Moving to the Country....You'd better be ready for this!

Moving to the Country....You'd better be ready for this!
Come along with me today as we discuss the monumental shift in folks getting tired of city life, buying land and finding a way to escape the urban jungles that are destroying our American value system and our health! Here's the truth about leaving it all behind for a life in the country!
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[@stump-bossBIll]

Sounds like you need to spend some time working on the second generation, Josh. God's speed with that.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

lol.....yessir..thank you! I am dating and life is great buddy...thanks for the words of encouragement

[@704406bbl]

No doubt your place out there is awesome. I’m very glad to hear you’re dating or as my ol dad used to say , “gettin’ amongst em’”! A good woman make a world of difference. Best of luck on everything.

[@kylem9834]

I’m in the process of trying to preserve my family’s farm from being broken up even further as generations continue to come and go here in NC. We have 53 acres left of what use to be hundreds and hundreds. Been in my family since the 1700’s, never been sold and never had a price tag. Something to be proud of and long after I’m gone I want it to still be here just the way it is.

[@bcgrittner]

I’m a certified city boy, now retired. In my area I have seen farms taxed out of existence. Then the former productive farmland becomes shopping malls, car dealerships, etc. That really bothers me. Those farms that remain help feed me and my family. Many people don’t appreciate what farmers do for the general population. I appreciate them. By marriage I am distantly related to a hog farmer in Germany. In Germany farmers are well- respected. It’s unfortunate that farmers here in the United States are no longer getting the respect they deserve. My best to you, Josh.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

we live in a world of cheap food, rural folks and farmers like myself are often looked down upon by the ultra educated folks in town....as they're somehow above feeding themselves for some reason. Being back in the dating world has really opened my eyes to all of this as I bring "city girls" into this world and watch them simply not understand that farm animals aren't pets and this aint a disney movie. My dog stinks, he lives outside...so do my cats. We endure weather events, power outages, feed ourselves and don't take ski trips every weekend. I love it when I date someone that "loves to travel".....I also love to travel, but I want to learn! To me ....traveling is often just blissfully riding around looking at someone else's stuff lol......I'd rather be home building mine! Such an interesting social experiment dating from a farm!

[@ronaldlarimer7768]

When I was a teen I worked with two of my uncles on the farm they worked every summer. I wanted to bee a farmer, that didn’t work out, first I was a preacher then a welder then a police officer for 23 years. I moved to the country in 1977 only five acres. I bought a corn field and orchard and had my house built, I was told how stupid I was many times but I am still there and I love it. I have gone though chickens goats and many dogs. I wish I still had a dog, I raised two children’s that now live in other states, (one in North Carolina). I was never a farmer only a small garden but I would not trade it for anything. I really enjoy your videos and think of you as a friend even if we have never met and may never. I am too old, 74 and crippled up to start a new life but I enjoy watching yours, keep them coming.

[@junegomez2374]

Good morning! I’m so proud of you! This truly is the dream. Yes the work is beyond demanding but so worth it. If my husband and I would have done this we’d still be together and thriving. He was a mechanical engineer and the smartest most creative person I’ve ever known . He passed on but I can’t even imagine living for ourselves and our kids instead of killing our selves working for companies that don’t appreciate all the sacrifices we made. I pray you find someone deserving of all you’ve done and loves the life as much as you do. A hard working woman who can see the goal and loves the life. God bless!

[@Codydaniel672]

Man oh man, what a dream! Country living is my DREAM!!! An so is having a man like you in my life!!!

[@seaday123]

This was a very nice synposis. its valuable to put the entirety of your project in perspective from time to time. Love the drone shots.

[@michaelholmes4808]

Truly wise advice from one who's living the life. Congrats on starting to turn a profit! Hard work (eventually) pays off.

[@twc9000]

My wife and I bought 43 acres earlier this year. It is a little over an hour drive away from our home and we go out there about three times a week. It is a lot of work, but I love doing it. We only have goats right now and are hoping to get some cattle soon. Even though we don't live there, we talk to our neighbors there more than the neighbors in our city neighborhood. We are committed to raising chemical free animals just like you do.

[@vidaudink3044]

I'm so glad to see that your 8 years of Hurculean effort has paid off! Your land is so beautiful and its been a wonderful journey to be apart of. You have helped many people learn so much through your videos. Thank you for that!! You deserve the absolute best!!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

thank you...it just keeps getting better! What a wonderful place to share with folks too!

