Don't Let this Happen to You! (Sad Trend in 2024)

With the events of 2020 a few years behind us, we've been noticing a subtle shift away from homesteading and the skill sets associated with it.

Please don't grow weary of your efforts and the work you're putting into your homestead! It will pay off in dividends.

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[countrysister]

During WWII, my grandmother watched her 42 year old husband go to war followed my uncle just age 17. She was left with their huge garden, loss of Granddaddy's paycheck, caring for elderly parents and my 9 yo mom.

She didn't give up. She drilled down. Rented half the house to another war "widow" and child, worked many days in the summer at the local high school kitchen that bought canning equipment so the cooks could can local produce for the coming school year. My grandmother then stayed til nearly midnight many nights canning her own garden goods - a privilege given the day workers. My mom sat outside on the school steps. Grandma's would wake her when the night's work was done and carry her a mile home.

Let's pray for oil in our lamps, sleep when it's available, safety and wisdom for our daily steps, food for our bodies and souls. Love to all!!

[myrnafredericks]

I'm 70 years old and live alone on 5 acres. My husband passed away over 6 years ago. I am currently planting the biggest garden I have ever grown. I just got into raising quail for eggs and meat. Last year, I bought a freeze dryer, I also can, freeze, and dehydrate everything that I can get my hands on. My family and friends think I am crazy but all say when things get really bad, they know where to find food. Last year I raised 40 meat chickens that I processed by myself. I could never stand living in town.

[bestlife]

What I dont have: acres of land, livestock, ponds, large gardens. What I do have: a suburban property with baby fruit trees, greenstalks, a solid home, full pantry, good neighbors. What I did have: a covetous heart. What I have now: contentment with what God has given me.

[gypsydesigns]

Things have gotten worse not better. People need to realize that. If you’re lucky enough to have a homestead don’t give it up. We need more families to become independent. ❤

[grandmabear]

Anyone paying attention to what is happening in not just our country, but globally, will not stop homesteading. IMHO Keep on keeping on. You'll be glad you did.

[bluebirdgramma]

Never give up.
It's because of our elderly, who started the "Victory Gardens"! that we survived in the late 30's and early 40's.
Seed companies like Burpee etc. were started then and I, in my early teens sold seeds for them, not for money but for things. I got my very own, Bible as one of the choices in their catalog!
I recently gave it to my granddaughter as I'm almost 90, and I knew she'd care for it like I did. Another way to spread the "Seeds of Life".

[ellensnell]

As a couple in our 60s with three kids still at home and 40 years of gardening under our belts, we still need to hear this kind of encouragement. During covid, our grown kids would come home to "shop". We always had enough milk, meat, eggs and veggies. Now though, they have no time to drive out here for groceries, they get them at the store. We ended up selling our milk cow and scaling back our gardens so we aren't as overwhelmed with harvests that our family no longer wants. Thank you for the encouragement to keep going even if the scale is different now!

[aliveinfaith]

I feel this. I'm 33. We bought our 80 acres 4 years ago, just before covid happened, with very little farm experience. Covid really just confirmed to us that we were on the right path, but it had been our dream. It was a run down farm with not much useful infrastructure, so we basically started from scratch. We now have a 1/4 acre garden, laying hens, broilers in the summer in Idaho A-Frames 😉, fully fenced and cross fenced 80 acres, a cow/calf operation, custom hay business, 2 excellent guardian pups, and I homeschool during the winter my grade 2 and 3 kids. I'm exhausted and overwhelmed, and barely getting by. Did we bite off too much too soon? Absolutely. We did NOT pace ourselves. The laundry is barely done, and house is always dirty. I do feel like I'm on the brink of insanity sometimes. I am so thankful to God for all we have, but also desperate for rest. This year does not feel peaceful. It feels as though God is hammering me into steel - which He probably is, and I should probably be grateful for - but that's easier said than done. One foot in front of the other, one task at a time, breath.

