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Living off the grid

The Foxfire books originated around the area that Cecil and I live. I've never read them but they're supposed to be excellent sources of information. Growing up I used to know people whose grandparents were quoted in them.

I'm excited to hear that 2 and a half acres is all you guys have to have to make a start at self sufficiency Ephraim. It makes the whole thing a little less daunting. I MIGHT get a chance to trade labor for about 4 acres of dirt here soon, and If I do I'm going to take a stab at this. I'm single so it should be easier for me to get started. My parents set out to be self sufficient when I was boy so we did many of these things; built our house, dug the outhouse, lived without indoor plumbing for a number of years. So between that and the Marine Corps I should be able to at least make a start you'd think.
 
Are you by any chance referring to the FoxFire series? Still available, and still good reading as well as useful.
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That's the one Cecil. I think I still have copies in storage somewhere. Really great info, and like you said, fun to read.

Dave
 
Our older boys (19,17,15) have all read several of the Foxfire books. They're packed with valuable information, and give you a very real connection to how things were done in a rural area in the past. I am amazed at how self-reliant those people were.

The boys thought it was humorous that most every medical remedy started the same way: Mix some moonshine with .....

Katie
 
My neighbor still treats cuts with a mixture of spider webs, kerosene and the dust from the top of the doorsill in a wood heated house. Swears by it. But only for deep ones, that might require stitches. Anything else he lets bleed.
 
Shimon said:
Are you by any chance referring to the FoxFire series? Still available, and still good reading as well as useful.
Click to expand...

That's the one Cecil. I think I still have copies in storage somewhere. Really great info, and like you said, fun to read.

Dave
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My husband's family has almost the entire series. T-C read them all when he was preparing to homestead in Alaska. Alaska closed homesteading two weeks before he sent his application for homestead. The books give instructions on how to build a log cabin to how to make black powder.
Very awesome books.
 
About the foxfire books, I had two books. Does anyone know how many there actually are?


T-C’s Rebeka
What you shared about the Cherokee communities sounds very interesting, I wouldn’t mind knowing more. One question I had, you wrote:

live in log cabins (hand built)with "dirt" floors (its not really dirt but thats what a city slicker would call it.)
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I was wondering what the floor material is if not dirt.
 
Just want to restart this topic. Do you think it is possible to live "off the grid' in an urban setting?

Blessings,
 
Great question, Doc.

I think ther are those that are trying to do this to some degree. Mother Earth News has articles every now and then about such people. They use solar power, have very energy-efficient homes, and grow as much of their own food as possible, etc.

I don't think you have to have a large piece of property in a rural area to be off the grid. I do think you have to be willing to make sacrifices about what you can do without and what you are willing to work for in order to achieve your goals.

Katie
 
ZEPHYR I've been trying to accomplish this since 1994

It's not easy to get past the gravity of the grid. I got the land and I got the raw water but I ran out of funds and health started to go down hill before I got there. I haven't given up on the dream though. I agree that things are gonna get a whole lot more ugly before we see any improvement. I thought 23 acres would be a good start. Land is paid in full but I worked two full time jobs to accomplish it and it almost killed me. You need a team and your family has to be behind you in this 100%. Mine wasn't.
 
Deut,

I don't think it has to be a rural area, but you need a lot of space to grow enough food (well, not actually a lot, but more than most standard city plots, my double lot yields 2-4 months of veggies. ) So you would have to buy out you're neighbor or create some kind of second storie greenhouse. And then you have no meat allowed in most cities. I agree with the premise that it doesn't have to be an extremely rural area though.
 
In considering the actual topic Doc raised, is it possible to live off the grid in an urban setting, it occurs to me to ask in return, "Why would you want to?"

What is the purpose of living off the grid? Health? Less stressful lifestyle? Disaster preparedness? Better environment for raising children? Relative safety during a time of financial disruption or restriction?

Yeah, it's prolly possible. Homeless folks do it in droves. Fewer people do it successfully with urban gardens and solar panels, and rain collection systems during times of relative prosperity when the neighbors are doing ok and aren't desperate enough to disrespect property rights.

But I keep coming back to, Why would you want to? Which one of those objectives above would be better served by an urban environment than a rural? And of the other objectives which may drive one to spend time in the city, such as witnessing, are they in any way mutually exclusive with having one's main domicile and place of retirement for safety, rest, and re-charging being rural?

So while it may be necessary to work in an urban environment, I see no reason to establish my home there. Rather, I work towards the goal of having my home be rural, and what I carry into city life be small and efficient and easily packed into my vehicle for a retreat to my rural home at any time.

Sorry Doc. TRIED to stay on topic.
 
In considering the actual topic Doc raised, is it possible to live off the grid in an urban setting, it occurs to me to ask in return, "Why would you want to?"
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I agree, Cecil, and had the same reaction.

The "grid" is very likely to go down, right along with the fiat money system (dishonest weights and measures) which supports it. When there IS no grid, all are then "off" of it, ready or not. It's the unintended consequences which are associated with the inevitable that then matter.

In the way I would phrase the issue, it's less about being "off the grid" and more about being Off the Radar.
 
