You've leveled up! :) We're not meant to be totally dependent on others (total consumption). We're not meant to be totally self sufficient (total production). God meant for us to produce and consume. It's like any other balance in life. Love that you're sharing this! THIS is the journey for us to reclaim community away from big corporate interests. Rebuilding our local community and people is the biggest win. Local community sufficiency.
Welcome to the concept of the village! I live in Eastern Europe and I grew up in a village where almost every family contributed with something. There were people who grew pigs, others who bred horses used for local transportation, some cared for sheep and others grew feed. People would exchange goods for services - my grandma was a nurse and midwife, she didn't any interest in growing food, but she got paid in eggs, meat or veggies for small services she provided to the neighbours. Basically, with the exception of gas, we had almost everything grown locally (including a small hydro station powering the county). I really miss that feeling of community in today's society.
I appreciate this message... it seems like my greatest challenge to recognize when the time has come to stop living in fear of a terrible demise and surrender to the unknown in order to find peace.
We decided to jump into farming full throttle while my husband was working full-time and I part-time. It took an injury followed by surgery for me and the loss of a job for my husband to make us realize that we couldn't realistically handle over 100 chickens, 25 rabbits, a handful of ducks and guineas and three goats, so we scaled down big time. In 2020 I expanded my garden and spent most of my days being thankful that I had grandparents and great-grandparents who were a big influence in my life and who taught me so much about being self-sufficient. I decided not to return to work for two reasons: I loved the extra time with my daughter and my job kept me away from her for all bit a few hours during the weekend, and I was really enjoying my new life. Now in the fifth season of gardening and have added another garden that I've recently expanded and will be constructing a small greenhouse this fall. I still enjoy it and very little produce comes into our home that wasn't produced here. I considered market gardening but quickly realized my focus would change on growing what others wanted and that would quickly sap the enjoyment out of it for me. Instead, if I have an excess, I can take it to market and quickly sell it if I don't trade it to neighbors first. I have no desire to raise hogs or cattle as our land is basically hilly and would be cost prohibitive to fence and buy feed for them. Instead we opt for a few chickens and I forage for just about every edible food that grows wild. We have no debt as thankfully we made out last house payment a few months prior to the pandemic and adopted the attitude of if we cant afford it, we dont need it. That means we have no equipment other than a pushmower, riding mower, small wood chipper, chainsaw and string trimmer and half of them were purchased second-hand. I decided to go no-dig when I reconnected with my love of gardening and my parents were the recipients of my walk behind tiller and are still using it. Many blessings to you and may your life be more rewarding as you cut back on farming endeavors.
I think we have seen more than a few families that have become overwhelmed. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. We can all learn to do more basic things like gardening and or a few chickens. Stop living a disposable lifestyle. When I was a child, we were taught not to waste anything because we needed to appreciate and be grateful for what we did have. Bigger is not always better. We have a generation of individuals who seem to have a difficult time just being still and grateful. Our Nation and our lives may not be perfect but we are a whole lot better off than many on this big planet. What I don't think most realize is that most farmers must have an outside income just to make ends meet. Many don't have a true understanding of appreciation for how challenging being a farmer is.
I’m with you girl. My husband and I are 77/76 years old. We can’t do what you do and we are not wealthy by today’s standards! But God has always given us what we needed when we needed it and more than blessed us with our 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren and they are all saved and we are just grateful. We get our food from the healthiest places we can and God takes care of us. Love you , love your videos. Thank you for your time to video and talk to us and share life with us. I appreciate everything you do. God bless from OKC.❤
Yes…God said His grace is sufficient…and that we should not worry about tomorrow and what it may bring…if He takes care of something as small as a sparrow, why would he not be able to take care of us…So many people who call themselves Christians seem to be more afraid of everything than other people. They need guns, they hoard food and emergency supplies, are afraid of anyone different than they are…I just dont think that is how God wants us to be…Living in fear is no way to live and glorify God. We need to show people that we truly trust in God to take care of us. Not saying that we just sit back and do nothing, and expect God to drop our needs out of the sky…just that we should not focus so much on things he said not to worry about..and focus on being a good witness to what a real Christian should be…and stop hating others and stop living in fear. We all just need a healthy fear/respect for God
@@whynotbekind1957 You seem to be conveniently ignoring all the examples of being ready in the Bible. Noah, Joseph, the Seven Virgins...sell your cloak to buy a sword...plus many MANY more...
Just found your channel. We sold our home a few years ago to move to a farm and take care of the elderly gentleman who owns it and his mother, who passed away recently at 100. We met them through church a long time ago. He never married or had children and wanted his land to be used as a ministry to help people in our community. My husband was able to retire early (at 55), and we have been cleaning up the farm, planting orchards, fixing pastures, planting gardens, berries, etc... My husband and I, along with another family, are working toward building a ministry here on the farm with John. We don't know exactly how that looks or what God has planned, and that's okay. We do know, however, that we can't do it all ourselves. We need to keep our focus on what God is calling us to do. For us, it seems like finding a sense of community and reliance on one another, which isn't a bad thing. I'm glad I found your video today. It's a great message that needs to be shared. Thank you, and have a blessed day!
I had a hard time being an empty nester.I have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus and that relationship got me through many hard times and I couldn't thank and praise the Lord enough. This year has been the worst yr in my 73 yrs for garden pest. Worms I've never seen before had from the beginning of Spring throughout the summer and even now in the fall are destroying my beans, fall potatoes , peppers and even the comfrey is being eaten by green striped worms. If anyone can tell me what they are I would really appreciate it. I squished all I could find but I'm positive I didn't get them all. The man I was married to for 34 yrs and had three sons with turned out to be let's just say not what he appeared to be. I was divorced in 2022 and living with a small dog, when I was use to having family around me all the time. You think you know someone, until you don't.
