Homesteading and Self-Sufficiency - Off Grid living

[fedup]

Most of us probably have a bug-out bag, maybe some emergency water and food supplies. That's all well and good, but what about a more pre-emptive and long term approach to the notion that someday our infrastructure may collapse and all holy hell breaks loose? 

I've been considering this for a while now, building my own self-sufficient farm off the grid. With all of the latest trends in renewable energy and sustainable living, it's possible to live an off-grid lifestyle while still retaining all your favorite techno gadgetry. I don't know about you guys, but this rat-race lifestyle just isn't for me. Another reason I feel so strongly about this idea, is that at our current rate, we're going to experience a major food crisis. Would it be far-fetched to say that it could happen at any time within the next decade? I have hopes of recreating a way of life that we've detached from and forgotten about. Recently, I was watching a documentary about an African tribe that lives in treehouses. One of the villagers, after completing the treehouse, looked out over the forest and exclaimed how content he was with the simple beauty of it. It's strange to be so inspired by primitive lifestyles. In the future, if we haven't found a way to fix our impending economic problems, as well as the general Western attitude of consumption, I see the United States becoming a third-world esque disaster zone. It's becoming more and more obvious to me that things aren't getting any better.

My plans for building the sustainable model of the future include taking what our ancestors knew about working the land and living off of it and applying it in such a way that it can lead the world through example. Luckily, here in 2013, we can include a lot of modern technologies into small community farming. Solar panels, mini-hydro, wind energy and even bio-mass are all viable options for power or fuel, and their carbon footprint could be negated within a few years at the most(by growing bio-mass). Allowing everyone to work and live together in a miniature version of a truly free society. Ideally, it'd be an Anarcho-Egalitarian community, where everyone can see the fruits of their labors, and keep what they've earned. Ultimately, the farm would be able to feed the small population, while also providing resources for a handful of businesses in order to generate some income. 

In what way could you be more free than this? Let's discuss.

[DarkShadow]

Sounds like a good plan, but...it wont be that easy. The majority of the population is not self sustainable. This will be the cause of death to millions when the SHTF. The remainders will become desperate ; and desperate people do desperate things. Eventually someone will find your farm and will want you take them in or take everything you have. In off grid locations in the countryside you don't have o deal with the high crime rate in the city, not to mention that you can make quick use of any city slickers tshat try to get in your way. Though there may not be a ton of people in the countryside, they are usually more dangerous. from my personal expirience (me living. In the middle of nowhere) they are mostly well armed, can effectively hunt, and move through the mountains with ease. You will not be able to make quick use of these individuals if they try to get in your way because of their skills.

In the countryside its good to prepare for war. People will eventually start banding together to form clans . All it will take is someone stealing a farm animal, farm tool, crop, hunt in your territory, or decide they want to set up their own settlements on your land. Any of the things listed could/would cause a full out clan war. I would suggest you think more about the defense for your settlement before working on making it completely self sustainable. All it would take is one group of rednecks to take it from you.

Another excellent idea that's well worth the 25 to 50 hours you will spend on it is getting on google earth and do a strategical assessment of the 50 mile radius around your settlement. Learn any back trails and areas that are easily defendable and those that are not.print out maps and mark them. Basically just get all the intel you possibly can on the area. Intel is your most powerful weapon. Also try to find 10 to 20 like minded individuals to help you gather resources and defend thenarea when the time comes.

I believe that an economic collapse could happen next year (minimum) or in 8 years (maximum...but very unlikely) . I would highly encourage you to be fully prepped within the next year. That's my goal anyway...may not happen..but I will b as close as possible.

~DarkShadow

[fedup]

I hate the possibility that that could happen, but you're exactly right. I mainly want to focus on farming and peace, but there'll always be that threat. A western frontier style fort comes to mind, for me. As for the like minded individuals I've been trying. Most of my friends support the idea, but aren't nearly as serious about it, which sucks. Quite a bit of research has gone into this already, actually. We're looking for south facing hills and wide rivers. Ideally, I'd like to build into a mountainside.

