New Member Introductions - Questions

[milkmansdaughter]

Hi Meg! Welcome to the group. There are a lot of gardeners here, and most of us have chickens. Quite a few of us have ducks.
I also have about 3 acres (2 are ours and 1 belongs to the state) chickens, and usually a big garden. I hope you'll like it here!

 

[flowerbug]

1. What state/province/country are you in and what is your climate like?

mid-Michigan USA, all four seasons, usually enough rain, we have a good well so in a drought i can water. it gets well below freezing here during the winter at times so perennial plants have to be able to tolerate that.


2. Who or what inspired you to become more self sufficient?

growing up poorer and sometimes hungry but also just naturally analytical and curious so any time i could figure out how to fix something or reuse something it was great. also growing food and plants for fun, learning about biology as much as i could, studying sciences, etc... i love bugs, plants, animals of all kinds. i had a few great older people in the neighborhood to talk to about plants as a kid and since i would rather talk to them than most of the kids around that was my social thing too. also, i was taught to cook and help can/put up things from a pretty early age, it was fun and so that also got me into cooking at a young age. also experimenting (sometimes accidents happened sorry Mom lol green food coloring on the white painted wood ceiling... oops)...


3. In what ways are you self sufficient now and in what ways would you like to learn more?

income, consumption as much as possible of things we grow vs. things to have to buy at the store, unfortunately Mom is very picky about a lot of vegetables so i only focus on things we will eat, i could be doing a lot more but i don't want to grow things just for me to eat that she won't unless it is just a few items here or there (turnips and a few greens). we are fully sufficient in pickles last year we grew between 800 - 1200 lbs of pickling cucumbers. dill was grown here. we grow a lot of tomatoes to be eaten fresh or put up as chunks, we are not fully SS for those, but pretty good. we give away a lot of things we grow just to make sure it does not go to waste. peppers, onions, beans, peas and strawberries are the other main crops i try to grow. i can eat fresh beans and peas from the pods (or pods themselves) any time i'm in the garden and they are there. we are not SS in carrots or potatoes. not sure i even want to try harder on those, guess i would rather use the space for things that are more expensive or that i really like to eat fresh instead (beans and peas are like the default filler crop once we've decided where to grow the tomatoes and other garden veggie plants).


4. Are you interested in stocking up for future needs?

beans and peas are so good i can always grow more of those, but i'm also limited in space with about an acre of gardens and decorations to plant within.


5. Do you make crafts or useful items? Would you want to teach others how to do these?

i enjoy teaching anyone how to garden using natural and cheap methods. will talk gardens, beans and worms endlessly if you don't hit my pause or reset button. *boops my own nose* see... that's how ya do it!


6. Can you legally keep livestock where you are at? Do you have any? What kinds?

yes, but my livestock is worms only. Mom is not into animals other than seeing them outside and she's much more after animals i would prefer to leave alone or find other ways to deal with, but she does not want to, so i have to do some hunting to keep their populations under control. since i am not the land owner i try to work with her to improve things and that is gradually happening, but a long ways to go too.


7. Do you like to garden? If so, what do you enjoy growing?

flowers for sure! many different plants here, i really cannot list them all easily, i've tried... hundreds of bean varieties, peas, tomatoes, onions, garlic, cucumbers, peppers, squash, dill, strawberries. i could live outside all day in the summer if my body could tolerate it, working on gardens, working on projects. i pretty much now live for gardening in any spare time i have and love it so much. it gets me out of the house and working with nature is so facinating, as also is watching clouds and napping.

we joke about the swings and benches we have around because we so rarely actually use them. too busy doing.


8. Do you fish? Bait or explosives?

i used to when i lived up north where the streams were cold water and cleaner. down here it is too polluted in many areas and i don't want to walk those streams/rivers(mud vs. rocks). i used to keep aquariums (fresh water and salt water/reef).


9. How much space/land do you have or rent? City? Country?

almost two acres (400ft by 200ft) country. see website www.anthive.com for details and garden layouts and plenty of pictures.


10. What is your self sufficient specialty? Or what one would you like to learn?

gardening for sure. i would love to have a mechanic buddy to teach me how to fix and do things with metals and wood, but i have no shop space here. every time i want to fix something i usually can't because it involves tools i don't have or space i don't have. it is a small house and i'm full up on things here in the room, so anything that comes in means i have to find something else which goes out... gradually i am decluttering and recycling old papers and books. i love books so i have shelves of books on various topics for the greattacolips or collapse of swivilization... chemistry, physics, biology, animal care, first aid, plants and gardening, how to books and also books for fun reading. and old college texts i no longer need so i should recycle them into worm food or find another home for them.