Grew up seeing COOP all around me. In the early 80s that diminished greatly. I remember the days my grandfather farmed cotton. One man owned certain implements that he specialized in taking care of. Another man retired but leased his land. The Cotton Gin was the central meet up place. You ate breakfast there and listened to others need and made a chore list. It could get busy, yet it could be worry free at times. During that decade the cooperative effort diminished sharply. There were no day cares. We went to Mother’s Day out at the church. Everyone worked together and trusted in one another. More importantly, when it came to children, parents seemed to be on the same page. It was one thing to be corrected at home. If someone else in the community had to do, your only hope was that they didn’t inform your parents. No questioning. It was all for the good and I’m just as thankful for the other mothers and fathers out there that cared enough to set me straight as a child. They cared.
Hooray. I am so with you. Let’s grow better lives together. God meant us to be in community and to love Him and love our neighbor. I’m so glad to run across this video!!!’❤.
And when you get in those senior years, being self-sufficient becomes almost impossible. Trying to do the very most basic necessities at 80 yrs. old is barely doable. But most of the younger generation don't even take care of their own yards or gardens, let alone help an elderly person with theirs. So I am thankful that I can still manage to take care of my yard and house and husband, but having the ability to tend a garden is not in the cards. I try to purchase produce from local "farm markets" but I find much of their stuff is shipped in from FL or TN and not actually grown right here in OH. Sigh...
Hello from the Ark-La-Tex area! So happy you popped up on my feed! It’s wonderful to have you share your Change in Path! I’m 68 and just starting some gardening. I’ve also learned to can. I have some health issues. There is absolutely NO WAY I could have a garden that would sustain my Husband and I. And I’m OK with that. I will happily go to the store…and Farmers Markets when available…to purchase the highest quality of goods I can afford. Like potatoes, carrots, tomatoes etc that I can preserve. I’m also looking for local sources of meats. I live in town…so chickens are out. Collaborating with Community People that DO the work of producing the healthiest foods possible is a Win Win. Many Blessings to you from East Texas
Oh Girl....THAT'LL PREACH! 💯 TRUTH & many of us are being led to walk in this manner! We here at Joshua1.9Farm are doing exactly the same thing!!!!! PRAISE GOD for the leading of His Holy Spirit!
Back in the pioneer times had community and family they did all the canning and certain things together so they canned or baked in large quantities and shared it all. It's the only relastic way to do it.
Where I live, we are still only 3 generations away from subsistence farming. I spoke with the woman who grew up in the home where we now reside. She is very old now and nearing the end of her days. But about 12 years ago, I asked her about the gardening that took place here. Enamored by a false sense of romance about community involvement over harvesting and processing foods, I asked her about it. She replied with a look of disdain, “Of course we had to help our neighbors harvest and can their food. Otherwise, we’d spend all winter feeding them.”
Thanks for the encouragement! You are 100% correct. I have been trying to do the self sufficient farm thing for 16 years. My Children are grown and have no interest in this farm. Not once have I asked God what he wants to do with this farm. I always just used the excuse that it was to provide for our family. I have also worked a 40 plus hour a week job as an electric lineman and have struggled to even get this up and running. I am tired of trying to do all this on my own. We need God and community to help!
I'm homeless but grew up on a farm and still can't wait to have my own.. I wouldn't go solar because of all the bad. Would rather go water mill completely government free ...
I really enjoyed your video, in permaculture we learned a lot of things that you are saying. And if we could implement it into the world it would just be simply beautiful. You are a true inspiration thank you for sharing
I actually lost track of your channel for months now, you just appeared on my TH-cam feed this evening so I subscribed once again. I really enjoy your channel and especially what you are talking about tonight, you are 100% spot on in your thinking. You are definitely on the right track. Keep up the good work
Philippians 2:3-4Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Always blessed by your insight Andrea. May Yah bless you and keep you and shine His face upon you and be gracious to you ❤
We pick our battles we have chickens and a greenhouse. We live on the grid but we do what we can to not be dependant on to much. We are 65 we are living simple. No vacations or cable or even a t.v. We are happy this way but it is a lot of work and we are getting older and know that things will slow down for us. We support as much local as possible. We purchase propane and gas and electricity. You are right in your thoughts because we need community.
Wise words… I think you’ve done things and just the right way, learn how to do the self-sufficient things, get good enough at them that you know who to trust when it comes to letting go of practices that don’t seem to fit you, and build community… That’s what countryfolk did for the most part 100 200 300 500 years ago… Most people knew how to do most everything, but having people who specialize in certain aspects of crafts and farming, Is a win-win for the individual and the community. Over specializing is a different thing of course and part of the reason we are in the mess. We are in with health and well-being in this country…
Bingo! you hit the nail on the head, thinking about others, the more important quality to have to live to walk out!!! God bless ya'll even more, you love like God loves! it starts with Him, end with Him, and its all about Him! yes yes and amen! Praise God! jc
You just came up on my feed. Thankyou for sharing your thoughts ❤ My husband grew up in a nomadic lifestyle and not by choice but he learned how to live off the land because there wasn't a choice at that time. Living in igloos in the winter and canvas tents in the summer,kayaking and traveling by dog sled. They hunted whale,seal,reindeer and artic char and some winters was pretty hard to find enough food.They cooked their food on a Uluk filled with whale oil as well as some heat for the igloo. He started school when he was 9 years old and continued his education. The kids would be flown out to go to school and come back home for the summer months. Because of flying he knew then he would like to have a career in something to do with planes and ended up becoming a aircraft matanience engineer . Most communities now in Nunavut have raised houses and have co-op stores and many people still partially live off the land.
We have gone thru a similar transformation, at least in starting with a desire NOT to be dependent on people and supply chains we had no knowledge of, and increasing our ability to produce AND source our needs from ourselves AND from like-minded people who strive to do the same. We still have a BIG *need* to increase our ability to produce for ourselves the things we need, but we also see a need to DECREASE some of the things we consume that we just don't really need in our lives. "Simplify" is our watchword now. May God bless you as you continue your journey.
Somehow God led me to your channel today. First time watching, but what a huge blessing you were to me. Appreciate your transparency and honesty. Can’t wait to watch more of your videos. God Bless You🙏🏻
Here in Canada, there are self-sufficient communities on British Columbia's gulf islands. These group(s) are formed by like-minded people that support each-other to be self-sufficient (as a community) and have barter systems to share the specialties around the local community. I think that local interdependent communities are the way to go for people of this mind-set; the significant down-side is managing people in the community that do not pull their own weight (or are personality disordered) because the community is as strong as the weakest link. Thank you for reminding me to invite G*d into my life!
