Homesteading for Heathens...

[gwynyvyr]

My b/f and I are hoping to move soon to a rural area.The area we have choosen has quite a few heathen-type folk within reasonable distance.
We plan on having a homestead....gardens, animals, etc. Hard work and damn worthwhile.
We also want to build a hof for the use of all kindred that would care to.Ambitious? Yes!...Doable? Hell, yes!

We believe the time has come for Odinists, Heathens, and the Folk to start actually manifesting their beliefs in concrete ways. Reclaimation of the ancestral religion was a wonderful first step. I think that if hofs and other houses of worship for pagan/heathen people (yes, even the fluffys) become a more common-place sight, then many of the problems that face those that have returned to or chosen a path other than the mainstream JCI will begin to fade.

For the purpose of this discussion, has anyone else left the mainstream urban world to homestead? If so, do you make your property available for moots,etc.? If not, why not?

Also, are there any *survivialist* types here? I am very much on the *self-reliance* path. I don't mean "get down in your bunker" mentality, but living frugally, providing for yourself and your family, etc.

Thanks to all that respond...

[Canuck]

I definately have survivalist leanings. If I can do something myself, and I don't have a serious aversion to doing it(hey who wouldn't hire other people to empty septic tanks :p ) then I'd usually like to learn how to do it, even if someone else is doing it for me. You never know when you'll need to help yourself.

I think it's great that you two plan to homestead, I'd like to one day. Have you looked into permaculture at all or earthship? Both are very interesting and very practical. Not to mention they have a low impact on the environment.

[Der Einzelgänger]

I'm moving into a very rural area very soon. I would like to be self reliant and sufficent, but I don't think I'm ready for it yet. Maybe in a few years I will be though...

[aud_friggsdottir]

Hail!

Very much agreed and our family is very self reliant minded. We live in the city currently, but we are on the hunt now for a large piece of property with which we can build a home befitting an an 8 person household :).

Although we are in the city, we practice many self-reliant--both individual and community--, ecofriendly practices, such as:

Practice alternative medicine
Community garden
Water conservation practices
Home educate/co-op education
Non-toxic home care
Clothing exchanges
Odinist Hearth
etc...

Once we move we would like to:

Move off the grid with various types of energy.
Farm
Hunt
Fish
Place to Honor the Gods and Goddesses
etc...

What we are doing now puts us in the right frame of mind for what we want to do later. I think folks should start doing self-reliant things to prepare themselves for any future change.

[gwynyvyr]

We are looking in the Ozarks area...Mo, Ark. The building codes are very friendly in Mo and the home-schooling laws too.
Have you looked at www.unitedcountry.com ?
They have some nice land on there...

[Sigurd]

I have been living in a boarding school in a rural area, if that counts. ;) Well, but usually I live in a town of "respectable size" (Innsbruck in Austria, 125000 inhabitants), however I do often spend a lot of time at the home of my grandparents, who live in the countryside, and I love the surroundings.

[Outdoorsman]

When I was growing up, I'd often go to the farm of my great-grandmother, only about 30 miles away from the city I lived (and still live) in. Unfortunately, the farm has been sold out of the family (our family were the original settlers on that land). My experience in the country has inspired me to try to find a way to live out there too, while still close enough to commute to a job in the city. I'd like to find a way to make a living in the country though. It's not easy as we are seeing a migration from the country to the city because of the depressed economy in the country.

I've actually entertained the notion of founding a new town or city influenced by European architecture, as most American towns are pretty bland in how they look (or at least the ones I've seen in the Midwest), but I have no illusions about the fact that a goal like that would require likely millions in capital. Capital which I don't have. Well, I can dream. :)

Homesteading is probably a more achievable goal for me though.

