Self-Sufficient lifestyles and homesteads

[MissingAll4Seasons]

While I have an issue with the Nearings misrepresenting themselves as the "perfect off-grid, self-reliant homestead" given that they weren't entirely self-sufficient and didn't necessarily practice what they preached 100%, there are still some applicable pearls of wisdom in their books and articles. Many of the solutions that they discuss can and do work with a little tweaking to adjust to your local conditions. So, if you're interested, get the books for their knowledge and ignore the philosophies and cute anecdotes which are suspect.

[arctichomesteader]

The Nearings are still pretty well hated by many old Vermonters. They were socialists, they didn't exactly show much respect for their neighbors, were in part responsible for the socialist invasion of Vermont, and on top of it all, were quite deceptive.

There's better sources for those interested in self-sufficiency...

[teachertype]

I never said the Nearings were wonderful beings. I knew people who lived with them decades ago who told me the Nearings kept the better food for themselves while the interns ate cracked wheat berries and were worked like dogs. Nonetheless, a lot of beginning homesteaders, like me, got good information about how to do things from reading the books or interning with them at a time when there were few alternative sources.