"I own that labour." I love it! I also say those words with pride and joy working on my own homestead. The labour you put into your own land is freeing and empowering and so rewarding in so many ways.
I’ve been listening to you for years, this year I got fired for not wearing a mask, now I’m venturing into homestead/ market garden. Thank you for all the info you bring to us.
From one homesteader to another, some tips my grandmother taught me was to freeze certain produce crops to process later. Tomatoes are easiest to process once frozen. In midwinter when I have more time on my hands I put my frozen tomatoes in a sink of fairly warm water, the skins slip right off, then I process them either in a water bath canner or in my All American pressure canner as stewed tomatoes (onions, peppers & celery) or as spaghetti sauce with meat. I put my peppers in the food processor then fill up my large muffin tins and place in the freezer, once frozen pop them out into a ziplock plastic bag and you have 1 cup of minced peppers for cooking throughout the winter. I do the same with celery but use a much smaller muffin tin, then I use it for soups and any recipe calling for celery. You can also flash freeze beans, peas and pea pods, then steam or sauté them directly from the freezer. We cook our corn on the grill in the husk (we soak the corn husks in water prior to cooking), then peel the husks once cooked, strip the corn from the cob, bag and freeze, then reheat directly from the freezer, tastes like it was just picked. I also use the frozen corn to make creamed corn for Cottage Pie. I dry our hot peppers then use a coffee grinder (I have several grinders for different herbs) to pulverize them, but make sure your powdered peppers are fully dried before putting in jars, otherwise they’ll mold - I typically place the powder on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and put in the oven on 200°F for 15-30 minutes depending on moisture content. Again, once peppers are dried, you can finish processing them at a later date when you have more time. The same goes with herbs. Root vegetables, once cured, go directly into our root cellar, we are fortunate that we own an historic 1774 farm so we have a built-in root cellar in our farmhouse. Once you start raising critters for food, you will need to allocate even more time to food processing in the Fall. We raised 49 meat-birds this year, I processed 26 into parts (i.e. breasts, wings, legs, thighs), the rest went into the freezer whole. The carcasses leftover from the parted out chickens went into stew pots and were boiled down into chicken bone broth which I pressure canned for winter soups, stews and gravies. Next year we will do 100 chickens, heritage breed turkeys and Peking Ducks. It takes a whole weekend to process live birds all at the same time; or you can process them in batches, or if there’s a reputable butcher close-by who has affordable rates, you can get them processed freeing up time for other food preparation chores. Welcome to the world homesteading, you’ll never go back to your old life, this life is hard but it’s so rewarding😊
My Ritalin hasn't kicked in yet so I just subscribed to your channel so I can have access to this wonderful information (I had a quick glance) later 😀👍
Curtis, I know it’s hard thing to understand during the winter, but burning seasoned wood should be one of your priorities in the coming years. If you can split, stack on pallets, and roof enough wood to be a year ahead, you will burn less wood. Think of how many btus you are using to burn off literally hundreds of gallons of water that is contained in your just split this week firewood. A full cords of white oak is 5,600lb green and the same cord, properly seasoned is 4,200lb... that’s 1,400lb of water to boil! I support this video and am years behind you, but am hoping to get where you are headed. Thanks.
This is actually a very solid recommendation. Building a wood drying shack would be also ideal to dry wood 1-2 weeks in advance of use, also for cut plywood
I didn't realize that anymore be burned unseasoned wood, because it's horrible for greenhouse gas emmission and other pollution. We have about twenty cords of wood that was cut and seasoned years ago. Our woodstove is so efficient we only use a cord to a cord and a half a year of oak with a small amount of pine/cedar mixed in with it. I hope Curtis will stop burning greenwood it's horribly wasteful.
@@targeted4truthjahsun it is not wasteful for Curtis, it’s just extra work. Did you watch the video? He is surrounded by trees in every direction. Guess what happens if he doesn’t burn it... it decomposes. And when it decomposes it releases basically the same emissions you are so worried about, just slower.