[@brockstar1311]

Moving from the city to the country was a huge transition for us. Tons of work and responsibilities. I totally under estimated the amount of time energy and resources to take care of even 20 acres, not to mention the snakes and bugs lol

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I've never even given snakes and bugs a second thought...although most folks from town do ask "do you have snakes out there".....I just shrug my shoulders....uh...yep lol

[@james-dt7gd]

All I have to say, is, THANK YOU JOSH!!!!

[@a-survivors-journey]

Amen Josh!!! You’re doing a great job.

[@MikeDenny-js2so]

Love your story, love the clips from the past and love your farm. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@Nick-nw6zg]

What a beautiful beautiful place you built Josh….. a shame about Mrs. Stoneyridge life goes on.. don’t take life too serious. It ain’t permanent enjoy every day that you can.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I agree my friend!!! I'm dating a wonderful lady now....we'll see where this goes!

[@timhilton5096]

I hope in 5, 10, 15 years you are still in the country enjoying life and urban sprawl hasn’t encroached on you too much Josh. Long live the Stoney Ridge 🍻

[@darlsbarkley3493]

The closest urban area is probably Winston Salem, about an hour away. The issue in this part of the world is the new gated communities popping up everywhere.

[@albrownmd]

Josh, it was nice meeting you at the homestead conference while the wife and i were walking my dog. I didn’t know you were a icu nurse. Lol. I’m a doctor and a farmer, but we didn’t talk health care at all. Just farming. I’m happy to see your success and what you’ve done with your farm. Your friend, Aaron

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

thanks Aaron! I appreciate it! Great meeting ya'll!

[@shotgun10151]

9 years here as a pig farmer, ive been clearing out 10 acres little by little, i now have 3 one acre pig lots about to add another one or 2. when i moved here i thought i knew what i was getting into i was wrong in so many ways lol i jumped in the shallow in head first. i like to call it life in the fast lane and i refuse to get out it lol love the videos and how you explain everything keep it up

[@frankmoreau8847]

Retired from truck driving but am now on 20 acres in the desert taking care of a blind older brother and his three horses. Imprisoned is an apt description. RE the SSQA failure, I painted the latch handles on mine safety orange, so it's hard to ignore that they aren't latched.

[@romancharak3675]

You may have saved a lot of people a lot of grief, with your Public Service Announcement. You forgot to mention that you need to be a "Jack of all trades" to run a farm of any size.

[@tireddad6541]

I had a friend fixing a tractor, telling me that 40 years ago. He had to learn how, and do it. And and and. He was hoping he would cross the line to making a living, but hard fought.

[@jessesmoak1776]

Love your videos! Owning a farm is a life dream of mine that hopefully I can make a reality one day.

[@BryanDouglas-c4e]

Hi Josh, there are similarities in your video with my own experience as a hobby farmer in Australia. Every statement you make rings true. I moved from an Australian city where I worked for 45 odd years to a 73 acre farm in a sub-tropical region. My wife died prematurely of cancer before I moved. I guess the main difference in our circumstances is that I don't rely on farm income for a living. You are a wonderful communicator Josh and I enjoy your videos immensely. Keep up the good work!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

thank you!

[@andrewgraeme8429]

Mistakes people make when moving to the country - 1. They hope that somehow, country life will solve their personal or financial problems. It will not! If anything, it makes things worse! 2. If they are out in the Boonies, they forget that one needs two of everything that is mission-critical - two tractors, two chainsaws, two cars. 3. They forget that kids need to go to school - bus? Drive them? All that kind of stuff needs to be sorted out. 4. They forget they will need a fairly big financial reserve to fix up the property and the land! 5. Who do you get to fix the tractor, house, wiring, build a shed? YOU! That's who! 6. Livestock means work and getting up early 365 days a year. 7. You had better be able to enjoy your own company! 8. No, that "Next day delivery!" will not always arrive the next day! 9. Shopping is once a week tops. So if you forget to put it on the list, you're gonna have to go without it for a week! 10. Couples had better get along well. When it comes to social contact - you're it!

[@richardbrookins5406]

So true!

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

when it comes down to it...the sum of what you're saying is that although people from the "city" look down on country folk.....ya can't be lazy, picky, broke, impatient or stupid....or your life will be pure misery lol

[@andrewgraeme8429]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer Now, why didn't I think of putting it that succinctly?

