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Mary G
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| Posted: Jan 15 2009 at 5:27pm | IP Logged
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Hope springs eternal  , so I'm hoping otto have that house sold in Colorado and be able to buy a house here in Virginia. We're looking at either an in-town or a bit out with some land (<= 3 acres).
In researching how to live a self-sufficient life on the "farm" (that is, growing our own vegetables, maybe some chickens, but trying to live off the land as much as possible) ... it's so hard to find books that don't assume a farm is a business or a garden is just a little bit here and there.
So, how would you define the difference between a home-garden and a farm? Is it the business aspect or the size or what?
What books would you recommend I read for living on 3 acres or less when what we're trying to do is give the kids the realization that food can be grown (not only purchased at the market), give them a chance at hard-work/physical labor rather than just sitting in front of the computer/tv. But the "farm" wouldn't be a source of income (at least for the foreseeable future) but more for us to live off as much as possible.
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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JodieLyn
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home garden (or I call it a "back yard garden" ) generally fits on a reasonable size town lot with space left over for your lawn.
farm - to me that's growing "fields" of things
garden (or kitchen garden) that's on a farm/ranch/acreage (small or large) - to me generally means that you have enough space that you can grow everything your familiy needs (that it's reasonably possible to grow) in the way of veggies.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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Mary G
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| Posted: Jan 16 2009 at 5:44am | IP Logged
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Jodie -- thanks for answering. I've edited my original post a bit (as well as the header) to make myself clearer.
What I'm asking is how would you term what we want to do ... we don't want to get into income-generating farming, but become self-sufficient as much as we can ... we want the kids to be outside more than in ... with chores and land and space .... fresh veggies and fruit and honey ...
Kind of a "little house" experience in the 21st century.
But what would you call this life-style...how can I find books, articles, magazines about living this way?
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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CrunchyMom
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Isn't "homesteading" more the term you are looking for? I must admit, I am a bit ignorant of all the vocabulary on all this, but most of the people I know of who describe themselves as aiming to be as self-sufficient as possible call themselves that. There are lots of blogs, articles, magazines, books, etc... on that topic.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Mary G
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| Posted: Jan 16 2009 at 6:48am | IP Logged
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Thank Lindsay ... I'll try that term!
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
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Maddie
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Encyclopedia for Country Living is a wonderful source for homesteading ideas.
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~Maddie~
Wife to my dh and Momma of 9 dear ones
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crusermom
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Hi Mary,
Countryside Magazine and Backwoods Magazine are two that come to mind. There is a book called Barnyard in your Backyard. Any of the Storey books on goats, chickens, et. They have tons of information for the newbie. They are usually at the library.
There is even a Hobby Farm magazine that I pick up once in awhile.
Most of my help came from getting my kids involved in 4-H. There I met real live people that were doing it and were willing to help me out.
Unfortunately, we had to leave our 10 acres are now stuck in a subdivision due to an Army move. I am like you, as soon as our house sells I am all over getting some more property, a couple goat, chickens, again. It is a very addicting lifestyle and the children really miss it.
Mary
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Mary
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missionfamily
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Mary--Microfarming is another buzzword that may pull up some good info for you. Also, This book is a nice read for what you're trying to accomplish. I'm just getting ready to put in a book order with spring in mind...I'll let you know what I find helpful.
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Colleen
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Mary G
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Colleen -- a case of "great minds" and all that ... I'm actually reading One Acre right now! I love the way he writes (even if his writing in the 70s points out just how much more expensive everything is now! 
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MaryG
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 16 2009 at 1:11pm | IP Logged
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Oh yeah... homesteading.. also self-reliant living
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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St. Ann
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I just wanted to post this link to:
Home in Stead
They have tons of experience.
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Stephanie
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lilac hill
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Lots of terms but you "can" call it whatever you want to.
You "can" do whatever you are zoned for so check that out.
You can also try what you like and change what you do over time.
At the feed store I am not a farmer becasue I do not have a tax id number (is not a large % of our income) but this moring when I was carrying warm water to my frozen barn I felt like a farmer (or is a hobbiest since I only have 2 cows, 4 goats and 3 sheep to carry for?)
Cornell( http://chla.library.cornell.edu/)has a great library online . Those old books for online reading seem to understand that I am rearing a few animals and not 50, that I am raising 10 not 100 tomato plants. I find much more indepth info to add to the gardening, animal husbandry books that I can find at the library. I also like the livestock forums at the Homesteading Today board, a yahoo group for yard poultry, and currently reading Eliot Coleman's stuff on extneding our growing season. It is like homeschooling-pick a topic and look for plenty of resources to find info that explains your level of intensity.
Viv
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Viv
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Define: farm, garden, hobby farm