11. Do you do wood work? Framing, finish, cabinet?

allergic/reactive to sawdust/wood. *sobs* still will do some if needed. can build and plan most small projects or restore things if needed.


12. Are you interested in herbal medicine?

not really other than in the chemistry aspects of making tinctures and potions (explosive not intentional). because of my reactiveness to so much i avoid juices or concentrates of plants unless i'm testing something out to see how bad i'll react to it or if it safe.


13. If you could live any place you chose, where would it be?

in the middle of at least a square mile of mixed forest and open fields. i can't afford that ever, so that's just a daydream. to protect from all the farm field spraying that is always going on around us and the abuse of the environment.


14. Do you use a wood stove for heating or cooking?

no, would love to have a rocket stove and fireplace for those, but we are too reactive to wood smoke...


15. Do you like to cook? Are you interested in whole foods and natural foods? Raw milk? Farm fresh eggs?

grew up cooking and helping out, love to cook and experiment, well versed several cuisines, no fear of attempting any recipe including making up things that others will likely never be willing to try. very few failures or things that i find inedible (liver soup is the one i joke about). yes, whole foods and things that i recognize as food without processing too much. raw milk yogurts would be fantastic and same with cheeses or eggs. we don't do any of those things here though.


16. Do you forage or hunt for part of your food needs?

i've gotten morel mushrooms to grow here. yum! if you want to see how that happened check out my website fungi project.


17. What skills do you have that help you be more self sufficient?

will power and analytical puzzle solving.


18. Do you have solar panels? Plans to use solar energy?

wish, yes but do not know how or when yet.


19. Have you ever lived completely off grid? Would you like to?

yes, in my car, tent camping for months/years at a time and also at more relaxed homes of friends in the woods helping them out.


20. Do you make things yourself to save money?

sure. you ever priced a box of good custom chocolates? cookies, pastries, a lot of dishes in general... etc.
what is the price you would pay for a quart of naturally grown tomato chunks, pickles, strawberry jam, etc? that can add up to a lot of $ through the year and tastes so much better!


21. Has trying to be more self-sufficient changed your attitude or habits about money/spending?

no, i'm squeaky tight and always have been since i was young enough to do my own work to make some $. asap i learned saving and investing and continue that to this day. it is how i've gotten to where i am and how i was able to retire so early from the job that was fun but was not active enough or biologically/naturally aware. Computer Science was not a bad choice for me intellectually because it was great for the logical/puzzle solving aspects, but i'd grown up so much aware of the natural world and garden and such that i really should have gone for a more agricultural or biological carreer, but then if i'd done that i may not have ended up as free as i am now of any restrictions. i love that i can usually do most of what i want when i want. i'm terribly spoiled and mostly happy. who can really ask for more? especially when i look around the world and see so many who are in much worse circumstances and in need of help. i'm willing to help anyone else out in growing and gardening or learning anything i can teach them. i have a lot of dreams and flexibility about what i may do in the future. i am not sure yet if i will remain here or not once Mom no longer needs me. the future will be interesting no matter what. hugs, peace and love to all, yes i'm one of those hippy people. haha...

 

[SunshyneCooks2]

Please note: answering these questions are optional. These are just some things we'd like to know about you, your interests/hobbies/ skills, etc. Feel free to add or dismiss anything

1. What state/province/country are you in and what is your climate like?
2. Who or what inspired you to become more self sufficient?
3. In what ways are you self sufficient now and in what ways would you like to learn more?
4. Are you interested in stocking up for future needs?
5. Do you make crafts or useful items? Would you want to teach others how to do these?
6. Can you legally keep livestock where you are at? Do you have any? What kinds?
7. Do you like to garden? If so, what do you enjoy growing?
8. Do you fish? Bait or explosives?
9. How much space/land do you have or rent? City? Country?
10. What is your self sufficient specialty? Or what one would you like to learn?
11. Do you do wood work? Framing, finish, cabinet?
12. Are you interested in herbal medicine?
13. If you could live any place you chose, where would it be?
14. Do you use a wood stove for heating or cooking?
15. Do you like to cook? Are you interested in whole foods and natural foods? Raw milk? Farm fresh eggs?
16. Do you forage or hunt for part of your food needs?
17. What skills do you have that help you be more self sufficient?
18. Do you have solar panels? Plans to use solar energy?
19. Have you ever lived completely off grid? Would you like to?
20. Do you make things yourself to save money?
21. Has trying to be more self-sufficient changed your attitude or habits about money/spending?

