By Stephanie Grinnell
I get a lot of questioning ― and jealous ― looks when people find out that I homestead in an off-grid cabin.
So what is homesteading? Well, it can be many things. I think a fair assessment of full-on homesteading is growing, raising and producing nearly all of your food, water, heating and energy ― being self-sufficient. But there are many variations of homesteading that are less extreme.
Many homesteading skills are simply things we have stopped doing because there are more convenient and less time-consuming options. Think back to your grandparents or great-grandparents. It is probable they canned garden produce, hunted meat for the freezer, baked bread regularly, fished and gardened. Clothes were made or mended, as were quilts, curtains and potholders. Maybe there was a family cow, or laying chickens providing eggs. Perhaps there was homemade soap or candles, or beer. Many of these things can easily be purchased instead but those of us who are homesteading bypass that in favor of making things ourselves.
Why? Because it is reassuring to know where our food came from and how it was raised. Because homemade cleaning products don’t contain as many chemicals. Because making something yourself is much more satisfying, and often leads to health benefits from more physical activity.
Homesteading is not for everyone. Some people like the immediate gratification of purchasing things that might otherwise take months to be finished, and there is nothing wrong with that! I still do not consider myself a full-on homesteader but every year am adding to my skillset and expanding my knowledge.
The first few years, days were filled with house construction, raising children and other family commitments. Once the house was closed in, there were (and are still!) projects to complete such as installing the wood stove, plumbing, wiring, building stairs and walls. The next year, a garden was planted and harvested. Mostly, I froze veggies that year. The following year, I added laying hens to what is now a growing farm. Pigs and meat chickens followed and I started canning instead of just freezing. We continue to cut fire wood, but we also purchase some. I’m always looking for new things I can try to make instead of buy ― recently, it was firestarters for the wood stove. (It was really easy!)
Another learning experience has been transitioning to off-grid living, which also is not for everyone. The house is not connected to the electrical grid, cable or phone service. Solar panels and a battery bank supply power, with a generator for back-up. There are cell phones, internet service, running hot and cold water and standard plumbing (started with a portable toilet, though). I have what most would consider regular appliances and creature comforts such as a Keureg coffee maker, refrigerator, washer and dryer, and an LED television. As a matter of fact, many people don’t even realize the house is off-grid.
My least favorite part of being off-grid is winter, when the generator needs to be hauled out to charge up the batteries. It is heavy. Usually there’s deep snow that sometimes has to be shoveled first. It’s uphill to the generator shed.
Still, I would encourage anyone who is curious about homesteading or living off-grid to try it, no matter where you live now. I live in a small town, on a main road. There are homesteaders who live in cities. Online are many stories to follow, including mine (tworockridge.com), to see what the lifestyle is like. I would caution that most people typically put on a public good face rather than sharing negatives about homesteading ― you’ll only know it’s for you learning about all aspects, good and bad.