John 3 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 14 6 Jesus Christ said: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one goes to the Father except through Me.
Oh my! You are articulating my feelings exactly. This lifestyle can be lonely. It's difficult to find your community when you move into a rural area from the suburbs... it takes time for people to open up. 🤷♀️ Love your advice & your attitude!! ❤
Great insight! We too believe we all can benefit from being part of our local communities. Thanks for the regenerative farming that you do. There is a lot to understand why it's important. But it's a big part of having healthy people, water, and an environment that helps us all in the long run.
Great message. I agree with this 100%. What we need to do is bring back our communities, our small towns that were built by our predecessors who did exactly what you are describing here. May it be blessed!
You are SO right! The only being in this world that is self-sufficient is God Almighty. We are RESOURCE MANAGERS, beholding to God and our fellow man on how we use our resources, gifts, and talents to serve him and each other. I wish that was the true buzz word - RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, not "self sufficientcy. Community is the way to go! What a relief, huh?😅♥️
So just want to let you know I was unsubscribed from your channel.. Not by me... By youtube as well as a few other homesteading channels.. I couldnt figure out why I no longer saw your videos.. I'm back.....GOD bless your family.. Great video.!
You talk about being primitive. Our forefathers did what you're doing before electricity, etc. But they were never self-sufficient. A few explorer types moved to virgin territory to start fresh, but most people moved as a community or to an established community. Think of the Amish. You can't raise a barn by yourself; it takes a community. 😊
Well said Andrea!!! God isi always patiently waiting for us to give Him first place in everything we do. I believe He created us to serve Him and to do for others and what you said is now your journey is doing just that. Looking forward to seeing moe and more of it. You look more rested than you have in some time too. I'm still enjoying your products and hope you continue to make them but understand if you aren't. I wish we lived closer so we took take advantage of your market. Continue to live for the Lord and be the testimony He loves.
You have to be careful eating & feeding Community products. Local people use deadly pesticides too and can be subject to outdated unsafe practices like…7 Dust in the garden or coop. I do believe helping on one another is the way to go
Great video Andrea. Sometimes God leads us outside and reveals a sufficient garden space to grow food. Other times he may lead you down the road to a sufficient piece of property to work into something wonderful as well. Other times he leaves us where we are and although there is some form of opportunity to provide for one’s family, it isn’t going to be enough for even the basic needs of a family. Still, all are enough because God leads us to opportunities that come from outside our personal spaces. We do not have the space to grow our own meat and even struggle with the garden space in many ways. This year was particularly difficult for the garden because of the weather. It takes a lot to start seeds and work the beds etc and when it became apparent that there wouldn’t be a harvest of some of the basic crops I was planning on, I was heartbroken. It gave me an opportunity to pause and step back and think about what I was growing and what I shouldn’t be growing maybe because of constant pest pressure, or my own physical abilities etc and what I can do to still acquire the produce I want. Because we live in an area that does have farms within a reasonable drive time I thought it would be a piece of cake to source what I was missing. However that hasn’t been the case. It’s been difficult to find sources of local growers who are growing organically. So, I found I had to pivot again. I’m actually not complaining, I’m encouraged to stay the course. Because we have friends who grow a small amount of beef for their family and a few friends and this year pork for the first time, we have these two meat sources and we are so grateful knowing that this protein is covered. I’m still trying to source some key items like tomatoes and peppers but I’m feeling hopeful that will happen too. I love the garden and being outside. A treasured friend once told me, “Cheryl, I think you missed your calling as a farmer”. I would love to be living very rural and on a farm growing our own food and meat. Just the idea warms my heart! I’m also a realist and I know that my physical ailments make that unlikely (never mind we’re in our 60’s). This year has been a journey for us like you shared today. One where dreams and goals have to be made that are realistic and supported with how we believe the Lord is leading us which may also include supporting others, who perhaps, are also following a path the Lord has put before them. Thank you for always sharing your heart, you are a joy and an encouragement to so many. God Bless You!
Yep, it is too much work. Work that does not make much of economic sense and definitely makes no friends. But then the life of subways sandwiches, TV and talking sports with "friends", as appealing as it might seem from time to time, sucks too. I could be normal just like the rest, but I am not so I will not pretend I'm one of them normal people.
I was steered by the algorithm to this video. I am amazed by what some people are doing to disconnect from the current system and have watched many channels with people doing so. I see what's happening in this world to destroy everything, but I'm not really interested in homesteading after seeing what it entails. I wish you all the best in your journey!
If you keep it small-scale, the workload isn't all that much :) The bulk of the work is in building the homestead and setting up your systems so that, once done, your little farm takes care of itself with only a minimum of maintenance/chores. We're still at the building stage three years in because we started with raw woodland, but we've practically eliminated our grocery bill. And spending so much time with animals and nature is just so priceless!
Wow, I got steered to your channel. Umm, you were looking ME right in the eye, when you said what I needed to hear. As you spoke, I heard..MY GRACE is sufficient for you. If we ever stopped long enough to let that sink in! My own grace, and what I can do?! OR, the creator of the heavens and earth, and these "things" that I want added to my life. Might be wise to rely on the One who actually created all "things", and wrote the manual. PLUS, when, not IF, but when, you have an issue, there is NO picking up the phone, no pressing 1 or 2 for English, or hold music to have a chat with. Abba, it's me 😊...I will take His grace! 😊
Solar doesn't make you self-efficient. It just changes your dependencies. You become dependent on the solar industry for replacement, repair, parts, etc., and, worse, on battery makers. Additionally, self-reliance depends on the scenario. You're running many businesses and I don't think it is possible or desirable to be self-efficient in business - after all, you always need the customer, right? And customers generally pay cash which means dependence on government and places you can spend cash. It's possible to be personally self-efficient, or less dependent. For instance, if the world we know were to end, you could learn and use wood gasification to power your gasoline tools for your farm. You could use coppicing to generate large amounts of suitable wood for gasification. But only if you have the interest and find it enjoyable. But you're 100% correct that humans are never intended to be completely self-reliant. If someone chooses to be a full-on hermit and go against the natural and God-given plan, that's OK and I don't think God will have his feelings hurt. But you are right, our nature, and God's plan, is for us to have community. Just be careful that you don't get so much community that it becomes communism - and, yes, I realize you didn't suggest that at all. I'm just saying that communism is the ultimate result of too much community and too little self. So I mention it for others, keep it in balance: Self, independence, and community.
