Homesteading

[Blu]

Dave, I assumed you were simply kidding around. Does the term really bother you? I don't really care what you call it, it's a positive thing, so I support it.

Yes...it bothers me in some contexts, and in my view not all "examples" of things that are called "homesteading" are positive, nor are all the people wrapped up in the recent incarnation of the "homesteading movement" aware of the cultural appropriations they are making nor the misalignment of their motives with those tied to the history of the term.

I am not often accused of being fun at parties.

I'd be curious of the cultural appropriations you're hinting at. I'm guessing you're referencing hipster homesteaders fully capable of living a conventional lifestyle in contrast to people from the underclass, working poor, and working class just trying to make ends meet.

I think the two can co-exist, as long as there isn't a hint of arrogance but instead an empathy to others' circumstances. Correct me if you had other thoughts that you have in mind, or other examples that intersect with race, ethnicity, or other social identities.

I think virtually all of the examples in this thread are worthwhile homesteading skills. Even auto repair, which I think is relevant to the Populist Movement and the struggles of farmers then. I think it's fair to say that when a lot of your own interests and needs are ignored, that you simply have to become self-sufficient to survive. What you're parted with is a lot of skills and some damn good work ethic.

Related: I think I'm going to ask a colleague this summer more about her organic gardening and learning some of her tips and tricks. She brought me these organic nasturtiums that were simply amazing. That was also the first time I ate a flower in my life.

[MrPopo]

I'd be curious of the cultural appropriations you're hinting at. I'm guessing you're referencing hipster homesteaders fully capable of living a conventional lifestyle in contrast to people from the underclass, working poor, and working class just trying to make ends meet.

I think the two can co-exist, as long as there isn't a hint of arrogance but instead an empathy to others' circumstances. Correct me if you had other thoughts that you have in mind, or other examples that intersect with race, ethnicity, or other social identities.

Since hipsters are involved this is impossible; arrogance is at the root of what they do.

[jp1]

I always assumed the hipster stereotype was exaggerated. Perhaps it is just that I've never been exposed to them, but I rarely see anyone doing the full hipster thing. I see bits and pieces of what people might consider "hipster" culture throughout, it's just rarely all encompassed in a single group or individual. Much like all stereotypes I guess.

Fun fact: There are many people where I live that consider people who like Vinyl records over CD to be hipsters.

I see value in Vinyl, and a lot of the concepts that would probably fall under the category. I just don't partake in any of them simply for the sake of irony. Does this mean I am an oblivious hipster?

Also, "hipster" sounds like a kind of underwear. Especially having used the term so liberally in this post.

@Samson, I like the Cabin too. I think that one of the better benefits to downsizing is the ability to use better quality materials and have a nicer (albeit smaller) home. Not to mention that cleaning would become a far less time consuming endeavor.

[AppleQueso]

one of the hallmarks of a hipster is that they never admit they are a hipster

[J T]

Another signature feature of hipsters is that they accuse others of being hipsters.

[jp1]

Hipsters are like fight club? In an ironic sort of way though, right?

[jp1]

Sorry for all the derailment Fast, I did find the topic interesting. I'll quit goofing around, please continue.

[marurun]

Yeah, Fast hasn't posted since page 4. I think that's a pretty successful derailment.

[fastbilly1]

Derailment is our MO. I just had to go get my new 78s for my phonograph and I kept losing my porkpie hat in the wind from my fix speed bike. Later I worked in my garden in my skinny jeans and flannel shirt with a thin black tie, while my wife wore her standard 1950s dress and pearls all while listening to the phonograph before I headed to a bukkake soiree. Did I do it right Dave? Or should I go and make fifteen topics about the things that could be covered under one topic titled with a word with a nebulous meaning - as stated in the opening paragraph.

In reality, I rarely check the site on weekends, unless there is a major issue like a few weeks ago where I needed to take it offline. Since I am no longer have moderator powers, I do not have an obligation to check the site as often as I used to. Also since it was nice out, I went and built the four additional grow beds for my garden - but that will go in the geekhouse thread.

Since it was brought up in the middle of the off topic, alternative energy gets into a very interesting set of technology. You have three main techniques and you have two ways to use them. The two ways to use them are:
1. Grid tied
2. Off Grid

The three techs are:
1. Solar
2. Wind
3. Hydro

System types:
1. Grid Tied. Most people who generate power do so this way. It is a much simpler system, it has no chance of burning down your house, and you get money back directly. Sure you are not off the grid, since the power goes back into the grid to power others, but if you live in an area with frequent power outages, you can make back good money this way. Sure you cant retire, but every little bit helps - also look at it over 10-30 years, not month to month. Keep in mind though, if you generate over a certain amount of power the government might want to rezone your property to commercial. Typically this around 5mwh, which is more than most people will ever get to - most generate sub 1mwh hour aka what an average house uses in a month.

