S9 E2 - Homesteading During the Golden Years: Is it Possible?
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- Опубліковано 3 чер 2024
- Today's guest, Kathi Rodgers of Oakhillhomestead.com, not only encourages us that it is possible to homestead effectively throughout the retirement years, but she gives us practical tips to downsizing wisely, and effectively tweaking the way you do things, as you look toward homesteading during the golden years.
Where you can find Kathi :
oakhillhomestead.com
OakHillHomestead
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As a 67 yr old widow, homesteading alone in the Missouri Ozarks on a 7 acre farm I qualify to speak. Garden beds are raised, no plowing or tilling since I use hay/straw bales. Although I still mow 6 acres of it now, I know the time is coming that getting up and down from the tractor is going to get harder. I’m planning for when it takes me a walking stick and 10 minutes to reach the chicken coop.
Ozarks aren't to far from us.
hello neighbor. we live just North of Springfield.
Hello 👋 l am 70 and just starting my raised beds and 10 chickens. I am a widow too. Born in the Ozarks and raised in Kansas. How long can l do this? As long as l can. I too, do a small amount of mowing. I want to do more and will adjust to that. I make candles, soap, lotion bars and trying to figure out how to do it all by myself. I think downsizing is the hardest part of my new life. Trying very hard to keep our home but l can’t imagine how hard you worked. You’re awesome!
We bought a rundown place 4 years ago when I was 56. Running hard still, learning and growing. I start everyday doing my exercising and stretching. We are intentionally staying fit as we can. Not gonna lie, right now I hurt, this weekend, helped two goats kid and am putting in gardens and still living life. Preparing for the new chicks to hatch. I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. I’ll slow down when I have to. I do pace myself as she says. Small canning batches, shortcuts. Take breaks. My husband also works full time, and is totally on board when he’s off, bless him! The future is not promised.
My husband is 65 and I'm 60 and we're looking for a place. We're going to start with a garden and go from there. Fencing is the most important thing and we'll get that done first and go from there. I've wanted this for decades but was unable to have this. We're excited to have a more manageable, smaller home with less maintenance so that we can put our energy toward doing the things we love. Chickens are the first animal we're thinking about. We'll see what God gives us and go from there.
Soaker hoses saved my life last year and I am getting a timer this year. I have found that single batch canning is the way to go because I never have a full day to dedicate to large batch canning anymore. A batch of tomatoes here, blackberry jam there. We used to get overwhelmed with the harvest and small batches on a regular basis through the week really helped. In a list of twenty things to do, you only have time for two...you do what you can with the time you have. It will be there tomorrow. ;)
Sounds like her motto has become- work smarter not harder. Very wise.
Great information. We too are well into "The Golden Years ", being almost 70. I do have a few of our own chickens for the first time, just got a few goats again to take on brush & weed control, which is essential to control the jungle that grows each year here in NW Florida. I'm growing more things closer to the house, in wading pools, recycled livestock mineral tubs & recycled water & cattle feed troughs. Things that could be done in a day 10 years ago now take several days for either of us to finish, but that's okay. We are working on removing clutter from outbuildings, so we can streamline whatever is stored in them. We are filling in eroded areas of the yard so we can walk without tripping over tree roots of holes in the yard. Hope to have teenaged grandson help with the heavier yard work.
Adapt, yes that is the mantra. At almost 66, my wife is a year younger, we've been "living small" for the last 48 or so years. Never called it homesteading per se, it was more living in the moment while planning ahead and putting things back for the many rainy days to come. A retired machinist and my wife, a seamstress. keep on keeping on!
My wife and I are 63 years old. Yes, old people can do this but they'll really need a tractor and other equipment to do it efficiently. We've been on this land for 21 years and I'm glad we got a lot done early. I'm a retired carpenter so I'm used to hard physical work. There is a huge difference between 63 and 43!
I love this episide.
Ain't that the truth!❤️
And the water timer IS A LIFESAVER!
