Shutting down our homestead is harder than we thought.

We've made the difficult decision to shut down our homestead. Now comes the hard part-giving up our animals. Honestly, I don't think we were emotionally prepared for this.
Why are we shutting it down? See our last video here:
• Why we're shutting dow...
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[@Slowsteading]

Have you ever had to say goodbye to an animal you loved?

[@melyngoch]

Yes, my parents rehomed every single one of my pets as a child, that or they were killed. I never got to watch any of them grow old and it gave me trauma that I carry to this day and taught me that nothing is permanent, so never get attached to anything.

[@wannabefarmerr]

Yes I had to rehome my rabbit. I still miss him 😢

[@dirtyblondechai]

@@melyngochdude for the majority of human existence except for the last 100 years at most, animals have been killed for food not kept as pets.

[@Anonymous-km5pj]

@@dirtyblondechaiwere u there ? read any old books ??

[@Kompy__]

Kind of unhinged murder rant in the last video

[@timeforchange3786]

I am surprised you didn't just rent it to someone who wanted to homestead. It was a wonderful setup.

[@heidiquayle5054]

I cant believe you didn't just rent it as is because so many people/families would love the set up you had!

[@Anonymous-km5pj]

yah, set up was already set up turn-key style... their decision not mine tho All the best

[@mnunnery357]

There is definitely a balancing act to homesteading. My wife & I started homesteading very slowly over 15 years ago. Just a little garden at first. The garden expanded quite a bit over the years and our kids got to grow up harvesting and eating from our garden. Covid lockdowns brought chickens into our life. My daughter had always wanted chickens and we were determined to try and keep our kids life as normal as possible and get the kids outdoors. It was really nice having eggs and chickens are fairly low effort. Later we added rabbits and that is a bit more challenging, but also rewarding with the quality of the meat. Through all of this, we were very carful to balance how much we were taking on with the fact that we needed family vacations and getting the kids through high school. So we kept the operation small and focused on building our skills and learning how to be as efficient as possible We never intended for it to be 100% self-sufficient. It's crazy to think the kids will be in college in a couple of years and they got to grow up with this experience. Our hope is that we can move out to get substantially more land after we're empty nesters and expand the operation a little more. Still, I don't think our focus will ever be to produce all of our food. My point is that you don't have to choose between all or nothing. Just scale things back. Anyway, good luck with whatever you choose to do. I'm sure you'll always treasure the experiences from your homestead.

[@Raven74408]

Self sufficiency is a good thing in moderation, but i don't think humans were meant to be an 100% self sufficient single family unit. Humans have relied on each other since the dawn of humanity and it's perfect natural to not do everything yourself. When you do it becomes isolating, you lose a sense of community, and you become locked down. Just like you've learned through doing this. I know you're getting some hate but I 100% support your decision. I'm sure you can take some of the skills you've learned and apply it to your life on a smaller scale.

[@sallystephanledvina8252]

I imagine you have learned to appreciate farmers a whole lot more than when you started this project.

[@Slowsteading]

You bet!

[@NyteFryte]

You are so lucky to even be able to homestead, so many people can't even imagine to have that opportunity

[@Slowsteading]

Absolutely, we are grateful every day for the opportunity

[@Batchat2352]

I believe yall all just overworked ur selves way too hard a simple garden with a few bunnies for manure would have been enough and sustainable

[@LucasOliveira-sm2lw]

Thanks for sharing your decision and process with us. I'm sure it took a lot of self-reflection, life prioritizing, and excruciating thinking to make this courageous decision. And also following the proper way of dealing with it, giving animals proper homes, making sure tools are being given to people who need and will make good use of it. Someone else, say, someone making this decision "on a whim" might not go through the trouble and just abandon the animals, throw away or burn tools and materials, etc. You are amazing people, amazing parents, and a great example to society on living your own life responsibly and to the fullest. I'll burn a candle for you. Much love. Goddess Bless!

