Howdy.. anyone out there? I'm new to this.

[Alexander]

Hello,
So, Im here either by accident or because my subconscious is telling me I should be more self-sufficient. Im not going to lie, in the past I have relied pretty heavily on "big business" and "large scale" consumer goods, but now I ask myself, "how can I become more self-sufficient?"
Let me give you a little background on myself:

1. Born and raised in Poolesville, MD a small rural suburb of Washington, DC
2. I went to college at American University to gain the knowledge necessary to become a lawyer (and to swim). Neither panned out.
3. After graduation I took the LSATs and decided law wasnt for me, so I decided to go to Grad School at Towson University to become a Social Studies teacher.
4. After graduation I taught Social Studies for three years in Baltimore County, MD.
5. In 2007 my wife and I had our daughter Maya we were able to purchase a single-family home and we moved to Poolesville (I moved back).
6. Since August 2007 I have found my calling as a Special Educator.
7. I love DIY project and yard work, among other things.

Its kind of funny I never considered education a career path for me. I mean two of my former girl friends studied to become elementary educators (dont know if that was a reality for either of them), and it never crossed my mind that I could or would subconsciously make their dream my reality. So, here I am a high school teacher with a garden, tools, and a desire to make a better life not only for my family, but also for other people around me by reducing my carbon footprint and becoming more self-sufficient. Needless to say, Im not only focusing on the environment aspect of self-sufficiency, but Id like to get new ideas or assistance in becoming more independent when it comes to livening in our American society. From planting certain fruits and vegetables, to building ideas, and lesson/activities to teach high school students... advice is always welcome.

Okay, Im rambling now, but Ive looked over this website and it looks pretty interesting.
So, reply with some info, or just say hello.

Thanks,
Alexander

 

[Dace]

I will start by saying hello and welcome

All you need is a willingness to learn and an open mind (and heart) ....we are the best group around.

I am glad that you have joined us and I look forward to learning more about you and following you along your path.

 

[Blackbird]

Welcome Alexander!
Good to have ya here.

History and being self sufficient is a great combination!

Could mean hands on expirience in your student's futures!

 

[FarmerDenise]

 

[Lady Henevere]

I'm quite a newbie myself, but .

Here are some issues you may find interesting:

Permaculture/food forests/edible forest gardens offer interesting and sustainable designs for growing your own food. See http://www.edibleforestgardens.com/about_gardening; also check out Gaia's Garden or Food Not Lawns from your library. (Now that I think about it, Food Not Lawns has some good teaching-centered information and advice that might be fun for a class.)

Community supported agriculture is great if your garden doesn't support all of your food needs. See http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Learn about using greywater. See http://www.greywaterguerrillas.com/greywater.html

Planting heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables will help uncommon plant species survive and provide you with fruits and vegetables that don't require you to buy new batches of seeds every year. See http://www.seedsofchange.com/; http://www.bountifulgardens.org/; http://www.treesofantiquity.com/

Chickens are sweet and entertaining pets, and they supply eggs that are as local as your own backyard. See the BackyardChickens.com link at the bottom of the page.

Try going a day (or a week, or a month) without using anything disposable, so that you don't throw a single thing in the trash. No coffee cups, no food wrappers, no napkins, no bags -- nothing. It seems like it should be easy but it's not!

Some interesting reads: Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver (a family lives for a year off their land, for the most part); Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder (historical fiction based on reality, a reminder that most families used to live off the land all the time); The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Madigan (lots of good info for growing and making your own stuff, even on a suburban-sized lot); The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan (only read this if you are willing to be really dissatisfied with the food choices from "traditional" sources like the grocery store!).

Hope this provides some food for thought. Enjoy the site and the journey.

 

[Henrietta23]

Welcome from CT! I am in the Special Ed. field too, as a Speech Pathology Assistant.
There is a ton of information on this site, with many knowledgeable people (I am not placing myself in that category!!!)

 

[punkin]

Alexander.

This sight is highly addictive and so far we have found no cure. But, then, who would want to?

We learn something new from someone every day.

 

[keljonma]

It sounds like you are off to a good start, Alexander!

Like others here, we have always tried to intermingle edible plantings within landscape design. If you have foundation hedges, planting nuts and/or berry bushes there give you beauty, form, plus a harvest.

To add to Lady Henevere's suggestion

Try going a day (or a week, or a month) without using anything disposable

I would add utility-free days are also another option for testing your readiness and supplies for power outages.

There is a lot of good information on all aspects of ss right on this board. I also like Sharon Astyk's site, Casaubon's Book: sharonastyk.com

I would also say, don't worry about being *new* - we all are in some way or other.... This is a great group of people to learn with....

 

[rebecca100]

Nice to meet ya.

 

[Dace]

Speaking of learning something new.....Lady Henevere thank you for those great links. Many of them I was familiar with but you gave me an awesome idea!!

So I live in a rental and have been a bit tormented about starting a nice big garden, the kind I had at my old home, the kind that brings me peace and purpose. My Dh is against putting in that much time, labor and money to build up a garden that we will very likely leave behind.....then you posted a link about community gardens which lead me to find two that are within 15-20 minutes of my home! I sent of emails to get more information about plots etc.


Very true Punkin, we all learn something new all the time