2015 Homesteading Goals

Let’s talk Homesteading Goals!

This time of the year we know that people set a lot of New Year Resolutions; I don’t do that anymore.  However I do like to map out my goals, especially my homesteading goals.  Setting out goals gives you a path or a plan to follow, without that you may just end up spinning your wheels and never get anything accomplished.

In the Garden

Not only do I want to increase or self-sufficiency, I want to make the backyard garden a place that I actually want to bring people into.

• Increase square foot gardening beds from 8 to 10.
• Convert 2 to 4 into deep beds for root vegetables (12 inches)
• Add more herbs to my garden – I love cooking with fresh herbs!
• Work on aesthetic appeal
  • Ground covering between beds, keep shrubs trimmed and pull the weeds

Quail

I miss having a fresh egg source in the backyard.  We had quail but found the roosters were too loud and they went last year with our beloved chickens.

• Create a natural environment for the quail
• Purchase 24 laying hens
• Start enjoying tiny creamy delicious eggs

Rabbits

I’ve been considering going a new route with our meat rabbit program.  I love my American Blues but with a trio we aren’t haven’t enough success.

• Choose a need breed
• Acquire a new trio
• Create a summer “home” for them in the garage that is ventilated and fully air conditioned

Canning

I love my pressure canner and used it to make Christmas gifts for friends and family this year.  Now that I feel more comfortable with pressure canning I’d like to can more from our garden.  I’d also like to use our dehydrator more for healthy snacks and long term storage.

Cheese Making

This is something I have done a bit – mainly mozzarella  My biggest obstacle has been a good raw milk source; but I think I have some avenues for this now.

• Secure a wine fridge for aging my cheese (that idea came from this video by the Promisedland Farm)
• Get more supplies
• Make Chevre, Brie,Cheddar and more mozzarella

Knitting

I was taught to knit as a child but never really made anything.  This year I plan to change that!

• Get supplies
• Make a scarf, seems the easiest project to start with
• Make a blanket – long term goal 😉

Sewing

Again, a skill I never mastered but would love to make creations from thrift finds.  Time to dust off the sewing machine!

• Set up sewing machine and supplies in guest room
• Start with small projects

So that’s my list so far for 2015.  What are your goals for this year?