deposits.

[@BeckyScottandDeviHenn]

@@aquadrops6138 Yes, just like a checking account. If all you do is withdrawals, you’ll run out of funds. Need to make deposits also. Thank you for the reminder aquadrops!

[@kimfowler6132]

We have our greenhouse hooked to solar power, planting a small orchard, grow most of our fruit and veggies, then preserve in various way, and purchase 1/2 cow yearly (empty nesters here) from a local rancher as we only have 5 acres total and no room to grow out our own beef😒 I try and add 1 new skill a yr to my homestead belt.

[@penneyreed7316]

I just invested in solar panels and an Anker solar battery. So happy I did, I can't make my greenhouse tropical, but I can keep it from freezing. It should have recouped the cost in a year.

[@kimfowler6132]

@ Right! That’s all we are striving for keeping what’s in their from freezing not providing it a tropical vacation! lol. So far we have been able to do it, but we are just now getting some freezing temps in Western Ky. Fingers crossed for both of us!

[@carmenroupp653]

I live in a trailer park and since the old owner sold all his parks to this company they have put new rules into effect that you can't dig up the yards and plant a garden. So , i have decided since I have windows in almost every room that i am taking and putting up hanging pots for the herbs . I also have big plant pots ( still with dirt in them ) i will use them for the bigger plants that love their space. My husband is now in a rehabilitation center he has cancer and can no longer take care of him self . And of coarse being so short and not have the strenght to help take care of him. His doctor's have decided to keep him there in a retirement home run partly by the hospital and the rehabilitation center . So everything has fallen into my lap to take and do. So i am doing it my self. I understand about the farming since i grew up on one. Its hard work and yes , land has gone up sky high so the rich are the ones buying the land up right and left. There is like you said not anything we can do about that. How ever we can do for our selves the best we can. You got windows you can get plant bowls / pots and grow your own food , or a good portion there of. It is sadly against the law where i live to collect rain water , so i have to work around it. Wash dishes by hand - save the water in a dish pan - pour it into a pail and water your plants as needed. There is more then one way of doing things. You just got to think outside the normal box. I trailer is going to look like a jungle by the time i get done hanging all the plants up. 😆 i even have the cat's to help make it look more like a jungle - almost all of them are tiger kitties , the lone one out is a calico cat. Yes i inherent his 3 cat's, i have 3 , plus i feed a portion of the strays outside as well ( which for now is 4 cats and one kitten thats with its mama cat. ) i guess you could call them my stock . I live out in the middle of the country ( which use to be a farming community. Sadly they have all sold out years ago. So most of the land around here was unused. ) then all of a sudden farming became " Cool " idea to become a ( home steader ) and they the younger one's are trying their hand at it. Thing they got to learn is the basic's of farming. And yes , without a tracktor to plow with your going to have to plow by horse or hand plow it your self. They will learn that farming is hard work. Come fall every year you bring in the crops and take care of it so its prevereds for winter. Not any part of it will be easy. You need to start with basics - water , house and food and some way of staying warm . I've talked enough. Love your video's. Everyone better get as prepared as they can ( these next few years are going to be ruff to say the least. -> I am calling this time right now and then next four years the " long winter " so yeah its going to be a long - long winter. Get prepared as best you can and do as Lieza says , buy - rotate and buy again. Buy what you eat normaly and eat what you buy. This girl is one smart gal and knows what she is talking about , So pay attention and save your self some big head aches down the road ( the future), and we will all pull though the long winter. Lets just hope that the spring will come and the sun will once again shine brightly , and we can thank our lucky star's that we pulled though it all.