I want to build an Earthship inspired home someday.

http://www.earthship.org

[gwynyvyr]

Earthships are great...but I so like the look of the cordwood buildings.I plan to build a lot of those for various purposes (brew-house, honey-house, storage, chicken house, etc) Also want to explore cob building. I have seen a couple of cob-built outdoor saunas that are incredible...

http://www.cordwoodmasonry.com/Cordwood.html

http://www.cpros.com/~sequoia/

*edited to add links and clean up a pesky spelling mistake*

[Schwarzesonne]

My wife & I don’t do homesteading, but we do a lot of things in order to be more self-reliant and earth/craft based. We both brew (I do mostly beer & the occasional mead; she does lots of meads & the occasional wine or cyder); we make our own soap; we chop our own wood collected from the forest (about 2/3 of our property is woodland); &c. The main reason that I DON’T do homesteading is because I have such a deep appreciation for the woods in their natural state and don’t want to do anything to interfere with that except for the occasional trash removal or the annual selection of a Maypole.

We do have a couple of kinsmen that do homesteading however. They raise corn, peas, potatoes, and tomatoes. They raise chickens, Icelandic sheep, and have in the past raised turkeys. They find a great pride and exuberance in their “farm.”

Most of our kindred gatherings are held at our house, not theirs; but this is only because our house is in a much more central location for the rest of the kindred members. Ours is a rather large kindred in number, and we don’t all live close to one another, so we try to make travel as easy as possible for everyone involved.

[texas heathen]

I like this link http://www.daycreek.com/dc/html/ahbmenu.htm the site goes over the most common alternative house building techniques and gives the pro's and con's along with articles by people who have actually built their own homes. I to one day dream of building a Cordwood or Cob house and living off grid, who knows maybe some day.
FFF
Clif AOR

Another place I like, if anyone else dreams of living in the Frozen North known as Canada here is a place that sells cottage land fairly cheap and has easy financing http://www.dignam.com/

[SaraN]

Our family plans to build a homestead. I am in nursing school right now (I'd eventually like to become a Certified Nurse Midwife so I can help our people deliver babies the way they are supposed to be). There is a nursing shortage and I'll always have a job. I only plan to work part time though, I want to be home with my kids. Being as self reliant as possible we shouldn't need that much money. We'll need some to start out though. Right now we are doing a lot of research as well as gardening in our backyard to make sure we know what we're doing when we move. We also plan to raise rabbits to get started. Once we get out in the mountains we'd like to raise our own crops, meat, and dairy. We also plan to buy a sawmill to mill our own wood for building and selling. Definitely will be using alternative energy sources, mainly solar and wind. We'll be building our home and our barn as well as any other out buildings we need. We are both really excited about it and we know it'll be great for our kids to grow up in that kind of atmosphere.
We haven't chosen a specific state yet, we're thinking somewhere in the north (that really narrows it down). We are looking at things like gun laws, vaccination exemptions, midwifery laws, homeschooling laws, and property taxes.
My husband is all about survivalism. He is going to make sure we can make it through anything!

[texas heathen]

Wisconson has pretty good laws on all those, and aside from Texas has the easyest Homeschool laws or at least they used to.
FFF
Clif/HTR
Clif AOR

[SaraN]

I mentioned Wisconsin to my husband and he said they have some screwed up gun laws. I think he mentioned they just made it legal to get a concealed wepons permit? Not sure, but sounds like it's out.

[texas heathen]

SaraN, I am not sure about their gun laws I do know that aside from Milwaukee ( spelling ) and Green Bay it is a very rural state. I am mostly concerned with Home schooling and Vac issues but I could find out more for you if you are thinking about Wi ( the company I work for is based there and I am there a great deal) If you are looking for just some cheap land some of the cheapest ( desirable (?) land) is in MO, Ks, Ok, Ky, U.P. of Mi, Wi, there are a few more that are slipping my mind at present but if you want if you PM me I can get you real estate guides or news papers from most areas( although it is mostly online) I am a truck driver and get around a bit.
FFF/HTR
Clif AOR

[aud_friggsdottir]

Well you all know the PNW is really nice :D! (hint, hint)

FFF
Kathy

[pinlighter]

Two good books I am told


Storey's Basic Country Skills

www.storeybooks.com


The Complete Guide to Country Living.

www.ruralize.com/CompleteGuide.html

[skalagrim]

As odd as it may seem, NH may be a good environment for homesteading.

