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Off the Grid/Homesteading Skills:  Everything I want to do is illegal book  |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
 Posted - May 12 2012 : 04:45:35 AM
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 So happy I am not alone feeling this way! Although I have made changes to stop being dependent on the big stores. . I discovered that if I started doing things the "old way" which includes dehydrating food along with canning, preserving in oil etc. We can each make a dent in the dependency for many items. 
On PBS a few years back, they featured a gentleman that lived in the wilds of Alaska. He didn't need a thing from the big stores, he bartered for some luxuries like seasonings, flour, salt. . however, he didn't "need" them. It was fascinating to watch how he built his home, created hinges from wood for his door, how he built a natural refrigerator, gathered his food and so on. Learned soooo much from watching it. ( it's available for purchase as a dvd at pbs)
I firmly believe if all of us start with just one item that we stop purchasing and replace it with a locally grown version ( whether we grow it or a local farmer does) we can effectively make a big change for the better. 
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
www.JoannasHomeStudio.com "Keeping traditions alive a stitch at a time"
http://twitter.com/NHJoanna |
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oregonatural
True Blue Farmgirl
152 Posts
Susan
Sprague River
OR
USA
152 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2012 : 05:52:08 AM
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The Industrial Revolution (1700-1900) that poured people into cities has been a disaster for our diets historically. Maybe it's just a 200 year experiment that is now collapsing cause all that so-called convenience has given us cancer, heart-disease, obesity and diabetes. Clearly, the idea of factory farming is not at all sustainable and more and more people are seeing the value of Local, Organic, and home-grown as the ONLY sustainable alternative. The tide is turning. It is. Have faith. WE are the government. WE can change this. Fight the good fight sisters. What we purchase, grow, and cook, every day, every meal, is a political statement. It starts at your table. Changing how we see our food production can change the world.
Farmgirl #4053
My off-grid homestead blog: http://oregonnatural.blogspot.com/
ETSY Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/OregonNatural
Blessings to you from my mountain girl heart! |
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Madelena
True Blue Farmgirl
1919 Posts
Mary
Central
TX
USA
1919 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2012 : 10:46:51 AM
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AMEN...to all of this.
I was thinking.. Unions came into existence to protect workers from greedy companies from taking advantage of them (financially and health wise). Most of the regulations they fought for are now laws.
But now.. who is protecting the people from the Government-Business Megalopoly??? The Dems and Reps can rail all they want about wanting less government or tighter controls on businesses.. The bottom line seems to be that the goverment just wants more control and the companies are willing accomplices that benefit from the rules and regulations the Congress pass and enforce.
I'm starting to think that "WE THE PEOPLE" need a union to protect us from the "Protectors".. darn, sounds like a good plot for a science-fiction / horror movie. Maybe not so funny after all.
I imagine all our names are now being gathered on someone's computer.. What a shame.. we Farmgirls just want to get back to the land (even if it is only a potted tomato on our patios) and live simply, live healthier lives (reduce health care costs !), and repect and protect Mother Earth.
So, what's a farm girl to do??? |
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Jeanna
True Blue Farmgirl
267 Posts
Jeanna
Franklin
NC
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2012 : 2:36:34 PM
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Joel Salatin is a great farmer and speaker. I have read Folks, this ain't normal and loved it and have watched Fresh the movie, which he is in a lot. I would love to read Everything I Want To Do Is Illegal. I know what you are saying about us voting with our dollars. I quit buying anything from Smithfield after I found out about some of there practices involving their workforce. Thanks for reminding me about reading some more of his books.
Jeanna
Farmgirl Sister #41
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
Henry David Thoreau |
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Cherime
True Blue Farmgirl
1222 Posts
Cherime
Wasilla
Alaska
USA
1222 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2012 : 07:01:19 AM
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Mary, I agree. It seems that all have sold out to big business, Rep and Demo no difference, they need big business's money to get elected so all they promise us is a bunch of hooey to get elected so they can keep their promises to those who paid for their campaign.
CMF |
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Madelena
True Blue Farmgirl
1919 Posts
Mary
Central
TX
USA
1919 Posts |
Posted - Jun 04 2012 : 4:10:03 PM
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I noticed that interest is slight and has waned on the off-grid/homesteading forum.. I am thinking that maybe the name sounds a bit intimidating to some. After all, there are lots of people in MJF groups who are trying to "live the life".. but just don't see themselves as "off the gridders" or " homesteaders -- sounds like herds of long horns roaming over the plains.