I had to climb up on the roof and clean the chimney in February because of burning with wood that was not seasoned (also burning with pine). I learned my lesson.
With freedom does come great responsibility and that in a nut shell is what many folks are missing. That level of connection to daily life is not something everyone can do. I do not know many who are responsible enough for the job. I always admire those that are willing to step up to the plate and swing!!! Still jab free here in Tennessee!
Once you get the hang of it the processing and preserving of food will be streamlined. Preserving fur, fish, game, farm crops, herbs and wild edibles ( like berries ) are all my favorite part... Stockpiling food is better than stockpiling paper money to me.... And the farther out into the bush I am, the happier I am.... Your operation(s) look quite large - and complex - just give me a well built trappers/hunters cabin and an old school 4x4 and it is a wonderful life...
You need to be creating a stockpile of firewood during the limited use months. When you harvest a tree for firewood also create kindling from the smaller pieces. People often just think of logs, but when my kids were little they helped by picking up sticks and putting them in buckets that got emptied into bins for kindling.
Oh my gosh you are speaking my language! So thrilled to find your channel and lapping it all up. We live in South Africa and working hard to become self reliant and live off grid. Thank you for all your content and info. Great to know there are some awake people out there! Blessings to you and your family
Thank you for being so honest, you are the first homesteader that actually says it like it is and is not afraid to call it out. everyone else is hinting at it but not actually saying it. the people like you are and will be the next leaders of the free world, and I'm sorry to say it but Your freedom comes with a lot more responsibility than your own in this case because, YOU ARE ONE OF GOD'S HELPERS. I appreciate you.
@@bobjob3632 No, I don't think so, and if he has the money to do this , then, good for him. but at this point we should all start living off grid, cause what's about to happen is no joke.
My friends mom grew up on a farm in the 60’s and they almost never left the farm. They canned everything too. They would process a couple hundred chickens and cook em in soups and stews and ?? And store everything in the cellar. Good for you Curtis. I would have liked to have had something like this but I ran out of time, don’t have a partner. I might be able to get something going still. I have a lot of stuff but nowhere near self sufficiency.
I'm an old granny homesteading alone and I want to encourage you right now. This instant. Do NOT shoot for perfection. Prioritize, and get up NOW and do ONE THING to bring you closer to self-sufficiency. "Keep it simple" is your new motto. Do one thing every day. Make it ugly-- but make it work. Blessings.
@@grumpygrannysgoatsngardens3185 what fantastic advice! I'm nearing on 50, and have been waiting for a piece of property, but it's just not in the cards just yet, so I decided to just start doing it here in the city where we're at! It's an enormous learning curve, so I'm glad that I'm taking the time now to learn some of this stuff. Most recently, I got chickens, and they have been like the homesteading gateway drug! Lol 😆
Realize you cant do it all, but you can do something. I have chosen rabbits over chickens for protein as they are easier to dress out and it easy for me to get eggs locally. Rabbits provide fertilizer you can use directly without composting. Plan on adding quail in spring as they are easy to process, no scalding and plucking, just skin them. Figure out what you are good at and develop that as a barterable skill. Gardening not my strength but have invested in several pressure canners and plan to barter canning service for produce. Developing a medical herb garden and making that another strength. Kindling can be gotten from roofers when they are replacing shake roofs. A pickup truck load of old shakes will give you kindling for a couple of winters. Grab a couple of truckloads when you have the opportunity.
@@theurbanthirdhomestead yes!! Chickens and rabbit are definitely the right choice on the Keep It Simple homestead. Also trees over gardens! Dehydration over canning. Scrapping for wood! Now we're moving!
I heated my house 2100 sq ft with nothing but wood for 10 years... I never made wood any smaller that what would fit in the door of the stove, made minimal kindling and had very very dry seasoned wood. Makes huge difference in time & work spent to heat wit wood.
