Education: Developing a Homestead

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Not everyone desires to live rural and grow their own food. It may sound like a great idea for home ownership, to own land, maintain a greenhouse and care for livestock, but in reality it is physically hard work.

Not only does seed sprouting and preparation for growing vegetables take months of delicate attention (indoors in winter and spring) but the soil mixture, compost, transplanting and constant watering of these edibles also takes time; daily in fact. Leaving on a weeklong camping trip usually means finding someone else to water your crops, unless of course you erect an automated irrigation system (that is also reliable and fool proof).

Livestock is a whole different set of challenges. Chickens may lay eggs every day – but need durable, strong, coops to spend the night, with wild animal attacks all too common. Extra fencing, extra security, extra air flow and extra room for more birds. Not to mention cleaning the coop out weekly. A good chicken coop design is key to easy cleaning. Access doors, pull out trays, hidden drawers, metal roof, all make for good starts when planning to build your own chicken house.

Goats (nature’s lawnmowers) are great at grazing large amounts of land, so if you have more than a few acres of land and an abundance of grass/weed growth they may be worth the effort to keep them. They will eat fruit trees and any food crops too, so keeping them away from valuable vegetation will require some advanced planning. Additionally, portable fencing may be needed to keep them in their proper space. They will need adequate shelter and fencing to protect them during inclement weather and from wild animals.

File a Declaration of Homestead

Should I Homestead My House in California?

Create a Backyard Food Garden

see also –

National Forest Topo Atlases
State Atlas Maps
Utah Books
Utah Maps