WeIl, it’s January 1, 2022, and I’m sitting at my desk thinking back over last year on our new homestead and considering this new year that we’re facing. Normally by this time I would have all of my plans in place and started working toward (and purchasing for) their implementation. However, with as much as life had thrown at me toward the end of 2021, having my year planned out before January 1st rolled around just wasn’t going to happen this year.
Looking Back Over 2021
Our New Farm
On January 2, 2021, we went and looked at a property that would become our new farm. It was such an exciting and encouraging day for several reasons.
First off, it was encouraging because the farm (with a house and four outbuildings, five acres, and a pond) was within our price range. With the passing of Steve’s mother in March of 2020, we got a small inheritance. Between that and the rising property value of our house that we owned in 2018-2021, we were able to afford this farm, though it cost more.
It was also encouraging because it provided us with several things that we were lacking before. We would have a source of water if something happened. This property had 3 wells – though it is hooked up to city water – and a significantly sized pond. Between those and our Berkey, we figure it will be nearly impossible to run out of water.
It was encouraging because we have a built-in source of protein. The pond had been stocked, though the previous owner suggested that we stock it again in order to increase the amount of fish that could be removed from it by fishing it.
It was encouraging because we would be moving onto land that already had eight established apple trees, several mulberry trees, and blackberry bushes! This would provide us with some fresh fruit during the course of the year.
But the biggest reason that it was exciting is that for the first time, I really felt like my husband and I were on the same preparedness page. We both wanted the same things and had the same goals for this property. It was very exciting!
Dream or Nightmare?
We purchased the farm on February 1st on 2021 and hired a company to come in and make some major changes to the inside of the house. We had a wall taken out, we had new drywall put up in three rooms, new ceilings, new ceiling fans, a ceiling light/fan installed in the bedroom, new flooring throughout the entire main floor, and a wood-burning stove installed in the living room.
Then we moved in around the first of May.
First week on the homestead. . .
Within the first week, our root cellar flooded ruining our hot water heater. We found out that the root cellar regularly floods, and that the sump pump didn’t work. So we had to replace the sump pump (almost $1000). We had to replace the – now not working – hot water heater, but because the root cellar floods we had to get a tankless hot water heater that could be installed on the wall and because we have hard water, we had to also get a water softener. Both and installation cost us about $8500!
Lawn and Garden?
We discovered quickly that we not only needed a riding lawn mower, but that in reality, we needed two riding mowers. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find the kind that we wanted (zero-turn) so we settled for what we could get. We purchased one for $350. A second was given to us!
We purchased a bunch of plant starts and paid someone to come to till up a garden for us. We got the plants in the ground a week before we left for vacation. Because we ordered them through a co-op that only delivers once a month, we had no choice in the matter of when they came. By the time we got back from vacation, it was so overgrown with weeds, that we ended up mowing almost the entire garden over.
Fires and shocks 
In June, we set part of our property on fire and had to call the fire department. During the fire, we lost one of the wheels on the lawnmower and discovered that we had an electrical problem as electricity ended up running through the exterior water faucet that we were trying to use to put out the fire. Our oldest daughter got quite a jolt. So electrical fix, new electrical box (to bring it up to code) and upgrade for our office so that we would have four sets of two electrical plugs (instead of ONE) – $2000.
Around the end of August/ beginning of September, we noticed that our pole with our outdoor electrical service seemed to be sagging after a significant storm. Within 48 hours we had a pole with live wires laying on the ground. New pole installed, new OUTSIDE electrical panel (the inside one was already replaced), and upgraded outdoor electrical service $3000.
More outdoor work
During the summer, we decided to look at getting a professional opinion of why our pond was not retaining water. After talking to three companies and hearing what they had to say, we found out that the overflow to our pond is rotten and the previous owner tried to fix it. It held for a while, but can’t be ‘refixed’ and so needs to be replaced to the tune of $18,000.
Then we realized (why we didn’t realize it sooner I have no idea), but we have a dead tree that if it falls over, could come crashing into the house. So we’re getting that removed – it was supposed to be in November, but we’re hoping that it will get removed this month. $2000 (because the stump isn’t being ground out).