[@Slowsteading]

Thanks so much for the support, it means a lot 🙏🏻

[@rayneorshine]

Between moving your animals and the negative comments, I don't know how you do it. I hope you will continue to be optimistic and take on life one day at a time in a way that maximizes the time you spend with your loved ones, encouraging them to grow into people you're proud of

[@Slowsteading]

Haha thanks for the kind words! The comments caught us off guard, but it's hard not to be optimistic when we get to wake up each day and live our lives how we choose. ✌️☺️ Can't let a few internet comments get us down!

[@LM-kv5kp]

@@Slowsteading We are farmers so I completely understand how rewarding homesteading can be and how it can tie a person down and just generally be exhausting at the same time. Having said that, your kids will not be young forever. You're not going to regret having more time to spend with them versus having to tend to the homestead so much. Blessings to your family and I wish you joy on your new adventure!

[@whatsessential]

Definitely gonna come back to see how happy you are with the new lifestyle you're trying out, as you already lived many peoples dream. Can hardly think about a better life than what you lived so I'm excited for your feedback on what is even better. Until then, have a good one.

[@Slowsteading]

Haha for sure! Let's just say we are working towards some even bigger things 😉 This isn't the end but just the beginning of our journey 🙌

[@Flora-Interior]

Cedi Homesteading is also a lot of people's nightmare! A better life than this "perfect dream" you're so insecurely defending here, it's most citizens worst nightmare... I personally like grocery stores

[@Ang7.8]

Thank you for sharing this life stage

[@Slowsteading]

Thanks for following along!

[@MosaicHomestead]

Moving is a lot of work, but hopefully your adventures go as planned, are you decided where you want to go first or is it a as it comes type of deal.

[@Slowsteading]

Cheers, thanks so much man. We have an idea of a few places we want to check out, so it all depends if we find a place that suits our budget/needs/etc.

[@janetbarcelo2109]

you guys are awesome, such sweet souls. Sorry i just found you when you were closing down. Wish you the best!

[@Slowsteading]

Thanks so much!

[@annjames1837]

I'm new to your channel and I enjoy how you narrate your videos

[@Slowsteading]

Thanks so much! And welcome, happy to have you here ✌️☺️

[@marieesposito9145]

My advice for my children is to follow your heart and have the courage to do the things that will bring happiness. We only have one life. You can respect other's advice and opinions but remember, to thine own self be true. I wish you all the blessings life has to offer.

[@Slowsteading]

Great words! And what we wish to teach our children as well.

[@mirsaes]

Yes, other skills will feed them through the coming depression.

[@sitcomchristian6886]

Jeremiah 17:5; 7-8 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

[@themilleracres]

Such a hard decision but I understand! We homestead on 2.5 acres with our 2 young kids. We have done a lot less on our homestead than your family was doing and it is still a lot! You have to make the decision that is best for your family. I'm excited to follow along with your slow living journey!

[@Slowsteading]

Thanks for following!

[@charswellness]

I've not been following your channel long, but I'm excited for the new adventure. Quite shocked at how some strangers on the Internet think they know better than you do about what's best for you and your children. I agree with your responses to such comments. It's worse for a family, and their animals, to be stuck in a situation that isn't ideal, isn't working or isn't bringing joy. Now everybody involved can live their best life. You've done your best to ensure the animals are well taken care of, but most importantly, your family's needs and dreams are taken care of too. Looking forward to your next chapter. I have an idea of what I think it might be, I'm curious to see if I'm on the right track. All the best!

[@Slowsteading]

Thanks for the kind words Char, that means a lot! Totally, we're making the choices that are best for our family, not to please strangers on the internet 😂 I'm curious what you think we might be up to next? You might be right...