[@robertcook9264]

Something that has concerned me, was feeding my animals. It really is pretty easy keeping us humans fed, but goats, chickens cats and dogs all need feeding too. I looked around at what I had and what could be used. Someone was cleaning out a rented commercial warehouse, and they had literal tonnes of hemp seed. Looked it up, chickens will eat that. I replace 30% of their commercial feed with it. And I probably have 2 more years worth stored up. I had to cut some small native trees out, and dang it they sending shoots up from the stump. The goats live tree forage. They eat that 2 days a week, along with all the acorns I gather. The goats also love corn stalks, the chickens with eat the cobs. Everything cleans up the gardens. So Im planting mor corn next year, along with pumpkins and amaranth. Ive been cooking the dogs food and canning it up from scraps of animal products and some rice.

[@thegardenandi2586]

We got creative this fall and made a dibbler tool to plant all the garlic from another tool (leaf rake) that broke. It saved my energy to not have to crawl along planting the garlic.

[@SuttonsDaze]

It’s amazing what you can do with a little ingenuity!

[@paulawinstead5660]

LOL at myself. Had to look up "dibbler" tool. I thought it was a word you created to name the "new" tool you made from the broken leaf rake🤣. My mom gave me her dads broken shovel handle that he used many moons ago.(He worked in a greenhouse/nursery/planted/produced/sold veggies at farmers markets in the 30's up until he retired) He had taken the broken staff with the metal handle and whittled the end to a point and used it for making holes in the ground to drop his seeds into. That point, from yrs of use has such a patina and has a rounded instead of a sharp pointed end.

[@espressonut]

Other than our cell phone bill and propsbe, we have no utility bills. We have been energy independent for 24 years and counting. We started with car batteries, then marine batteries. We now have a power wsll that we built ourselves buying batteries breakers wires etc. Our water is from our spring, gravity fed and runs year round. We have a hair under 100 acres, and the nearest people are about 6 miles away. Not bad for 2 city people from Brooklyn and Manhattan. We moved here 24 years ago and no plans on moving anytime soon. I'm 63 and 61 hubby. Edit to add....we started with 2/50 watt solar panels. We now have those same 2-50 watt panels and have added 4- 100 watt panels. We bought our 100-watt panels from Amazon and paid less than 120.00 each for them. Our last 2 panels were purchased last October 2023.

[@denisewilson8367]

Sounds like my dream. You are so lucky. But hard work is what it takes to hold on to it.

[@espressonut]

@denisewilson8367 my grandparents on both sides are responsible for teaching me what is important in life. My husband was raised by his mom, as his dad could leave Cuba. His mom taught him his values and to respect and appreciate women at all times.

[@patriciatinkey2677]

You are 100% right. I've been able to get minimal solar, a couple of raised beds, & some combustibles stored for a small dakota pit. Can't see myself chopping up bunnies for meat, & chickens get the code out to our neighborhood like they're riding rockets! So I'm thinking about fish...& a stocked pantry for my wish & action list. Thanks again, Leiza, for your Ugly Chicken tutorial. It helped a lot. Now f only my tomatoes will produce well...😊

[@deborahlopez3603]

I’m in my 60’s & live in seniors housing in a small farming community. Your videos have helped me grow a good pantry for myself to get by for approximately 3 months. I can’t grow anything due to “city ordinances “ but I’m going to try a tiny herb garden in my window sill. The local farmers are at odds with the city right now over zoning regulations & there is also a huge stink because the city has also changed laws about what maintenance activities (plumbing, electrical, etc.) farmers are allowed to do on their own farms. If farmers get turned in for doing their own work, it costs a huge fine and/or worse. Also, they added restrictions on operating farm equipment during certain hours because “city folk” don’t like the noise. In addition, most farmers here work jobs in nearby bigger cities then come home to do chores in the fields. Sometimes it has to be done late evening. To be able to work their farms now, they would have to quit their jobs to get farm work done during normal business hours. Anyway, I can’t afford jars to can that cost over $20 for a dozen, so I just buy canned food in stores. I just discovered an Amish farm store and found fresh farm eggs, vegetables, fruits & jellies, & homemade breads & desserts. Another farmer from my church who hunts gives people who are struggling venison & other game if they ask him. His wife teaches women (who ask) how to make yogurt, cheese, butter, bread, etc. There are lots of good people & resources if we just look.