I cannot tell you how thankful and happy I am to hear of other people who are aware of what is happening, and doing something about it. Sadly most people do not have the resources to do what you have done, but in reality we don't need a lot of this. We go to extraordinary measures to preserve our comfortable way of life, but reality is a lot of the things we are trying to recreate are long term going to be a waste of money and time. I am sure you have already thought that through and know that our homesteads need to be sustainable off of the land we live on. Our dependence on technology and electricity may be a fools errand in the long run. Congrats on your success and putting your money where your mouth is. Big thumbs up. Now make sure the people around you are doing the same things. We are only as strong as the weakest links in our local communities. Even in rural areas.
Tesla, skid steer, and all the other nice equipment sure makes things more comfortable. Hope this is a long term approach on life for you and your family.
Totally agree. Also packing the burning chamber with logs at the bottom and lighting a small kindling fire on top also makes the burn more efficient or having a vertical feed system.
Rocket mass heaters are nice.. we want to buld one, I want to gather all the material, then build it during the summer.. couple that with radiant heat could make for a nice set-up.
Nice video, sharing your experience. I might never get there. But having a house with a garden that provides every year more home grown vegetables are my babysteps into the direction of more autonomy.
Hi Curtis, I believe in everything that you are saying and think you are doing an amazing job in preparing and looking after your family, the only downside I see with any of it is, that you are still reliant upon vehicles, batteries, diesels etcetera. When they are all taken out of the equation can you still produce enough energy to keep your family safe and sound.
Thanks for charing your homesteading indeovours. We living in interesting times and to be free takes a lot more responsibility yes. Its great to see you went off-grid in so many ways. May you be blessed abundantly..
I used to email back and forth with Alan Watt and he warned us of this “technocratic era” and in one of his last emails he wrote “I hope you are mentally prepared for what is coming down the pike…” Rest well Alan
@@offgridcurtisstone He most certainly was, I listened to all his talks from 2004 and on…used to send him some cash and a gf in my past life was very kind to hand knit a touque and some wool socks to help him keep warm, which we sent him. Sure miss his blurbs…sometimes I listen to an old one. I was about to send him another present as it was on “to do” list when I heard of his mysterious passing.
Still figuring out this computer thing to find you in other arias. I had my homestead fully equipped a few years back while I was still working. Work kept me from home weeks at a time. They stole all the fencing, the 24 by 32 barn, the irrigation system ,all the woodworking tools,all the gardening tools, and stripped my tractors. M health stripped me of work 3 years ago and it has been a very slow and steady build back. Degenerative spine ,neuropathy and an ms diagnosis. Everything takes 3 or 4 times longer, but steady at it. Much time crawling or skooting through the gardens doing what the tractor won't. Still keeping 5 50 by 170 ft gardens. You've always been encouragement when I'm exhausted ,hurting and want to walk away. Just lay down in the isle and gather my strength and Finnish the row. It's good it all got gone it allowed me to rebuild and restructure to what works for me today.
Food preserving is indeed most important and time-consuming, but rewarding in the wintertime having your own organic veges, fruits and berries for year-round consumption. 3 months optimal growing time to produce 12 months worth of food, aside for what you grow in winter greenhouse. West side of Okanagan Lake, still growing in my insulated covered raised beds.
Love your stuff, man! Suggestion... do a timeline grid of what core tasks are over the year. Example, July is start of early harvest and canning. Canning probably escalates later as farming rolls off. Farming rolls off late fall. But winter preps and so forth begins. See what I mean? A chart with guidelines on where focus is.
Reach out to me privately if you want a better understanding of what I'm talking about. Could be a core tool for everyone. "With Freedom comes responsibility."
Shitting in buckets is easier than a composting toilet. I had nothing but grief with mine. Snapped cotter pins on the main shaft if the mix was off, even a little, getting either too heavy or too hard. When that happened I’d have to take the toilet apart, empty it by hand, and fix it. After that happened half a dozen times, I gave it up. Outhouse at minus 20 was preferable.