[@scottsmith6846]

Hey Josh thank you for the video and I agree with everything that you say there it's so very true woo

[@johnnylindsey5808]

Good job

[@musicgroopie1]

I grew up on a farm but after military service lived in the city the past 35 years. I just retired in June and getting close to moving out to my 40 acre farm. I will spend my last years taking care of God's land and creatures.

[@ismaelrivera1752]

You might work more hours and work harder but the enjoyment and satisfaction of your results way better than a regular 9-5

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Amen!!

[@FloridaGator76]

I don’t think I could do the farming by myself, but I so would like to sell my house and move to West Virginia or Carolinas. To sit on the porch and drink my coffee. Fire at night. I loved going to Andy Griffith museum my favorite show.

[@ricksmith8651]

Airplane guy you met in WV here. Really enjoyed meeting you and learning valuable information. I'll DM you my contact info soon. Perhaps we can get together if you make it to Nashville. Wishing you the VERY best!! Rick

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

thanks Rick! Great meeting ya buddy!

[@BouncingBaller]

No other words have been spoken to be more true than in this video. I'm a city boy who moved to the country about 3 years ago. Let me tell you, this has been a journey with not much insight on the total magnitude of what I'm getting myself into. I don't regret it but have total respect for it now. I don't have the huge property you have, I own 33 acres but let me tell you, it's more than enough for me. Thanks for the videos and the content.

[@ClickinChicken]

Josh, my neighbor is retired now (back and forth cabin owner) they are debating moving here. The neighbor I mow lawns for told him he'd be bored and isolated. I think he should DO IT! I'm stimulated by my day job (well, ha, stimulated- social interaction), and I do my political and homestead things after on YT. I feel healthy! He's in a quandary, I'd guess. All his hard work, and weekend warrior. It's all the same Up here. I was there! Anyway, WOOOO!!!!!!!!

[@luvrrboy1]

Great information love this video :) i would also like to know how much work goes into your making your videos. i know your alone , would be nice to see someone come and video you behind the scenes , see how you set up the cameras before you do anything. must be so much time consuming :) keep up the great work, and i hope you find a woman who can come and live your dream with you .

[@davidmack8813]

weather perhaps instead of a hangup in your day perhaps it puts a hiccup in your gittyup. Another point after living most of my work life in cities I spent at least 45 minutes more often an hour plus driving to & from work. It's crowded in city life Josh. Nice presentation Josh. Great job. Love it

[@danielalamo2075]

Thank you for sharing your farming adventures. I love watching your channel as well as others. For me, social media is a way to keep up with family and friends that have moved across the country and to learn how to repair my equipment and other things. I also post when things don't good well with my cattle. I was recently running through the herd dumping grain into feeders while trying not to get trampled, which happens. This day, I went through a small gap between and behind cows. Well, I got blasted with guacamole (not really, but I was covered). Yep, I posted it and everybody laughed. Good times. You have to roll with the punches. My wife and I were not married when I bought our little ranch. She knew what she was getting into. She is still here. We are now both retired and this our only full-time job. Thank you for all that you do!!

[@edgambino4619]

Hope all is well and the rain don’t hit you that bad

[@donnierittenberry5515]

Farming is sun up to sundown loved living on a farm growing up …..

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

oh it's more than that my friend....it's never ending! But so great!

[@JohnTalbot-k6xi]

A+ information

[@mcchupka9718]

I would be curious, naturally, about whether you are able and if so, by how much you are able to reduce the amount of hay you have to buy each year as you presumably “improve the soil” ? Also, what happened to the big-daddy TYM tractor? What are your thoughts on a Johnson Su bioreactor instead of the commercial stuff you are using? How about culling your herd, that would be a good segment! Also, I believe you should show us what your beef products look like, from a marbling standpoint and homegrown taste competition? Donnie is sure to improve the quality of your herd.

[@neilbuckel8018]

Thank you for the education, Josh. What type of loan did you take out to finance the farm? Did the VA help with that at all?

[@kimkayanett]

Country life is great... keep it up❤

[@ShortbusMooner]

Looking forward to moving to TN to be with family in a few years. Country Folk will survive! 🙏🏻💪🙏🏻

[@dash1bravo24]

Moved to the great state of Tennessee 4 years ago. Love it.

