“There’s a wholesomeness about it that I never could explain
Once you breathe this air you love it and you long for it again;
There’s a tie you can’t discern in the splendor of the sky.
It’s just home to you forever and I’ll just tell you why.”
Paragraph taken from A Letter Home – by my Great Grandmother Lillie Olson – 1912
I can hardly believe it. I feel like I’ve been talking about this for so long that it almost felt too far from my reach.
My dream is finally coming true.
5 ACRES.
We purchased 5 beautiful acres in the country and I couldn’t be happier. There are full water rights. There are no covenants. The land is flat, beautiful and ready for creating my little farm paradise.
Shall I tell you a little bit more about this land? Okay, I will then. Since you asked. 🙂
The land all used to be farm-land and then a man sold it all off into 5-10 acre parcels. On my little road I will have 4 neighbors, each with 5 acres too. The soil definitely feels a lot better than my current soil which is sand. I think it has some dead organic materials and possibly even some clay. I should probably get it tested. One thing I know though is that the soil should be good because even without watering for a year there are some amazing flowering cactus plants growing with purple flowers. That’s a good sign right?
I think it has a great view. Meaning not many people around. Ha! And I do get a small view of the blue mountains on clear days.
My sister Beth took these pictures for me. We had lots of fun walking the land together.
My land borders along a canal, which at first I was a bit nervous about. I mean, kids and a canal? But after getting to walk along the canal with my sister I realized that I can go on nice long beautiful walks or runs with this by my house. And it is sure to bring a few frogs and other critters for my kids to make memories with.
Speaking of playing around… do you ever do this and wish you were really that skinny? Ahem. Neither do I….
Indeed we saw ducks and even a muskrat swimming in the water. Country livin’!!!
I also noticed coyote tracks on my land. That will be trouble for my chickens. I will need to prepare myself a lot more for predators living out here in the country.
Some days I feel so excited that my heart can’t stop beating and my stomach has butterflies. My mind reels with what is to come. I can envision myself after a hard days work sitting on my back porch enjoying the sunset with my family. That feeling of freedom and joy. I can’t wait.
However, there have also been many days that I sit and wonder if I can actually do this. If I am going to succeed at running a small farm. If I can handle the time commitment. If I can handle the financial requirements. If I can handle being patient and not having everything for my dream happen all at once. If I can handle a big garden and even acres of growing food. And most importantly if I can handle killing my animals for food. I still have yet to butcher an animal.
I tell you I am absolutely TERRIFIED some days!
I mean, what if I fail at this? What if I put my family through stress, hard work and moving and I am not able to handle it all? What if I stink at being a self-sufficient homesteader? What if I fail?
But you know what they say….
And this is one big ole’ dream.
We are planning on building our house on the property with a well and septic. Hoping to get into the new house before Christmas.
Then it’s really go time!
Got any advice for this homesteading beginner?
I am trying to figure out what to do first on my land after my house gets built. Start with an orchard? Backyard grass? Garden? Animals? Bees? Pasture? And what kind of irrigation… flood or sprinklers? So many choices! Got any recommendations for homestead planning? Best books? Any and all advice is welcome. Oh and please remind me to slow down…my mind is going 90 miles an hour!
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Missy says
We just built on 6 acres and its been an education with ditches failing and having to be rebuilt that was a sad 9k. And if you chose to flood make sure your land is laser leveled. We paid some one to grade our pasture and it doesn’t flood properly. And if you have septic you can’t flood irrigate near your house or it will overflow. Unless you set up dikes.
Karrie says
Oh my, didn’t think of that. I will have septic so maybe flood irrigation is out. I will have to look into this more. Thanks so much for sharing!
Randi says
So happy for you! Your enthusiasm makes me feel serious joy as I’m living my dream too! I’m about a year ahead of you, with fruit trees in the ground and a nice garden going on (nobody will ever need THIS MUCH SQUASH) but your plans are much more ambitious than mine. I mean to say, you’re going full-on self sufficient, where I am still visiting the market and probably always will. Thing is…I don’t think I’ll ever be able to raise animals to eat. As much as I would LOVE to eat free range chicken and grass fed beef, I just make pets of everything! I can’t help it! Maybe I’ll get …harder? with age. My granny was tough…but…I even feel sorry for the animals under the plastic. I just can’t do it, cap’n. Maybe watching YOU will help ME! I’ll certainly be hoping for tips on how to keep chickens safe. I do intend to get a chicken house up and running but we, too, have coyotes, as well as foxes, hawks, snakes, and a whole bunch of other hungry critters that would love to pinch a chicken or it’s eggs. I’m rambling…CONGRATS! You’re terrific and you deserve this! AND YOU CAN DO IT! ALL OF IT! 🙂
Karrie says
Aweee thanks so much Randi!!!
Cathy says
Hi Karrie, congratulations on your great adventure! I am very excited for you.