[bertan]

I admire all those that Homestead. I live in the suburbs of So. Calif. I have my own little backyard homestead. My backyard is small but I am growing my own food. I even taught myself, with Youtube help, to can, freeze and dehydrate the food that I grow. Thanks for what you all do and have Youtube sites for me to learn.

[beverleysimmons]

I am Canadian- not a true homesteader - no extra large property but everyone tells me I am crazy for growing my own food. I think me feeding 4 other families not just my own makes me very happy and that is so important 💝🇨🇦. Thanks for the awesome message.

[janetwestrup]

You are so right! I only have a small acre or two with a few chickens, but at 70, I planted an 18 tree fruit orchard and have a small garden in my backyard for vegetables. With our pension and this small amount we are able to care for my husband’s 99yr old mother and help our son who is out of work right now, with his family of five. Doing the best we can with what we have. The Lord is our Provider, trusting him for the rest.
So appreciative for your videos. Learning a lot Thank you!

[kerryedmonstone]

I think it's tough as we really do need communities of homesteaders, where we can barter and help each other out. We were never meant to do it alone. But hard to find that kind of kinship with people as everybody is so spread out

[lisasternenkind]

It's a lot of work, but it pays off, because you work for your family, not for a bank or some other people.

[Becky-tpgm]

I so needed this today. I'm the only one in my family doing this, I feel like sometimes I'm completely on my own. My husband does help with repairing structures, things like that, and help if I need it, but after that, it's all up to me. I've really amped things up this year, I'll never quit, though, because I see what's coming, but it's hard doing everything on my own, and everyone else gets to go have all the fun. They just don't realize that in the spring summer, and fall, I can't just drop everything. Things have to be harvested, canned, etc. plus animals. People talk like they want to be more self reliant, and they have big plans, but they end up not executing the plan. They go to Hawaii or something. They don't want to put in the hard work. I know I have to. I had a good cry today, but am feeling better after this video. Thank you so much!! Now back to canning, LOL!

[larrystrayer]

As a 81 yo homesteader now the sole worker I am dropping many projects. I’ve tried to find folks that want to learn, but none want to do the work day after day.
I’ve dropped from 1/2 acre to a kitchen garden now. I’m happy I can still provide myself with food.
Still moving just ain’t a fast. lol.

[laurenholladay]

Hello sweet Carolyn! I am a big fan and YOU are one of the reasons, at the age of 66, (my husband was 62), we moved from Florida to the North Carolina/Tennessee border, bought a 4 acre piece of land with a wonderful home on it and after 2 1/2 years, I'd NEVER go back to the suburbs. I have a freeze dryer thanks to you, we are growing a ton of food, we have chickens and a whole cow (who's in the freezers right now LOL). I am now almost 69 years old. We work hard. I have only gotten stronger and my husband, who is now 65, has huge muscles and looks 45! We're too old to do it all, we pace ourselves, but we are full of joy, we have food security and I pray younger people get OUT OF THE CITIES, get a little piece of land. Start there. It's so rewarding! Thank you for helping a senior citizen see that even we can work hard, get healthier and be secure. All to the glory of Jesus Christ! Love you girl!!!!

[toniamiiller]

Ive always dreamed of homesteading. Bought a home 4 years ago and put in a huge garden. Taught myself how to garden (still a lot to learn) and how to process foods in many different ways. We are now in the process of purchasing 160 acres and im so looking forward to being off grid, plant more, get animals, the whole thing. Im definitely not giving up, looking to expand!

[NancyKontvis]

My husband and I are 80 years old. We have a huge garden and a smaller garden. This year it just became more than we can handle. However, rather that plowing up the big garden and planting grass. We are covering it with woven ground cloth to keep the weeds and particularly the bermuda grass out. If at some point we want to grow more, we can always fold back some portions of the ground covering and plant a row or two. We just can't give up what we have been doing all these years. Not now!

[cybercamp]

Don’t give in now!
The greatest show on earth is here!
They are not giving up
Stay with it 2024 IS THE FINALE. Look out!

[PamelaClare]

I was forced to stop growing food this year due to a serious health crisis. But I plan to get back to it as soon as I am physically able. This is a survival skill.