I am about the same age as Kathi. She has an interesting story. I wish her the best. My mother-in-law taught me how to garden and can and freeze what I grew. I had a Brady Bunch family, so to keep costs down, I needed to raise a large amount of our food. I still have a garden, but I have downsized. No more cattle and pigs, we buy buy from a local farmer. I can in pints now. I freeze my berries and make one batch of jam at a time. I plan my garden differently. Last year, I grew a large amount of green beans and canned enough for 2 years. This year it will be tomatoes. I’ll put up enough for 2 years. I have found this works for me.
Great idea on the canning plan!
LOVE the plan to grow enough 1 year to can for 2 years!! I might try that next year!🙂
I'm 70 and yes it's possible but it's hard. Both of us have been through cancer treatment and other health problems and it's tough, plain and simple. We rehabilitated a run down 211 acre farm when we were in our 50's but finally had to downsize to 42 acres which also needed a lot of work.
“I made up my mind to be happy, and I will be happy.” What a concept in today’s world. We can choose to be happy. It doesn’t depend on circumstance. If more people would realize this, we’d have a much better world!
It’s more reasonable to say, “I’ll be content.”
Leave Happy for the next life.
Being 67 myself I can agree with everything that she said. I use a kneeler and knee pads ( the more expensive gel ones) to help me with getting down to do the weeding and seeding and planting. If you don't use it you quickly loose it ! I become aware of that every spring after sitting all winter.
I appreciate this episode SO much. It’s real, addresses the questions I have as I turn 50 soon and the aches start setting in. Great to hear how she’s managed, faced real life scares and adjusted over time. Thank you.
We recently fulfilled a dream and purchased five acres, four of it planted in timber. Some thought we were crazy as we’re age 64 and 67. The property came with a smaller fixer upper house and livable apartment over the garage where we live while gutting the house and redoing it one room at a time. We built a 40x60 garden with raised beds, berries, grapes, kiwis, perennials around the perimeter and planted twelve fruit trees outside of the garden space. None of this is to brag but to say yes you can homestead in the golden years but it may look different than younger folks. We realize projects take us longer and we need to pace ourselves but we had the forethought to use raised beds for ease of planting and harvesting. We would like a few chickens but no plans for farm animals because we want the freedom to travel occasionally. When we retired many people told us to keep active or the going will be downhill, good advice! Thank you for sharing your experience and suggestions. Blessings.
Thank you Kathi and Jill for this time you shared your great advice. I so appreciate hearing these tips and tricks. It resonates with me a great deal. I am still trying to keep active with all those aches and pains, but my husband was raised here on our homestead and he is a little older and much more active and able then I am. A lot of what you said Kathi helps me to be proud of our accomplishments during our lifetime. I still love our place and want to stay here as long as we are able. We recently built a greenhouse to garden inside and all year around. During the Pandemic it’s been my best friend. ❤️ Thank you for your kind words and reassurance.
Loved the video! We're in our 70's & have no help but are doing our best. Slow & steady wins the race.
I just turned 53(hubby is 48), and 8 kids still at home...homeschooling 6 of those. JUST started gardening and chickens/ducks/meatbirds 3 years ago...added feeder pigs this past year...all on leased 1/2ish acre... Determined to find our "forever farm"! Thanks so much for this episode...needed to be encouraged and can definitely use the tips. 😊
That's a busy home for sure.
Just to add my 2 cents, my wife and I are in our 60's and it really comes down to your health. You can do hard work at any age, but the odds are that health issues will intrude as you get into your 50's and 60's. Don't start building a farm when you're 55 because you will be selling the place before you're 65. Depending on the scope of your homestead project, you should plan on 10 or 15 years to get the hardest part of the work done and get into a purely maintenance routine. Do you have that many good years left? Make a reasonable plan before you start.
What would you say is a reasonable size homestead for those starting in their 50’s? Animals, garden size, etc..?
@@davidantczak8590 Hi David. That is so hard to answer because you can go so many directions. I guess I would say to start relatively small but allow yourself room to grow, For example, if you had 3 acres, start with a quarter acre garden and see how that fits you for a couple of years. Then, expand later if you like. As for livestock, go with something easy like rabbits or chickens. If that goes well, maybe add goats in a few years. Just be careful to not bite off more than you can chew. Enjoy yourself but don't obligate yourself to more work than age and health will allow.
The TWO WHEELED WHEELBARROW IS THE BEST! YES having kids leave is tough. but enjoying that now!
