Tabitha Shearin

Mrs. Dagher
UWRT 1102
29 January 2015

Back to the basics

I chose my topic because its not just and interest to me, its a lifestyle choice that Im
desperately wanting to follow through with. Not to mention that it is a broadening topic of
discussion so the information pool is wide and deep.
I dont know any surprising facts or statistics about my topic, however I do know that
there is a preconceived notion that anyone seeking to live off the land must be a tree hugging
hippy and thats not where Im coming from at all. Appalachian state and Central Piedmont
Community College are the only schools in the state of North Carolina that offer a relative
program. You need one acre of land per thousand pounds of animal. Pigs just need a pen they
dont actually need a lot of space. Eustace Conway is well known in Appalachian country for
what he has done to protect the rights of the homesteader and our way of life.
What are the essentials? How much land will support a family, crops, and animals? How
much land is too much? When do you breed animals? How many times can an animal be bred
before its useless? Is there a specific number of each animal that I would need to get started and
stay sustained? How successful are the first time attempts? Where is the most up and coming
homesteading state? What crops will provide my daily nutrition? What plants when, and for how
long? What are North Carolina building laws? Whats the average price per acre? How much
money upfront do I need to buy land, supplies, materials, animals, and equipment? What

equipment will I need to be successful? How do I get the best compost fertilizer? How long does
it take to have good compost soil? Is it possible to have power and not be on a grid (ie. solar
panels, wind power, water power, etc.)? Whats the best sustainable form of housing? Goats or
cows? Compost or fish farms? What can I make money off of homesteading? Are there still
monthly or yearly fees/taxes Ill incrue even if I pay for everything out right? How hard would it
be to bee farm for honey? Can people switch from the city to the woods with no mental,
emotional, or physical deterioration? Is it cost effective to go from city life to homesteading or is
it better to initially invest in the farm lifestyle? How well do animals interact together or will
every breed of animal have to be housed separately? Is it possible to have too much land?