[@debk6598]

Spot on! I’m in a rural area but live in town and I see the sad sell off of farm land. I’m 69 and have gardened for years. I collect rain water and at times washing machine water. My friends know I want all of their leaves (I buy them a box of bags). I use them for building the soil and mulching. Four years ago I got tired of fighting the weeds and my bad back so I put in galvanized water troughs, drilled holes in the bottom and started growing my garden in them. I have the knowledge to can but choose not to anymore. I have purchased my seeds for next year and have traded extra seedlings with friends for different varieties. I just traded sun chokes for eggs last week. If we have the knowledge on HOW, we can survive AND thrive! Thank you, Leisa!

[@patriciacooke886]

I enjoyed your encouragement, thank you

[@cedarcottagefarm2885]

You can try to change your zoning. We did. When we moved to our homestead 40 years ago, we were zoned agriculture. Years later they changed us to residential because they changed the amount of acres you could have to be zoned ag. We were haying our acreage and selling hay. Because we made a specific amount of money from that hay, they changed our zoning back to agriculture.

[@joannc147]

Well done!

[@LisaRucker-x8k]

I've never been able to buy any land.but I live in a triplex apt.my landlord lets me grow veggies in buckets and flower beds.i buy eggs at chicken auctions and hatch them out for my friends who live outside city limits.i hatched out guineas.geese.ducks.quail.chickens.i also buy my friends rabbits.

[@denisewilson8367]

I'm in the Stix, but not allowed to use the 7 plus acres the way I would like to. I live off grid. No electric besides my tiny solar system. No fridge or freezer, furnace or running water or septic system. No TV, radio, or landline, or cable. I have my old motorhome, my old dog, a cell phone, a 100 watt solar system with 2 marine batteries for power storage. I haul in my water in 2 1/2 gallon jugs, I hail in my propane to heat and to cook with in 2 20 pound tanks, 3 40 pound tanks and just splurged almost my whole check for the month of December on 2 new 100 pound tanks and all of them filled. I haul out my garbage and waste bcuz I live too close to the dump to get home pick-up service. I have a laundry tub and a 100 ft of stainless steel clothesline for laundry. I did NOT get my water catchment system built before I got hurt this fall. But I will be building it in the spring. I saved and collected parts all last winter, spring summer and part of fall to have everything I needed to build it. I have blue barrels to catch the water off the roof, and another that will become the sand and bio char filter. I have a double cast iron sink with built -in drainboard to wash my hands or garden veggies or fresh meat. Then I also want to add the new fresh/filtered water tanks to drink, clean or wash with. Then the far end of my build will be the laundry washing/rinsing tub to handle that. And finally a couple of spigots for hoses. Now that I've had to wait to build this, I might even add an outdoor shower. I'm not allowed to plant/grow things here, nor can I have animals or chickens, ducks or turkeys. But I might hide a few rabbits for food. I buy wherever I can get a deal on food. Everything must be pressure canned within 24 hours. Or eaten fresh. I have at least 6 months of meats canned. I buy a few canned veggies in the store. I stock pile paper goods, laundry supplies, vinegar, awesome, and Jumbo bottles of Dawn. I've been buying tools to replace the ones that were stolen along with screws, latches, but I need nails. I'm replacing the lawn care equipment that was stolen or destroyed too. I have a new weed whacker, and bow saw. And my 1989 19" push mower to keep this place in shape. My zero turn was destroyed when stolen, but It takes someone who knows cones, not hydraulics to fix it. The old guy died. I grew up on a 103 acre homestead. We bought almost no food. I have always had gardens and animals, until recently. I want to go back to my roots again.

[@maryallan453]

I live on 10 acres. At 78, I find the axiom of "work smarter, not harder" very applicable. For birthday and Christmas gifts I have started to ask for help with tasks I find difficult. It is a win-win situation. I get the needed task done, I don't have well-meant but un-needed "stuff" entering my house, they don't have to spend their hard earned $$$ on stuff I don't need, and they know that the gift was very, very appreciated.

