Self-Sustained Living

[BarstowRat]

So my wife and I have been discussing life in our cabin, that is when ever we get around to building it. And we were thinking about how nice it would be to live a totally self-sustained life, ideally having no bills (no job ;-)), and really not being dependant on society like gas and electricity and such. We figure that people have been doing it for thousands of years, so why can't we? But aside from farming crops/animals, what is a good way to go about other essentials like power and water. A fridge would be nice for longevity of foods and waterfront property is usually very expensive, so how about running water without the city? I don't mind doing things myself and I am quite crafty and actually enjoy making things instead of buying them, just need to be lead in the right direction. I know my thoughts are random and discombobulated, but that's how my crazy brain works. Thanks in advance.

[rocklock]

Just to start, you need land.. How much depends on lots of stuff... Some place like Southern Oregon or Northern California (North of Sacramento) you might need less than some place like Montana where there are serious cold temps.
You need time to learn all the stuff you need to know about being sustained. Just a note, it ain't easy. Also, its just plain hard work.
You need some personal infrastructure, like relatives, friends or something like that, or lots of money.
You will need stuff to last while you are learning.
IMHO, you need a focus of what you will try... like organic _____, or hydroponic ____, or doing hunting and gathering.
I am not into being Self-Sustained, but I want to concentrate on Berries and developing an entire line of sugar free jams and other food stuffs. I want to grow my own garlic (I planted about 30 bucks worth of bulbs last October).
So, there are a few starting points. Its too bad that you don't have a relative or friend that has some kind of farm, but the owner is getting too old to do the work. Maybe you could advertise or do a search on the internet. I did see one opportunity on Craig's List that wanted help to work on Whidbey Island, Washington, but that was last year.
Just a note... I have been to Fort Irwin. Barstow is not the place to start this journey.
Note two, we have a member whose wife made soap so well that a major retailer bought her out. Then she has a cow and has sold shares to her neighbors, bakes bread, runs chickens has a hog or two and a bunch of other stuff that still amazes me. I think they have about five acres here in Washington.
Note three, in addition, being prepared is necessary. I just ordered one years supply of food, that I hope to turn into a new kind of lifestyle that has fishing, hunting and bartering.

[Mark OBrien]

Start simply and keep it simple. One of the most important aspects of self sustenance is growing your own food. Start a garden, do your homework and see how much food you get out of your garden. Learn to cellar, can foods and other methods of preservation. It is hard work, as Dave says, and it is tedious and monotonous, but it is essential if you are going to live the lifestyle. If you can, raise a cow or a hog and when the time comes, butcher it yourself. See if you can handle the blood and guts of an animal you were tending to yesterday. That cute calf is now a pile of steaming guts and meat and body parts on your butchers table. That is a big test to see if you can self sustain.

[Mosseyme]

for the tenderhearted or vegetarian beans grow well store well in many locations, and no blood and guts.lol. just saying.

[BarstowRat]

I have no issues with hunting and had intended on raising animals for feed. Butchering doesn't bother me, and neither does the hard work. The dream of this is that I would not be stuck in this "american dream" bust my hump working, making someone else rich so I can barely provide for my own. I know it will be hard work, but I think it will be so much more gratifying to know that all my effort is for my family. My biggest hurdle is finding out how to do it effectively and inexpensively. With luck water is high enough I can dig a well, wind to power a pump and maybe even some electricity. Like these cabins, people have been doing it for little moeny and no contractors so I feel this too can be done the same way.

[blane]

We raise chickens and when we wound up with two roosters one had to go so we butchered one of them. It was not a problem for me or my son but two of my daughters really had a hard time with it. My 4 year old says(as she is eating the chicken we butchered) I will not eat Digory and please do not kill him again.[QUOTE=BarstowRat;59077]I have no issues with hunting and had intended on raising animals for feed. Butchering doesn't bother me, and neither does the hard work.

