Oddbean new post about | logout
 A few other thoughts I had while going to feed the chickens: I think there's probably a way to do things so that you lease/borrow the land instead of buying it.

Also - you're experimenting with carnivore, right? We're moving in that direction (I'm trying it until March and loving it so far, and most family members are intrigued). I'm realizing that this may dramatically shift our workload on the homestead. Gardens - weeding, composting/fertilizing, watering systems - are a lot of work! 
At this point we're focusing mostly on perennials (fruit and nut trees) for beauty, livestock forage, back up food for us and on the animals. It doesn't improve the flexibility that you mentioned, but it definitely simplifies our routines. 
 Yes, carnivore is my concern. I know how to get a chicken on the table, but with other animals, especially bigger ones, I'm pretty sure the learning curve is massive and quite expensive even when done successfully. 
 Usually homesteaders are self-sufficient in meat before they are with other foods! 

Butchering beef is a big project and beyond the facilities and skills of most folks, but goats, sheep, ducks and chickens are relatively simple.