According to the following link, NH has a moderate amount of regulation on homeschooling: http://www.hslda.org/docs/study/ray1997/12.asp

It has no income tax, no sales tax, and is the most friendly state in terms of gun ownership excepting possibly VT. It is a shall-issue state, and the carry permit costs only $20 for 4 years.

Most importantly, the Free State Project has chosen NH as the place where it will congregate up to 20,000 liberty lovers as a jumping-off point to protect the citizens from Federal encroachment. This movement may eventually lead to independent nationhood.

(While some of these "liberty lovers" are just hedonistic nitwits, most of them are tied to 2nd Amendment advocacy, parental rights advocacy, and similar issues.) The FSP even has a liasson for Pagans - which generally means Wiccans - but if it looks like a worthwhile investment of time, I'll be the FSP liasson for Odinists.

New Hampshire's primary industry is tourism. Mostly richer folks from Massachusetts come up to leaf-peep and ski. Southern NH is home to a fair amount of employment and is a commuter-haven for folks travelling to higher-wage jobs in MA.

Northern NH is where the homesteaders would go - and the area is sparsely populated and clean. Acreage in rural Northern NH is reasonably priced. For examples, see this URL: http://www.yankeepedlarrealtors.com/property/browse/Acreage_(_%3E_5_acres)/1729/1/

Of course, acreage in Kentucky is a lot cheaper - but I figgered I'd put in a plug for NH ...

[calumthug]

I live in VT. NH is a good state for homesteading. So is VT, I have yet to look into the homeschooling laws, but they can't be that bad. There is no such thing as a permit to carry in this state, just don't bring weapons into courthouses and the like. All you need in NH is a reason (belonging to a gun club or going to a firing range counts as a reason to carry concealed). While NH has no income or sales tax, they have to get their money somehow. One of those ways is through property tax, which can be quite high. The North East Kingdom in VT can be a good place to homestead. The land is cheap. Half the residents there aren't even on the grid. The only roblem with that is that you are hours away from everything except Canada.

[Frigga'sFolk]

Yes, my husband and I plan very much to establish a partly self-sufficient home, land, and lifestyle. It will mean a lot of hard work, research, and mistakes. The feeling of accomplishment, that we are living up to our ideals, the fruits (and veggies, and chickens, hehe) of our labor will be worth it all. We are thinking the Pacific NW will be our spot, but perhaps even outside the u.s. I have the farm and scientific experience and knowledge, and he has the mechanical skills, sheer will, and plentiful energy to pull this off somehow. This living more like our people used to live, that is our goal.

[pinlighter]

Yes, my husband and I plan very much to establish a partly self-sufficient home, land, and lifestyle. It will mean a lot of hard work, research, and mistakes. The feeling of accomplishment, that we are living up to our ideals, the fruits (and veggies, and chickens, hehe) of our labor will be worth it all. We are thinking the Pacific NW will be our spot, but perhaps even outside the u.s. I have the farm and scientific experience and knowledge, and he has the mechanical skills, sheer will, and plentiful energy to pull this off somehow. This living more like our people used to live, that is our goal.


