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'Homesteading', 'back-to-the-land', 'hobby farming', 'survivalism', etc.
There are lots of words used that lack solid definitions.
I bought bare undeveloped land, I designed and built a house, we are vendors in Farmer's Markets.
As a US servicemember I have a pension, it is less then if I were flipping burgers at McD's, but it is an income. In many parts of this nation, my pension would not be enough to support a family. Here in rural Maine it is more than enough to support a family.
We know a lot of other Farmer's Market vendors who do not have military pensions. They survive on the farm produce they grow. I have the utmost respect for these guys. They can work a 5-acre garden and produce enough veggies for market to financially support themselves.
There is a big movement afoot, of people moving rural. To live off-grid, to raise families, to enjoy life without punching a time card.
There is a big movement afoot, of people moving rural. To live off-grid, to raise families, to enjoy life without punching a time card.
Maybe where you live but certainly not nationwide. Farming trends and facts:
The number of farms continues to decrease with consolidation into bigger farms.
Half of the nation's farms produce less than $10000/year in value. 80% are under $100,000.
Many farms are family owned but fewer and fewer are family operated. Many are being leased out.
Rural areas of the country are in decline with more and more people moving out.
Small farms might feed the farmers/owners but they rarely make much of an income.
If you have any doubt, check Google. There are tons of links all showing a decline in small farms.
This states farm have been growing in number, just as this state's Farmers Markets have been growing in number.
As a vendor in farmers markets I am well aware that the amount of income earned through farming here is very low.
Thankfully high income is NOT what motivates these people.
Apparently there is some disagreement on this. The attached article cites a decline of 573 farms from 2012 to 2017. During the same period, acreage dropped by 10% and there was a 16% decline in average net income to a low of $17K/year. I would say that is less than very low to a ridiculous level as a business.
Clearly what "riches" translates to differs depending on the person involved.
For some it's a net balance in the bank
For others it's a lifestyle filled with family, friends and the kinds of support that money can't buy
For still others it's a life that is not tied too closely to the traditional house in city or 'burb, or working for someone else or being too close to other people and it involves living off the land directly.
There isn't just one right way to live -- the beauty is people can choose which path they're most interested in and go towards that.
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I will have plenty to keep me busy - I won't miss my job one bit. I will miss the people though...lots of really good friends there.
