The Chicken Coop

The work has begun and the chickens are on the way. check them out at the right.

The Rabbit Hutch

We've begun to work on the hutches and fencing; you can give it a look, and lend a hand, to the right. Delightful little wool machines.

General Homestead Info

New Blog added, to the right. Planning a balanced, working homestead, barn and building design and plans, and much more to be added.

Yes!

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~The Goat Barn~

Check it out, over to your right. It's the Goat Barn and it is loaded with all sorts of information and links about various types of meat, milk, and dairy goats (and their protectors) that you will find in our homestead goat barns.

Welcome to Area 13 Homesteads

I'm a bit later getting started on here than I'd imagined but I'm a bit older too, if that's any excuse.

Another thing that's been getting older to me is the price hike of everything every time we try to restock groceries at the store. Which perhaps wouldn't be terribly bad except all the time I'm discovering that either some product that's being commercially used has some something in it that is terribly dangerous to our human bodies or the commercial industry are taking health and safety chances with some of their preparation practices; that too, which would be at our ultimate expense.

But perhaps most importantly, another thing keeps coming to my mind is the fun, the smells, the taste and the satisfaction of working with the land and animals first in the summer on my grandad's small farm,and later on our own little place for several years. That is what I enjoyed so and now miss the most.

Which reminds me again of getting older and brings about the realization that I have no reason or excuse to have stopped experiencing those fun things. I hear more and more younger people  than me mentioning their desire to experience something very similar to what I'd enjoyed so much. Wanting to learn to grow and preserve foods and herbs, to learn about life with small livestock, to eat fresh eggs and milk, to learn the songs and sounds of birds and the wind, and the power and care that only nature can provide for us.

Then it dawns on me, why not just do it, why not go back to such a land and the times like we had and perhaps share some of those things I enjoyed and learned with others? And why not treat myself to the delight and learning from being around others interested enough in the future to accept the fun and challenges of providing something very worthwhile for ourselves.

So begins Area 13 Homesteads ... why the name Area 13 ..... you know that number has really been talked about by a lot of different type people .. that number has built itself quite a reputation in some circles. That number is also the number, in alphabetical order of Greenbrier County, WV. It is the 13th of 55 counties in the state.

Know that, but also remember and make it part of the fun of homesteading and living if anyone ever gets too serious about that number and know that it is also a number of completion and also a number far less than the price of an awfully lot of things that we currently need to buy in the store. If we just happen to enjoy making some things happen on our own, especially while saving some money and improving our health and well being, then 13 might be an unlucky number for the corporations and businesses that hold us over the barrels, but it certainly seems like a very lucky number to me.

I've spotted a likely little farm, currently inactive in production and has been for several years. I'm beginning the process of obtaining that place for all our enjoyment. Begin now to plan your homestead wardrobe and think of what you'd like to learn and what you'd like to teach and let us know.

Let the homesteading begin .....