Wednesday, June 12, 2013

How We Homestead: Our Future Goals

It's hard to believe, but this is the final installment in our five-week series called How We Homestead. I have really enjoyed writing each post for this series and I hope you have enjoyed reading! For the final installment, I'd like to talk about our future plans and goals we have for the homestead. Looking back on the past two years, I've realized that we have accomplished a lot so far, but of course we still have more we'd like to achieve. Here is our vision for the future.

Animals
I am a huge animal lover, and that was a big part of our reason for moving out to the country. I didn't want to be restricted by city ordinances on the types of livestock I could keep, and I also wanted plenty of room for my animals to roam and enjoy their lives. I told David a while back that one of my goals was to have some of each type of fowl, and so far we only have chickens and guineas, so we have a ways to go! Our next addition will be ducks to help with garden pests, and we are hoping to add them next year.

A little further out into the future, we want to get some sheep or goats. To me, there are few things cuter than a tiny goat kid jumping and bouncing around, so I really want to experience that firsthand. And of course it would be wonderful to have goat milk to make my own goat cheese. Yum!

Just visiting with this sweetie, but hopefully I can have one of my own in the future!

Garden
We have adopted a "learn as we go" mentality with gardening, and we still have so much to learn! Each year we are discovering more about our land and soil to help us maximize the efficiency and productivity of our garden. We recently expanded the garden and added lots of raised beds, and we are still working on enclosing the entire area to keep thieves from our harvest.

Gathering fresh lettuce for a salad.

In the future, I hope to keep adding new veggies to our garden each year and grow as much as I can from seed. One of our big long-term goals is to grow enough food each summer to last us year round. I think we are quite a few years out from realizing that goal, but we are working towards it. I need to learn more about food preservation as well so that we can safely store food to get us through the winter months.

House
We love houses with lots of charm (like our first home, a 1914 bungalow in the city) but our current house is really lacking. It is a newer house which is wonderful, but there isn't much in the way of the architectural detail or character we typically go for. We have been saving up our money for a while now, and today just purchased new flooring to go down in our living room and kitchen area (currently there is a commercial style carpet and linoleum). In July, David's mom and stepdad are coming to help us install the floor so we are very excited for that! We want to build bookshelves and make a new mantle for the electric fireplace as well to give the living room some more interest and charm.


A few more years down the road after we have saved up enough money, we'd like to change the outside of the house a bit. On the bottom part, we want to add a natural stone facade to make it look a little more cozy and woodsy. The previous owner was a big John Deere fan, so everything is green! It does fit in well with the landscape of the property, but we prefer brown tones, so we may also look into painting the roof to fit in with the stone on the bottom of the house.

Land
The thing we wish for the most on our property is to have a pond dug behind the house. So far, we've had local conservation agents come out to map and flag the best location for a pond and got several quotes for the work ($18,000 - yikes!). Since it is so pricey, we are looking at other options and trying to figure out how to best make this become a reality.

Back here is where the pond will go (looking out from our back porch).

We had the property logged last summer and it is still a mess (the photo above is pre-logging). Shortly after we moved out here, David made several trails in the woods and we really enjoyed walking on them with Duchess whenever we could. Logging destroyed our trails, so over the next several years we hope to clean some of it up and make some new trails. Right now it seems daunting to tackle a 20 acre pile of sticks and downed trees, but somehow we will make it work!

Of course all of these goals require money, so we would like to be able to do something from the homestead to earn some extra income. Not sure what that will be just yet, but we are always thinking and open to new ideas. In our ultimate dream, we would both be working on the homestead each day and making a living somehow off our land. For now we still have our day jobs, but we are always dreaming for the future.

Four other awesome bloggers are participating in this series as well, so don't forget to check out their posts to read more about where they are in their homesteading journey. You can find them here -

Staci at Life At Cobble Hill Farm
Meg at Little Homestead
Daisy at Maple Hill 101
Amber at Making A Home

Thanks so much for reading and please do let me know if you have any questions or comments. I'd love to hear from you!

~Tammy

48 comments:

  1. Great end to your series! I hate to see it go. I've really enjoyed all of them.

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  2. Its always nice to have goals. I just have to remind myself to not get discouraged when things don't always happen on my timeline :)
    Each year we try to celebrate the ones that accomplished for that year and put the others on next years list!
    I have enjoyed your homestead series!

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  3. The more I read your posts the more I yearn for land out in the country. I am an outdoors person and often go stir crazy when I have to work inside, like today.

    You won't regret getting ducks. I raised both ducks and chickens (and button quail) and I have to say I enjoy the ducks the most, especially if garden with them! they have such wonderful personalities! They do an excellent job taking care of the garden pests without destroying your plants or digging up the lawn. I found letting them free range is the best (we have a fenced in yard) and they are very easy to care for.

    I hope to be writing about my own homesteading adventures soon, raising animals, farming the earning a living off my land. You might want to read "Micro Eco-Farming, Prospering from Backyard to Small Acreage in Partnership with the Earth" by Barbara Beist Adams for some ideas on earning an income from your land.