Thank you Jill for doing this podcast. We are in our mid 60's and my husband is still working; I have retired. Good advice to work smarter not harder. She has many great tips; some I already do, some I will be adding.
Very humbling to hear. Everything that has been said makes sense, very good advice. I always enjoy listening to those that have more wisdom and life experience.
I am only starting & at 64 years of age. Started with expanding my small garden by adding more small gardens around my property, including vertical gardens as well. Got 6 six chickens 2 years ago, last year added 3 rabbits & this year added quail. I have kept with smaller animals that I can manage. If I can, I would like to add 2 Icelandic sheep, but I don't see that as a probability now, but still hoping.
😍- Thank you for the tips and encouragement! -Crystal (age 61)
This was a beneficial video! Thank you, Kathi, for imparting your wisdom, and to Jill, this was perfect timing for me!
Thank you Jill and Kathi! Very helpful. I'm almost 61 and an avid gardener. I keep making my garden bigger which I shouldn't do but one of my married daughters has caught the gardening bug and wants to visit more often and help me. My favourite gardening tools are my wheelbarrow, trowel, japanese hand held hoe, and the best of all is my root slayer shovel - totally worth the money. I also love my gardening books and continuously add to my collection. Being able to learn and experiment keeps it interesting, and gives me ideas for things to teach the grandchildren!
We just got a root slayer shovel and it is a game changer! I can dig a hole without help now :D
Hubs and I are in our late fifties and this is our new dream! More space, more sunsets, more stars, bigger garden, a few chickens. We don’t plan on butchering or anything so maybe not a true “homestead” but quiet and more peaceful even if it’s hard work.
My husband and I plan to start homesteading in two years. We’ll be 45 and 50. Thankfully we’re still strong enough to implement the infrastructure we need. Our property is only three acres, so we should be able to keep up with it.
My first child left home for college 2 yrs ago and it's been an adjustment not seeing her nearly as often. I have 3 more and 1 with high functioning Autism who is graduating next month but she will be home a while I think before she is ready to spread her wings. Another will graduate next year and that one has one foot out the door, and my youngest is 8 now I will have that one home for a while still. There were benefits to having them back to back, but also a benefit in the staggering, kids are there longer lol... But it's important to find things you love to do on your own, that allows you to be independent of the mom/wife life. Could also dive into fostering or adopting if you can keep up with everything it takes to be a parent. My spine took a crap at 32 (2010) and life with limitations took on a new meaning I wasn't prepared for, but it also brought me to this homestead lifestyle as a means of better living.
I used to tell my children that my gardening is therapy. It is cleansing.
I've had a timer water system for five of my 6 years of gardening. It is a game changer! Starting last year I got enough timers that I had three different zones in my garden. Now I can correctly water all the different kinds of vegetables in my garden.
We hope to get a garden going on a timer as well. One of these days.
@@Off-Grid the timers themselves aren't that expensive but the piping and drip hose are a little more expensive. And I've learned I go from sprayers when the seeds are still starting to the drip when they are starting to spread out.
@@BS-ne5cr I was thinking of using some pvc pipe just under the soil with very small holes drilled about every 12 inches. That or a soaker hose but I'd probably have to replace the hose every year since they rot out to quickly.
@@Off-Grid I live in Middle Tennessee and none of my hoses have rotted out. And I've had the water system in for four or five years. Now I do take everything up at the end of the growing season and I let the water get out of it and then I roll it and put them in large garbage bags. And then every year I put them back out. I've only had to buy more piping because my garden keeps growing. LOL or I've occasionally kinked one of the larger pipes when I put it away in the fall. By then I'm kind of done with the garden and have been known to shove the pipes all in the garbage bags.
@@BS-ne5cr lol, I left mine out all winter. Guessing that was the problem....oops!
My husband and I are close to retirement and in the process of moving to Oklahoma with the idea of homesteading. While he and I came from farm families our whole adult lives were spent in the suburbs which means we’ve lost much of the skills we grew up with. We are currently trying to figure out what homesteading at our age looks like. We have 5 acres which is very manageable…..so far.
Love the tip about freezing tomatoes! Beautiful ladies with kind hearts.
