14 Years Living Off-Grid in a Self-Built Cabin & Farming Tons of Food on the Land

Stephanie and Joel share their 14-year journey of building a home from reclaimed materials, living off-grid with solar power, and growing a lot of their own food, from fruits and veggies to milk, meat, and honey.

They built their home on shared land using materials they salvaged from the dump, wood from a building they took apart themselves, and whatever free stuff they could get their hands on. They had no electricity in the beginning so they only had candles. Eventually, they got a solar panel and a battery to run lights, and the systems have evolved from there.

They now have a wood cookstove for heat and cooking in the winter, 5 solar panels and 4 lithium batteries for electricity (plus a generator to supplement on cloudy days), a washing machine, a propane fridge and stove for summertime cooking, and a thermostat controlled propane stove so they don't have to get up in the middle of the night to stoke the fire. For water they have a quarry on the land which they draw from to fill a reservoir in their loft. From there, the water is gravity fed into the kitchen and bathroom. Their drinking water comes from a well on the property. The toilet is an Airhead urine diverting toilet.

The cabin has a master bedroom in the loft and a main-floor bedroom that's split into two sleeping spaces for their kids. They have an open-concept kitchen, dining and living room area, and the bathroom is closed in with a beautiful bottle wall. There's also a sunroom they recently added to the front of the house to bring in natural light, passive solar heating, and to grow food in the winter (with the help of LED grow lights).

For work, Joel owns a tree service business, and Stephanie runs an off-grid Airbnb business. You can check out the awesome Pickalotta off-grid cabin here:

Thanks for watching!

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COMMENTS
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CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Exploring Alternatives.

Editing Credits:
Exploring Alternatives

Filming Credits:
Exploring Alternatives

Build photos provided by Joel and Stephanie from Chickadilly Farm

#offgrid #offgridliving #offgridhomestead

[ExploringAlternatives]

Thanks for watching! You can check out Joel and Stephanie's off-grid cabin rental here:

[Chinchapakdumdum]

“We are very rich in food.” What a wonderful statement.

[Bright-]

I really believe that this is the way humanity should be living.

[judyofthewoods]

True pioneers with the kind of house/setup I'd like to see more of instead of $150 000 glam tiny houses. Thanks for sharing.

[albertine]

I love that this couple are sensible and practical and admit everything isn't 'sunshine and flowers'. They have a beautiful lifestyle.

[barbwatkins]

Wow! What a fantastic couple. No nonsense, motivated, ingenious and honest. The house is eclectic and so attractive. Love the use of the glass bottles, love the use of colour and the gardens are amazing. Congratulations on all the hard work which has come to fruition with this beautiful home. 🦋

[SubhadipMakar]

why can't we all live in peace? what's happened to the world? this is the way i want to live.

[mattheweburns]

I swear that anybody growing up in a situation like this is going to have a better and brighter future with all of these tools they learn. We miss a lot of things schooling 9 to 5. It’s always great to learn from your parents and it’s always great to learn things that can’t help you survive, it’s crazy that this is the majority these days because not too long ago at all this is how most people lived if you couldn’t get by this way you couldn’t get by at all… Thanks for the videos, cheers!

[denisestarr]

6 years off grid .built my own house .
Working on growing food.
Planting fruit trees . Working on garden beds and green house .

[ktylonox]

"Simple living really isn't that simple" Wisdom to live by! Thank you. Any lifestyle that builds gratitude builds happiness. You two are inspiring people.

[videoviperOG]

If I had it to do over again, I would raise my kids in this kind of environment. This life looks fulfilling.

[cathylynnpietranton]

Wow 14 years. They are very self efficient. This lifestyle seems to fit them. Thanks Matt and Danielle for sharing.👍👍❤

[wyntersteelea]

I love homes that look like nature is trying to reclaim them. Homes that look like they "fit" into the surrounding environment. The red sunroom part of this home has to be my favorite part. I love the color and the structure. The window arches add the perfect touch. It reminds me of a conservatory in Victorian homes. I adore that entire look. Also love the openness and straight height of the home. It doesn't have annoying corners to block the view. The metal staircase is another favorite view point to me. The two of you have created a beautiful life and home together.

[denisecatlett]

People living on their own terms just makes me happy. You are truly free!

[joburgerer]

I am really into watching these alternative/ off-grid lifestyle vids but this one blew me away. The beauty of Stephanie and Joel's house! Its really inspirational that they made that themselves spending almost no money. I am really impressed! Their house could be featured in an interior design magazine. My favourite part is the glass bottle wall behind the spiral staircase. Another highlight was the woodworking details on the outside of the greenhouse room. Well done. Greetings from Stellenbosch, South Africa

[lizzieb]

What a beautiful way of life… simple is better… but it doesn’t mean “easy”. I love seeing young families embracing and respecting nature. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[emilyemily]

You're such an example!!! Teaching your kids about self employment is so important! I bet they love living that way

[matthagge]

It's nice to see an off-grid property featured that actually experiences winter. So often I find these idealistic properties are located in places like California and other areas with the luxury of year round, or nearly year round growing seasons, tons of sunlight for solar, and minimal insulation requirements. Meanwhile those of us up north with 3-4 month growing seasons have to take an entirely different approach.

[adayinlife]

The most realistic off-grid video that I have ever seen. Thank you guys.

[redheadedgypsy]

I love this couple!!! Fantastic setup & full of GRATITUDE, you can feel the LOVE from this these two - truly blessed!!!! A real paradise that they've created!!! Thanks for sharing!!!