I am from CA but have lived in AZ for 18 years this August. I enjoy growing my own fruits and vegetables as well as some herbs. I like being able to preserve, can, and dehydrate various foods. When I can get a lot of food on sale real inexpensive or from our local food bank I put it up. I have made chutneys, sauces, jams, jellies, own seasoning blends, breads, cakes, etc.in
I used to have chickens but live among copper tailings now. Used to have a nice acre lot and decent sized garden area but now am learning how to container garden. I would like to live in the country by a stream where we could fish, enjoy nature, enjoy the peacefulness, privacy, but not be too far from the town or city. I enjoy sewung, crafts, and outside work but am not sufficient enough to teach. We do not have a wood stove. When able we like to drive to the mountains to pick here is and get Spriby water. I look forward to learning new ways and ideas to be more self sufficient.

 

[Mini Horses]

Welcome Columella -- from Virginia here in USA.

Interesting to hear the differences in lifestyle, livestock and habits in different countries! Near a Tiger reserve?? That sounds different. Here they are in containment, zoos & wildlife parks. Are those fenced in any way?

Raw milk -- you say taboo.....why? I assume you pasteurize yours? I have dairy goats and do drink my milk raw. Chilled fast but, raw.

How many buffalo do you keep? Do you work them or have mechanical units for your farm work? In pioneer days of our country, bison dung cakes were used to burn for heat. Something not normally in use now.

 

[Columella]

Welcome Columella -- from Virginia here in USA.

Interesting to hear the differences in lifestyle, livestock and habits in different countries! Near a Tiger reserve?? That sounds different. Here they are in containment, zoos & wildlife parks. Are those fenced in any way?

Raw milk -- you say taboo.....why? I assume you pasteurize yours? I have dairy goats and do drink my milk raw. Chilled fast but, raw.

How many buffalo do you keep? Do you work them or have mechanical units for your farm work? In pioneer days of our country, bison dung cakes were used to burn for heat. Something not normally in use now.

We are allowed to graze our animals in the park for a limited period. We can also collect firewood, medicinal plants, wild honey, fish, crabs, hare and other small critters, but we cannot sell them.

I currently have 10 buffaloes, including two calves, only 4 are lactating. No I don't keep males. Very few people now use buffaloes for work, though there are still few people who plough fields with buffaloes and use them to pull buffalo carts. I keep my buffaloes exclusively for milk

 

[Mabsimmo]

1. What state/province/country are you in and what is your climate like? U.S.A, Indiana. All 4 seasons, sometimes in the same day!
2. Who or what inspired you to become more self sufficient? I want to make a living for myself and family with a much that we can produce on our own. I want my children to learn these skills as well.
3. In what ways are you self sufficient now and in what ways would you like to learn more? I hunt and process my own game, and we grow a garden and can our extra. We also raise layer hens and keep enough for ourselves and sell the rest.
4. Are you interested in stocking up for future needs? Yes
5. Do you make crafts or useful items? Would you want to teach others how to do these? I'm always looking to learn new skills and pass on what I know. I brew beer and I'm generally handy with home repairs.
6. Can you legally keep livestock where you are at? Do you have any? What kinds? Yes. Currently, we only have chickens, but have contemplated milk goats.
7. Do you like to garden? If so, what do you enjoy growing? Yes. Corn, peppers (hot & sweet), tomatoes, tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers.
8. Do you fish? Bait or explosives? Yes. Bait, mainly catfish.
9. How much space/land do you have or rent? City? Country? 3.5 acres, country
10. What is your self sufficient specialty? Or what one would you like to learn? I'm open to learning anything and everything.
11. Do you do wood work? Framing, finish, cabinet? No, but I'd like to learn.
12. Are you interested in herbal medicine? Yes
13. If you could live any place you chose, where would it be? I generally like where we live, but I would like to live in North Carolina between the mountains and the coast.
14. Do you use a wood stove for heating or cooking? Yes
15. Do you like to cook? Are you interested in whole foods and natural foods? Raw milk? Farm fresh eggs? Yes!
16. Do you forage or hunt for part of your food needs? Yes! We live mainly on venison and as much of what we can grow on our land as possible.
17. What skills do you have that help you be more self sufficient? Hunting, electrical work, plumbing, mechanical aptitude, gardening & canning.
18. Do you have solar panels? Plans to use solar energy? Not currently, but looking at options.
19. Have you ever lived completely off grid? Would you like to? No, but I'm not opposed to it.
20. Do you make things yourself to save money? Whenever I can.
21. Has trying to be more self-sufficient changed your attitude or habits about money/spending? I would rather spend money on ways to be more self sufficient than just buying things.

