homesteading-general

Discord ID: 359504430569095168


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2017-09-21 22:49:07 UTC

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/359504430569095168/360558091646926849/thumb3_old_mill_waterwheel.jpg

2017-09-21 23:37:47 UTC

So here's the question. If, as a community, we all specialize in one area (one person is a shepherd, another orchardman, another wheat, etc) we'd be more dependent upon each other, but it'd probably be more efficient than everyone managing a little of everything. Is this a desirable outcome?

2017-09-21 23:39:14 UTC

sounds good to me

2017-09-21 23:44:26 UTC

We'd need to know the numbers and specializations of people beforehand, though, that way we're not setting a potato farmer on a mountainside.

2017-09-21 23:50:05 UTC

Absolutely

2017-09-21 23:50:34 UTC

Run it like a medieval fiefdom, but without the king -- everyone has a role

2017-09-22 00:14:37 UTC

I'm so obsessed with these things.. It's really a marvel

2017-09-22 00:21:57 UTC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLgvtTQPJTY
most of these points can be applied to goats as well.

2017-09-22 00:27:37 UTC

their wool

2017-09-22 00:27:38 UTC

would be nice

2017-09-22 00:28:16 UTC

yeah, I don't think cotton would be possible in the PNW

2017-09-22 00:30:33 UTC

And again, wool harvesting and processing is women-friendly work, which is a plus in the long run

2017-09-22 00:31:24 UTC

Wool if marketed correctly can be sold to people for crafts.

2017-09-22 00:32:34 UTC

Excellent. We could even make them into crafts ourselves to sell.

2017-09-22 00:32:47 UTC

Set up weaver shops and what not for the women

2017-09-22 00:32:49 UTC

could wool possibly be used as natural insulators

2017-09-22 00:32:51 UTC

for homes?

2017-09-22 00:33:05 UTC

no, moths eat wool.

2017-09-22 00:33:09 UTC

if you like fire, i guess

2017-09-22 00:33:58 UTC

Wool doesn't burn.

2017-09-22 00:34:14 UTC

Doesn't it rot though?

2017-09-22 00:34:23 UTC

they also make a fattier milk. This is great for making cheeses.

2017-09-22 00:34:38 UTC

I've been lied to by my home ec teacher from middle school then

2017-09-22 00:34:40 UTC

I watched a guy drunkenly fall into a fire before, the only reason he didn't go the ER is because he had a wool jacket on it and it saved his skin. Literally.

2017-09-22 00:35:14 UTC

Wool is good for fabrics, crafts, etc. It's also naturally more waterproof than many other fabrics, and is flame-resistant.

2017-09-22 00:35:38 UTC

It'd be good for making water filters

2017-09-22 00:35:39 UTC

I shouldn't say "Doesn't burn" as pretty much anything will burn, but wool is a protein fiber according to google, which makes it burn very slowly.

2017-09-22 00:36:11 UTC

@K_Wagner Wool has lanolin that makes it waterproof. the reason wool clothes get wet is because we remove it when we clean wool.

2017-09-22 00:36:12 UTC

And like Nix said, wool doesn't absorb water like cotton or other materials.

2017-09-22 00:36:15 UTC

Wool isn't cheap to make. Using it for insulation isn't the first place you want to put it.

2017-09-22 00:36:26 UTC

There's a reason almost every army in the world at one time issued Wool jackets to their soldiers.

2017-09-22 00:36:52 UTC

@MKUltra agreed, it's still better used for clothing than insulation

2017-09-22 00:36:53 UTC

Flame resistant. And no, water filters are better with sand and charcoal. Wool is much better in socks and heavy costs, especially in PNW.

2017-09-22 00:37:05 UTC

^

2017-09-22 00:37:17 UTC

coats* stupid autocorrect

2017-09-22 00:37:26 UTC

Straw would make a better insulator, though you need to change it from time to time to avoid mildew.

2017-09-22 00:37:29 UTC

Like thatch roofs.

2017-09-22 00:38:06 UTC

Honestly, snow is its own insulator.

2017-09-22 00:39:10 UTC

Not to mention the houses should be sturdy to begin with. If you absolutely must have insulation, straw or pine needles work, or shredded bark.

2017-09-22 00:39:43 UTC

Really though, the best insulation is a well-made house. At least as far as I understand.

2017-09-22 00:39:53 UTC

the really nice thing about sheep and goats is that it's easy to downsize is feeding them becomes a problem. You can kill a few and still have herd. the same can't be said for cows.

2017-09-22 00:40:42 UTC

*if

2017-09-22 00:41:32 UTC

Well, the house itself acts as a barrier from the ice and snow. Thick walls make it harder for the outside cold to get in. Insulation helps actually keep the heat in, better insulation, less wood or propane you have to burn to heat the house.