Haha -20! Wow, that's an experience to write about. I remember when I was in the Himalayas in Northern India, the long drop squatter at the homestay I was at (4200m above sea level) had snow in the corners of it.. and that would be because it had no roof 🙄 Memorable bowel evac.
I too am “off grid” with my electric cars, solar panels and batteries in the basement but I’m totally dependent on business as usual (BAU) in the outside world to supply me with the necessary things of life. Not to mention both our solar systems have about a 12 year life then charge controllers, inverters and the panels themselves have to be replaced. Curtis it’s time to admit you’re totally dependent on BAU as we all are. Like it or not your well being is dependent on the well being of the world that supplies you!
I am off grid as well, you are right. Plus I had police helicopters flying around my land and house. Plus I had robbers going around lately. Police came 4 hours later to take pictures of the all property and house. Plus, almost no water in Spring and Summer for veggies. Batteries are very expensive! Things are not looking good here in Europe. I love chicken!
@@Growmap where? People are arriving here from Germany, running away, and say this is one of the best places in Europe. Austria, Germany and Italy plus Brussels are going mad. They are ignoring all laws and treates, national and international. Human rights, bioethics, Nuremberg, european constitution, Helsinque, everything. Well, I was alone now I have german and french neighbours, that's positive.
As a professional florist I have a couple of skills that may transfer to off grid life and I'm grateful for that but wow oh wow, I can't imagine how much there is to learn. Thanks for taking us along on this journey Curtis. You, Justin Rhodes and others are very helpful!
I really appreciated the validation of my homesteading lifestyle that you stated in this video. So many thought I was redickulous for wanting this life. Slowly, they are awakening
I think you said it quite well when you said that those who could just print money don't care about money they care about control because it can't be printed.
Just wanted to add something to a comment you made with reference to prepping food and that "maybe you will get someone in to help next time"... someone said to me just the other day why wouldn't you get a cleaner, a gardener, a helper because it gives someone else a job! That was pretty profound when this friend said it. Sure not everyone can afford to bring in help but those who can, remember "it gives someone a job, it gives them a purpose and an income they might not have had otherwise". To me that's pretty positive to make a difference in today's world.
I keep my house at 65F in Winter (50 over night). I cool it to 75- 80F in Summer. We poop in buckets too. I have a very deep cistern that was used to store water for decades, but is no longer in use. It has become the septic. I dump the bucket every 2-3 days.
If you want a clear picture on the most sustainable form of human living, look at the way humans lived for THOUSANDS of years (ancient to colonial) when they could survive off off everything provided within about a 15 mile radius. A LOT from their immediate homestead, and the rest supplemented (from and to one another) by those living in the surrounding areas. I'm not saying modern "high" technology (ex: solar) should be abandoned, but it should be seen as a bonus cream. Create a solid foundation of EARNEST thousands of year proven suitability, but DO NOT make your homestead/lifestyle dependent on the presence and parts access associated with modernity.
Yes, what you speek of is true independence with cooperation and healthy interdependence. Everything else is gravy and subject to manipulation by humans with less than honorable intent.
You are doing what the rest of us want to do but for some reason can't. I'm stuck in a city because my wife and kids would never agree to suffer the "hardships" of rural life. They don't seem to realize that we are suffering the insanity of city life with high taxes, high crime rates, pollution, stressful jobs, expensive childcare, etc. Rural life would be a breath of fresh air. Literally.
