I grew up rurally. I still live in a rural area, although I have the benefits of paved streets, town water and sewer and garbage pick-up. The community I live in has about 450 people.

What I’d like to do is move onto a small acreage where the girls and I can have a garden, some chickens, maybe rabbits, definitely a pig or two, a pony for my niece to ride, and a milk cow.

Yes. A milk cow. I LOVE raw milk. And not just any milk cow, I want a Dexter or a Jersey. High butterfat content means homemade butter. Yes, I do know how to make butter, and I can even lay my sticky little fingers on a churn, too.

*le sigh*

Due to my dream of freedom, I am now thrusting the new age hippy treehugging books on y’all, because who doesn’t want a little chicken bock bock bockin’ in their yard? (okay, most people… sane people… probably you!)

The Weekend Homesteader: A Twelve-Month Guide to Self-Sufficiency: Anna Hess – The Weekend Homesteader is organized by month—so whether it’s January or June you’ll find exciting, short projects that you can use to dip your toes into the vast ocean of homesteading without getting overwhelmed.

Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre: Brett L. Markham – Even if you have never been a farmer or a gardener, this book covers everything you need to know to get started: buying and saving seeds, starting seedlings, establishing raised beds, soil fertility practices, composting, dealing with pest and disease problems, crop rotation, farm planning, and much more.

Backyard Farming on an Acre: Angela England – Plan and plant a successful and sustainable backyard farm — from a quarter acre to a full acre and beyond — right in your own backyard. By raising and harvesting their own fruits, vegetables, chickens, bees, milk-bearing animals, and more, people are growing locally, sustainably, and at a fraction of the cost.

The Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals: Gail Damerow – Imagine a weekend breakfast featuring eggs, bacon, and honey from your own chickens, pigs, and bees. Or a holiday meal with your own heritage-breed turkey as the main attraction. With The Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals, even urban and suburban residents can successfully raise chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, rabbits, goats, sheep, cows, pigs, and honey bees.

Backyard Homesteading: A Back-to-Basics Guide to Self-Sufficiency : David Toht – Backyard Homesteading addresses the needs of many people who want to take control of the food they eat and the products they use–even if they live in a urban or suburban house on a typical-size lot. It shows homeowners how to turn their yard into a productive and wholesome “homestead” that allows them to grow their own fruits and vegetables, and raise farm animals, including chickens and goats.

And that’s it from me this week… Remember, these books have tips for all sorts of homesteading, even if that just means a container garden of herbs on your balcony!
<3 JL