2017-09-22 00:42:07 UTC

@dmac100 agreed, and you can raise many more sheep and goats per acre than cows.

2017-09-22 00:42:20 UTC

For starters, animals smaller than bovine would be a good idea.

2017-09-22 00:43:13 UTC

@Mitere the first few "houses" will be log cabins, so mud in between the logs will probably be our insulation.

2017-09-22 00:43:46 UTC

That will increase rot and pests.

2017-09-22 00:43:56 UTC

Pitch could be used.

2017-09-22 00:44:08 UTC

But that increases fires. Used throughout history.

2017-09-22 00:44:33 UTC

We could use pine tar.

2017-09-22 00:44:46 UTC

Indeed.

2017-09-22 00:46:19 UTC

There are flame resistant chemicals that can be sprayed or painted on.

2017-09-22 00:49:18 UTC

These are temporary house for people to sleep in while they build better ones. The plan so far is that a few guys go out next april to start clearing land and grow food.

2017-09-22 00:52:17 UTC

We shouldnt have date plans right now

2017-09-22 00:53:59 UTC

But next April should be fine I guess

2017-09-22 00:54:51 UTC

@Ghostler I agree. However, moving to the PNW in the winter isn't possible and summer is too late to get any food grown.

2017-09-22 01:00:49 UTC

Not to be a damper on our agrarian zeal, but if we are mainly focused on building housing the first summer it is understandable if we do not get any farming done. We can live off canned stuff and stored provisions until we can crops up and running.

2017-09-22 01:02:36 UTC

@K_Wagner it's 2 weeks to get everything planted then the occansional watering and weeding. plus if a few people go then they can work in two groups.

2017-09-22 14:39:11 UTC

yes

2017-09-22 14:39:48 UTC

of course the first things we should plant should be hearty vegetables and maybe fruits

2017-09-22 14:39:59 UTC

potatoes, corn, etc

2017-09-22 15:02:16 UTC

@ram3n it really depends on the place we go to. Root vegetables like potatos or carrots don't do well with waterlogged soil. As far as fruits I think we should focus on fruit trees that are true to seed. Those would include apricots, peaches, some plums and sour cherries. All of these trees are self fruitful and true to seed. Later we can focus on pomme fruits like pears and apples. We should also look into nut trees. Walnuts, hickory nuts, hazelnuts and chestnuts should all be possible.

2017-09-22 15:30:34 UTC

nice

2017-09-22 19:29:42 UTC

It's interesting to see the professional versions of these as opposed to "yeah just pull the leg here and cut here and boom got yourself a pigeon"

2017-09-23 04:51:50 UTC

just found this channel with alot of cool videos:

2017-09-23 18:35:27 UTC

nice

2017-09-24 00:37:10 UTC

o

2017-09-24 16:23:02 UTC

Have you guys seen the free homesteading plots in the Midwest?

2017-09-24 16:23:08 UTC

nope

2017-09-24 16:23:19 UTC

I'll copy and paste from our Discord

2017-09-24 16:23:51 UTC

"The city of Marquette, Kansas is offering free building lots to families
who are looking for a really great small town, in the heart of America,
to call home. The building lots are located in a development on the
west edge of town with beautiful, open views of evening sunsets and
the Smoky Valley"
You must already be a family man, as the introduction suggests. Here's a link to the application: http://www.freelandks.com/files/city_of_marquette_land_application.docx.pdf
Definitely a compelling program, though
"The city has waived all utility hook-up fees and there is no building
permit fee. All utilities, including natural gas, will be on the property."

2017-09-24 16:23:53 UTC

I found other free lot offers in other town in Kansas, and also in Nebraska, Ohio, and Iowa
Some articles criticizing the free lots mainly focus on the obstacles that established families have to relocation - not being able to find an equivalent job in their field, not being able to sell their old home and build a new one, etc

2017-09-24 16:25:22 UTC

oh

2017-09-24 16:25:23 UTC

nice

2017-09-24 16:25:53 UTC

You'd need to have the funds to build the houses, but ... free land!

2017-09-24 21:49:41 UTC

That's so great

2017-09-24 21:49:47 UTC

Makes me wish I was a burger lol

2017-09-24 21:49:53 UTC

@Yung Koala where do you live

2017-09-24 21:49:57 UTC

Sweden

2017-09-24 21:50:01 UTC

*I was born here*

2017-09-24 21:50:06 UTC

oh god

2017-09-24 21:50:10 UTC

i feel bad for you

2017-09-24 21:50:14 UTC
2017-09-24 21:51:23 UTC

Sweden :(((

2017-09-24 21:52:04 UTC

I-I know

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