[@wynelleu]

I just found your channel & you're already months in Japan! Whoa! I have to say, I truly admire your courage and spirit. So many "go off galavanting" first, then wish they'd built a homestead type life. I can't help but think, even though your kids are little, they'll remember their first experiences of a farmy-home - if not at least the feelings associated with it. The richness of your new adventures will build courage & a depth of character for them and for you that is hard to develop any other way. I regret not having the courage to push for such adventures. Having my children later in life probably had something to do with that, who knows? Knowing you can do it all over again, especially since you still have your home, renting it out not selling, or even start from scratch somewhere else, must be an amazing feeling of freedom! I wish you great adventures. Do keep sharing!

[@Slowsteading]

Thank you so much for your kind words, they mean a lot! 🙏🏼🙏🏼 Yes we're many months into the adventure now and it has been so much fun! There have undoubtedly been ups and downs (like that time I got hospitalized...) but honestly one thing has been so apparent... It's that the kids (more than us adults) TRULY live in the moment and are so engaged in what's happening in the here and now. They're not questioning their life choices or worrying about the future, they're just enjoying digging in the mud or interacting with whoever happens to be around. That's been the most inspiring part, something we continue to learn from 🙂 Thanks for following along!

[@With.Love.Chris.]

You guys are warriors! We live in Port Townsend. Did you sell your coop? Your content is amazing!

[@Slowsteading]

Thanks so much! PNW is a beautiful place isn't it? The large coops are still there but the smaller ones (quail and rabbit) have been sold. Thanks for following our journey, lots more to come!

[@SeventhSamurai72]

Awesome, best wishes on the next adventure!

[@Slowsteading]

Thanks so much, and thanks for following our journey!

[@mathieugrenier27]

The food must have been amazing ! God bless this family

[@Slowsteading]

It really was amazing 😁

[@sundanceks5074]

The Pacific NW first mistake then you took on too much too soon

[@Slowsteading]

For real, real estate prices around here are NUTS!

[@sundanceks5074]

@@Slowsteading Yes land is expensive. I live in NM USA. I was referring to too many animals too soon.

[@alice.miha93.]

So sad😢

[@jessi330]

I think having many different life experiences is ideal! You lived in such natural beauty that others will fly to go experience for a short time.

[@cmayo5659]

Oh my gosh, I would have LOVED to rent your house!!

[@Slowsteading]

Haha that would've been fun!

[@cmayo5659]

@@Slowsteading well....I am totally serious. If you are looking for a tenant I would love the opportunity! I don't know exactly where you're at, but that doesn't matter, I am open to living on an island....we lived in the cascade foothills for 10 years...(washington state, not far from snoqualmie) cougar and bear were our neighbors. Good luck on your new adventure, definitely looking forward to your videos! 🥰

[@Slowsteading]

@@cmayo5659 That's awesome! The nice thing about the islands is that there are no large predators (although they are beautiful to see) 😁 Thanks so much for following along!

[@thenannywoodforest98]

😢

[@Slowsteading]

❤❤🐰

[@Brody2477]

Your location is beautiful.

[@Slowsteading]

Thanks, it really is! 🙏🏻 It's easy to take the familiar for granted, but the beauty of this place will never wear off on me :)

[@thatemotionalfriend]

Thank you for sharing your journey!!!

[@lovethosebudgies]

I'm drooling over those structures! I have zilch so I have to hire someone to build some. Wish I was handy!

[@Slowsteading]

Thanks, they were fun projects!

[@cmayo5659]

Love love love the area! I am a PNW native. Haven't spent much time on the islands tho. I am sad watching the rabbits leave too.

[@Slowsteading]

Yes it's a beautiful part of the world :) Even more so as we emerge from the grey, wet winter!

[@nancysmith-baker1813]

Thankyou for your honesty . It's hard work , rewards you but your tied down . Thankyou for sharing .