[@joannc147]

Brilliant!

[@bberdan6603]

Thank you for the reality check.

[@marthabrickett3298]

Good to see you Leisa!

[@cedarcottagefarm2885]

You can do it. Both of us worked full time, raised the Brady Bunch and still took time to raise and preserve our food. We were a team.

[@SuttonsDaze]

It takes a lot of dedication.

[@danielleterry2331]

You just said the magic word Team.. I work 10-12 hr days road construction here in Texas I feel like fried bacon then come home to work in my garden, set chickens up for next day and collect eggs to get inside and hubby sitting in recliner asks what’s for dinner, can’t tell you how many times I wanted to bean him in the head with the eggs 😂 he is in denial of what is coming but loves the lower food cost on veggies eggs chicken meat. But my tail is dragging

[@cedarcottagefarm2885]

@@danielleterry2331 it’s tough. Do only what you can and take care of yourself. Let’s face it breakfast for dinner is pretty good. I was so lucky to have a husband that would help me garden after work. I would can on weekends.

[@DianeFrey-e7f]

In Australia farmers who can't sell or don't want to can lease them out or divide it up and lease it out in blocks of land.

[@yvonnekilbyhoward9929]

Glad you are back.

[@BONNIES-LIVINGTHEDREAM]

Thank you for your time and information!

[@christineelsey3104]

Well said... & it's good to be brutally honest, my dear.. Lots of good advice too... ❤❤

[@SuzanneU]

I'm getting ready for the growing season: reorganizing my containers (a little more than a third of my small backyard is concrete and where there's soil gophers appear), taking stock of my seeds, finding a supplier of dwarf fruit trees, filling the compost bins.

[@joannacurran8475]

Fortunately I have recently purchased a small rotovator, also a light weight strimmer. The zip ties are probably made in China. In my country it has been wet for months, seeds are not growing. I have also just bought 2 grow lights to set up in my terrace room.

[@HelenHudecek]

I just came across your show today and enjoyed it very much! When you spoke of the bread bags for boot liners i had to subscribe! For me as a child, the bags were my boots. I've come a long way now and homesteading is my way of life, garden, chickens, food storage and reuse everything i can! Looking forward to more of your shows!

[@GlennRobert-ix6dj]

My neighbor has a 250 acre farm that he works himself . Was paying $ 30,000 taxes 15 years ago . My wood delivery man pays $ 12,000 taxes ( $ 1000.00 month ) We live in the country and jobs are hard to come by unless you travel 2 hours to the city ,so making very little income . About 70% of their income goes to housing . Guess we will have many foreclosures and more homeless soon . I payed off my home in 2002 and own everything ( no debt ) . 73 year old male and well off now . Was frugal and poor all my life . Retired at 51 to care for my parents ( they wanted to place them into assisted living- said no way ) so after 7 years inherited their estate . Unless you are disabled or mentally challenged you can do it too .

[@g0dh8r]

Great video and great ideas!!!! I need to write these down when I'm not working (with this playing in background). Thanks for doing this one!

[@joellenbroetzmann9053]

Yesterday, I discovered a couple small cans of roast beef. They had gotten pushed back into the wilderness of the pantry and were purchased in 2019! Oye vey! What did I do? I examined the contents which were fine, and made beef stroganoff for supper. We are all alive 24 hours later and will eat the remainder tonight!

[@sheilal3172]

Good for you. I'm still eating home canned plums from 2011!

[@heelerridgefarm2366]

We have to buy hay for our cows & goats. We got 64 bales of hay this year. That's it! We have been in a drought since May. We spent $2k to plant fields & now we are buying hay. Then in a week we went from 70° to 15°. The weather is crazy. Land. We are getting so many city people in our area. Not happy about it.

[@First-p1n]

Rude

[@heelerridgefarm2366]

@First-p1n No what is rude is that they come here and try to change the way of life here to what they had in the city. If that's what they want, then stay there!

