Making a Plan

Now that we’ve got the property, we needed to start making a plan. We had plenty of ideas but until we bought the property we weren’t quite sure what exactly we’d be able to do. Now we had a place that was more challenging then we had hoped but had fit our budget and was in a great location. The house itself needs the subfloor replaced, a new roof and some other work. There is nothing to put animals in besides an old chicken coop and the property itself is very overgrown. We have found that there is a whole other clearing that has been leveled and a drive to it. However, it’s completely covered in small saplings, poison ivy and brambles. We have raised two kids and multiple pets so Rick and I were very aware of how much habitat and supplies would cost. Especially since these were going to be much bigger habitats and animals. 

Who does what?

Before we had moved, we’d done our research about job opportunities. Just like in Florida, he would make a bigger check then I would despite my having a degree. I also have done a lot more animal care and gardening. Together, we decided that Rick would have the outside job and i would do all the house, garden, and animal care.  The weekends we would work on the bigger projects together. I also decided to pick up a seasonal position to pay for the unexpected things.

Ideas for Homestead

As we continued making a plan, chickens and a garden topped the list of what we wanted. Cows were out because we have no pasture or even much of a yard, just various level areas in between steep slopes. Goats have been added because we are a couple who love cheeses, yogurt, and other dairy products. This was the most exciting part of the plan for me. Once the list of what we wanted was made, researching chicken and goat breeds and exactly what they need got added to the to-do list.

Plan for Home

Outside plans weren’t the only ones that need making. Our house isn’t really a house but a manufactured home that had been enclosed in bricks. While generally everything seems sturdy, the floors are sagging. The roof is heading towards replacement as well. Sadly for us, human habitats are a LOT more expensive than animal habitats. With a list of research to do and 12 acres to explore and dream over, we are ready to begin working to our goal of at least semi-self suficiancy and maybe even some coin coming into the coffers one day. At least that’s the dream and I love it!