[@Sian660]

I’m younger than the KZbinrs here but I have to agree with @happysimpleliving2 here. I just don’t think it’s an age thing I think it’s a classic city slicker thing. You should have rented a part of a farm to try out ‘homesteading’ first. This is why farmers don’t like city people, this is not a lifestyle you can just abandon after a year. You’ve committed to a community, getting animals especially pets are a part of that. This is why you are not considered from a small country town until you’ve been there 10+ years. You could have taken over a part of a farmers property tried it out and when you inevitably realised you are too much of a city slicker and value freedom too much the animals and all the stuff just could’ve gone back to the original farmer who could’ve enjoyed some time off while you had fun babysitting the farm. Or at the very least could of absorbed your property back into the wider operations of a farm. Regardless what is done is done. However I will be super angry if you ever decide to “try something out” like this again. Next time think your decisions through and how they will impact more than just your family. Try something out before you go headfirst into something. Do your research on how you can try something in a way that least damages those around you.

[@krn2683]

As someone who lives in a rural KS farming community, very few farmers will rent out a portion if their land to people like this anymore. It's just too much drama and liability. Nor will they loan out livestock to practice on. Livestock today are fed on precise nutritionally balanced rations and get a multitude of species specific vaccinations. Farmers ate going to loan out livestock worth 100s to 1000s of $$ to city raised newbies only to have it come back at 2/3 the market weight of their other stock and infested with who knows what diseases and parasites from improper care. It's simply not feasible anymore.

[@chriss1686]

Since when were farmers communists? He doesn't need to be a serf, renting land and giving a farmer "some time off," compelled to act because of the perception of some vague collective. like lol. He has every right to buy a property and try out raising livestock and gardening. You sound bitter about lacking the freedom to choose your own path in life.

[@RUMPLEforeskin25]

Homesteading is freedom. They just aren't about working hard

[@kimneptune199]

I love this perspective of homesteading! I never thought about what goes into stopping. So much work!

[@Slowsteading]

Thanks so much!

[@fredalackenspeil9371]

Yuppy farming, lol

[@aprilMichelleXJRL]

3 homes in a rabbits life is so stressful on them them giants are like dogs they don't need to be in a pen rabbits are a free roam animal who needs spayed n neutered

[@thedivide3688]

They were food…

[@pausantandreu]

The burden of never being able to leave the house I've heard it can be overcome with opening the maintenace (and fruits) to the close community.

[@fsoileau]

I'm confused, about the presentation in the video, how to do mental separation between pet-like and food. Be honest with me, I have hunted, rabbit and deer. I agree you raise, you kill and you eat is far more humane than buying from a supermarket. I am asking how difficult is it to put down a pet to eat it. No judgment.

[@Slowsteading]

Truthfully, some animals you get more attached to than others. When we did a flock of meat chickens, none of them got names. Not intentionally, we just never got attached to them. The rabbIts we are rehoming in this video are the breeding pair that we've had for longer and were never intended for the table. We were grateful and respectful for what they've provided for our family. The ones we harvest for meat are typically younger (12 wks) and so we haven't developed as much of a relationship with them. But to be honest, it's never easy or something we took lightly.

[@Tofu_va_Bien]

@@Slowsteading "Truthfully, some kittens you get more attached to than others. When we did a litter of meat kittens, none of them got names. Not intentionally, we just never got attached to them. The cats we are rehoming in this video are the breeding pair that we've had for longer and were never intended for the table. We were grateful and respectful for what they've provided for our family. The ones we harvest for meat are typically younger (12 wks) and so we haven't developed as much of a relationship with them. But to be honest, it's never easy or something we took lightly." You people are f****** psychopaths. Did you carry out the killings yourselves or did you pay someone else to do it? I honestly don't know which is worse. A whopping 12 weeks of life on earth! That was generous of you. Christ, I don't think I've ever come across anyone so vapid in my life (specifically, you, the husband/father).