    Good Luck with your future plans! :)

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  4. I've LOVED this series and will be sad to see it go. I've learned so much about what you guys do and how you live. I can't imagine how rewarding your lifestyle must be!

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  5. Oh no, I don't want it to be the end of the series. That was way too fast!!

    It sounds like you have a lot of changes coming (good ones), and 18k for a pond, yeeeeeeeeikes!!!!

    Good luck w/the flooring. We put new flooring in our kitchen and had bookshelves built in to a room to make a library and it made such a huge difference for us (positive).

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  6. You have some very doable goals, Tammy. I look forward to following as your dreams become reality. Much success to you and David! ;0)

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  7. Brilliant series Tammy, it's been lovely to see more of your property and plans.
    It is really easy to get bogged down in the day to day tasks and forget to make some longer term goals, thanks for reminding me to do that :)
    Janie x

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  8. Hooray for the flooring! We are hoping to replace our old and icky carpet {dining room & office} and linoleum {kitchen} this year with hardwood. Fingers crossed!! Your property is just beautiful and a pond would add so much. Hopefully you will figure out how to make it a reality. I love, love, love goats and can't wait to bring them into our family too. Wonderful post - can't wait to see where the future takes you and David!

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  9. you have great goals and are working on them together - nothing better. :)

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  10. Wow - those are all great goals! Good luck to you. I hope you achieve them all and more.

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  11. It's been lovely reading your series Tammy. I'm with you on the modern house with little or no character, we live in a new (11 yrs old) house, and I want to replace the carpet with wood flooring too! My advice on goats is two words - electric fences! Also when the kids are so tiny and cute don't encourage jumping. As much fun as it is to have kids leaping about we resisted with our goat (he was allowed to run & frolic with my children!) and now he doesn't jump. He still will try and worm his way out of the paddock into the garden given any chance though because they love to eat everything! Looking forward to following your progress on your dreams S:)

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  12. Tammy, thanks for the peek into your lovely lifestyle. Cheers

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  13. Ducks! Ducks are awesome! They're a bit messy...after all they like things WET...but they're really good layers! Better than the chickens! Your house is cute!

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  14. Great future goals! I too would LOVE to farm and live off the homestead, and I'm hoping to start doing more of that by working part-time from home once the babies come. The sheep are so precious- I'd love some too! It seems we are always planning and working on the next adventure here in the homesteading world! Never a dull moment :)

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  15. I have loved learning about your journey, and where you are now (and where you're going!). Those are all great, well thought out goals. I hope you can get goats soon. I have a special place in my heart for goats. :)

    An idea for the pond - can you rent a tractor/backhoe and dig it yourself? Or have a friend who could dig it? (Because a shovel might not be the easiest way to go lol).

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  16. First, I love that mug! So well said! Next, goats are the best! I grew up with two, Riff and Raff and they were so much fun. Just make sure your fencing is high enough - ours used to jump it like crazy!

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  17. Your home is beautiful! How wonderful that you are getting new flooring. We just had new carpet installed this week, and are in heaven! Love your striped boots too!

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  18. Oh Tammy it sounds like you could use a Backhoe, wish you lived closer, I could help your dream of a pond and clean up those trails quick for a lot less than $18000. yikes.
    I love the goals you have set and I know you will achieve them all one by one just like My Hero and I did. Your house does have character I think it is very cute.
    I have really enjoyed this series and I cannot believe it has been five weeks. It is true time flies when you are having fun. Keep going you and David are doing great. B

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  19. Tammy, what a great post. I enjoyed reading your homesteading series. I would love to have goats myself, the kids are so cute. Your future goals sound great to me and I wish you all the best with all you do.

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  20. That did go fast and I have enjoyed reading all about everyone's homesteading lives. I've been so inspired! I plan to begin incorporating lots of your ideas in my own lives.

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  21. I've enjoyed this series so much. I've found myself really looking forward to Wednesdays!

    It was fun to read about your homesteading goals, and I have no doubt you will achieve them. I can't wait 'til you get your ducks!

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  22. I love your goals! I'd get 3-4 more quotes for a pond. There might be someone who would do it for half the price. I can't wait to see all you accomplish!

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  23. Good goals, gal! I especially like the one that involves you making goat cheese....that was my way of saying I look forward to eating it ;-)

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  24. I have enjoyed reading your series. It sounds like you have some wonderful goals for your future. Too bad money is always an issue for the things we'd like to do. You should just jump into canning and preserving. It's pretty easy. Although I've never done anything with a pressure canner (it kind of scares me a little) there is nothing like having tomato sauce in January made with tomatoes from the garden!

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  25. I love this Tami (my sweet beautiful friend) I love your goals and I feel like your readers are here for the journey > NOT only that but you feel us with inspiration and GOODNESS in todays world (sometimes lacking) The wholesome life and the way you live inspires me beyond any words that I can type. I feel like I am rooting for yall in all your endeavors and I pray that all the years to come your blessed beyond any dream or anything you could imagine. PROUD to have met you on this journey my friend... PS HUG Pearl for me ... toodles

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  26. Oh I love your landscape :) very peaceful it is...

    what perfect dreams you and Davis have, and so very doable! Have fun in the planning :)

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  27. I have enjoyed this series and reading about how you homestead and about all your hopes and dreams. I think they are very doable with a little time and patience and creative financing. I look forward to following your journey and wish you the very best! Your home and property are very charming! xoxo

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  28. Sounds like you have some great goals and accomplishments. Everything looks great!
    Blessings,
    Susie

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  29. So sad the homestead series has ended. I really enjoyed reading all of them.