My number 1 answer for life sustaining was WATER. Clean, drinking water. I feel like it all starts there. Think of "old days" before electricity. They still made it, but not without water. HOWEVER, you are 100% correct in that none of us are prepared to live "primitive" without electricity, gas, etc. I know I wouldn't make it without those things. We are 60 years-old now.
For my family, the biggest challenge would be large enough quantities of appropriate livestock feed. Yes, we could grow some. Our livestock would survive. But it takes quality input to get quality output.
The Lord God should come first in our lives. Loving him. Living for him. The Bible tells us that God orders the steps of a righteous man. And that is the way it should be. In Romans the Lord tells us there is none righteous. No not one. We have to face the fact we are sinners and do not walk in Gods way. That he sent his only son to deliver us from our sin if we trust in Jesus as our Saviour. We ask him to forgive our sin and save us. We accept him as Lord of our lives. We obey him and walk in his ways. Because he loves us and knows whats best for us. To belong to the Lord Jesus is the most wonderful thing you could ever do. Thank you for this video. It has blessed my heart. And I totally agree we need the Lord to guide us in our decisions for life. It is not about having possessions. Its about reaching out and touching others with the love of God.
Having all those animals and chores, my thought would be how do you produce free time for your family. Loved your video. I hope you get some free time too enjoy yourself, I know it’s lots of work.
Enjoyed your your video and I do agree that “self sufficiency” it not all that it’s marked up to be. Your community concept is very good especially if we go into a third world situation in our country. Hope believes will be called up into the clouds with the Lord before things get this way. I think we are going to see somethings in our country that we never experienced here but other countries have. Jesus Christ is our true savior and our only real way to eternal life with peace and joy. He can’t come soon enough for me. May God bless you and your family
Farming is hard work and you never get a day off. I think most people dont realize how much work it is till they do it. You gotta either be all in or not at all, cuz raising animals whether as pets or to eat,they are like children and need to be fed and watered all the time, rain or snow. No ill do it later... Im still waiting to have my farm🙏🙏🙏.. yes it helps to have others who help.
You just popped in today. I wanted to go mostly self sufficient in 1999.decided didn't have to do everything every day as was single, working, home schooling mom. Now live in town. Spin my yarn,made bread in machine other day,then made grape juice from yard while making farmer cheese with supermarket marked down milk, today yogurt in the pot. Still know how to raise chicken,goats,tack a horse, make do with little. Good thing is kids got good life lessons if not laughs at my backing stock trailer
I’ve noticed this as well and that’s why we chose to stop at chickens! It’s too much for us as women, wives and mothers. Sooo much to juggle and it’s lonely enough as moms. Community is key for homesteading
I wish you had had a few strong neighbor friends at the beginning. It totally changes vision. Imagine you have extra carrots, but your neighbor's garden went south. Of course you would bring them over. And if they can help build a fence, great. One of the great speakers now had crushing misfortune for a few years in a row, hail two years was part of it. He was active in his church, so knew personally other farmers. He now says that period was a gift from God. And his openness to real ministry, serving others, even when close to bankruptcy, was a real part of how he learned and has become a leader in regenerative agriculture. So basic, don't overworking or complicate it. I know, preaching to the choir, but we do havevto learn the Lord does value this more than we do
Self sufficiency can be done in a city or town by farming your own backyard for fresh foods and chickens. Then buy food very carefully to avoid the chemicals and fake ingredients.
You've leveled up! :) We're not meant to be totally dependent on others (total consumption). We're not meant to be totally self sufficient (total production).
God meant for us to produce and consume. It's like any other balance in life. Love that you're sharing this!
THIS is the journey for us to reclaim community away from big corporate interests. Rebuilding our local community and people is the biggest win. Local community sufficiency.
You are a wise young woman…. Keep pressing on!
Welcome to the concept of the village! I live in Eastern Europe and I grew up in a village where almost every family contributed with something. There were people who grew pigs, others who bred horses used for local transportation, some cared for sheep and others grew feed. People would exchange goods for services - my grandma was a nurse and midwife, she didn't any interest in growing food, but she got paid in eggs, meat or veggies for small services she provided to the neighbours. Basically, with the exception of gas, we had almost everything grown locally (including a small hydro station powering the county). I really miss that feeling of community in today's society.
I live in a rural Indiana county with about 3500 Amish and Mennonite.Even old order Amish that plow with horses use generators,solar and Walmart!
YEP!!!!!
I appreciate this message... it seems like my greatest challenge to recognize when the time has come to stop living in fear of a terrible demise and surrender to the unknown in order to find peace.
You’re absolutely right about it all!!!
We decided to jump into farming full throttle while my husband was working full-time and I part-time. It took an injury followed by surgery for me and the loss of a job for my husband to make us realize that we couldn't realistically handle over 100 chickens, 25 rabbits, a handful of ducks and guineas and three goats, so we scaled down big time. In 2020 I expanded my garden and spent most of my days being thankful that I had grandparents and great-grandparents who were a big influence in my life and who taught me so much about being self-sufficient. I decided not to return to work for two reasons: I loved the extra time with my daughter and my job kept me away from her for all bit a few hours during the weekend, and I was really enjoying my new life. Now in the fifth season of gardening and have added another garden that I've recently expanded and will be constructing a small greenhouse this fall. I still enjoy it and very little produce comes into our home that wasn't produced here. I considered market gardening but quickly realized my focus would change on growing what others wanted and that would quickly sap the enjoyment out of it for me. Instead, if I have an excess, I can take it to market and quickly sell it if I don't trade it to neighbors first.