2. Off the Grid. Requires a battery system and some sort of power converter and conditioner. All power generators operate at 12v DC power (same as in your car). To use a 110v device you have to have a power inverter, or buy a 12v version of the device. Sometimes this is easy, but it snowballs. Battery are also stupidly expensive and if you wire it up wrong it is very dangerous. You can operate it without a power conditioner, but anything like a computer could get dirty power going to it and get fried.

Now the types:
1. Solar. By far the most common and the easiest however it is the longest to pay back. If you are interested in solar there are literally thousands of videos and sites dedicated to it that can explain the intricacies far better than I can. I will say the trick I have found is to buy your panels at Battery Plus if you have one near you. They are an excellent business and can get you wholesale rates. I have bought plenty of 40w panels from them for friends barns and boathouses (to trickle charge batteries), and never had a bad experience.

You have two main kinds of solar systems, tracking and stationary, and multiple ways to build those. I have done several stationary installs, since they are used for one purpose they do not have to generate that much. However a system where you can raise or lower the panels a few degrees for different seasons is the way to go if you are using it for home power or for money. Solar farming is a real thing, I would love to do it but the capital needed is too much - a 4 acre system can generate 40 mwhs but cost about 150k at the low end. Solar panels do need to be swapped out after 30 years, they go down to about 60% efficiency by then.

2. Wind. Turbines are quick to pay off, but are far more dangerous than the others. There are alot of moving parts and the motors wear out quickly. However, if you are in a place where you can use them, do it. I know people who have built them out of old washers. Since I do not live in an area that can use them efficiently, I never really looked into them.

3. Hydro. Typically you would need to be near a large river and get all sorts of permits and what not and have you. Not anymore. Turnkey solutions do exist. Having a stream or creek, you can route a pipe off of it into a waterwheel device like the http://www.powerspout.com/ and generate power fairly consistently. I do not have one currently, but I have seen them used on location and they are very impressive (hence why I found out about them). I have eyeballed some property with a creek next to it, if I get it, I will be using power spouts to power all my area lights. It is common for a powerspout to generate 1kwh 24 hours a day. Which when you glance at it, it is not a huge amount of power, but when you think about it that's 24kwhs a day, so assuming low downtime, around 8000kwh a year. Almost 9 months of average home power use, off one device that you can run in series. It will take a decent amount of time to pay off, but if you have a solid year round stream near by, you could pretty much get rid of your powerbill. I am not familiar with "grid tieing" this system though. As always, check local codes before you do anything.

As for raised beds, you can grow most anything in them aslong as you prepare the bed for it. Case in point, if your bed is full of rocky soil root vegetables are a poor choice. The advantages of a raised bed is that you can easily control your soil. It allows you to control the soil compensation, heat, and the water content aswell. You can load it up with sticks, manure, and potting soil and have one helluva of a good time growing. 90% of my growing is done in raised beds because our soil is poor (we only have about a foot of it anyway). Last year I grew: Strawberries, Tomato - Beefstake and Roma, Cucumbers, Jalapeno Peppers, Bell Peppers, Serrano Peppers, Banana Peppers, Beets, Green Onion, White Onion, Carrots, Okra, Black Beauty Zuccini, Summer Squash, Star and Moon Watermelon, Yellow Watermelon, aswell as herbs. In the ground I had Jumbo Sunflowers, Sweet Corn, and Pole Beans. This year I am doing much more.

I would not grow big plants in raised beds - like Pumpkins. They tend to kill off the nutrients and squash the lesser plants.

[mjmjr25]

Boss post and info, Fast - thank you.

As you know we are raising chickens and getting about (4) dozen eggs a week. We eat (2) dozen and trade or giveaway the other (2). Right now we have only done so with our immediate neighbors. We used to pay them to plow our shared private road - now we just give them each a dozen eggs a week (yes, we are doing well in this deal, and this is the short version, there is more at play, of course).

My wife has a very small herb garden - no vegetables yet. We do have 2 productive apple trees.

Now, we are looking at something else - another type of animal that can be raised on our property, but it must meet some minimum criteria:

1. It can't be predatory (toward humans of course, but also the chicks, as they free range).
2. It can't be damaging to the property (ie, no goats)
3. It must be content to live in an 1/4 acre space, perhaps 1/2 acre if we needed to
4. Ideally does not require heat or lights (this can be done, but is additional investment we'd ideally avoid - we get to -50 windchill every winter, there will be an insulated enclosure, so probably -10 is the worst they experience)

We're looking for meat or fur, either or both. My wife is an accomplished knitter, quilter, and spins her own fabric. Best ideas for us?