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  30. I've really enjoyed this series. It's wonderful,that you have goals to work towards and you're living your dreams! I'm looking forward to read about your homestead as you continue to grow with it.

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  31. Lovely Tammy reading about your Homestead, you both have put a lot of hard work into it. I love your little house , hope your dreams are full filled .Wish you both well.
    I live in the country and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Nature is enchanting living seeing and breathing it , is all I crave for.
    Sheila.

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  32. Tammy - I seriously LOVE your mug! What a great reminder that is! We also have always used a learn-as-you-go mentality with our gardening. I find it much for conducive to being willing to experiment and try new things. And I think your home would love lovey with the faux stone along the bottom!

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  33. Tammy, I cannot believe it's been 5 weeks already! I love everything about this post. I anticipated it for the past week and wasn't disappointed :-)

    I just found out a few weeks ago that there is a duck that doesn't need water. You may already know about them. They're called Muscovy ducks. I was thinking since building your pond seems so far away, the Muscovy is a possible alternative to water ducks. Just thought I'd share that :-)



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  34. The Corps of Engineers wanted $25,000 to build a pond on our land -- what?
    My hubs rented a D9 Cat and did the work himself and we have a more natural pond down on the lower 40, as well as two other smaller overflow ponds. This might be an option for you. It ended up costing us about $3,000 overall and was an awesome addition to our property.

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  35. I truly hope you reach every single one of your goals and more my friend. I love the idea of getting sheep or goats!!

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  36. I love your coffee cup - and so fitting, given the subject of your post!

    Our property was selectively (yet messily) logged the year before we bought it.
    It's amazing to see, 15 years later, how grown back everything is!
    We've spent years establishing our garden plot, trails in the woods, even the pond! Ours is somewhat naturally existing and there's a bit of a natural stream that flows through it.. but late every summer it would dry up - leaving little minnows to flop on dry ground! So we had it dug down to the water table.. it's spring fed now, cold, clean, and deep. We left half of it shallow so the lily pads and frog & turtle habitat wasn't taken away. We love having the pond - it is the main attraction for all visiting kids. :)
    Home improvements are always exciting - we relate well to the "work in progress." Step by step. We always have a list for the future!

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  37. Fico torcendo que alcance os seus objectivos....
    Cumprimentos

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  38. Love that view from the back porch with the coffee mug! :)
    I'm always impressed with how organized you two are. You have your dreams, make a plan and then put it into action.
    I highly recommend a dairy goat, especially for a smaller family, and goat cheese is so very yummy!
    By the way, I love your house; especially the green metal roof! I would have never thought John Deere green if you hadn't mentioned it.

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  39. Wow ponds are expensive.

    I like the green roof. We have a green roof with our cabin and stone at the bottom :)

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  40. I love your dreams, and even more I love that you are working so hard to see them come true! You and David are such an inspiration, Tammy!

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  41. Your mug is perfect for the two of you!! So wonderful that you both have such great dreams and you make them come true!! It's a wonderful adventure and you wouldn't appreciate it if you got it all at one time. This way you can enjoy as you go!!

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  42. Wow your property looks beautiful. I dream of having ducks one day to clean up all the snails and slugs. They are so funny and adorable, and I've heard that the first animal a baby duck sees it bonds with whether it be duck, human or dog and will just follow them around with adoration in its eyes! So sweet!

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  43. I've enjoyed this mini series a lot! It's awesome that y'all know what you want, and are working towards making it reality!

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  44. cute sheeps.........cute shoes while cutting lettuce....cute farm house...cute coffee mug.....everything is so cute.....

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  45. I think you have such a great attitude. I love how you dream of your future and how you are working toward your goals. It's wonderful. I try to teach my son just that....that if you want something bad enough, you can make it happen. That being said, we have so many unfinished projects in our yard and house. It's actually a bit embarrassing.lol We are in the process of prioritizing and getting things DONE little by little. And the money thing....that sure does get in the way doesn't it?
    My dreams of a pond will be becoming reality this summer....but don't be too jealous....we are talking a "Koi Pond" on the side of the chicken coop. ;)

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  46. Tammy, you've achieved so much in just two years, you're going to accomplish all these goals and so much more! You are an inspiration!

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  47. Fabulous post. Your house is really adorable. And with what you've already achieved I have no doubt you'll accomplish all of these goals and then make more :) That's the joy of homesteading/farming. And I sign off by saying... GET GOATS ;)

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  48. It just hit me today so I'm back to this post to share an idea. When we first moved to Colorado many years ago we has to do some thinning of the 35 wooded acres. We rented a commercial wood chipper and shredded all of thrle brush and trees small enough to shove in it. We used the huge pile of wood chips to line our walking trails. That might be an option for you guys too. Just thought I would share this.

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