[@melyngoch]

The thing that urks me is that pets are for life and when you choose to take a pet on, especially as parents, you should know all the responsibilities that come along with owning and caring for pets, you should have known they tie you down, you should have known how much care they need, not just jump into buying every single pet there is. You're teaching your children to be impulsive in the worst way possible. Those pets you've grown to love, they've grown to love you too, and you giving them away to someone else might unburden you but that pet may end up suffering for it. I truly dislike it when people get pets willy-nilly and then think "oh I don't want this anymore" and passes them on to someone else.

[@Slowsteading]

I think keeping livestock requires a different mindset than owning pets

[@LM-kv5kp]

Homesteaders don't have pets -- they have food sources and money-makers.

[@tryagainx900]

Being impulsive in the worst way possible would be to let their animals out of their enclosures and just walk away, or dump them by the side of the road somewhere. It seems like they sought out good homes for them. Livestock also is a little different from pets that live in your home with you, I agree those commitments should be for life unless you really can’t take care of them properly anymore.

[@Tofu_va_Bien]

@@Slowsteading Yes, a psychopathic mindset, where you kill the 12 week old babies of beings you claim to "love".

[@anauthenticlife]

I am a bit older and from a different generation and found this offensive. What has happened to being responsible for things you start or following thru or commitment or seeing things thru to their end life or personal responsibility??? It just smacks of what is wrong in the world and dumping your "manure" onto others when you tire of being tied down! Not a good lesson for anyone especially the young ones. This is not how to conduct life, make positive thought out choices, live with those choices and conduct yourself with honor. A whim to do something else is a terrible reason to quit what you started. You should have thought it thru longer or more thoroughly before all those animals and perhaps customers and others became dependent on you! Gratitude turns what you have into all you need!!

[@Slowsteading]

Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts! I apologize if sharing our personal reflections offended you 😅 Ultimately I hope to live my life without regrets and wish to teach my children to live the life that is meaningful for them. Not to feel constrained by expectations from others or from society as a whole, or to "stick it out" in a situation that is no longer serving them.

[@tori7562]

@@Slowsteading I really like how you worded this 😊

[@kjcl90]

This generation is all about instant gratification and lack of commitment to anything.

[@kjcl90]

​@Slowsteading you're as fake as they come man 😂

[@LucasOliveira-sm2lw]

One eats a cookie and don't like it. They can choose to keep eating the same cookie untill they do like it, or move on to a different cookie they might like instead. Both fine ways to live one's life. Both can bring happiness to different people.

[@karenulvang5375]

Watching a bird you once cared for on a spit on an open fire😢

[@annjames1837]

Yum

[@cathybowers4520]

Where are you going

[@Slowsteading]

We're finalizing our plans now and hope to share them soon ✌️

[@bekind4018]

Seems like quite a few are giving up. Whatever happened to just having a garden and a few chickens for eggs. Ease into it.

[@southparkfan4603]

Don't you think it is a *little* hypocritical to make such a big deal out of saying goodbye to your "meat" animals when you seemingly don't have a problem to kill them waaaay ahead of their time to simply eat them? Hopefully these cute, cuddly parent "bunbuns" lead a happy and long life. Unlike their children.

[@Slowsteading]

I don't think there's anything hypocritical about having empathy for a living creature that we've made a connection with.

[@southparkfan4603]

@@Slowsteading It becomes hypocritical when you start killing their kids for food. That doesn't really show the compassion for the bunnys that you are trying to convey. Too bad the babies seemingly didn't live long enough for you to build a connection with them. But thank you for answering, didn't think I'd actually get a reply. To leave on a more positive note: Your Homestead actually looked really cool, you've made a beautiful place.

[@JU57US]

I see nothing hypocritical about it. All I see is unwelcomed judgment wrapped up in a rhetorical question. Many, many people have the emotional development and capacity for empathy for living creatures, while still understanding and acting upon the need for sustenance. Livestock farmers, butchers, hunters, and meat consumers are not unfeeling cold-hearted killers. I hope someday you can broaden your narrow view in an honest attempt to understand.