Mark C said:
In the way I would phrase the issue, it's less about being "off the grid" and more about being Off the Radar.
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Also the higher priority to my mind.
 
My take on it is a bit different, and maybe my motivation.

Not everyone has the resources (such as money) to pack up and head for the hills. So, if as urban believers we want as our goal to be self-sufficient and self reliant, and we find ourselves to 'bloom where we are planted', then how would you suggest we go about doing that?

That is not to say our ultimate goal wouldn't be to find some rural location at a future date, as resources, God's provision, and His timing provide the opportunity. Ideally, that is EXACTLY what we would want.

For instance, right now, I can't pack up and just buy 100 acres in the woods somewhere. There are limitations to what I can do RIGHT NOW. But I CAN do SOMETHING where I am.

For many, the urban option may be their only option, at least in the beginning. All I am asking is how do they make that transition to living off the grid today?
 
Fair enough, Doc. I'm about to make suggestions. Anyone else feel free to correct me.

Your basic challenges anywhere are as follows:
  • Heat
  • Water
  • Food

There are peripherals such as shelter and sanitation, followed by further peripherals such as electricity, but these are the basics.

The basic idea would seem to be to solve each of these and you're good to go.

HEAT I'll leave for the moment, as Doc lives in Sunny Florida where that's not much of a problem most of the year. :lol:

WATER: As an urban dweller, you're likely on some sort of metered water system. How can you circumvent that? A rainwater collection system can be as simple as modifying your downspouts to fill one or a series of trash barrels. A bucket can then be used to flush your toilets in an emergency. The water can be run through your Brita pitcher in prepartion for drinking. Water can be multi-used -- first wash hands and dishes and clothes using an environment friendly, biodegradable soap, then use the "grey" water to water your plants. That's a simple set of first steps, but they're something to think about.

FOOD: I'd strongly suggest a first step being to go to Home Depot or Amazon and obtain the book All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space! Best thing I've ever come across for the non-gardener who would like to grow their own fresh food in whatever space is available -- large or small.

Those are a few ideas to spark further discussion. Have fun. And Doc, my friend, I'll try an experiment if you will. Instead of saying, "I can't go out and buy 100 acres so am stuck in city living", which would be equally true for me as for you, but doesn't get us anywhere, let's try saying, "With God's help I CAN obtain the long-term use of a sizable rural property for a country home. Remote yet close enough to be able to minister to an urban area. Now, HOW can God and I acomplish this? How are we GOING TO do it?" The results may surprise us.
 
I like Doc's question. The fact is that most people can't or won't move to the mountains and live off the land and the fruits of their labor alone. That being said, I'm not sure you can get off the grid in an urban setting, but you can be less dependent on it. Living on a cash basis would be the first step for anybody looking to live this way so an urbanite should start there too. I read one time about some urban Vegans who actually made off the grid city living their goal and were able to do it fairly well, although by making lifestyle choices most of us wouldn't.
 
Greetings Katie!

Great post, thanks much for sharing that video clip! Very interesting and thought provoking to say the least. Seems like allot of work, but well worth it especially if God is kept front & center in it all. I've always had a dream of having allot of acreage in which to build a farming community of like minded believers. Keeping it open to all. Again with God front & center, with allot of honest, humble and compassionate witnessing going on for our Lord & Savior. I also liked the idea how the family opens up their home for fellowship/entertainment for "like minded people." Hmmm, could have the same idea along the lines of "like minded people who have found the full Truth of the Gospels, that do include Biblical Marriages!" ;)

Amazing what one, a family or community can do when we're teamed up with the Great I Am and doing His will above all else. If that family in the middle of urban California of all places can survive off the grid, why shouldn't we dream Big with God as well? Mind you, God has a different call on each of our lives, that doesn't always call all His children to be farmers or living off the grid either. There are many ways to serve our Mighty God and to proclaim and share His love to the masses. Weather in urban or country life. But thank you again for sharing this video clip Katie. Very enlightening and encouraging! :)

Warm Wishes,
F.S.
 
I came so close... It almost hurts. Dad isn't getting any younger and mom isn't either. Children need medical facilities close by and I guess I do too. Unless some great miracle occurs I'll likely be heading back to the city and just let those 22.8 acres go fallow. I'm out of resources and I cannot realistically see any big changes happening in the near future. I haven't lived in the city since '94. What more can a poor boy do? Well, hey... that video clip offers a little hope. :lol:
 
Hi all,
I thought it was time to restart this topic. We have slowly been adding to our farm goals here and we now have chickens and milk goats with ducks to be added in a few weeks, all are old heirloom breeds. Our goats just had twin bucklings and I will be selling them to someone hopefully soon ( if interested let me know, I would be happy to sell to friends). Still have a great deal of other things to finish and more that need started but it is coming along Thanks to God.
I found out that people in the big cities can have more chickens and goats than we can here in the county/countryside. They have goat barn and chicken coop tours every year to show off and spread awareness.
I plan to fight for the right of rural home owners to have the same if not more rights for farming and try to change some rules that go along with that.
How is everyone else doing and what do you have accomplished/planed for your sustainability plans?

Blessings
 
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