 

[Zabolca]

1. What state/province/country are you in and what is your climate like? USA, I'm in Zone 6b
2. Who or what inspired you to become more self sufficient? I want to get healthy and make my yard pay rent.
3. In what ways are you self sufficient now and in what ways would you like to learn more? I havent had to buy eggs for a year now. I would like to start reducing other needs, I'm expanding a small garden this year.
4. Are you interested in stocking up for future needs? Yes, I would like to learn how to preserve my own food
5. Do you make crafts or useful items? Would you want to teach others how to do these? I crochet and knit, any size, just about anything. yes, I could help others.
6. Can you legally keep livestock where you are at? Do you have any? What kinds? I do have limitation but I have 4 road island red hen currently.
7. Do you like to garden? If so, what do you enjoy growing? I do, I grew some tomatoes, peppers and squash last year and I'm going to expand that this year to herbs and flowers I hope.
8. Do you fish? Bait or explosives? Nope
9. How much space/land do you have or rent? City? Country? Own/City/half acer
10. What is your self sufficient specialty? Or what one would you like to learn? I want to learn more about Gardening, building soil, preserving food and being less needy on society in general.
11. Do you do wood work? Framing, finish, cabinet? No
12. Are you interested in herbal medicine? Yes
13. If you could live any place you chose, where would it be? Near a small river with lots of woods
14. Do you use a wood stove for heating or cooking? Not yet
15. Do you like to cook? Are you interested in whole foods and natural foods? Raw milk? Farm fresh eggs? Yes
16. Do you forage or hunt for part of your food needs? Only in my yard
17. What skills do you have that help you be more self sufficient? Organized, methodical, and forgiving
18. Do you have solar panels? Plans to use solar energy? No, possibly in the future
19. Have you ever lived completely off grid? Would you like to? I have been close before and yes
20. Do you make things yourself to save money? yes
21. Has trying to be more self-sufficient changed your attitude or habits about money/spending? More like my habits about money have made me look to be more self-sufficient.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Welcome @Zabolca

 

[Carol_Hughes]

Hello
1. What state/province/country are you in and what is your climate like? SW Missouri, zone 6b.
2. Who or what inspired you to become more self sufficient?My grandparents taught me.
3. In what ways are you self sufficient now and in what ways would you like to learn more?I grow a large vegetable garden, and we have an orchard with many different fruits. I can about everything you can safely can. We will soon have chickens.
4. Are you interested in stocking up for future needs?We have been and will continue to do so.
5. Do you make crafts or useful items? Would you want to teach others how to do these?I sew and craft.
6. Can you legally keep livestock where you are at? Yes Do you have any? Soon What kinds?Chickens
7. Do you like to garden? If so, what do you enjoy growing? Fruits, vegetables and ornamentals
8. Do you fish? Bait or explosives? Yes, bait
9. How much space/land do you have or rent? City? Country? Country, 2 acres
10. What is your self sufficient specialty? Or what one would you like to learn? Gardening (My husband and I are both Master Gardeners), Canning, Freezing and Dehydrating
11. Do you do wood work? Framing, finish, cabinet?I enjoy refinishing furniture.
12. Are you interested in herbal medicine? Yes
13. If you could live any place you chose, where would it be? Right where I am.
14. Do you use a wood stove for heating or cooking?No, but wish I did.
15. Do you like to cook? Are you interested in whole foods and natural foods? Raw milk? Farm fresh eggs?I enjoy cooking. We eat a Keto diet so lots of eggs.
16. Do you forage or hunt for part of your food needs? Yes to foraging. Have never hunted.
17. What skills do you have that help you be more self sufficient? 40 years as a paramedic. Very much a DIYer. Gardening and safe canning.
18. Do you have solar panels? Plans to use solar energy?No. We checked into it and the cost would have been too much due to our ages.
19. Have you ever lived completely off grid? Would you like to? No but absolutely would like to.
20. Do you make things yourself to save money? Yes
21. Has trying to be more self-sufficient changed your attitude or habits about money/spending? We have always been money conscious and careful

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Hi Dreamz! Welcome and thank you for your service. Dirt roads certainly do bring their own challenges. I'm sure folks are thankful that you donate your veggies!