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Post by SA Hunter on Dec 21, 2017 23:25:28 GMT 10
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Post by selfsufficient on Dec 28, 2017 14:11:06 GMT 10
Very simple article. can expand on it easily
1. You will take several years to become established build gardens etc, ensure you have resources to tie you over until you are established
2. Youre life will become simpler in energy. Do not expect to make all your modern appliance like clothes driers, coffee machines to work
3. At all times try to build a surplus, this is to tide you over in bad years or to trade for items you may need
4. Learn to move at a slower pace. The speed you did things at in the city may get you injured without easy access to hospitals
5. Treat all injuries straight away as life threatening and treat them on the spot. Delaying may cause them to complicate
6. The first or the second time you do something you may fail. It will take several years to build experience.
7. Learn from any neighbours or old timer in the area. You might be right in principle but it will never work were you are located.
8. Try to establish projects at your homestead well before you try to go full time off grid. This will reduce learning time and establishment time giving a better chance at success
9. Never throw anything out. Everything can be re-purposed or reused to full fill another function
10. Imagination and your mind are your most important tools, do everything you can to make them grow and remain open minded especially against old prejudices.
11. The priorities and routines you had in your previous life mean nothing when you go off-grid.
12. You will work harder than you have ever worked before. Ensure you take time out to enjoy the beauty of nature and relax as well
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bce1
Ausprep Staff 
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Post by bce1 on Dec 29, 2017 14:55:25 GMT 10
Really nice summary self sufficient.
Our property is completely off grid for energy, water, waste water and about 25% of our food.
A step up for food production to 100% would require us to give up our day jobs and focus on farming full time, which isn’t an option.
We now know what is required for total self sufficiency and chose not to.
Still terrified my pressure canned stews are going to kill me from botulism.
Just being off grid for power / energy and water is hard work, my wife loves the gardening work and finds its therapeutic for her day job. I don’t so don’t wish the apocalypse on us - but it’s nice knowing what ourselfs and the land is capable of.
My biggest stress is security and as I have posted before I look to the farms of Zimbabwe and South Africa for ideas. I cannot live in the middle of nowhere - 20 mins outside a regional town is best i can achieve.
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remnantprep
Senior Member
People do not exist for the sake of governments!
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Post by remnantprep on Dec 29, 2017 17:28:12 GMT 10
Botulism is the reason I have stayed away from canning myself. To scared to trust that I have done it properly lol
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Post by Peter on Dec 29, 2017 22:48:49 GMT 10
Although I've never canned food (although I have all the kit, I've just never had the time), I had similar fears about fermenting foods. I actually thrive on the stuff now.
New Year's resolution, perhaps?
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Post by SA Hunter on Dec 29, 2017 23:20:04 GMT 10
I went for a drive today to look at a place for sale completely off grid - didn't find it, but the area was magnificent.
Working full time and a semi disabled cook, my ultimate dream of 100% non dependant on society will never come to pass, but, 40% self sufficient is better than 0%.
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gasman
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Post by gasman on Dec 30, 2017 6:41:54 GMT 10
Agree with you bce1
100% off grid/ self sufficient would be a full time job
Even more if shtf
Aim to have the infrastructure:Vegies poultry( inc incubator and breeders) stock( pigs cows inc breeders)fodder crops greeenhouse crops irrigation( solar) off grid power etc etc
May be beds of weeds greenhouse unused and fruit trees neglected if life gets too busy- but can ramp up if shtf
Can’t run it all while working full time
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gasman
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Post by gasman on Dec 30, 2017 6:43:35 GMT 10
Pressure canning is easy- don’t get too worried about it
Even if you just do fruit and vegies to start, even meat is easy( if it looks Suspicious don’t use it)
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