How to Start a Self Sufficient Farm
It had been our dream to slip into semi-retirement in our forties without debt, without the increasing dangers of city life surrounding us and definitely without the yoke of consumerism hung about our necks. Perhaps this is a bit poetic and unrealistic, but our goal was to at least move out to the country and grow as mjuch of our own food as we could. For us, knowing how to start a self sufficient farm started with research and planning, as well as as experimenting on our little 1/4 acre city lot with a kitchen garden and six egg-laying chickens.
We learned that the basics of how to start a self sufficient farm lay in proper eduction. Vegetables and fruits don't simply sprout from the ground and go along their merry way until harvest time. Livestock, though self-sufficient in their own right to a certain extent, still required tending to and nurturing. For the big step up to our country homestead, a lot of planning went into effect, especially with the addition of sourcing water and energy to go along with the food.
We learned that the basics of how to start a self sufficient farm lay in proper eduction. Vegetables and fruits don't simply sprout from the ground and go along their merry way until harvest time. Livestock, though self-sufficient in their own right to a certain extent, still required tending to and nurturing. For the big step up to our country homestead, a lot of planning went into effect, especially with the addition of sourcing water and energy to go along with the food.
How to Start a Self Sufficient Farm

Through our connection, we found the perfect piece of land exactly where we wanted to be in central/south New Hampshire. It had everything we wanted, was the right size and was even on a lake. It was perfect. Our neighbors were welcoming, the school district was amazing and the taxes were still far below what we were paying back in the city. Though life was pretty groovy back on the urban homestead, it was certainly getting better, an continues to do so.
Sustainable Living on 2 Acres
The homestead garden should be the first element laid out on the new property if you are building from scratch, considering how the sunlight will hit it during the different parts of the day and growing season. A nice big house is one thing, but if the foundation was dropped so that the remaining growing space is in perpetual shade, the experiment would end right there.
Also, ideally, the livestock should be placed in a solid variation of land that includes open pasture for grazing, protection from the sun with tree cover and ease of access for you when it's time to tend them. A conveniently placed livestock paddock is a lot more enjoyable when it's easy to get to. The suggestion is to live on the land for a period of time to learn how it fits into your life before adding animals. Of course it's tempting to start with everything, but by moving slowly and adding one new livestock choice to your homestead each season lets you understand how it fits into your plan and how it will interact with the environment.
Self Sufficient Homestead Plan

To the south side of our property, we have a 650 foot well that provides plenty of water for our needs. A filtration system and water softener add to the package, as well as a propane water heater. With four kids, the water seems to always be running and to date, we haven't felt pinched in the hot water department.
The house itself is built with an open concept, with only the master bedroom on the first floor being closed off. The living room sports a cathedral ceiling up to the girls' shared loft space, kitchen drops off to the side with plenty of social and counter space. A wrap-around deck gives us additional room to spread out, and our finished basement holds the laundry room, battery room, third full bathroom, the boys' rooms, our office and lower-level access to the lake through a double-pane glass sliding door.
1 Acre Homestead Layout

Large livestock simply won't work for us, but again, we never had plans to run dairy or beef. We could use a portion of the lower east portion of the property for pigs in the years to come, but that still requires putting in some new infrastructure such as a reinforced paddock and electric fence. The same could be said for goats, an animal we constantly go back and forth on whether we want to incorporate them or not.
Our bees, of which the hives are being built today, have yet to have the honor of knowing exactly where they will sit. The only factor at this time under consideration is that the entrances will be in a southerly facing, directed toward the wildflower pasture just over the road in the woods.
Growing Your Own Food for Beginners
When offering advice on growing your own food for beginners, our mantra remains the same. Choose garden elements and livestock that you have knowledge about. Taking risks and expecting to learn as you go is a sure way to find failure.
Do yourself a favor and find a mentor in your neighborhood. Then, get to know your land for both it's potential and it's short comings. Knowing how to start a self sufficient farm is just as important as knowing what you cannot do on your property.
Do yourself a favor and find a mentor in your neighborhood. Then, get to know your land for both it's potential and it's short comings. Knowing how to start a self sufficient farm is just as important as knowing what you cannot do on your property.
We love sharing our journey with everyone, and equally love to hear from you as well. Please share with us your tips and lessons on how to start a self sufficient farm, whether it's a 1 acre homestead layout or lessons on sustainable living on 2 acres. We look forward to the conversation, so please join in through the comments section below!
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