2. Homestead VisionThe primary purpose of the homestead is to provide the majority of the resources needed for the occupant to live an enjoyable life. The homestead is meant to provide an income for the occupant as well as shelter, food, water, and recreation.

The homestead will develop over years. It can be thought of as an organism that is ever evolving and improving. For example, the first year of the orchard on the homestead will not produce any fruit. However, by the third year, the orchard will be producing fruit and providing branches that can be cut and grafted in order to produce more trees. By the fifth year, the orchard should be producing prolifically. Amazingly, the value of the orchard will increase each year for many years to come.

This principle of increasing return on investment carries throughout other aspects of the property. This is simply due to the fact that many biological systems take years to reach their full production potential. Systems such as ponds, orchards, and gardens tend to build resiliency and productivity over years of biological activity which in turn increases biological diversity. Skills also take time and patience to develop.

So, Project Homestead, unlike most things in the modern world, is not about instant gratification. It is about utilizing persistence, intelligence, and sustainable living to build something more enjoyable and sustainable than the mainstream way of life.

Main Physical Components

Components are to be acquired and developed over time and when money is available.

Land:

Ideally, the land will be 10 to 20 acres and a mixture of forest and open fields. It will take a serious amount of time and effort to find a good piece of property. It is important to note that this should not be rushed and sometimes it’s worth it to spend extra money on a superb piece of property. It’s also important to note that land has gotten much more expensive and will continue to do so into the indefinite future.

Areas of interest:

1. Berea- (Progressive, natural builder Ziggy lives there)(1 hr. 45 min from Louisville) (Land is expensive)

2. Mercer County- Harrodsburg, KY (1 hr. 20 min. away from Louisville) 3. Morehead County (has Strawbale house and veganslivingofftheland)4. Area by Red River Gorge5. More research needed

Notable requirements:

1. Lax building codes2. Able to access markets3. Tolerable neighborhood4. Relatively clean and unpolluted5. See Property Checklist Section

House:

The house will be a tiny wooden cabin in all likelihood. It will be approximately 200 square feet. For a single person, it will take approximately 6 months to 1 year to finish a tiny house. However, the detailing of the house doesn’t have to be completed for it to be livable. So the house could be livable in a shorter timeframe. Also, volunteer help is likely to accelerate the process quite a bit. Many people are interested in learning how to build small structures.

The house should be used for 5 or so years as the main house; then, if the need arises and finances permit, a larger straw bale house of 600 square feet can be built.

Characteristics:

1. Non toxic2. A lot of storage spaces3. Expandable4. Rainwater catchment5. More design needed

Components:

1. Solar power 2. Gas generator3. Rainwater tanks

Ponds:

Ponds are a source of recreation, irrigation, fish, and wildlife habitat. Small ponds can be constructed relatively cheaply, especially if there is a lot of clay in the soil. Ideally, 30,000 gallons of water will be stored in ponds. This sounds like a lot of water but it really isn’t when talking about how many gallons of water a small pond contains.

Gravel Road:

Building a road requires heavy machinery and gravel. The longer the road the more expensive it is. The steeper the grade the more upkeep the road will require. The lowest quality road is a dirt road; which may be necessary at the start.

Truck/SUV/Van

A truck, van, or SUV is likely to be essential for farm work, transportation on rough roads, and transportation of produce.

Orchard:

The movie Permaculture Orchard: Beyond Organic was a huge inspiration to me. Trees are among the most productive sources of food on the planet. A mature semi-dwarf apple tree can produce 250 to 420 pounds of fruit (500 apples, 3 to 6 year till bearing fruit, 15-20 year lifespan).

The orchard will be a source of seedlings, saplings, and fruit that will be sold at the market. It is important to start the orchard as early as possible because it takes time to develop.

Species of fruit trees (first year):

15 apple trees – easy to grow

10 pears- grow well in clay soil (Asian yields the most)

5 peaches – most demanding/finicky

5 Nanking cherries – windbreak bush

5 sweet cherries- require well drained soils

5 walnuts- possibly free cuttings

10 Chinese chestnuts

10 raspberries

10 blueberries

10 blackberries

Goji Berries – as many seedlings as possible

Sea berry – as many seedlings as possible

Elderberry – as many seedlings as possible

Market Garden:

The books Urban Farmer and Market Gardener are excellent foundations for starting a business in vegetable sales. Curtis stone recommends farming 1/4 to 1/2 of an acre and demonstrates how farming can be a valuable source of income with very little startup cost. Also see:

https://permies.com/t/53709/homestead/Micro-Homestead-Enjoy

Animals:

Animals will likely include chickens, ducks, turkeys, and goats. These will be brought to the homestead once I live there full time.

Social ComponentsWife/Partner:

Having a romantic relationship can be one of the most positive aspects of this thing called life. For a romantic relationship to have the best chance of success, a lot of things are required. One of those things is stability. Stability is attractive to men and women alike because it implies safety and comfort.

There is not excess of women out there who want the same lifestyle I want. But I have met several women out west who are into self-sufficiency. Many of these women are already in a relationship because there are a lot of men out there who are attracted to women with alternative perspectives on life.

I digress; I believe that I will be able to find the one that is right for me. Maintaining that relationship requires some level of financial and emotional stability. Thankfully, Project Homestead adequately addresses these needs.

Family:

It will be nice to be within driving distance of family. This will help to maintain and strengthen family relationships throughout time.

Community:

Throughout time, connection to community will build and friendships will be made. It is impossible to predict how this will come about but the homestead is a sure fire platform for this to take place.

Notable sources of community:

1. Wwoofing2. Airbnb

3. Neighbors4. CSA5. Farmer’s Market6. Many others

Dog:

Dogs are your friend from beginning to end.

Relevant links

http://www.foodforestfarm.com/servicesb - GREAT EXAMPLES

https://www.facebook.com/OmandsOrganics - environmental consulting

http://www.almostafarmer.com/starting-off-homesteading/

https://permies.com/t/44756/financial-strategy/income-streams

http://startoffhomesteading.com/

http://permaculturenews.org/2010/11/26/constructing-a-fishpond-dam/

http://www.peakprosperity.com/wsidblog/91878/how-build-earthen-pond-and-dam-wall

http://www.permaville.com/book/earthworks/

http://eartheasy.com/grow_fruit_tree.htm

https://permies.com/t/42435/farm-income/Homestead-Income-Streams-Sufficiency-Plan

https://permies.com/t/49833/small-farm/profitable-small-farm

https://www.reddit.com/r/homestead/comments/2b2mjd/homesteading_and_supplemental_income/