[@TheShelton1111]

Morning SRF !

[@roberthilton9884]

Dude your awesome....

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

lol....well thank you!! Hopefully you're enjoying the content/farm right along with me!

[@Roadfarms]

I’m sorry for your marriage Josh

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

life happens my man....we just gotta work through it right? I'm happily dating

[@Roadfarms]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer oh I’m happy for you

[@jimdowneycj7]

Since you farm by yourself, how do you stay safe? Working alone is dangerous. If you get hurt, how long is the response time for first responders? If I dial 911 depending which tower picks up it goes to my home county seat. and has to be sent to a neighboring county for service. And all surrounding services are volunteer meaning response time is longer Providing that dispatch calls the right district.

[@leecarroll1817]

Absolutely, I know this all too well, recently while working on my garage/ shop welding fell off the scaffold. Broken femer, knew immediately I was in a mess. Could not get up. My dog ( Ruby) found barking alerted help. It too ambulance 1 1/2 hr to get here, pitfalls of living in the mountains of Spain. Yes I'm a retired defense contractor from Texas.. Im still recuperating and it's a long process, I can walk/drive but it's slow. Be CAREFUL. YES IM 75 so I should not have been working like I was 35.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I depend alot on Siri.....and If I'm into something kinda dangerous I tell my neighbor and text him my location as well as letting him know when I'm done

[@fredeerickbays]

well this first is u arnt living cheek to jowl with everyone else. I did it for 17 yr just to make enough so that I could get a farm so I know what city life is like. The only thing I miss about living in cities is the food. Out here we dont have places that server anything other than Am, Mex, Itie, Chinese nothing else. I live an hr form town and I like it. I go to town maybe once every 2 months. I grow what I eat and if not I get it on Amazon. My Lover and I go dancing Sat nights but the bar we do it at is out here not in town. Ppl come from town to this bar b/c of the bands it gets. We are 77 and slowing down but fighting it all the way. Were I live it is all rock on the Allegany Plateau. But this is the prettiest part of the world and i have see the world.

[@kathrynbraun2073]

It must be love, huh, all that work? God bless you and your work.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

what else would I do? Work is pleasurable when you love what you do

[@howdydiddy]

Hope you didn’t get flooding at the farm. heard reports of 6 inches.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

we did! check out the livestream this morning over on facebook.com/stoneyridgefarmer

[@tomkin8506]

Josh, I've got a picture of my sister. 😅😂

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

lol....you're funny brotha

[@davidbuchanan1938]

Looking at moving to watagua county. In wake county now and its to much

[@darlsbarkley3493]

Snow in that part of NC? Are you high enough up in elevation for snow?

[@ericgebhart5775]

Great video Josh. What was the name of the stuff you sprayed on your yard n pasture for weed control. Thank u

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

it's only used in my driveway and common areas...here's a link from my amazon page: amzn.to/4es9s8X (affiliate link earns commissions)

[@frankferrara2248]

Hey Josh, what medical systems around you are good to work for (Lpn( myself) and Rn educator (wife) great job.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

the great thing about healthcare is that there's always work close to you....most anywhere you live

[@tokencivilian8507]

Next year will be when I get out of the city - for context, the Seattle metro area. Just retired, so I'm looking forward to spending time becoming more resilient and self sufficient by firewood, gardening and small livestock. I'm thinking that the only livestock I'll want at first are chickens, for a couple reasons. First, they seems to be the lowest learning curve - not that this isn't a lot to learn, but they seem to be the most approachable. Another big reason is that meat birds are roughly only a 10 week commitment. Egg birds....well, I guess the commitment is as long as you want until making them into a stewing hen. I still want to do some traveling while I'm young, so don't want to go all in just yet. One property criteria I've had, and it's a soft criteria is the "5 minute" rule - 5 minutes to a store with bread and milk. It's not that I literally want to be not more than 5 minutes from a convenience store at the furthest, but it means that key services must be reasonably close by. Another is good internet, although with the rise of Starlink, that is less critical now. In thinking about it, I've honed in on being at the edge or just outside a smaller (couple thousand people) town might be the sweet spot of being able to get some acreage while still being close to key services without the big city BS. Especially if that smaller town is located within about an hour of a larger town / city - the regional hospital city, since as a retiree, that aspect will be important. I don't do Wally-mart, Big Box Home Center, etc all that often so I'm ok being further from those, so long as smaller versions are closer - Ace, local grocery, etc. Anyways...my 2 cents having thought on the matter for some time and about to do it. I learn a lot watching you SR and the other farming channels. Thanks for the content.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