[@paulawinstead5660]

@@First-p1n a response from a city person who moved to the country?

[@BarbaraKurtz-e4z]

Your right. We did the country life. Very expensive my husband worked at a job so we could afford to live there. A lot of work lived there 20 years and never got done all the things I had set out to do. Husband die, kids grew up. Sold. I have a more doable life for myself now and that life.

[@terriaki1273]

The farm where i buy my meat and veggies uses a team of horses these days to plant their crops. They have neen doing it for years fornshow but in 2022 when gas/diesel was crazy high they did it for real. Thnx for the info

[@NatachaKemp]

This is crucial gold wisdom nuggets you dropped. I’m going to re-listen and take notes. Thank you so much!

[@wildrosetreasuresva1837]

Thank you Leisa! 😊💕

[@mudotter]

Great advice. I live on a west coast island of about 1200 people. Semi retired, on a 1/3 of an acre. I am establishing a permaculture garden/food forest situation. I come from a back-to-the-land, off grid, farming back ground and I know how hard that lifestyle is. I was weeding by the time I was 5/6 years old. 100 ft rows by the age of 9. I became a horticulturist as an adult, working in garden centres and nurseries. I was 'ruined' for farming, but I have always grown, preserved , or stock piled what I could for my family.

[@BrigetteFranklin]

Just checked and several of our county’s libraries have a seed catalogue to choose from

[@LucilleFerrante-w9s]

Living on a small farm is not easy in the winter!! Very early mornings, banging the frozen water out of the horses buckets!! Refilling them!! And I work a full time job! Not easy at all!!! But I wouldn’t change anything!!!!!!

[@tesshomestead8019]

Country baby here ❤❤. Godbless sweetie

[@joannacurran8475]

We have to 'not' buy items that have a tarrif. The tarrif is a tax, more for the super rich to steal. Use thrift stores, do not buy processed food from elsewhere.

[@LizaCogg]

Tariffs are a bargaining tool to make companies comply and play fair. China and Europe have ripped America off for years much to line our politicians pockets. We have to buy American products. China wants to sell us products and not buy ours and so does the European countries. Tariffs will get the balance back in line. I worry more about the way our country and states charge us property taxes for taxes we’ve already paid because they can’t balance a budget just keep charging us more and different taxes. The federal government needs to shrink by 90 percent and send most things back to states and stop giving our tax dollars away without no say from American tax payers

[@MarcelleBryant-c3u]

What do we make to sell them?

[@LizaCogg]

@@MarcelleBryant-c3u cars, wheat, corn, appliances, furniture. We used to have extra gas until that was shut down and we buy from other countries stupidity

[@paulawinstead5660]

@@MarcelleBryant-c3u This is a minuscule list of what the US exports to China. The list is HUGE and the below pertains to just fertilizers. China Imports from United States of Fertilizers Value Year Mineral or Chemical Fertilizers, Other Fertilizers $20.17M 2023 Mineral or Chemical Fertilizers, Potassic $5.62M 2023 Animal or Vegetable Fertilizers, Fertilizers Produced By the Mixing $138.82K 2023 Mineral or Chemical Fertilizers, Nitrogenous $127.03K 2023 Mineral or Chemical Fertilizers, Phosphatic $2.54K 2017 Some of other goods that China Imports from United States: Salt, sulphur, earth, stone, plaster, lime and cement and aluminum.

[@sher152]

Great video. We can all use Positive information.

[@SuttonsDaze]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@GimmeADream]

I've built homesteads from scratch over the years. It is a frame of mind as well as a life-style. This latest one works for me for the most part. Thanks for the video. You mentioned a couple of points that I hadn't considered.

[@danmathers5896]

Great Video! Thanks for sharing

[@SuttonsDaze]

You're welcome.

