Tuesday, September 10, 2019

A Comprehensive List of Resources for Going Off-Grid and Self-Sustaining

Everyone on r/leftprep absolutely loved this post, so I'm including it here. My previous blogs are archived posts I created and would like to carry forward here. I hope you enjoy! I'll be coming out with more very soon!


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I've been trying to find an all-encompassing and comprehensive list of resources and information for those interested in going off-grid and becoming self-sustaining to the largest degree possible. Before I go into all of the resources I was able to find and gather here, I have to link the most comprehensive one that I found, from the USDA, from 1934. It's a full 22 page long PDF and definitely worth having a look at:

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Planning is first and foremost in doing this successfully and hopefully this generations-old PDF from the USDA will help to get that ball rolling. Most people in 1934, at least those living sustainably on their own homesteads, had limited if not zero electricity, running water, sewer systems, etc. in their homes. They had the skills and knowledge to be truly as close to self-sustaining as one could be - and they did it during the pain of the depression. Some invaluable information is available to be had from those who lived through such tough times.

LAND
To start, how much land is required to feed one's-self and one's family. For a family of four, allotting 2300 calories per person, per day - the minimum for vegetables only is about 1 3/4 acres. Add dairy, meat, and grain and it goes up to approximately 2-2.5 acres as a minimum. A single person, alone, should plan on at least 1 acre.


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WATER
Next up, but obviously the most important consideration, will be water. There are actually several options available from electrically sourced wells to hand pumps to filtered stream water, even cisterns to get going. Here are some ideas:


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SEWER AND GREYWATER
Not the most appealing topic, but in reality, there is so much we can do with waste and waste water. No way around it, this is something that will have to be considered on an off-grid homestead. There is the potential to provide your land with everything from irrigation to compost while similtaniously saving your primary water source from becoming overly stretched:


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SHELTER
Now we need somewhere to sleep. If you're not getting land with a home already on it and you'll be needing to build. Smaller will be much more manageable, especially if you'll be using solar, wind, or hydropower. Here is a start to finish guide to planning and constructing your tiny house - even if you've never built before. I've also included information and instruction for building a cabin from the trees on your own property. Also, please check out the last link to the time-lapse of Shawn James (My Self-Reliance) building his cabin alone, from the wood in the forest, and with only hand tools. His YouTube channel also offers all of the videos in real time so that you can follow the entire process, step by step :


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POWER
If you plan on having electricity, please understand, these may not last forever. You may want to consider working toward adaptation to life without it. There are some options for hydropower that seem as thought they could go on a considerable amount of time if you're able to find land with flowing water, but batteries will eventually go bad. In the meantime, we'll all likely start this journey, if we're able, with one of the following off-grid electrical power options:


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GOING POWERLESS
Another option, if you're willing to take the plunge, is skipping electricity altogether. Here are some ideas on how to manage without electricity:


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FARMING
Finally, we'll go through some ideas for your sustenance farm. Will you go all veggie, veggie and grain, veggie/grain/dairy? Are you going to have any livestock. I will say, I didn't include anything on cattle other than keeping a milking cow, simply because they take SO much room to keep and raise. I would imagine most seeking self-sufficiency are going to be interested in more efficient species of farm animals/livestock such as chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, even rabbits if you are going to raise your own meat, dairy, etc. If you are vegan or vegetarian, feel free to stop before getting to the sections on keeping these animals - it's entirely up to you how you choose to feed yourselves on your own lands. There are sections on composting, preserving , keeping seeds, foraging, and security after these articles if you choose to skip forward. You will likely want to skip the fishing, trapping, and hunting sections as well, which will be at the very end of the post. If meat and dairy are going to be in your plans, I highly recommend raising animals in the best and most caring environment you are able to provide them. The value of showing respect for those animals that provide so much for us can never be understated. Please treat them well. Anyways, I you find this information is helpful:

VEGETABLES, ROOTS, AND HERBS

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GRAINS

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CHICKENS AND EGGS

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"BESSY" - THE DAIRY COW
I want to point something out. Modern dairy cows are HUGE! They will easily produce 6 - 9 gallons of milk per day, PER COW! Something that may be worth considering are mini-cows. The miniature Jersey, for instance, isn't "miniature" at all. It's simply the size Jersey's used to be, like back in the 50's and before factory dairy farms grew their cows to twice their original size to produce 200% or more above and beyond their natural volume of milk.. A miniature breed will easily provide enough milk for a family, 2-3 gallons per day and will require less in the way of pasture and feed. Definitely worth a look!
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DAIRY GOATS - OR JUST GOATS

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SHEEP AND DAIRY SHEEP
A word about dairy sheep. I've heard stories that, if you like cow's milk, but don't have the space - and can't stand the thought of goat's milk, let alone drinking it everyday - dairy sheep may be for you. It is said to be much milder than goat 's milk with a flavor most seem to really like. Even lovers of cows milk, butter, cream, etc. often tout sheep's milk as superior. I've not tried it, so I don't know from personal experience, but it definitely may be worth some thought - as they will provide you with all the same dairy options as cow's milk (milk, butter, cream, cheese, etc.) without the need of such large pasture.
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PIGS
Pigs are about as big of livestock as I would consider for a small homestead. Anything larger and we're now just being inefficient. Not what we want. The article I've linked is very down to earth and beginner friendly. The author really seems to have an adoration for the animals and enjoy they're presence, antics, and personalities. It wasn't a bad read at all. So, here is some information if you can't imagine a life without bacon:


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COMPOSTING

PRESERVING
If we've managed to grow all this stuff, we better learn to preserve it for the off-seasons. Here are some guides to doing just that. The first two articles focus on preserving without refrigeration, though the last two also offer several methods of preservation without the aid of freezers or refrigerators:


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FORAGING
If you find you've had a rough year, or you are low on food - foraging may be a real solution. Here is a beginner's resource on foraging:

(Check this one out - lots of great information) Foraging

SAVING SEEDS FROM YOUR HARVEST
In case Wal-Mart or your trusty seed supplier are closed that spring:


SECURITY
Various ideas for keeping your homestead secure - from modern systems to fences, line of sight, to guard animals.


FISHING
If you happen to have access to an outdoor water source such as a lake, stream, river, or pond - you may find yourself in need of a little extra to get through a rough season. Side note, I live in Missouri and if you're lucky enough to have access to a lake or river here, the crawfish are HUGE and ABUNDANT. I've included a link from Float Missouri's website below, though the techniques can be used anywhere crawfish exist.:


HUNTING AND TRAPPING

If you find yourself in need of food, being able to hunt and trap may well get you through a rough patch. Guns, bow and arrow, trapping alone - whatever you choose is up to you - but these are skills that may end up keeping you afloat if times get really difficult:



Hope everyone found this helpful. Let me know if there's anything I've missed!

*Also, anything you find helpful - Print it out! The internet isn't going to be here forever, you'll want hardcopies in order to keep access to invaluable information, guidance, and instructions. Peace! :)
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