Thinking of bugging out to the country? Think again.

Agreed, I maintain certain skills that are esoteric such as blacksmithing. However, I own two tractors, several genies, a portable welding rig, and a bunch of other toys that are required to maintain my 'rural' lifestyle.

he might be a hick, but i'd rather be with this hick that your dumb ass when TSHTF....

You guys should have been growing hemp loooonnnnnngggg ago

Word

Furthermore, I have considered dropping back to 15-30 wooded acres because ranching is not an optimal survival situation. Anyone on more than 15 acres better be ready to patrol.

Cattle rustling is already big biz in Oklahoma. SHTF and you won't be able to protect more than a few head of anything.

That's the part the flummoxes me the most. The urban refugee flees to have a place of their own and to be their own boss, then turns around and starts regulating neighbors that have been getting along just fine for ages. Hypocrites at best...

Bullshit! I know of a family that farms just over a 1000 acres and they took 996k worth of corn silage to market last month.......and they have a small op.

Optimal, at least from my study, would be 30 wood, 10-20 pasture near adjoining forest or woodlands.

Goats and chickens are your best livestock, a few cattle, pigs are fine in small numbers. Growing veggies on a single acre can supply up to 20-30 people.

Word

Oh, now this I agree with 100%! We've got dipshits moving from California to Oklahoma trying to turn Oklahoma into California ! The very state they were forced to leave because of its poor economy and over regulation!

I pinned this, the OP has some valid points all though he or she is wrong about certain aspects of rural life, which leaves me questioning the veracity of their claim.

I disagree with opening statement premise, in the right location getting lost is still possible if you have the right survival capabilities. There are places here in Idaho that never get human traffic and roads don't exist, there are a few out there scratching out a life in the wilderness unseen.

Can you read? I said town. Population of about a 1000 over 30 square miles. Five years ago enough urban refugees had infiltrated the town government enough to mandate that a land usage code be developed and implemented. One of the restrictions was on the number of pigs one could keep; regardless of acreage or zoning. This is what is happening across the country. Maybe not yet where you live, but it is coming whether you believe it or not.

Your full of crap OP.

We moved from the city 6 years ago to a 20 acre farm in the country. We learned the old fashioned way - trial and error.

It took a few garden seasons to figure out what grew best and in bulk. We started raising chickens the same way. Then cows, rabbits goats, etc.

Yeah, its not as easy as rolling to wal-mart to get what you need when you need it, but its great. All the limitations you speak of are non-existent where we live.

Yes, you are correct that its hard to make a living on a small farm, but its easy making what you need. I work full time in a nearby city and use the money I make to get ready in case there is no work, but its not that hard.

We joined up with neighbors to share the load. In return for them having a garden, livestock and all they need, they share in the upkeep of the livestock. If you try to live in the country and not reach out to the neighbors and work together its much harder.

Best advice - dont be an isolationist. Find those around you that share the self sufficient ideals and work together.

We have a great set up and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I do agree that transplants are not well received, if they are takers and not givers...but those who want to help and share love, then all are welcome in our area.

It depends on how you want to live and participate in the community that I find to be the catalyst.

Just make sure that if you want to move to the country, you do it in a well thought out, reasoned manner and join a community...don't just move in and take up arms against your neighbors in a non-supporting role. enjoy....country living is the best way of life ever and hook up with some old timers...they love to teach you everything they know, which has been a Godsend to us.

have fun and prepare for an uncertain future that even if nothing bad happens, you have contentment in taking care of yourself and those around you.

Congrats, sounds like you did it the right way.

They've been doing this to the Boise area for 25yrs plus......friggin carpet baggers!! the lot of them.

did you know that some citys are in the country

Iowa City? Detroit is a jungle, I hear.

That's why they are driving million dollar combines and living in small castles?

the problem with this kind of thinking is that yes, if you were to only have some chickens, that would be easy.

add to that all the other really "easy" things to do like chop haul wood, "throw seeds in the ground" (and watch the animals eat them), haul water, deal with your garbage, do the dishes, keep things sanitary, get food, grow wheat, hull wheat, grind wheat (if your wheat survives).

sure all these things are "easy" when taken on their own divorced from the reality that you will need to do at least 50 of things "easy" things per day.

day after day after day. year after year. ya, sure, chickens are easy.

i only have 5 acres and i've been working at it 2 years.
and i thought having a garden would be "easy"

all those seed packets say "easy to grow".

everything sounds so easy.

seriously people, you better start learning how to do this stuff like yesterday.

i have so much ahead of me to prepare and learn.
it's mindblowing really.

but i find it to be fun to do as i like a difficult task that takes a lot of energy.

but this is not for the weak.

Because most of them have three to six kids and they earn what they earn because they produce. What the fuck do you produce? Probably jack and shit.

Either you on da' welfare or you shuffle fucking paper.

That's mighty arrogant of ya, hick.

maybe, OP, but there are ways to do everything smarter and easier... and sounds like you might not know them...

anyone wants to go out to the stix should read up and study how to grow food and make shelters easily and efficiently...

even beekeeping can be quite easy... if you know the short cuts...

:)

thanks. And yes, we did it the right way. One neighbor, we found out is a mechanic and another a carpenter...so for all the repairs to equipment and carpentry needs we have, they do it in exchange for some firewood and the right to hunt on the property. sharing the journey with those around you is the best way to live. We all have needs and talents. they cant farm and i cant fix crap, so together we get by just fine. i love my neighbors.

Jim Rogers told the graduating class of Yale to forgo Wall Street and get into mining and agriculture. Why? Because, to all of those making their money with imaginary money, dots on a screen, shuffling paper, and pushing a pencil.....all that you know is at an end.

Hick? Do you know how difficult farming and ranching are? You have to be a mechanic, electrician, veterinarian, chemist, botanist, account, financier, and a dozen other duties.

THIS:

And probably pretty shitty at them all.

Great info, the barter with neighbors strategy is brilliant, I never even thought of that. Thanks for the info.

Better a Jack of All Trades and a Master of None, than a Master of One. The One that you know with such certainty can leave you just as easily.