[@danielleterry2331]

Nothing romantic about busting butt no matter what the weather, cleaning the coup, feeding at same time every day, gardening is rewarding but busting tail to stay on it if your depending on it but again so very rewarding, be prepared to stay home 😊 plan your vacation between growing to keep things producing you must pick daily 😊if not they think their job is done and stop producing. If you love staying home then all good. Canning, dehydrating to stock up so if that crop fails you’re still good. Thank you for giving such good info I rely on you to keep me up to date with working and fall garden and chickens, cats, dog I just can’t watch tv or keep up, thank you Lisa

[@sheilal3172]

I have 22 chickens and use deep litter in my chicken house and run. I've had it for 2.5 years and haven't had to clean it out yet. No smell at all. Deep litter is the way to go.

[@dirtyhoefarms2024]

Hang in there Pantry Team! Gotta say I just learnt' how to waterbath butter & jelly out of apple scraps (only a few pints) - am graduating up to pressure canning over the holidays! 💞 Thank you Super L for these awesome vids!!!

[@DeniceHenderson]

I live in the suburbs and have a rock fill back yard. I purchased grow bags and raided beds and grow a nice garden. I water can what I can and freeze what I cannot. I also dehydrate and have a decent pantry. Other than having animals, I try to do all the "homesteading" I can while living in a small town. I love the security! Thanks so much for helping me along the way.

[@kimberlykay995]

I look forward to your videos. Happy Holidays!

[@wandaweber6613]

Yes zoning is a headache for all but for our county we are trying to control an "out of reason" county committee and stop more wind turbines and solar farms coming into our county.

[@susanmurten6178]

I dont live on ANY acreage, our house sits on a 6,000 sq foot lot with most of that in the backyard, so I'm able to have several types of fruit trees, berry bushes, a garden and a chicken coop. I don't have a homestead, but I homestead. I've been homesteading for 30 years and didnt know it. What I can't do (raise beef, pork etc) I source from our neighbor farmers. Thank God, we don't have a Walmart or Dollar store in our town. We do have them about 20 min from us though.

[@susanmurten6178]

It's on average, $290,300 per acre here 😐 in our town.

[@paulawinstead5660]

Who needs acreage when one has a 6000 sq foot lot and is doing what you have done with what you have😲 I'm really impressed with your ability to do what you have done😃. I am sorta envious with the fact that most of your footage is BACKYARD! I'm on 1/3rd of an acre here in this 1950's neighborhood and my backyard is a small pie shaped area whereas the front and side yard areas are huge. Every and anything I would/will do is in full view to everyone passing by on the "main drag" thru the neighborhood. I would eventually like to install some type of privacy fencing to keep my doings private.

[@susanmurten6178]

@@paulawinstead5660 just move your house forward 🤣( if only you could) Fencing sounds like a great idea!

[@mschenandlerbong8539]

It's an interesting idea though to realistically address what you can and can't pull off working full time. Also, work from home FT v. commuting FT.

[@SuttonsDaze]

It is important to choose a path that works for you.

[@mschenandlerbong8539]

@@SuttonsDaze Yeah I work from home but work FT. So we can do chickens, but honestly that's about it. Even a garden is just... sigh. There's just not the time and discipline. But... we Love the chickens. And we can buy the food storage. I guess that's the trade off. I feel like I often dream about everything I could pull off if I didn't work but hey, unicorns could fly out my butt too.

[@rikkeknudsen_]

Great video, thanks! I live in Norway (Scandinavia), in a small town in a rural area, learning homesteading skills of different kinds. There's a lot of regulations to take in to considerations that makes things challenging, for sure. Just found your channel, so exited to learn about food preservation next!

[@joannc147]

Ahh, beautiful Norway! Welcome to Leisa’s channel!

