I vividly remember the October 2011 snowstorm that cancelled Halloween and closed school for two full weeks. Our house was without power for nine days. The appliances were electric and the gas fireplace had an electric starting mechanism. We were…
Week 30 at Farm 96: Spring Orchard Expansion & Planning a Cold Frame
As a reminder, I organize my week’s accomplishments according to my ultimate goals for this homestead property. Here’s what I got done this week: Food Production I placed a very exciting order for spring permaculture additions from Stark Bro’s Nursery. I was…
Weeks 27 & 28 at Farm 96: Sweet Potato Experiment and Overdue Organization
I had a blissful 12 days off from work for winter break. I really needed to relax – I’m a teacher, and the Thanksgiving to Christmas push was particularly brutal this year. But I didn’t spent much time lounging; every…
Week 26: 6 Months of Farm 96
It has officially been six months since I realized my lifelong dream to purchase a farm of my own. The goal is to build this property into a semi-self-sufficient homestead. Naturally, I have been heavily focused on all that needs…
My New Life as a Homesteader | Revisiting the Rules 6 Months Later
While sitting in the comfort of my apartment in anticipation of realizing my lifelong dream, I set a couple of rules for my ‘new life as a homesteader’. Now that it has been nearly six months since assuming the ‘homesteader’…
Weeks 23 & 24 at Farm 96: Finding Firewood and Constructing a Compost Bin
As a reminder, I organize my week’s accomplishments according to my ultimate goals for this homestead property. Here’s what I’ve been up to: Resource Acquisition & Preparedness At this point, my life basically revolves around firewood – finding it, splitting it, stacking…
Week 22 at Farm 96: New Wood Stove Install & Reaching Energy Independence
At one point during my dad’s long illness, he was hospitalized for 181 days. I had paused my career to take care of him, so I spent most days that winter at home. It was also, coincidentally, the coldest winter…
Weeks 20 & 21 at Farm 96: Winterizing Fruit Trees and Planting Garlic
I consider myself relatively intelligent and a decently handy person. My dad made it a point to familiarize me with the basic functioning of my childhood home and involved me in basic tasks like changing filters and completing repairs. I…
Week 19 at Farm 96: Fall Harvests from the Cold Frame
I’ve noticed that many people my age talk about wanting to travel the world. My friends from high school go on weekend trips to resorts and AirBnBs, seeking concerts and hiking trails and experiences galore. I’m happy for their joy,…
Week 18 at Farm 96: I bought a Gator UTV
By mid-September, the hemorrhaging of cash had subsided, there had been no significant unexpected expenses, and all of my projects had come in under budget. I was feeling pretty good about my situation, but I was increasingly frustrated by the…
Weeks 16 & 17 at Farm 96: Trash Picking and Preparing for the Frost
For the nearly six months that I was under contract to buy this house, I was certain that I would be the kind of homeowner who had it all together: fully unpacked in the first weeks, decorating decisions made, art…
Week 15 at Farm 96: Woodchuck & Wood Stove Woes
I’ve been flying high – the autumn leaves have been stunning, my solar panels are installed, and I’m really living my homesteading dream. So, naturally, this week was a huge downer with a lot of frustrations. Growing Food I had…