Embracing the Journey: From City Life to Homestead Dreams

They say, "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." This profound quote resonates deeply with us as we reflect on the incredible journey we've undertaken over the past few years. Leaving behind the familiar confines of city life, we embarked on a transformative adventure—building our dream homestead from the ground up. What started as a search for a slower-paced, less stressful existence has evolved into a deeply fulfilling, a bit challenging, journey of self-discovery and growth. Here’s a detailed look into our transition from urban living to homestead life, the highs and lows we've faced, and the lessons we've learned along the way.

Our first garden

A New Beginning: Leaving the City Behind

At the age of 40, my family and I made a bold decision to leave the city and everything we knew behind. We were weary of the constant hustle, the relentless pursuit of keeping up with the Joneses, and the pervasive stress of urban living. Our dream was to embrace a more fulfilling life with a farmhouse with ample acreage, a place where we could create our own little paradise.

The decision was fueled by a desire for change—a need to reconnect with nature, reduce stress, and create a more self-sufficient lifestyle. The transition was not just a physical move but a profound shift in how we wanted to live our lives. We envisioned a future where we could grow our own food, raise animals, and live in harmony with the land.

Year 1: The Fresh Start

a. Establishing the Garden:

Our first year on the homestead was a whirlwind of activity. We started by cutting open a garden area and planting a variety of crops: fruit trees, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, radishes, carrots, cabbage, cucumbers, and strawberries. We were eager to see the fruits of our labor, but our excitement was tempered by some early challenges.

b. Overcoming Obstacles:

Due to unforeseen obstacles, we couldn’t finish lining the garden beds as planned. This oversight led to an overwhelming weed invasion that choked out many of our crops. Despite our best efforts, we faced setbacks that were disheartening. However, these challenges were important learning experiences.

c. Expanding Our Family:

We rescued a poodle and a bunny during this period, adding to the joyful chaos of our new life. We also ordered baby chicks online, which arrived much sooner than we had anticipated. The chicks lived with us in the house until their coop was completed—an experience that, while amusing, was far from ideal. We encountered several unforeseen accidents and losses, which were emotionally taxing but ultimately educational. We learned valuable lessons about animal care and how to better prepare for unexpected issues.

Baby Chicks

Year 2: Growth and Development

a. Improvements in the Garden:

In our second year, we focused on overcoming the previous year's hurdles. We successfully cut paths through the woods, which allowed for better access and organization of our land. We figured out the best garden liners for our needs and lined the beds correctly this time, which significantly improved our crop yield.

b. Expanded Planting:

Our garden was more productive, yielding cut flowers, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes (a first-time success in 15 years!), squash, carrots, rhubarb, asparagus, and cabbage. This year, we also expanded our fruit tree orchard, thanks to my dad’s enthusiasm. He purchased 17 additional trees for us to plant, which are intended to support his pie-making business.

c. New Challenges and New Additions:

Despite our progress, we encountered new challenges, such as dealing with invasive squash bugs. We learned that pest management is a continuous process and sometimes requires a multi-faceted approach. Additionally, we brought home our bottle baby goats, embarking on yet another learning curve in animal husbandry.

The Baby Goats

Year 3: Embracing the Challenges

a. Embracing Regenerative Farming:

By the third year, we were more prepared and knowledgeable. Allan took a regenerative farming class through Michigan State University, which provided him with invaluable insights into organic farming practices. He applied this knowledge by building an affordable greenhouse to start our seeds, a project that was initially fraught with difficulties but ultimately successful.

b. Expanding the Homestead:

I took on the task of cutting open a large section of the back for a cut flower garden. However, my dad decided that more fruit trees were in order, so this area was converted into a new orchard and food forest instead. The new trees were planted, and we began to see the beginnings of our envisioned food forest.

c. Ongoing Projects:

We still had plenty of work ahead: moving existing trees to the new orchard, finishing planting, building gates, and extending the chicken coop to accommodate our growing flock. We also aimed to rebuild the milk house and fix the old barn, with the kids dreaming of a tree fort. Our days were filled with busy, varied tasks, but each step forward brought us closer to our dream.

Removing trees an rock to make way for a new garden

The Lessons We’ve Learned

1. The Reality of Homesteading:

Homesteading is far from the idyllic dream we initially envisioned. It involves hard work, constant problem-solving, and a lot of patience. While city life was stressful, it was also predictable. Homesteading, on the other hand, offers a daily dose of unpredictability and challenges.

2. The Importance of Adaptability:

One of the key lessons has been the importance of adaptability. Whether dealing with pest problems, unexpected weather, or failures in our projects, the ability to adjust and learn from setbacks has been crucial. Each year has presented new challenges, but each challenge has also offered opportunities for growth and improvement.

3. The Value of Perseverance:

Despite numerous setbacks and failures, perseverance has been our guiding principle. From failed greenhouse projects to battling pests, the key has been to keep trying. Allan’s determination to make the greenhouse work is a testament to this. Even when faced with failure, his persistence led to eventual success.

4. Embracing Imperfection:

We’ve learned to embrace imperfection. Not everything goes as planned, and that’s okay. Some crops fail, projects don’t turn out as expected, and sometimes we make mistakes. What matters is our willingness to keep going, learn from our experiences, and make the best of what we have.

5. Finding Joy in the Journey:

Perhaps the most important lesson is finding joy in the journey itself. While there are moments of frustration and fatigue, the overall experience of building a homestead has been deeply rewarding. The satisfaction of growing our own food, raising animals, and creating a space that reflects our values is unparalleled.

Fall Canning

Looking Ahead: The Future of Our Homestead

As we continue our journey, we remain committed to our homesteading goals. We have plans to finish the ongoing projects, expand our garden and orchard, and further enhance our self-sufficiency. Each year brings new opportunities for growth and learning.

Our focus is on creating a sustainable and fulfilling life, one that aligns with the values we cherish. We aim to be more self-sufficient, enjoy the fruits of our labor, and continue to embrace the adventure that homesteading provides.

The Quote We Live By

The quote, "It’s better to have tried over and over again, falling on your face than it is to have never tried at all," encapsulates our homesteading philosophy. We’ve faced many challenges and setbacks, but each experience has been a valuable lesson. The journey of building our homestead has taught us the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and finding joy in the process.

In the end, it’s not about the number of years we spend on this journey but the richness of the experiences we gather along the way. We’ve learned that life on the homestead is an ever-evolving adventure, full of opportunities for growth, learning, and fulfillment.

Conclusion

Our transition from city life to homestead living has been a transformative experience. We’ve faced challenges, made mistakes, and celebrated successes. The journey has been anything but easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding. As we continue to build our dream homestead, we embrace each day with a sense of adventure and a commitment to living life to the fullest.

By reflecting on our experiences and the lessons we’ve learned, we hope to inspire others who may be considering a similar path. Homesteading is a journey of discovery, resilience, and joy. It’s about embracing the process, learning from setbacks, and savoring the moments that make life truly meaningful.