It will be exhausting and wonderful all at the same time. A great “old school” book to read is: Five Acres and independence by M.G. Kains (a practical guide to the selection and management of the small farm). It is really a pretty thorough guide to managing a small farm. It was given to me by a great friend and is loaded with good information. Enjoy! I grew up on a 14 acre farm and while there is alot of planning and work to do there is nothing like the clean air, cold clean well water and quiet nights. Kids learn so much growing up on a farm about work and responsibility and compassion. You’ll love it!
Karrie says
Thanks – I will see if I can find that book, sounds really great!
Linda says
Congratulations on your land puchase and plans.
We had a new old time wind driven windmill erected over the existing well. We took out the electric pump. Now, we can get wind power to pump water out for the garden. Adding hoses to irrigate helps. It is now ready for off grid.
We have rural water that was already in when we bought the place. We use that for inside the house.
It costs about $56 per month and more if it was used on the garden.
Karrie says
Wow that is so cool to have an old time wind driven windmill!
JANET says
I have always lived in the country in a small community other than when I moved away to go to college. Of course we have neighbors but most everyone has 1-4 acre parcels. Lots of fresh mountain air and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. No comaprison to living in the city. I am very happy to be a country bumpkin!! 🙂 NIce big garden, saskatoon and chokecherries and lots of herbs. Wonderful
Good luck and congratulations on your new journey.
Karrie says
Thanks so much Janet!
Colt says
First off Congratulations on your dream coming into reality! I love this website extremely creative and Love the freezer section. This is my first year doing a large scale garden i sense I was very overwhelmed much like yourself, so i started with Perennials mostly fruit & herb plants that you know you will use but take a few years to establish. Then if you have the “mustard” move on to food that is super easy to grow like salad greens which will save a ton of money very quickly. Also another must in the beginning year is to find free or very low cost matierals (compost, mulch, straw) and start stock piling those resources, making friends with the local tree companies by hooking them up with some cookies or a couple freezer meals should do the trick! Best of luck, I can’t wait to start seeing gardening combined with cooking on this website! You would attract a very large audience!
Karrie says
Thank you! I love that idea…must remember to bake lots of cookies for schmoozing…LOL!
Frank Klus says
Try to live for the moment and enjoy everything you are going to do. You will only down that road once.
Sarah G says
You go girl! My husband and I grew up on farms and knew we wanted our kids to do the same. We both lived in town when we were in college, and I couldn’t imagine going back to the concrete jungle. My advice to you is to take your time. Start small and work your way up. It’s the journey, not just the destination. Invest in the doing things the right way, and follow your heart! Good luck!!
Margaret says
Congratulations! I’m very happy for you. Live your dream!
Chip says
Above all, be patient. Rome was not built in a day. We have been on our 9 acres and it is still a work in progress. If this is someplace you see yourself living in 20 years, then small steps will reap large rewards. For example, when we finished building the house (mostly ourselves over 9 months), my grandfather called to tell me he had a house warming present for me. It was a Japanese cherry tree in a one gallon pot. The stem was about as thick as a pencil. He was QUITE frugal…LOL. That tree is now 15′ tall and HOW I WISH I HAD PLANTED MANY MORE THAT SIZE AT THE SAME TIME. If you are going to plant berries like raspberries and black berries, start small (but think BIG). Map out the garden with room for expansion. Five canes of Meeker raspberries from Raintree seemed like a very small start but now there are two 40′ rows in year two! I’m sure (if you are like me) that there will come a time that you will feel overworked and exhausted…wondering “what was I thinking?” Take time to watch the sunrise…or sit around a fire pit at night listening to the frogs and crickets, etc. Good luck on your adventure.
Chip says
*We have been on our 9 acres for 20 years.
Karrie says
Thanks Chip! Great advice. Patience is a virtue. 🙂
Stephanie says
So happy for you! Its so wonderful to see your dreams come true! A small bit of advice, if you want fruit trees, get them first as they take the longest to be eatablished. Secondly, if you want your chickens free range, dogs help. Perhaps a livestock guatdian dog. I have 4 big dogs, none of them grew up on a farm (I only get rescue dogs, usually older ones) and they all are awrsome around my chickens and ducks! Plus I have never lost any of my birds to predators. Good luck on your new venture!
Esther Schlechte says
Karrie, I know it can be intimidating stepping into something you are not familiar with, but just like with anything else, through trial and error you will get there! I grew up on a farm and I know that it gave me a determination in life.
We built our own buildings, had a fruit orchard, a very large garden and raised and buttered our own animals. Get to know your neighbors and pick their brains for ideas and knowledge of farming. Ask them to help you with butchering, canning, building outbuildings, where to put a garden and fruit trees, etc. Other seasoned farmers can be an invaluable resource!
Karrie says
Great tips, and thanks for the encouragement!