I have no desire to raise hogs or cattle as our land is basically hilly and would be cost prohibitive to fence and buy feed for them. Instead we opt for a few chickens and I forage for just about every edible food that grows wild. We have no debt as thankfully we made out last house payment a few months prior to the pandemic and adopted the attitude of if we cant afford it, we dont need it. That means we have no equipment other than a pushmower, riding mower, small wood chipper, chainsaw and string trimmer and half of them were purchased second-hand. I decided to go no-dig when I reconnected with my love of gardening and my parents were the recipients of my walk behind tiller and are still using it.
Many blessings to you and may your life be more rewarding as you cut back on farming endeavors.
As always Andrea, you bring the wisdom many need. It's about farmers helping and supporting each other.😊
I think we have seen more than a few families that have become overwhelmed. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. We can all learn to do more basic things like gardening and or a few chickens. Stop living a disposable lifestyle. When I was a child, we were taught not to waste anything because we needed to appreciate and be grateful for what we did have. Bigger is not always better. We have a generation of individuals who seem to have a difficult time just being still and grateful. Our Nation and our lives may not be perfect but we are a whole lot better off than many on this big planet. What I don't think most realize is that most farmers must have an outside income just to make ends meet. Many don't have a true understanding of appreciation for how challenging being a farmer is.
I’m with you girl. My husband and I are 77/76 years old. We can’t do what you do and we are not wealthy by today’s standards! But God has always given us what we needed when we needed it and more than blessed us with our 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren and they are all saved and we are just grateful. We get our food from the healthiest places we can and God takes care of us. Love you , love your videos. Thank you for your time to video and talk to us and share life with us. I appreciate everything you do. God bless from OKC.❤
Yes…God said His grace is sufficient…and that we should not worry about tomorrow and what it may bring…if He takes care of something as small as a sparrow, why would he not be able to take care of us…So many people who call themselves Christians seem to be more afraid of everything than other people. They need guns, they hoard food and emergency supplies, are afraid of anyone different than they are…I just dont think that is how God wants us to be…Living in fear is no way to live and glorify God. We need to show people that we truly trust in God to take care of us. Not saying that we just sit back and do nothing, and expect God to drop our needs out of the sky…just that we should not focus so much on things he said not to worry about..and focus on being a good witness to what a real Christian should be…and stop hating others and stop living in fear. We all just need a healthy fear/respect for God
@@whynotbekind1957
Then sell everything and live on the street. No? Then you don’t believe your nonsense yourself
@@whynotbekind1957 You seem to be conveniently ignoring all the examples of being ready in the Bible. Noah, Joseph, the Seven Virgins...sell your cloak to buy a sword...plus many MANY more...
Just found your channel. We sold our home a few years ago to move to a farm and take care of the elderly gentleman who owns it and his mother, who passed away recently at 100. We met them through church a long time ago. He never married or had children and wanted his land to be used as a ministry to help people in our community. My husband was able to retire early (at 55), and we have been cleaning up the farm, planting orchards, fixing pastures, planting gardens, berries, etc... My husband and I, along with another family, are working toward building a ministry here on the farm with John. We don't know exactly how that looks or what God has planned, and that's okay. We do know, however, that we can't do it all ourselves. We need to keep our focus on what God is calling us to do. For us, it seems like finding a sense of community and reliance on one another, which isn't a bad thing. I'm glad I found your video today. It's a great message that needs to be shared. Thank you, and have a blessed day!
Great message: community sufficient! Giving to others, opens you to receive Gods gifts. Love it!
What you are saying is, is "we simply need one another" we are not an island to ourselves.
Just came across your video here. FANTASTIC ! Community is life !
Yes yes & yes! When you learn your limitations & accept that you have limitations- there’s a lot less stress & a lot of peace!!! 💚🙌🏼
I had a hard time being an empty nester.I have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus and that relationship got me through many hard times and I couldn't thank and praise the Lord enough.
This year has been the worst yr in my 73 yrs for garden pest. Worms I've never seen before had from the beginning of Spring throughout the summer and even now in the fall are destroying my beans, fall potatoes , peppers and even the comfrey is being eaten by green striped worms. If anyone can tell me what they are I would really appreciate it. I squished all I could find but I'm positive I didn't get them all.
The man I was married to for 34 yrs and had three sons with turned out to be let's just say not what he appeared to be. I was divorced in 2022 and living with a small dog, when I was use to having family around me all the time. You think you know someone, until you don't.
It's a harder life I would imagine but I so wished America was once again and may have to be soon.
I wish I could like this video a million times!!! We've been offgrid farming for 16 yrs. And we are absolutely exhausted!
But what would you be doing otherwise?
@@killjoyredux8361 farming on grid. 😆
Being self sufficient is really hard work.
Grew up seeing COOP all around me. In the early 80s that diminished greatly.
I remember the days my grandfather farmed cotton.
One man owned certain implements that he specialized in taking care of. Another man retired but leased his land. The Cotton Gin was the central meet up place. You ate breakfast there and listened to others need and made a chore list.
It could get busy, yet it could be worry free at times.
During that decade the cooperative effort diminished sharply.
There were no day cares. We went to Mother’s Day out at the church. Everyone worked together and trusted in one another.
More importantly, when it came to children, parents seemed to be on the same page. It was one thing to be corrected at home. If someone else in the community had to do, your only hope was that they didn’t inform your parents. No questioning. It was all for the good and I’m just as thankful for the other mothers and fathers out there that cared enough to set me straight as a child. They cared.
You are right on, its the way God intends for us to live.
Hooray. I am so with you. Let’s grow better lives together. God meant us to be in community and to love Him and love our neighbor. I’m so glad to run across this video!!!’❤.
And when you get in those senior years, being self-sufficient becomes almost impossible. Trying to do the very most basic necessities at 80 yrs. old is barely doable. But most of the younger generation don't even take care of their own yards or gardens, let alone help an elderly person with theirs. So I am thankful that I can still manage to take care of my yard and house and husband, but having the ability to tend a garden is not in the cards. I try to purchase produce from local "farm markets" but I find much of their stuff is shipped in from FL or TN and not actually grown right here in OH. Sigh...
