The look before you leap guide to the joys and pitfalls of the rural good life.
Dreams of self-sufficiency, independence, and tranquility continue to pull in a new generation of modern homesteaders. While growing your own food and being in charge of your life is the source of much satisfaction, there are many challenges to living away from modern conveniences.
Written by an experienced modern homesteader who successfully made the leap, So You Want to Be a Modern Homesteader? offers an in-depth examination of what you need to consider before moving back to the land. Drawing from a deep well of experience, this essential guide covers:
- Romance versus the reality of rural living
- Finding the right property
- Building versus bootstrapping
- Practical must-have skills
- Earning an income and farming on a budget
- Creating community
- Seasonal living
- Children and schooling
- Social media, the internet and rural life.
Whether you are dreaming of moving to the country for peace and an escape from the daily grind, to provide a different lifestyle for your children, or you're already long-established in the country, this complete and realistic guide is the essential resource to help you achieve success as a modern homesteader.
About the Author:
Kirsten Lie-Nielsen is a writer and farmer living on 93 acres in rural Maine. After starting a small hobby homestead with her partner on an abandoned farm with no electricity and running water, Kirsten's endeavors have quickly grown to encompass geese, goats, chickens, bees, ducks, and extensive vegetable and herb gardens. Always intrigued by self-sufficiency and working with her hands, Kirsten enjoys sharing her experiences and the lessons of life on the farm for publications such as Grit, Mother Earth News, Backyard Poultry, and Hobbyfarms.com. Kirsten blogs about her rural adventures at hostilevalleyliving.com, and her first book, The Modern Homesteader's Guide to Keeping Geese, was released in October 2017.