Maybe MJF might consider a name that encompasses a wider viewpoint for Self-Sufficiency.
Any suggestions girls? |
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one_dog_per_acre
True Blue Farmgirl
1572 Posts
Trish
Sandpoint
ID
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - Jun 05 2012 : 06:15:14 AM
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You can live off the grid in the city. Homesteading and living off the grid are two different things. Some people have to live near hospitals or have obligations that won't let them buy 5 acres in Idaho. If you are making small changes in your life for you and the environment, the next step will happen on it's own. Your own interest will get you there. Also consider that anything you read in a self sufficiency book can be put together by someone else, and then you buy it.
“It always looks darkest just before it gets totally black.”-Charlie Brown |
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 02:07:33 AM
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for me homesteading & living off the grid can work together or be the same in the mind of some...I always think homesteading instead of 'off grid' when I do the things I want to do....both are a frame of mind to me...in the before electric, city water ect everyone used the sun to help heat the house along with wood stoves.....they used wind mills to help with the farms, wells ect for water..the sort of thing we think of when wanting to live off grid but its also a homesteaders idea to depend on yourself instead of the gov't & town...I want to live someday with less town things if I could...no electric in house but use oil lamps or solar power thur windows & ceiling....create more heat by having red clay bricks or heavy tiles in sun lite areas for the winter on top of the wood stove.....try to cut back on any thing packaged at the stores, use my butcher/farm nearby....set better ideas for myself..I enjoy making cheese but have yet to try hard cheese......do more cooking/baking from scratch..I don't use boxed goods now for that but never seem to get the time to really make all the things I want.....its not always easy to do everything you want quickly as I have learned.....but if I am thrown into a situation I am ready for most of it I think...lol....
Don't worry about what you call it with what you do....I have had people who correct me if I say recycle to mean upcycle...like really?...does it truly matter if you know what I mean...why feel the need to correct me over a word that I knew long before most were born...lol.....No matter what you do as long as you feel right & comfortable with it..is all that matters.....
My great grandmother...bless her heart always said she was a homesteader...she lived with a well for 105 yrs....hung her clothes year around..never owned a dishwasher, clothing dryer or air conditioner...only when the family gifted her a fan did she have one....she worn clothes til they were worn out but them tore them apart for making dish towels, rags or even aprons that she sewed by hand...no machine for her.......never had a tv or radio until very late in life cause her son felt she might like the soaps...she didn't so it sat & gathered dust.....She could tell by the smell of the air whether it was going to storm or be super hot.....she tended a acre garden by hand...no machines...her son would come out with the tractor to turn it for her each spring but other than that she did everything by hand...she canned & sun dried foods...picked fruits to can & dry.....picked weeds to cook up like greens...nothing ever came into her house in a box unless it was spagetti noodles.......everything else was made from scratch with one of her recipe cards that were written in pencil....she was an amazing woman who could have had it easier if she had wanted it but she fought tooth & nail to keep her life the way she wanted.....I remember her son brought her an air conditioner...only when the family came around during the summer was it ever put in a window but she would only let it be on for a short time just after supper...then off it went & the windows were opened again once the coolness left....In her mid 90's her mind started to go so much of what she normally did ended but people in the family still did things like she would of liked them done.......she was kept in her home with family who lived on her land taking care of her until she passed.......my littlest foster sister now lives in her house, my foster mom & her hubby have a house there as does great grandmothers son & my foster Aunt & Uncle...her cows are still there & tended to...the garden is also still there & each late summer & early fall they all get together to can up food...her house is a bit different...it now has a dishwasher, clothes dryer & central air conditioning but when I think of her home I still see it the way it was when she was alive......Michele'
Chickens RULE!
hen #2622
theoldbatzfarm.blogspot.com |
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Lexi Lavender
True Blue Farmgirl
92 Posts
Lexi
Bangor
Maine
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2015 : 07:32:46 AM
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Hey gals, just wanted to suggest a couple of books, Rick Austin's Secret Greenhouse of Survival and Secret Garden of Survival. Also Bill Bryson's Home has interesting info referring the Industrial Revolution
Lavender Lexi; formerly Silverweed
A weed is just a plant that no one has found a use for yet... |
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Off the Grid/Homesteading Skills: Everything I want to do is illegal book |
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Everything I want to do is illegal book