5 min rule and you'll spend 5 million. 45 min rule and you'll spend $300k. Milk keeps for weeks and so does bread. However...there's a dollar general on every cornner now lol. First suggestion.....GET OUT OF WASHINGTON!!! Land there is completely outrageous! 5 mins? Shoot man....give yourself 20 at least! Get ya a nice pantry and a Sams/Costco membership and start living....you'll appreciate it! Funny...I don't eat bread or drink milk...beef, chicken, fish and salads

[@tokencivilian8507]

Oh, I know it's time to punch out of this dysfunctional state - I've been counting down the days. 5-15 min is entirely reasonable in Idaho or Montana within the budget. It may have been possible east of the mountains, but Olympia being run by the dysfunctional Seattle types (e.g. impossible rules, regs, etc) makes it impossible to stay in this state. Selling this 'burb house and trading (cost wise) for acreage and a nice house 1-2 states over will get me what I want.

[@andreasherzog2222]

It is much more work, ok. And no sushi. But how do you deal with emergencies like accidents or severe illnesses?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Call 911.....The local rescue squad is no further away in the country than the city in most cases...at least where I'm located

[@andreasherzog2222]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer Ah ok. And I guess 5mi through city traffic jam takes as long as 20mi in the countryside ;)

[@Timwanttobefarmer]

Josh do you sell your beef when you harvest?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

working through that process right now

[@Timwanttobefarmer]

@@StoneyRidgeFarmer ok looking there are few grass fed beef farmers in my area it is all grain feed

[@gordonwilloughby8793]

What happened with the electric tractor. Do you still have it? Do you still use it?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

yes...and I use it from time to time

[@stevemaddox4671]

Josh I want to chime in on a previous video about buying local and supporting our nations farmers. I do I won't eat a restaurant or shop in a grocery store that sells imported meat or vegetables but on a different note I am a ex poultry producer for Tyson my problems with supporting local farmers I understand equipment and supplies have gone up. But when a local butcher is $15 to 18 a pound for beef and local grocery store is $6 you just can't support that I'm sorry I get a little higher but crap 2 to 3 times ?? In my opinion it's not more than greed when you have limited funding as most do how do you justify those prices?? Like I said I do understand inflation but I see less money and can't pay double or triple just to drive a point and eat for a couple meals when same money will feed you for over a week

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

I sell my burger locally for $9-10 per lb. Steaks are more costly than the grocery store....ribeye might be on sale for $9.99 per lb mine is $26 per lb. It's costly to raise meat on a small scale like this....v/s feed lot beef that's confined and factory farmed. Just the reality of it all. My local "grass fed" beef store sells hamburger for $19.99 per lb. I agree....that's extreme, but I'm not angry at them. They're a small farm with a 1/2 million dollar facility and employees v/s a man with cows and a freezer or 2

[@ajlewis9454]

Big T update?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

it's ready! Vid coming soon!

[@bubbahouseman845]

Good morning Josh

[@bohammarberg4072]

Good morning !!! 🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@jerrykates4601]

Where I come from

[@jerrypelletier2328]

Josh... If you're only 5 minutes from big box stores, you are not in the country, you're on the outskirts of town.... I live in Maine on 221 acres with thousands of acres around me and the closes store or gas station of any kind is just about 2 hours away and I wish I was father out with this country falling apart at the seams!!

[@kensporalsky3784]

Hey bud. It really can be different in all parts of the US. Some spots you can live surrounded by farms and be 5 min from town 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@lawrencewitherspoon838]

Well, you know what they say: live way out, die far away. 😅

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

yep....you live a little further out that I do....Maine must be bigger than I remember...was just up there a year ago

[@alan2112drums]

Could you have done this without YT income?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

NO! In order to build a farm like this you're gonna have to support it with a "town job".....the farm is social media and social media is the farm. It's all in the business model

[@jeramyshumaker398]

Do you still talk to your ex-wife?

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

that's a little personal, but here's the answer: NOPE and I won't. I still love her, but the love is different now. I wish her all the best in her life, but we've gotta move on apart from one another. Enough was enough and I'm so much happier now without the constant turmoil playing with my emotions/creativity and mind!