❤ so true You are a light in a world that in ways have been clouded for way too long. ❤
Loved the video! It reminds me of Philippians 4:19.
We do what we can, God steps in and does what we can’t. God bless you. ❤️🙏
Hello from the Ark-La-Tex area! So happy you popped up on my feed! It’s wonderful to have you share your Change in Path! I’m 68 and just starting some gardening. I’ve also learned to can. I have some health issues.
There is absolutely NO WAY I could have a garden that would sustain my Husband and I. And I’m OK with that. I will happily go to the store…and Farmers Markets when available…to purchase the highest quality of goods I can afford. Like potatoes, carrots, tomatoes etc that I can preserve. I’m also looking for local sources of meats. I live in town…so chickens are out.
Collaborating with Community People that DO the work of producing the healthiest foods possible is a Win Win. Many Blessings to you from East Texas
Oh Girl....THAT'LL PREACH! 💯 TRUTH & many of us are being led to walk in this manner! We here at Joshua1.9Farm are doing exactly the same thing!!!!! PRAISE GOD for the leading of His Holy Spirit!
Back in the pioneer times had community and family they did all the canning and certain things together so they canned or baked in large quantities and shared it all. It's the only relastic way to do it.
Where I live, we are still only 3 generations away from subsistence farming. I spoke with the woman who grew up in the home where we now reside. She is very old now and nearing the end of her days. But about 12 years ago, I asked her about the gardening that took place here. Enamored by a false sense of romance about community involvement over harvesting and processing foods, I asked her about it.
She replied with a look of disdain, “Of course we had to help our neighbors harvest and can their food. Otherwise, we’d spend all winter feeding them.”
That is the LORD’s Law of Consecration! If only everyone could do that without
Someone getting greedy/lazy.
Yep. And even Pa Ingalls had to go into town.
You’re right and well spoken
Great Message Sweetie! Let Go and Let God... Much Love and Blessings
Thanks for the encouragement! You are 100% correct. I have been trying to do the self sufficient farm thing for 16 years. My Children are grown and have no interest in this farm. Not once have I asked God what he wants to do with this farm. I always just used the excuse that it was to provide for our family. I have also worked a 40 plus hour a week job as an electric lineman and have struggled to even get this up and running. I am tired of trying to do all this on my own. We need God and community to help!
I'm homeless but grew up on a farm and still can't wait to have my own.. I wouldn't go solar because of all the bad. Would rather go water mill completely government free ...
I really enjoyed your video, in permaculture we learned a lot of things that you are saying. And if we could implement it into the world it would just be simply beautiful. You are a true inspiration thank you for sharing
Unity and community!
I actually lost track of your channel for months now, you just appeared on my TH-cam feed this evening so I subscribed once again.
I really enjoy your channel and especially what you are talking about tonight, you are 100% spot on in your thinking. You are definitely on the right track.
Keep up the good work
Philippians 2:3-4Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Always blessed by your insight Andrea. May Yah bless you and keep you and shine His face upon you and be gracious to you ❤
We pick our battles we have chickens and a greenhouse. We live on the grid but we do what we can to not be dependant on to much. We are 65 we are living simple. No vacations or cable or even a t.v. We are happy this way but it is a lot of work and we are getting older and know that things will slow down for us. We support as much local as possible. We purchase propane and gas and electricity. You are right in your thoughts because we need community.
Wise words… I think you’ve done things and just the right way, learn how to do the self-sufficient things, get good enough at them that you know who to trust when it comes to letting go of practices that don’t seem to fit you, and build community… That’s what countryfolk did for the most part 100 200 300 500 years ago…
Most people knew how to do most everything, but having people who specialize in certain aspects of crafts and farming, Is a win-win for the individual and the community.
Over specializing is a different thing of course and part of the reason we are in the mess. We are in with health and well-being in this country…
Bingo! you hit the nail on the head, thinking about others, the more important quality to have to live to walk out!!! God bless ya'll even more, you love like God loves! it starts with Him, end with Him, and its all about Him! yes yes and amen! Praise God! jc
I have never watched your channel before, but this is the most truth I have heard in a long time. God bless you and your family. 🙏❤
Thank you and God bless you on your journey.
This is a personal journey and every family has to find their own path through life.
You just came up on my feed.
Thankyou for sharing your thoughts ❤
My husband grew up in a nomadic lifestyle and not by choice but he learned how to live off the land because there wasn't a choice at that time.
Living in igloos in the winter and canvas tents in the summer,kayaking and traveling by dog sled.
They hunted whale,seal,reindeer and artic char and some winters was pretty hard to find enough food.They cooked their food on a Uluk filled with whale oil as well as some heat for the igloo.
He started school when he was 9 years old and continued his education. The kids would be flown out to go to school and come back home for the summer months.
Because of flying he knew then he would like to have a career in something to do with planes and ended up becoming a aircraft matanience engineer .
Most communities now in Nunavut have raised houses and have co-op stores and many people still partially live off the land.
We have gone thru a similar transformation, at least in starting with a desire NOT to be dependent on people and supply chains we had no knowledge of, and increasing our ability to produce AND source our needs from ourselves AND from like-minded people who strive to do the same.
We still have a BIG *need* to increase our ability to produce for ourselves the things we need, but we also see a need to DECREASE some of the things we consume that we just don't really need in our lives. "Simplify" is our watchword now.
May God bless you as you continue your journey.
what a great video well said I support your view community is so important!
A beautiful video…. Thanks Andrea ❤️🙏
This is why villages grew. Why a shoemaker, a blacksmith, a carpenter, a miller established themselves in the village, to serve their community.
You have seen the light how very wise you are. Love and bless❤️✝️🕊🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thank you, I needed to hear what you were saying today. Thank you, Jesus.
