Self Sufficient 2018 Goals

[NH Homesteader]

Goals for 2018- learn how to can, finally grow tomatoes well enough to can spaghetti sauce (we have horrid luck with tomatoes), and learn how to make many more kinds of cheese!

 

[Britesea]

I want to get my seedlings started earlier so the plants get a better headstart in the garden.
I want to install a dual-power well pump (electric/solar)
I want to rebuild and repair the perimeter fences.
I want to improve my composting efforts

 

[tortoise]

Order my seeds on time (check, did that in December!)
Start my seeds on time.
Prevent DH from planting my precious seedlings before the last frost.
Learn to can something I haven't tried yet.
Learn to make corsets. (I am wearing them for a medical issue and they're expensive!)
Make my own clothing. I have the machines, I should probably use them? no?
Work towards mastering portraiture for future source of income.
Various frugality challenges, I posted a different thread about them.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Oh geeze, I definitely should have something(s) to add here....but I haven't had a lot of time to think about it. Maybe to castrate every male animal born here in 2018, lol. Maybe that's a little too much...

Okay, here's a straightforward goal:
Get the electric fence up to keep Cowboy where he belongs.

Oh, here's another:
Reinforce the garden fence to keep the chickens out.

I'm sure there's got to be more!

 

[YoteMeadows]

@treerooted, I have no idea! We have lived here for 10 years and just over the last few have we been seriously thinking about pushing to be more self sufficient. Still doing the math/research, but I know that I will need a crap ton of green beans for the kids LOL (they love them and eat them at least every other day). Fortunately, we do have someone to help us/guide us, who is more experienced with the technicalities of growing as opposed to our just stick it in dirt/compost and see what happens way of going.

 

[sumi]

@YoteMeadows A food producing garden is a great start and livestock-wise, one or three of something for starters, you'll figure out as you go along, what works for you. (And do watch out for us here, we'll have you in pigs, sheep, goats and cows in no time!)

 

[NH Homesteader]

@baymule we've always averaged about $2.50/lb for our Cornish x's, using conventional feed. Curious to see your numbers!

 

[Mini Horses]

I already have egg customers. Most @work of DD & self. They pretty much pay for the feed -- I free range and they also eact droppings from goat & horse feed. My expansion in chickens would be selling chicks or started pullets. Not pushing that right now.

 

[CrealCritter]

My goals are to:

Raise more turkeys and less chickens.

Design and build rotating pig pens with a movable shelter. Every other year garden in one, pigs in the other - then rotate the next year.

 

[treerooted]

My 2018 goal is to track all of my chicken expenses.

This would be food, bedding, chicks, and equipment.