[@patriciacooke886]

Welcome to our family of Sutton Daze, wonderful community. I think I might have family history from Norway, family name “Grindrod”. Many blessings to you

[@rikkeknudsen_]

Thank you! Seems like a norwegian name, yes🇳🇴You have a nordic look, as well! Many blessings from far over here

[@rikkeknudsen_]

@@joannc147 Thank you!🙏

[@sallyellis81]

Once the first of the new year I’m going into full prepping mode, have to get holiday baking and all that good stuff out of the way, I’m swamped already, 20 pints of jams for one person by the end of the week!! Once new year sets in , I’m going to concentrate on many things, freezing, dehydrating, canning, garden and more, I do want to know what’s the best Vacum sealer for meats ect, I have a goid one but not that good w sealing😊

[@SuttonsDaze]

Sally, it depends on what you're looking to spend. I LOVE my chamber vac. Check the Wevac link below

[@sallyellis81]

@@SuttonsDaze I was looking at that one, I’ll check it out. Thank you🥰

[@GGsGarden]

I’m grateful for my one, small acre. It keeps me busy. And yes, I have a 9-5 (more like a 6-5 many days). I’m a tortoise not a hare. Would like more land, but don’t see any adjacent being available any time in my lifetime. Thus, trying to do all I can with what I have.

[@angelabow3198]

I live in a suburban area. Ive been growing quite a few veggies. This year I added canning and making bread.

[@sherrywoodrum7577]

We are in rural AL,on 7 acres (3 of which are woods). I freeze, can, & dehydrate veggies and berries that we grow. We buy meats from local ranchers, & eggs from a lady nearby (when her chickens are laying). We will be building a greenhouse & chicken coop this spring. My horse provides much of our compost, and I am seed-saving from heirloom plants (successfully!) to grow more stuff. Lotsa work, but lots fun.❤

[@carmenfringer4740]

Well Our deepfreeze is over 50 years old. Never as much as a hick up so definitely not replacing it with a more energy efficient one. I'm on fridge #3 in 15 years... totally regrett selling my well working one for a sleeker, more energy efficient one...

[@roughroadstudio]

@@carmenfringer4740 There are instances were older is better. My washer and dryer are always old and used, it's easier to repair myself. When my last 15-year-old washer died I bought another used one from the same guy. I don't want circuit boards everywhere in my appliances. That's what dies if there's a power surge if the power goes out and comes back on, and once there are tariffs on China and our trading partners Canada and Mexico, we are going to run into issues with getting replacement electronics and parts. An appliance that doesn't run and can't be fixed is worthless.

[@maryellenmcmahon5918]

I am intrigued by all your books! I wish you would do a video of the very basic books we all should have.

[@CarolBergquist]

The change in the climate has definitely made growing vegetables more difficult. I have decided to plant what I know will produce lots of vegetables without problems with the weather. Because the cost of seeds , I concluded that I was wise saving the money and buying from the farmers market. I can buy a bushel of tomatoes and go home and in 2 days I'm done , time saved. Right now I'm stocking up on holiday sales., for a little bit extra food. I'm also canning cranberry sauce and juice, cranberries are 99 cents . We all are going to need some extra food , prices are climbing. Thank you for your helpful advice, you have helped me and others with your wise advice,.😅😊

[@retiredinnameonly8429]

Where I live temps go weeks at 100+ degrees. I’m learning to plant fast producing varieties and grow early and late crops, and use shade cloth to help the worst of the heat. ❤

[@MS-il7cv]

Interesting video! I always enjoy listening to what you have to say!! I especially enjoyed seeing your cookbooks!! I collect them. I love to cook and I read cookbooks like some people read a novel. I have passed on the love of cooking to my oldest grandson so I am hoping to pass on my collection to him some day.

[@ChloeDavenport-e4t]

You were speaking of zoning. I live in a city, and, of course we're on city water throughout. I asked our city officials, (multiple) if we were to have a total grid down situation, which Congress was even recently discussing, is there a way for citizens to get water? Namely, are there any handpump wells, like in parks, or elsewhere? What plans does the city have? Of course, no response! I asked if I wanted an independent of the water system shallow well with a hand pump in my yard, could I? No response. That REALLY is a big concern for me. And the city seems to be oblivious! I'm having to resort to buying plastic trash bins to be rain water holders.

[@penneyreed7316]

If you can get ahold of olive oil barrels, they are the best water barrels