newbie with questions

[nirysi1999]

My family and I own 6 acres and I was wondering if anyone in this group has any ideas for homesteading on a small ammount of land.we have a small field some trees and mostly yard which I am going to be putting in a garden in.I want a jersey and a beefer but my husband doesn't think we have enough room.Anyone have any suggestions?
thanks

[cinok]

We have just under 8 and just starting is your land clear can it support grazing why a jersey for milk or beef do you have any large animal experience. Everyone here is very helpful but we ten to ask a lot of ? to give you the right answer

[Terri]

I have no experience with 6 acres, but I can share with you what I do on one.

On my one acre I have a garden, fruit trees, a home made greenhouse, honey bees, Christmas trees that have become overgorwn, 3 rows of blackberries, and a potting shed.

That uses up half of my acre.

As for a beefer, I have heard of people buying a couple of calves in the spring, grazing them all summer, and selling them in the fall at a small profit. That way they do not have to cut hay, which means that your place might provide you with beef also. It depends on how much of your land is grass, and if you have fences up! Here in Kansas 2-3 acres for grazing is common but Kansas grows good grass!

I have also heard of people eating the calf the milk cow throws if it is a bull: some people say Jersey beef is good and some do not!

At any rate, WELCOME!!!!!!!!! ;D

[nirysi1999]

Our house sits on 1.5-2 acres behind that we have about 3 acres of woods and the rest is a small field.In our front yard we have plum,cherry,peach,pear and apple trees that frame the front yard so the middle is open for the garden.
Before we moved to tn we lived in new york state and we always had a couple beefers and pigs for our own meat.my husband was raised on a dairy farm and I helped out for a few years so we also have dairy exp.
I would like to get away from buying from the store as much as possible,so thats why I am asking about cows on this small ammount of land.In ny we had 4 acres but my father owned the 200 around us so we had plenty of space to do what we wanted.my husband worries we don't have enough space here to homestead "properly" that's why I need every piece of info I can get so I can convince him.
thanks

[bee_pipes]

We have chickens, ducks and turkeys. We're looking at adding rabbits in another week or two, and hope to start goats next spring. That pretty much takes care of meat and adds dairy. Took me a while to see the utility in rabbits and goats. We keep bees, have a good sized garden, and are working at adding grain. We also have a few tobacco plants for personal use. These are all small things that could be fitted to the property you describe.

Regards,
Pat

[nirysi1999]

I want the dairy but don't like goats milk.We want milk we can drink and also use to make butter cheese,etc. I would like to get a mini jersey but I can't come up with enough up front to purchase a cow ready to milk.

[homefirst]

I just recently posted the first time but we just got 2 1/2 acres and are planning a very self-sufficient homestead. But it does include dairy goats. You said you have 6 acres? If you have 3-4 cleared you should have plenty to keep a family milk cow and a calf. But you may have to come up with a little feed. Look into the Self-Sufficient life and how to live it by John Seymoure. It has a self-sufficient plan for 5 acres. That includes a cow and calf. What you can do is see about getting to know what resources you have out there. Are the people friendly? Can you possibly graze a cow in a neighbors property and split the milk and beef with them? Just an idea. Maybe get to know a hay farmer and get some for cheap. Or grow an acre or two to help with feed costs? Just because you own 6 doesn't mean you have to homestead on only 6. With support from neighbors you may just owrk something out. If you find that a cow just won't work maybe someone around you has one and will barter with you for the milk for something else you grow like fruit or honey etc. That may be cheaper in the long run anyway.. Self-sufficiency can be done in more then one way.

homefirst

[sbemt456]

Welcome! and here is my thoughts on cows. Old timers here in east Ky have always said 1 acre per head of cattle. I would think if you could fence in 4 acres and divide that into 2 pastures you could have your cow and calf. We have a 100 acre farm and I cant convince my hubby to fence in a 5 acre field so I can have a cow. I have a back and arm injury that kinda limits what I can do in a day but be darn I would find a way to milk. Love homemade butter. Goat milk is ok but I could make more use from cow milk.
Good luck and keep plodding along, you will succeed.

stella

[dkemple1]

You can do a lot with 6 acres. Fruit trees, chickens, few cows, rabbits, pigs, LARGE GARDEN. Little hay, I have 3 acres and it is a lot of work sometimes. I am going to start, making raised beds for my garden. Just imagine the possibilities with 6 acres. It is a lot more than you think.

