Hey, y'all! Welcome to episode 69 of the Roots and Refuge Podcast.

Today, I’m tackling the big question: Is it actually possible to live off the land? When I first dreamed of having a farm, the idea of living off the land was incredibly appealing. But reality is much more complex and demanding.

The truth is, growing food and sustaining a farm involves an immense amount of work, time, and energy. It’s not to discourage anyone, but to offer a realistic view of what farm life entails. While the romantic idea of homesteading is wonderful, it's important to understand the effort involved. Growing your own food is a life long journey, not a destination.

On our farm, we produce a lot of our food. Yet, we still rely on grocery stores for some needs, and while we strive for self-sufficiency, we’re not fully independent. We depend on external sources, like grain for our animals, and we are part of modern supply chains. Our lifestyle involves balancing self-produced food with necessary outside inputs, doing our best to live in harmony with our land rather than entirely off it.

The concept of living off the land varies widely. Some people do live off-grid, relying solely on their land, but our approach is more moderate. We aim to close the loop where possible, acknowledging that complete self-sufficiency isn’t realistic for us. Instead, we focus on creating a resilient and sustainable way of life.

Community plays a crucial role in modern homesteading. I used to aim for total self-reliance, but I’ve learned the value of community and shared resources. The goal isn't to revert to the past, but to integrate real food and food security into our lives. It’s about doing what we can where we are, striving for resilience over perfection.

Healthy living means nurturing our relationships, our food, our land, and ourselves. Our aim isn’t to live entirely off the land, but to build a balanced, modern life where we create more than we consume. 

Thanks for joining me today. Remember, homesteading is a journey towards resilience and balance. 🌻

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