Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

On Apr 8, 2007, at 7:14 AM, Judy Anderson wrote:

> Hi,
>
> My name is Judy and I have just joined this list, so I thought I  
> should
> introduce myself.  My husband and I have 5 children, ages 5 months to
> almost 11 years, and we are starting the process of looking for  
> land to
> homestead here in southwestern New Hampshire.

Welcome to this homestead family, Judy. Here you will find smart and  
smart-alecky answers to questions you do not yet know you have.

> My husband is
> interested in hunting and trapping, too, with fishing being a  
> thought as
> well.

Should your husband hanker for beaver, tell him he is welcome to trap  
out the large population currently in residence at my place in  
southern Missouri.

>   (He worships Ted Nugent. :)  )We also want to grow as much of our
> own grains and vegetables as we can, and perhaps we will be lucky  
> enough
> to find a place with an orchard as well.  We are prepared  
> (mentally, at
> least) to build our own home if need be, so our main search right  
> now is
> for acreage.  We know we want a fresh water source, and I am trying to
> calculate how much pasture and field we will need.  We want timber for
> heating and cooking fuel.  I noticed that often times large lots will
> have a good sized chunk of swamp around here.  I have so many  
> questions
> for you, but I will try to stick to the land-related ones first.

Check your library to see if they have a copy of my book, How To Find  
Your Ideal Country Home. If not, it is available used from Amazon.com  
for much less than it is worth. Ahem.

>   We
> have been in urban and suburban places for far too long, so I  
> apologize
> if some questions seem a bit ... elementary.
>
> 1.  Aside from the variety of wildlife, what benefits can we gain  
> from a
> swamp?

Unlimited mosquito research.

I don't do big animals, so others here can answer your questions  
regarding feeding and housing horses and other big beasts.

Enjoy the journey,

Gene GeRue