There really is good news
Okay, so that really all does sound BAD and when you add up the price tag to buy the house, to remodel the house, to make all the upgrades/repairs – yeah, it’s bad. But it’s also not all that bad.
We have a barn
But there is some really good news. We have a barn. I know – roll your eyes at me. “So you have a barn,” I can hear some of you say, “Who cares?” Well, you see this barn is a peg barn. There are NO nails holding it together, no screws, no bolts, etc. We found out that our barn is probably worth enough to pay off our mortgage. Yes, so while this place in many ways has been a money pit, it’s also going to be a source of great income – upfront – before we can get our food systems in place so that we can both save money and sell products. The plan is to split the money that we get between the mortgage and the plans that we have for our homestead. We plan to use some of the money from the barn to fix the pond.
We can farm
Yes, like I’ve talked about before, gardening has a learning curve. We’ve had a garden in one form or another for the last seven years, and last year was a bust, but we are learning! We are growing, and I have every confidence that because of last year’s failures, this year’s garden will be so much better!
Almost unlimited supply of water and protein
Because we’re going to spend the money to fix our pond, we will have an almost unlimited supply of water and protein. Yes, we will need to keep restocking the pond if we fish it for food. We understand that, but it will provide us with food if we hit hard times. And once the pond it fixed, it is almost 18 feet deep at its deepest, and about an acre and a third in area, so that will provide us with water to irrigate a garden – even in a drought.
Free – kinda – Firewood
We are having one of our trees removed which will help provide us with firewood for quite a while. Yes, we are aware that we will need to season the wood, but the wood from this huge tree should provide us with enough wood to heat the majority of our house for at least one – if not two – seasons! And oak is a slow-burning wood that will last longer – so once it is seasoned, we are in for a treat. So while we’re spending money to have it removed, we’re saving money because we’re able to use it. But if you don’t happen to have your own tree that you need taken down and you need ideas on where to get your own free firewood, you can find those here.
A look forward to 2022 on the Homestead
Now, I need to start by saying all of this is contingest on how much we get for our barn. If we get what we THINK we’re going to get, these are our plans. But I don’t want you just listening to my plans or living vicariously through us. I want you to remember that you can homestead pretty much anywhere that you live! There are even ways to ‘homestead’ in an apartment.
So what are our plans?
Repair the pond and Build a dock
We’ve already talked about how the pond is a source of water and fish, but the pond is also a swimming hole and we have a paddle boat. So not only do we get food and water, but we also get entertainment. Most of our kids know how to swim, and are just itching to go swimming in the pond. The problem is that the level of the water is currently low enough and the sides are overgrown enough, that getting down to the level of the water is difficult. Once the pond is fixed and we have a dock, we will be able to go swimming for the simple fact that we’ll be able to get to the water.
Build a Firepit
We plan to install a nice firepit on the property so that when we have people over, we have a place to have a fire, to cook food (s’mores anyone?) and to sing campfire songs.
More Animals
In 2021, we added two adorable, cute, cuddly, outdoor cats named Lily and Tilly. These were meant to help with our mouse problem.
This year, we plan to add both broilers (Meat chickens) and layers (for eggs). I’ve been told that chickens are the gateway drug to farming. I guess this year we’ll see.
More Trees
We’ve already ordered eight spring trees. We’re adding two peach trees, two plum trees, two pecan trees, and two almond trees. We already have eight apple trees and two cherry trees.
Playset and swing
This one falls under the category of “wouldn’t it be nice if . . .”. We have young members of the church over almost weekly. I would like to have a playset for them. I would also like to add an Amish made glider rocker to the property. The sunsets out here over the pond are amazing. I would like Steve and I to be able to enjoy them more.
So those are our homestead plans for this year. In subsequent weeks, we’ll talk about homesteading goals (not the same as our plans), and my business plans for the year – which are multiplying like rabbits.
What About You?
I’d love to hear about your preparedness/homesteading plans for this year. Would you share them with me down in the comments so that we can all spur each other on to making this year a year where we become producers and use whatever land we have more fully?