[jrdavis]

Blane,

I always tell people just starting out "that it don't matter to you, until the killing starts".
We had some friends that moved to the country for the Y2K scare and bought goats for meat.
When it came down to it.... they couldn't do it.
guess who was called? I love Blackened leg of lamb and goat :+)

I just ordered 25 chicks to start my egg raising again.
My aunt raises 2-3000 every year for butchering and eggs.
Can't wait to get "the ladies" to producing.....

JD

[rreidnauer]

It's getting harder and harder to live self sustaining. Why? Let me give you a few examples. I just started researching what it takes to get a house number assigned to a property. While it may not apply to my state, I was reading where one state issues a house number when you apply to have electric connected to it. So, what happens if you build off-grid? Hmmmm.
Another example which will apply to me. My state now requires fire sprinkler systems. So, if I don't have city water, I have to have a holding tank, pump and power to run it. Will the state tell me my solar equipment is insufficient to run the pump? Hmmmm.
Speaking of requiring power, the septic must be a pressure type system. No gravity feed systems are allowed in PA anymore. I haven't even tested the waters yet (pun intended) about rainwater catchment. The state may demand I use public water or drill a well. (and back to the power thing)
For heat, they won't allow only a wood burning heating device. (the one true independent heating source) I have to install something that will require it's energy from an outside supplier, whether that be gas, oil, or electric. (though, the law doesn't say I have to use it)
I also know they are running public water and sewer by my property, and wonder how long until it will be required that I'd be tied into it.

It's sad to say, but true, independent, self-sustaining lifestyles will be phased out whether we like it or not. I don't see any way this will be avoided. There simply aren't enough people willing to live such a lifestyle to oppose the loss of independence's being forced upon us. The best we can do is get built ASAP and grandfathered in before it's no longer possible.

[BoFuller]

It's getting harder and harder to live self sustaining. Why? Let me give you a few examples. I just started researching what it takes to get a house number assigned to a property. While it may not apply to my state, I was reading where one state issues a house number when you apply to have electric connected to it. So, what happens if you build off-grid? Hmmmm.
Another example which will apply to me. My state now requires fire sprinkler systems. So, if I don't have city water, I have to have a holding tank, pump and power to run it. Will the state tell me my solar equipment is insufficient to run the pump? Hmmmm.
Speaking of requiring power, the septic must be a pressure type system. No gravity feed systems are allowed in PA anymore. I haven't even tested the waters yet (pun intended) about rainwater catchment. The state may demand I use public water or drill a well. (and back to the power thing)
For heat, they won't allow only a wood burning heating device. (the one true independent heating source) I have to install something that will require it's energy from an outside supplier, whether that be gas, oil, or electric. (though, the law doesn't say I have to use it)
I also know they are running public water and sewer by my property, and wonder how long until it will be required that I'd be tied into it.

It's sad to say, but true, independent, self-sustaining lifestyles will be phased out whether we like it or not. I don't see any way this will be avoided. There simply aren't enough people willing to live such a lifestyle to oppose the loss of independence's being forced upon us. The best we can do is get built ASAP and grandfathered in before it's no longer possible.

We have every intention of being self-sustaining and off-grid. I have a rented propane tank for now to heat the trailer and run the refrig, but as we build the log home, we will add solar power and a wood-burning stove. We should start well-drilling in another month (when it's not too muddy to get in and out) and will go with a solar water pump. We are planning on 2 or 3 green houses as well as a garden and at least 2 root cellars. Probably 3, as one will be for storing fuel. Like food, fuel keeps longer at cooler temperatures and we can hit in the 90's in the summer. Eventually we will have a wood stove to heat the green houses so we can extend our growing season. I think AZ is getting picky, but compared to CA and PA, it sounds like a breeze.

[stamic55]

It's sad to say, but true, independent, self-sustaining lifestyles will be phased out whether we like it or not. I don't see any way this will be avoided. There simply aren't enough people willing to live such a lifestyle to oppose the loss of independence's being forced upon us. The best we can do is get built ASAP and grandfathered in before it's no longer possible.

I know the Amish will never be "connected." I'd be curious to learn if they have to build to the same guidelines you talked about here in PA. There may be a loophole. I know a few Amish. I'll have to ask them next time I see them.