[@southparkfan4603]

​@@JU57US If you want an open-minded, respectful discussion on eye level, I'm all for it and won't make another snarky and provocative comment. 1. You don't *need* to eat meat for sustenance. This means there is nothing to understand about "acting upon the need for sustenance". Making your point kind of fall apart. 2. If the only thing standing between you and killing a living being that you cared for for quite some time to simply taste their meat (again, not required for sustenance), is the label "meat-animal", then yes. By the definition of the word empathy, you are lacking at least *some* aspects of it. Does that automatically make you a bad human being? No. But, especially if you post a whole video about that on KZbin, you have to expect unwanted judgement. At least in my opinion. 3.Since I already brought up definitions: It is hypocritical the definition of the word. I'm open to an explanation on why it is not hypocritical to eat the babies of your "bunbuns" while simultaneously making a big fuzz about giving away their parents. I mean over half of the video was about their meat "production" and basically most of the negative points he made about homesteading stemmed from taking care of the animals, again, to simply taste them. A (nonrethorical) question for you: Would you consider someone who buys all their clothes from a sweatshop that uses modern-day slavery a cold-hearted human? I wouldn't. Bu yes, I would judge them when they would make a video about how they had to say goodbye to one child from that shop, while taking part in the enslavement of countless others. Exactly that would be my stance on the "this video is hypocritical" thing. I would honestly love to hear your explanation for why this is not hypocritical! I gotta start somewhere to "broaden my narrow horizon" By the way, the way how the huge majority of the meat industry works, almost no one gives a shit about animals. That is, at least in my opinion, not changed, even if they care about a select few. And since you brought it up, people who literally slaughter animals for a living are killers. But not necessarily cold-hearted. I'm honestly open to change my mind about that, if you have the proper arguments. I hope that you answer to this, because I would like to hear what you have to say about the points I made.

[@southparkfan4603]

@@vishirouStarting a discussion about ethics has nothing to do with being "holier than thou". I was merely pointing out the inconsistency of Slowsteadings statement, which is the literal definition of hypocrisy.

[@kjcl90]

Y'all just giving up these living creatures to strangers and assuming they'll be well taken care of 😂. Anything to make your life more convenient tho, right?

[@Slowsteading]

Neighbors ain't strangers

[@kjcl90]

@Slowsteading clearly not all of them were your neighbors otherwise you wouldn't have had to post giving them away online. Excuses.

[@QueTran-xf3mf]

What is your solution? They don't want to homestead anymore. They couldn't keep the animals.

[@MM-jf1me]

​@@kjcl90In their last video they talked about getting many of their animals from neighbors or off classified ads -- they were the strangers that came to pick up the animals and it looks like they provided a good life to those that they cared for.

[@10cent38]

Who the hell are the people taking the mom and dad rabbits do you even know them do you even know what's going to happen to your rabbits that you say you love

[@aprilMichelleXJRL]

Keep your bunnies as free roam pets and grow a little garden. No need to do all the homestead if it isn't for you. Like how I said keep the bunnies lol I'm kidding re-home them you guys took actual care of them not like feeder animals but loved them played with them loved on the babies ect. I think u know what I mean. U have the knowledge to do this when ur kids are grown.

[@Slowsteading]

Free range is a really cool idea but also really tough. There are SO many predators around these parts, plus they are total escape artists 😂 We tried to give them as much space as possible though with areas to burrow and hide out 👌

[@aprilMichelleXJRL]

Ur husband sis......lil sugary I'm actually obsessed

[@Slowsteading]

😂😂😂

[@PD-we8vf]

Funny how you didn’t allow comments on your last video. Funny how you voted for Biden and run away when his policies are ruining the country.

[@Slowsteading]

A lot of assumptions here 😂

[@reptoidfancy666]

Dellusional

[@Slowsteading]

Spelled "delusional" 👍