Well, HorsesSoul, you certainly sound very ambitious and I hope you achieve your dream!
One mistake that I see folks make that move to WV from other places is that they pay waaaaay too much for land here. It is much less than wherever they are from, but they still pay too much!
Also, make sure you get the mineral rights for whatever land you buy.
Consider a used mobile home for your house. It is usually much less expensive than a *real house.*
Wherever you end up buying, build your cellar first. You can actually live in it for however long you need until you get your first crops in and alternate housing built. Build your cellar around your water well. That will provide extra protection for your well as a side benefit.
Remember that fruit trees take years to produce fruit.
As for the air conditioner, consider looking into geothermal.
Last summer was the first summer I ever had an air conditioner (I'm 50yo). I rarely use it because I keep the windows & curtains shut on the side of the house where the sun is shining. I also have a whole house fan that I run early morning and late evening.
You don't have to butcher your own animals to live a real country life. We take our beef to a local custom cut butcher. He kills them, chills them, cuts & wraps to order. Many even use vacuum sealed packaging, but mine doesn't.
If you want to make your living on the farm itself, you'll need a market. The farther you travel, the less profit you'll make generally AND the less time you'll have to actually work to produce on the farm. Consider earning a living with some sort of computer business, Etsy, etc.
Read books by Joel Salatin, Andy Lee, and other agrarians to learn the skills you want to learn. Hint: Google "Agrarian"
While the country, homesteading life is wonderful, it is also very hard work nearly every day of the year. You need to learn to pace yourself, have a plan, and keep the big picture in view! In the meantime, learn what you can about tools & gardening.
Blessings,
Teresa in WV
www.HomeschoolOasis.com
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Sunday, October 31, 2010
Re: [Homesteadingfamily] Just wanted to introduce myself :)
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