Somehow God led me to your channel today. First time watching, but what a huge blessing you were to me. Appreciate your transparency and honesty. Can’t wait to watch more of your videos. God Bless You🙏🏻
Here in Canada, there are self-sufficient communities on British Columbia's gulf islands. These group(s) are formed by like-minded people that support each-other to be self-sufficient (as a community) and have barter systems to share the specialties around the local community. I think that local interdependent communities are the way to go for people of this mind-set; the significant down-side is managing people in the community that do not pull their own weight (or are personality disordered) because the community is as strong as the weakest link.
Thank you for reminding me to invite G*d into my life!
John 3 16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
John 14 6
Jesus Christ said: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one goes to the Father except through Me.
Oh my! You are articulating my feelings exactly. This lifestyle can be lonely. It's difficult to find your community when you move into a rural area from the suburbs... it takes time for people to open up. 🤷♀️
Love your advice & your attitude!! ❤
Right on 100% !!!!
You have let God use you to bless us and I thank you for listening to Him. God bless you and your family:)
Thank you for your video help me make me think God bless you and family
Great insight! We too believe we all can benefit from being part of our local communities. Thanks for the regenerative farming that you do. There is a lot to understand why it's important. But it's a big part of having healthy people, water, and an environment that helps us all in the long run.
Great message. I agree with this 100%. What we need to do is bring back our communities, our small towns that were built by our predecessors who did exactly what you are describing here. May it be blessed!
You are SO right! The only being in this world that is self-sufficient is God Almighty. We are RESOURCE MANAGERS, beholding to God and our fellow man on how we use our resources, gifts, and talents to serve him and each other.
I wish that was the true buzz word - RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, not "self sufficientcy.
Community is the way to go! What a relief, huh?😅♥️
Amen and Amen! I needed to hear that!
You are so right on everything you have talked about
So just want to let you know I was unsubscribed from your channel.. Not by me... By youtube as well as a few other homesteading channels.. I couldnt figure out why I no longer saw your videos.. I'm back.....GOD bless your family.. Great video.!
A lot to be said about community!! Bliss… well said👌
You talk about being primitive. Our forefathers did what you're doing before electricity, etc. But they were never self-sufficient. A few explorer types moved to virgin territory to start fresh, but most people moved as a community or to an established community. Think of the Amish. You can't raise a barn by yourself; it takes a community. 😊
Well said Andrea!!! God isi always patiently waiting for us to give Him first place in everything we do. I believe He created us to serve Him and to do for others and what you said is now your journey is doing just that. Looking forward to seeing moe and more of it. You look more rested than you have in some time too. I'm still enjoying your products and hope you continue to make them but understand if you aren't. I wish we lived closer so we took take advantage of your market. Continue to live for the Lord and be the testimony He loves.
This was an exception video, very insightful!
I agree!
You have to be careful eating & feeding Community products. Local people use deadly pesticides too and can be subject to outdated unsafe practices like…7 Dust in the garden or coop. I do believe helping on one another is the way to go
Yep!! Local doesn't always mean healthier.
Great video Andrea. Sometimes God leads us outside and reveals a sufficient garden space to grow food. Other times he may lead you down the road to a sufficient piece of property to work into something wonderful as well. Other times he leaves us where we are and although there is some form of opportunity to provide for one’s family, it isn’t going to be enough for even the basic needs of a family. Still, all are enough because God leads us to opportunities that come from outside our personal spaces. We do not have the space to grow our own meat and even struggle with the garden space in many ways. This year was particularly difficult for the garden because of the weather. It takes a lot to start seeds and work the beds etc and when it became apparent that there wouldn’t be a harvest of some of the basic crops I was planning on, I was heartbroken. It gave me an opportunity to pause and step back and think about what I was growing and what I shouldn’t be growing maybe because of constant pest pressure, or my own physical abilities etc and what I can do to still acquire the produce I want. Because we live in an area that does have farms within a reasonable drive time I thought it would be a piece of cake to source what I was missing. However that hasn’t been the case. It’s been difficult to find sources of local growers who are growing organically. So, I found I had to pivot again. I’m actually not complaining, I’m encouraged to stay the course. Because we have friends who grow a small amount of beef for their family and a few friends and this year pork for the first time, we have these two meat sources and we are so grateful knowing that this protein is covered.
I’m still trying to source some key items like tomatoes and peppers but I’m feeling hopeful that will happen too. I love the garden and being outside. A treasured friend once told me, “Cheryl, I think you missed your calling as a farmer”. I would love to be living very rural and on a farm growing our own food and meat. Just the idea warms my heart! I’m also a realist and I know that my physical ailments make that unlikely (never mind we’re in our 60’s). This year has been a journey for us like you shared today. One where dreams and goals have to be made that are realistic and supported with how we believe the Lord is leading us which may also include supporting others, who perhaps, are also following a path the Lord has put before them. Thank you for always sharing your heart, you are a joy and an encouragement to so many. God Bless You!
Yep, it is too much work. Work that does not make much of economic sense and definitely makes no friends. But then the life of subways sandwiches, TV and talking sports with "friends", as appealing as it might seem from time to time, sucks too. I could be normal just like the rest, but I am not so I will not pretend I'm one of them normal people.
Thanks for the insights .
I was steered by the algorithm to this video. I am amazed by what some people are doing to disconnect from the current system and have watched many channels with people doing so. I see what's happening in this world to destroy everything, but I'm not really interested in homesteading after seeing what it entails. I wish you all the best in your journey!
If you keep it small-scale, the workload isn't all that much :) The bulk of the work is in building the homestead and setting up your systems so that, once done, your little farm takes care of itself with only a minimum of maintenance/chores. We're still at the building stage three years in because we started with raw woodland, but we've practically eliminated our grocery bill. And spending so much time with animals and nature is just so priceless!
@@AgnesMariaL
Yep. It’s a lifestyle that most can’t handle
Wow, I got steered to your channel. Umm, you were looking ME right in the eye, when you said what I needed to hear. As you spoke, I heard..MY GRACE is sufficient for you. If we ever stopped long enough to let that sink in! My own grace, and what I can do?! OR, the creator of the heavens and earth, and these "things" that I want added to my life. Might be wise to rely on the One who actually created all "things", and wrote the manual. PLUS, when, not IF, but when, you have an issue, there is NO picking up the phone, no pressing 1 or 2 for English, or hold music to have a chat with. Abba, it's me 😊...I will take His grace! 😊
Yeah...we are social and finding your tribe is fantastic
This is a good video!
