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Authored by Abbagail - Sage & Shepherd Ranch
To some, self-sufficiency may seem like a distant dream that can only be achieved once you have much more life experience and 100 acres of land. But that doesn't have to be the case! I would argue that self-sufficiency is possible everywhere - no matter where you live.
Self-sufficiency involves much more than farming and land ownership. It's about becoming a little more independent and engaging more deeply with your food - and anyone can do that.
I want to help everyone incorporate a little more self-sufficiency into their daily lives - with inspiration and small methods on how to live the "farm life", even if you don't own a cow or 100 acres of land.
Below are some simple tips to help you get started with self-sufficiency, no matter where you live:
- Stockpiling & Saving with Seasonal Foods
Maybe you have a garden full of strawberries, or maybe you don't grow anything at all - but don't let that stop you, because everyone has access to a farmers market or an organic section in the grocery store! When fruits or vegetables are in season, they are usually cheaper, making it easier to buy in bulk.
For example, strawberries are more expensive in January because they have to travel a long way and journey 2000 km. Whereas in summer, every farmers market has large baskets at good prices. Then you should grab them, buy a few baskets right away and preserve them. You can freeze them for smoothies or make strawberry jam. This trick actually works with every fruit and vegetable - especially tomatoes for sauce!
- Buy or rent a chicken
Chickens are one of the most uncomplicated animals to start with when you begin self-sufficiency. If you initially only get two or three chickens, you don't need much space and still get two to three eggs per day. If you have a small garden, then a small chicken coop is worthwhile and also not expensive.
If you have no space for chickens at all, you could ask a friend or family member if they could lend you a small piece of land where you can care for your chickens. It should not be too far from your home so that you can easily take care of them.
Another, even simpler step would be to find an organic farmer in the region who sells eggs.
- Buy meat from a farmer
Raising grass-fed livestock is usually not what you start with when you begin self-sufficiency, as large livestock herds require high upfront costs, a lot of space, and time.
So don't worry if you don't own land. The next best alternative would be to find a local farmer who can raise animals for you. This reduces your carbon footprint, supports the local economy, and provides you with healthy meat! Most people shy away from eating meat after watching scary documentaries. However, if you find meat that is locally sourced, grass-fed, and humanely raised, eating meat is healthy, and you end up with a better product.
- Start a vegetable garden
Whether you have a balcony, a small backyard, or an entire field, you can start a garden! Starting with a container - be it a pot or a raised bed - is one of the easiest ways to begin a garden. Choose fruits or vegetables that you eat most often and that are easy to grow. Some popular examples include lettuce, kale, tomatoes, carrots, radishes, etc.
If you don't have access to land, again, ask friends, family, or anyone who can offer you a garden bed for planting. Communities often also have community gardens that you can rent.
Checking every morning to see what has grown is one of my favorite activities. It's a great feeling to see the progress and harvest your own produce (even if the harvest is small). You're growing something for your plate!
- Make something at home that you would normally buy
This is a great tip - and for some people, it might be a challenge. Getting your hands dirty and making something yourself is an exhilarating experience. You can think back to simpler times and create something natural with your own hands!
Some suggestions to try are lip balm, cookies, candles, bread, your favorite food, jam, etc. Even if it might be outside your comfort zone, I encourage you to just try it! When you're done, you'll not only be proud - and grateful for the people who do this every day - but you might also have saved a little money!
Thanks for reading!
Greetings,
Abbagail
About Sage & Shepherd Ranch
S&S Ranch is run by husband and wife team Abbagail & Mackenzie. We started with just a few chickens for ourselves. Then we simply found so much joy in knowing where our food comes from, and in farming itself. We raise our animals regeneratively, meaning we sequester carbon, build up topsoil, holistically graze animals using rotational methods, and mimic nature as much as possible.
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