[nirysi1999]

Thanks for all the suggestions buying feed really won't be much of an issue once I can talk my husband into it.I am a stay at home mom so I have the whole day to work on everything for the family and hard work makes a good nights sleep for me so I don't mind that at all :D We had our woods logged off and are planning on using the tops to make raised beds.since I read that the gov is talking about eradiating vegetables I want to make sure our food is safe by MY standards not the governments and in the long run it tastes better anyway.

[Anon001]

Welcome! I would to add my two cents worth. I raise beef cattle. But, I use to keep Jerseys for milk. I always made farmers cheese, cottage cheese, butter, etc... But, there are things you can do with goat's milk that you can't do with cow's milk....soap for one. Also, if you take proper considerations and keep the milking area clean, etc, goat's milk will taste the same as cow's milk...but, you have to take special precautions of what they eat, how they are milked and how quickly the milk is chilled down to 45 degrees and other things. With 6 acres you can have a nice little homestead but it may be difficult to be self-sufficient. All you can do is go for it.... There is no other life that is as rewarding as being self-sufficient. You have plenty land for a great garden, orchard, pasture, etc.....

Good luck....go for it... the longer you hold back the longer it will take!
Paul

[nirysi1999]

i've only had goats milk a few times and it's got a different consistancy than cows milk.What can you feed them to get it to be more like cows milk.I have absolutly no experience with goats.I've never even been closer to a goat than in the barns at the fair.My husband's parents had sheep when he was small but until about a month ago I didn't know you could milk them.
As for cows I've been around them since I was a kid so they really arn't unknown to me.

[homefirst]

With the way it sounds you should have plenty of room. Again I recommend you get a copy of the Self-sufficent life and how to live it. Even if total self-sufficeincy is not your goal it shows a great picture on how to set up a 5 acre and 1 1/2 acre farm and both include a cow for manure, milk and meat. This should be plenty of proof to your husband. Believe me I am using it myself just to convince mine we can get goats and bees. Good luck.

Homefirst

[flatwater]

We have 20 acres but only really use about 6 or 7 to does our thing in , which is rabbits , chickens, & beef steer. A couple of things have helped out. One person at home to look out for the A-NI-Mules. A good underground water system that does not freeze in the winter. And the willingness to work hard and catch the vision. For with out a vision the people parish.
Flatwater

[nirysi1999]

I agree about the vision.I already have it but it's just getting my husband to see the same one.I am at home all the time to do the majority of the day-2-day stuff.So its just getting the money man(my hubby)to help with that end of it. ;D I deffinatly will try to get to the book store for a copy of the self sufficient life.

[mommalia]

Hi,
My family and I are looking to homestead, but don't know where to start. Can anyone help me out with some info???

[bee_pipes]

Hi,
...looking to homestead, but don't know where to start...
Check old posts in this forum, this is a subject that has been discussed at length:
The homestead as a system (http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/yabb/forum.pl?board=sel-homesteading;action=display;num=1196260710)
homesteading location (http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/yabb/forum.pl?board=sel-homesteading;action=display;num=1199398107)
My Travel Trailer Homestead (http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/yabb/forum.pl?board=sel-homesteading;action=display;num=1196703200)
Homesteading? (http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/yabb/forum.pl?board=sel-homesteading;action=display;num=1198301933)
You can homestead anywhere! (http://www.backwoodshome.com/forum/yabb/forum.pl?board=sel-homesteading;action=display;num=1196260896)

There's a lot more out there - I'd go to the oldest page and read your way forward, then start a new topic for any additional questions you may have.

Regards,
Pat

[Terri]

Hi,
*My family and I are looking to homestead, but don't know where to start. Can anyone help me out with some info???
Are you wanting to move or homestead where you are? If you are wanting to move, what climate do you prefer?