[DarkShadow]

Dec 6, 2013 1:50:26 GMT fedup said:

I hate the possibility that that could happen, but you're exactly right. I mainly want to focus on farming and peace, but there'll always be that threat. A western frontier style fort comes to mind, for me. As for the like minded individuals I've been trying. Most of my friends support the idea, but aren't nearly as serious about it, which sucks. Quite a bit of research has gone into this already, actually. We're looking for south facing hills and wide rivers. Ideally, I'd like to build into a mountainside.

Building into a mountain side is a great idea for your main installation. A really great idea for building your base is using shipping containers (the big metal ones) .take about 4 of those and create a square formation... you could keep a small garden in the center. Obviously this wont be big enough for a farm to support you for any long period of time...but its a great thing to have incase you are under siege. You would then cover the main base with military netting.

Off to the side of the mountain is where you could keep the main farm. You would want to camouflage it well... break it into four sections. Create massive piles of dirt surrounding the field (taller than the crop) and plant grass a d trees on the hills. Get several dogs to patrol the place. That will certainly take awhike to train them...but..well worth it...train them to attack anyone who doesn't know a certain word . Create traps that are activated by tripwire around important areas.

Of course the armory...put it underground.. 30 yards away from the main installation. Underground...of course have a smaller armory at the main base...but don't keep all your eggs in one place.

~DarkShadow

[fedup]

Yes, those are all great ideas, thanks. I had thought of a small secret armory and contingency plans. Really, though, I want to focus on the farming. As for having people with different skills, I'd almost say I could create a small militia. A group that focuses on training and preparing for defense, so long as they have the best interests of the community in mind. Landscaping will play a big part in defense too, that's a good idea. I had thought of dogs, they'd be great for more than human intruders as they can protect the livestock from other predators too. I've heard some mixed reviews on shipping containers, but if I ever did have the chance to grab one, I would. You've given me some good ideas, appreciate it! I was kinda hoping to talk more about the actual farm community than preparing for battle. Not that it isn't important, though.


I don't want to reveal too much of my secret plans. But ultimately there'd be greenhouses, aquaponics, and a variety of small livestock for meat(Quail, Rabbit, Chicken, Tilapia). We could raise other animals depending on the skillsets we have, or what people are willing to learn. One of the first things I want to do is plant trees to prepare for a tree farm. I have plans for a portable sawmill that my grandfather made. I would really like to be able to grow hemp as well, it's an excellent fibre and fuel. Composting, rainwater collection all that good stuff. If this idea were to kick off and become successful I'd eventually build meeting houses and classrooms, a doctor's office as well as a veterinary office. It's a farm, so there's plenty of work to go around. I'd ask that everyone work about 8 or hours a day, at least 5 days a week. After that, your free time is your free time. There wouldn't be laws or rules, just a few simple tenets, governed by common sense.

The other aspect I would love to discuss is what micro form of government would work best for this type of thing? I mentioned it'd be a voluntary egalitarian type thing, but would like to hear some thoughts on that.

Here are some examples of what the heck I'm talking about:

www.twinoaks.org/ is a really neat one at about 100 people.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_intentional_communities

[fedup]

Interesting article:
www.offthegridnews.com/2013/12/06/5-body-language-signs-that-reveal-if-a-person-is-dangerous/

[DarkShadow]

Figuring out how you want to create your community is certainly a daunting task. Have you thought of how the living quarters will work? Also...will there be a mess hall or individual kitchens for each living space? What kind of crops will you grow? Will you have the facilities necessary to grow even in the cold months? As for the (somewhat) form of government ... what kind of rules will there be? Will you process the food you farm to make it last longer?

The farming could end up getting you lots of supplies when the shtf. Figure out areas where people would likely go to buy, trade and sell goods. You will thrive in the business of trading if you accomplish this. Most people will not
be getting fresh produce.but you will have it readily available for the right price.

Also, great article on situational awareness. That skill will keep you alive! A great website to check out for survival strategies, skills, and other things that will come in handy is. itstactical.com

~DarkShadow