Solar doesn't make you self-efficient. It just changes your dependencies. You become dependent on the solar industry for replacement, repair, parts, etc., and, worse, on battery makers.
Additionally, self-reliance depends on the scenario. You're running many businesses and I don't think it is possible or desirable to be self-efficient in business - after all, you always need the customer, right? And customers generally pay cash which means dependence on government and places you can spend cash.
It's possible to be personally self-efficient, or less dependent. For instance, if the world we know were to end, you could learn and use wood gasification to power your gasoline tools for your farm. You could use coppicing to generate large amounts of suitable wood for gasification. But only if you have the interest and find it enjoyable.
But you're 100% correct that humans are never intended to be completely self-reliant. If someone chooses to be a full-on hermit and go against the natural and God-given plan, that's OK and I don't think God will have his feelings hurt. But you are right, our nature, and God's plan, is for us to have community. Just be careful that you don't get so much community that it becomes communism - and, yes, I realize you didn't suggest that at all. I'm just saying that communism is the ultimate result of too much community and too little self. So I mention it for others, keep it in balance: Self, independence, and community.
Interdependence as opposed to co-dependence!
My number 1 answer for life sustaining was WATER. Clean, drinking water. I feel like it all starts there. Think of "old days" before electricity. They still made it, but not without water. HOWEVER, you are 100% correct in that none of us are prepared to live "primitive" without electricity, gas, etc. I know I wouldn't make it without those things. We are 60 years-old now.
Water was first on my list as well. They may have natural water in which case I put electricity second.
Great sound foundational knowledge and sharing! We need to regain these concepts once more for the well-being of self, families, community and nation!
Wise message! God bless!
For my family, the biggest challenge would be large enough quantities of appropriate livestock feed. Yes, we could grow some. Our livestock would survive. But it takes quality input to get quality output.
God Bless you all! Your message today once again touched my soul!
The Lord God should come first in our lives. Loving him. Living for him. The Bible tells us that God orders the steps of a righteous man. And that is the way it should be. In Romans the Lord tells us there is none righteous. No not one. We have to face the fact we are sinners and do not walk in Gods way. That he sent his only son to deliver us from our sin if we trust in Jesus as our Saviour. We ask him to forgive our sin and save us. We accept him as Lord of our lives. We obey him and walk in his ways. Because he loves us and knows whats best for us. To belong to the Lord Jesus is the most wonderful thing you could ever do. Thank you for this video. It has blessed my heart. And I totally agree we need the Lord to guide us in our decisions for life. It is not about having possessions. Its about reaching out and touching others with the love of God.
Having all those animals and chores, my thought would be how do you produce free time for your family. Loved your video. I hope you get some free time too enjoy yourself, I know it’s lots of work.
Enjoyed your your video and I do agree that “self sufficiency” it not all that it’s marked up to be. Your community concept is very good especially if we go into a third world situation in our country. Hope believes will be called up into the clouds with the Lord before things get this way. I think we are going to see somethings in our country that we never experienced here but other countries have. Jesus Christ is our true savior and our only real way to eternal life with peace and joy. He can’t come soon enough for me. May God bless you and your family
Great revelations! Thank you for sharing! So so on point ❤
Closing those farm gates while filming at 8:00🤣. The struggle is real! Thanks for this perspective, God continue to bless you guys!
Farming is hard work and you never get a day off. I think most people dont realize how much work it is till they do it. You gotta either be all in or not at all, cuz raising animals whether as pets or to eat,they are like children and need to be fed and watered all the time, rain or snow. No ill do it later... Im still waiting to have my farm🙏🙏🙏.. yes it helps to have others who help.
You just popped in today. I wanted to go mostly self sufficient in 1999.decided didn't have to do everything every day as was single, working, home schooling mom. Now live in town. Spin my yarn,made bread in machine other day,then made grape juice from yard while making farmer cheese with supermarket marked down milk, today yogurt in the pot.
Still know how to raise chicken,goats,tack a horse, make do with little. Good thing is kids got good life lessons if not laughs at my backing stock trailer
Amen
Great video once again. You have a gift with words, Andrea. Every time I watch you on a video, you bless me. 💜
I totally agree. Humans have always lived in communities, for the most part.
I've noticed this movement on youtube with Homesteaders being too weary from all they have taken on. Interesting.
I’ve noticed this as well and that’s why we chose to stop at chickens! It’s too much for us as women, wives and mothers. Sooo much to juggle and it’s lonely enough as moms. Community is key for homesteading
Amen sister 👏👏👏
Giving is an act of grace and love.
balance. communities are cancerous too. so is kindness. to everything turn turn turn there is a season.
I wish you had had a few strong neighbor friends at the beginning. It totally changes vision. Imagine you have extra carrots, but your neighbor's garden went south. Of course you would bring them over. And if they can help build a fence, great.
One of the great speakers now had crushing misfortune for a few years in a row, hail two years was part of it. He was active in his church, so knew personally other farmers. He now says that period was a gift from God.
And his openness to real ministry, serving others, even when close to bankruptcy, was a real part of how he learned and has become a leader in regenerative agriculture.
So basic, don't overworking or complicate it.
I know, preaching to the choir, but we do havevto learn the Lord does value this more than we do
First time visitor to your channel. Love everything about what you say and do. Filled with wisdom and love. ❤️
What a great message Andrea! Thank you for sharing. That’s really something to think about… self sufficiency vs community. Love from south TX ❤
This makes SO much sense and I hope you keep it up. Doing it together as a community is the way to go!
Great video,full of encouraging and enlightening words. Thank you for sharing, and GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES!
❤ love every thing you said 🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤
Self sufficiency can be done in a city or town by farming your own backyard for fresh foods and chickens. Then buy food very carefully to avoid the chemicals and fake ingredients.
BRAVO ❤
What a beautiful start - it’s really ok for us to have different thoughts!
Love this lady she just speaks the truth