My daughter and son in law have five acres, horses and chickens. Our plan is to build me an adu on their property. Right now I live just a few miles away so I can help with the animals, but it will be easier when I live there, and I want to get goats. They are expecting their first baby this spring and I will be there to help. I personally believe that extended family homesteads are the way to go - if we can just get over our self-destructive ideas about being "independent".
We are not retired yet but getting there! Looking to leave NY and buy home + acreage up north. Less crowded less expensive cooler weather we like. Hoping to live a small scale homesteading life. Definitely gardens possibly chickens. Would love a milk cow but have no experience in owning cows. Had horses here on Long island many years ago. This video comes at a good time!
We really loved this info. Thanks so much!
Well, I don't care if it is possible. I'm gonna do it!!!
Only in our 40's but plan to be working our 160 Acre Off-Grid Homestead as long as we can.
She has SUCH a great outlook! What a great lady
Guess I qualify. Am 72 alone and homesteading in Alaska. Have a green house and a raised bed or two. Meat is provided with moose, caribou, salmon and halibut. Last winter was very challenging for everyone here not just me. We received over 12 ft of snow and it rained in the middle there. Grocery store now is a 260 mile Rd trip.
Well I sure hope so! I'm 70 we moved from San Diego, area 8 months ago. to Northern Idaho! Been Homesteading for years but wanted a chg. this property never has has garden nor animals so from scratch. it sure is slower this time. we left fully functional homestead on one acre where I'd even planted a woodlot. one acre is great
Joys with the boys homestead. We welcome you come have fun.
This is exactly the info I needed. Great job with the interview and thank you for sharing your hard earned knowledge.
So many great tips and encouragement. Thank you!
At 70 with a bad back I find that weeding etc. from a sitting position suits me best. I cut an old (never used, lol) yoga mat into three sections so I can slide from one to another as I maneuver through my garden beds!
Enjoyed your visit with Cathy. I am 75 and would still like to have just a few chickens. I do container gardening and love having the fresh produce every summer. We also have blackberries.
I am always a little envious of young people like you getting to live the dream that I was never able to have because of my husbands career. 🥰
My youngest will graduate in '24 and then I plan to try to be on my own land, until then I'm making the most of my small shady suburban home. My goal is to be settled on 3 or 4 acres by 50.
So inspired and encouraged by her. Great chat.
A wonderful conversation.
Great interview.
I'll be 70 next spring . . can only manage several raised beds.
Hubby built a small greenhouse last year . . really helps with seed starts.
I'm retiring in June . . . will have much more energy for the house and yard. Hurray !!!
Thank you very much! It really help me in the season I am, empty nester. 🙏🏼
Thank You for this very Inspirational video! Stay Encouraged, Focus on God’s Goodness, Continue Gleaning from the Scriptures, Enjoy Life, The Fresh Air and One Another, for the Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength!💛😇🙏🏼 💐
Well I don't know how it's going to go but I'm in the beginning stages of homesteading on 8.5 acres. It's not large but it's paid for. I am debt free. I'm also disabled but I'm not in a wheelchair. It's going to be slow going but I'll be doing something. Not sure what. 😉
Good morning.
I want to start over again. But the real estate situation isn’t good. And I’m on my own.
build your "fortress" chicken house first and then get chickens, less frustration then
❤️
Why not Alpacas, please? I wanted them for various reasons. Thanks for this great podcast. Hubby and I are feeling those Golden Years approaching faster and faster, yikes
You are so pretty you remind me of some actresses really Do you have any Spanish in your past? Just sorry for this know it's kind of crazy Take care
As a homesreading childless widow, I'm challenged. Any idea where to find an interested party to live and work with me? A young person would be ideal.
Step one: turn into my grandmother. (Let's see, my hair is white in my 40s, I make my own soap, butcher and can...) Check! Step two: uh... :) Kidding aside, this has been very informative. My parents live in a small town, can't really do animals anyway, but in this economy if we didn't grow veg, meat, and eggs for them they wouldn't be eating much. I've ordered some grow bags for them to plant around the edge of the deck, and I think my boys are planning to build boxes high enough they won't need to bend. So at least they'd have a little more autonomy.