Hey, welcome to the forum :)

[SaraN]

SaraN, I am not sure about their gun laws I do know that aside from Milwaukee ( spelling ) and Green Bay it is a very rural state. I am mostly concerned with Home schooling and Vac issues but I could find out more for you if you are thinking about Wi ( the company I work for is based there and I am there a great deal) If you are looking for just some cheap land some of the cheapest ( desirable (?) land) is in MO, Ks, Ok, Ky, U.P. of Mi, Wi, there are a few more that are slipping my mind at present but if you want if you PM me I can get you real estate guides or news papers from most areas( although it is mostly online) I am a truck driver and get around a bit.
FFF/HTR
Clif AOR

We are making a list of all 50 states right now that has what is important to us on it. so far most of the ones you mentioned are still there. We've lived in Wa and Id before and we really liked Montana a lot and thought about moving there. My husband's main concern now is that the growing season won't be long enough for us to grow as much as we'd like but I think if we build a good greenhouse we'll be ok. Ky is out because midwifery is illegal there and he already took Wi off the list. I'd love to move to NH or VT but they both do have high property taxes. The moderate homeschooling regulations is the only other part about those two states I don't like but if it was worth it I'd go anyway. I think I can get papers and info on the areas we are thinking about from the states themselves but I do appreciate the offer!

[Edgeofthewoods]

Kind of new to this forum, but this thread caught my eye. Heathen Homesteading is not that difficult, We live 30 miles East of Albuquerque on only one acre. By using Square Foot gardening, and recycling our grey water to water the garden and flush the commodes we are able to grow 90% of our fresh vegitables. New Mexico is a great place to come and florish and just be left alone if that is what you wish. We have very nice gun laws, we are a shall issue state, but we are also an open carry state. I carry all the time either concealed or open. I do not go anywhere with out three things, My Hammer, My Glock 21 or my shorts. (Hey it´s a guy thing ya know)There are 1.55 million people in this state and we are the 5th largest in land mass. Our growing season s longer than most. (Here in Edgewood it is from May to early October) Land is from inexpensive to don't even ask, but an example is 30 minutes east of me is 1 section,(For you city folk that is a sq mile 640 acres) and it is selling 300 an acre. Rolling hils trees mountains water. My kindred is trying to get together nickles and dimes to buy it. You can't go wrong in looking hard at New Mexico to move to.

[texas heathen]

Lol Introduce yourself friend,
Yes NM has some striking beauty and some cheap land, but it is also ranges from arid to down right desert. Flag to kingman is nice though. But if the water ever dries up you are screwed!
FFF/HTR
Clif AOF

[alphaknave]

I am glad for you gwynyvyr. I am glad to see more and more people doing this. I hope to join your ways soon (once time permits). This is the ONLY way for a True Heathen to live!

[Outdoorsman]

New Mexico sounds nice, but isn't it directly in the path of a wave of major demographic change from Mexico, the outcome of which we still cannot predict?

I'm trying to find some land up here in the North that will be suitable - at first just to build a dwelling on and commute to the city, but who knows what purposes it would have in the future. Time will tell.

[Edgeofthewoods]

New Mexico sounds nice, but isn't it directly in the path of a wave of major demographic change from Mexico, the outcome of which we still cannot predict?

I'm trying to find some land up here in the North that will be suitable - at first just to build a dwelling on and commute to the city, but who knows what purposes it would have in the future. Time will tell.

Well yes and no. New Mexico is in the path of the on rush from Old Mexico. But it is not likely that they will stay here. Why? About 150 years ago we got out from under the thumb of Spain and from Mexico. There are parts of the northen part of the state that STILL remebers it. most folks here want nothing to do with Mexico other than a place to go and buy discounted prescription meds.

Chuck

[Gwynyvyr]

Hey, I'm back! Minus the boyfriend, but still possessing the survivalist spirit :D
I still plan on homesteading and have looked at all 50 states and after a lot of research, I have it down to :
The Ozarks
Maine
New Mexico/Arizona
Still don't know which one will be my final landing spot. I want to find a decent sized property where I can comfortably live *off-grid* and be self-sufficient.
I have plenty of friends that have settled in the Ozarks, so thats looking interesting right now and I will probably visit a couple of them before the year is out.

[pinlighter]

Good luck to you there, Gwynyvyr