Sharon Russell says
I love what you are doing and am so envious 🙂 Can’t wait to read about your experiences as they come about. I left the city ( SF Bay Area) 20 years ago this fall – was intending on taking back Grandad’s place – only to find everything sold off, burned down and planted to corn. So instead I re-married and now we have a place in town, which is small enough ( and our 3 lots large enough) that I don’t feel crowded. I still have the dream though, of someday…someday…
The best of luck to you! (And any farm store will have books you can pick up to guide your steps….)
Karrie says
Thank you!!!
George Eager says
Congratulations Karrie, and may every success attend your new adventure. You might enjoy the 1822 classic “Cottage Economy” by William Cobbett. Cobbett’s wit and “bulldog curmudeonliness”make his little book a delightful read. He was, you might say, the Founding Father of English self-sufficiency— sort of the Karrie of his day! Best of luck, and may many blessings flow from your farm.
Karrie says
Thanks, I will have a look for that classic book. 🙂
Paul says
Congratulations on your getting your dream. All the best to you and your family. I’m planning to move to the country in 3 years myself. I’m just cleaning up my FICO score, paying a few debts, and seriously starting my savings. I own in the suburbs, and am tired of having neighbors on top of me. I want 6-8 archers too. But with no one in sight. It’s not that i don’t like people. I do, but tired of hearing motorcycles and kids screaming all the time. I just want a nice little house, nothing fancy. So my odyssey begins. Again, all the best!
Karrie says
3 years will hopefully go nice and quick for you. Sending encouragement your way! I know what you mean about the view..LOL. City life is okay and all but I love feeling free and not hearing so much noise.
Diane W says
We did the same thing twice. Bought land and built. It was tough for awhile but hang in there. Weve been on our place 20 years now. Slowly weve made our little 7 acres a farm. If you want fruit trees, watch craigslist. Weve got many of ours for 5.00 ea. And if at all possible, buy a tractor. My hubby did and we can do about anything. I raise chickens but dont butcher em. We sell them at a local auction after theyre bout done laying. Weve gotten over 8.00 ea. I love being out on our own with no covenents and can do whatever whenever. Im a total betty homemaker and love just being a mom and gramma….
Diane W says
A very very good gardening book that weve used for years is ‘The Joy of Gardening’ by Dick Raymond. good stuff in it.
Diane W says
And….one last thing, you probably will have to make sure your chicken pen has wire over the top to keep hawks, coyotes and raccoons out. Weve had many animals climb over the fence. Make it tall enough to stand it so you can clean it out and retrieve things.
Karrie says
Good idea. Will do. I was hoping also to have a chicken tunnel or an open area for them to free range (fenced in of course – I don’t want chicken poo on my back porch).
Karrie says
That just makes my heart happy to hear Diane. 🙂 What kind of tractor do you recommend for 5 acres? I love that tip about craigslist, I will start watching now.
Diane W says
My hubby did a research on tractors. We bought a Branson 3510i. In a long run, it’ll save you money on hiring help on all kinds of projects. From clearing snow to garden tilling to hauling firewood. I think ours is used almost daily. And hubby taught all of our boys how to operate it. Also, if you find fruit trees, you can hill them in until you figure out where you want em.
Janna says
Are you moving to eastern Washington? Those “amazing flowering cactus plants growing with purple flowers” are thistles and they are a noxious weed and need to go! Good luck!
Esther Schlechte says
I noticed also that they were thistles. They can be hard to get rid of but they do need to go!
Karrie says
Shoot. 🙁
Lisa says
Though they are the national flower of Scotland. My dad taught us the value of hard work…he sent us out to dig up thistles! So glad you found your country place! Very inspiring!!!
Karrie says
Awe man! Yes I am in Eastern Washington… and darn it! Good to know that they have to do. Thanks!
Angela says
Beyond excited for you! We will be coming to see it again soon. That’s wonderful that Bethany came to visit you.
Hope you’re still planning a visit here in June.
If you want to contact my mom about fencing in animals, she’ll have good advice. Plus my dad will most likely have gardening tips, especially on larger gardens and organic gardening.
God bless. You and your family are in our prayers.
Karrie says
Oooooh Angela, I will for sure contact your parents for advice! Thank you!
Nettie says
I am so thrilled for you, Karrie! Coming from a big city I can remember how excited I was to get my current home, which is on 3 acres, not as big as yours, but still enough land to make me happy. I hope you get everything you dream of, and that your chickens stay safe!
Karrie says
Thank you Nettie!
Christy says
I’m so happy for you Karrie! It’s going to be a great adventure for you and your family. I really like the book, The Encyclopedia of Country Living.
Karrie says
Thank you so much Christy! I do own that book, just need to dust it off an re-read it again. 🙂 It is full of great stuff.
Traci says
I absolutely know how you feel living in the country. My husband and I live on 10 acres. I cannot imagine living anywhere else.