A wood chipper will give you effort less kindling using branches. Has many uses . I envy your life 😃 and enjoy your videos…if hubby would get on board with this type of life I would run and pack b4 he finished talking but he isn’t on same mind set . I do what I can where I am I come off the road in July i bought my grow tunnel and above ground beds and buy up as many jars as I can to hit the ground running buying a diy shallow well kit from plumbing supply and have Berkeley with several replacement filters, oil lamps with clear fuel gallons and waiting for my wood burning stove…have 5 cords of split wood. Husband yells saying I am insane…maybe I am…but if not at least I am ready best I can be if shtf
I think you should consider making a 3 sided earth bermed house, using concrete blocks for walls that are well drained with large gravel on the perimeter so no moisture soaks the concrete. The earth stays at a constant temperature year round. In your area, possibly 46-57* Fahrenheit. It will protect and insulate your house in summer and winter. With 8-10 feet of earth all around (and a well insulated roof, possibly even more earth,) the coldest your house would get may be around 50 degrees, depending on how much glass windows you have on the south facing front of the house. Look into the off grid community of “Earthships” in the high desert of New Mexico built by architect Mike Reynolds. He is all about recycling, but you could modify your house to your needs. The steel tubes for air conditioning is also great. So, working with the element of the earth itself, instead of fighting the bitter cold air, would be more practical, in my opinion. (And get some dogs and firearms for security.)
Something to keep in mind... The ceo of Toyota recently said "If Japan switched entirely to electric vehicles, we'd have electrical blackouts every summer." Mind you, Japan relies on coal and natural gas with the absence of Fukushima.
When you run your generator. You can use the glycol to heat space. Once you got the building buttoned up you can use glycol heat from generator through rads for garage or building. The other thing I thought of for efficiency with a tesla is you can get a diesel mini boiler for a car. They were first designed for semi trucks as glycol heaters. They make models for vw diesel cars as well. Think 6000 per unit. It would save your tesla battery for sure. As for kindling. You walked through a lot of brush in your walk. There is a lot of dead sticks and twigs. Rake it all up in summer and leave in a dry tarped area. Saves a lot of time making kindling. You can sort by size. As for water. There is 2 ways to do it. I am on your list I am a red seal plumber and refrigeration with lots of cottage set ups. I can save you time but you need to contact me to be helped.
Years ago, late 70's, early 80's, in Organic Gardening Magazine, there was an article about a study that looked at time and motion in regards to food production. The study found that 60% of all the work/labor in food production was in the harvest. I don't remember if "harvest" included preservation such as canning, dehydration, smoke house, freezer, etc. It did open my eyes to what would be involved in large scale garden production.
Well now what are you going to do if u can’t bank? Will they allow you to pay your property taxes? This is something we’ve been talking about what we might have to deal with.
Curtis, I really want to sign up for your content but cannot watch it over the web. We are off-grid as well and the only way to watch you now is thru RUclips. We are in the middle of setting up solar to power a faster internet so hopefully soon we can sign up. Everything you said is spot on. My biggest lesson is cope and organize. First you deal with a problem immediately, then fix it with a system over time. Good luck on your adventures. We are exactly of your mindset. Canada as we knew it is done. We need to build the future with our hands and minds. Cities are an ancient dying concept.
Pee, poop, dump on compost, cover with leaves. Easy. Magic. Also you might wanna boost the bug load for your amazing chickens. The Great Mother has been transforming poop into gold for millions of years
All good points about heat and energy, dealing with a leaky fuel stove as I listen to this video, lol. But I advocated strongly for a woodstove and set aside money to get firewood delivered and now that the fuel has to be shut off for repairs at -30f in alaska, I'm feeling pretty vindicated!
Yea, gravy! My sad math skills added up the hours you mentioned for maintaining the place. A whole lot less than 40 hours a week plus drive time plus a lunch hour/half hour.
Have you thought about how much you need to clear cut around your buildings and solar arrays in case of crazy forest fires so your investments don't get damaged? There seems to be a lot of fires on the west coast the past few years.
@@grumpygrannysgoatsngardens3185 Ah you are someone I am curious about and was asking Curtis about. I was wondering what do elder people do if they can't do the hard labor etc. If you have a RUclips, I will go check it out. Maybe my questions will be answered. especially since you say you have little income. I make 1k a month....doesn't leave very much so will see if you have tips.
@@grumpygrannysgoatsngardens3185 OK I will keep a note about this but kinda hard to build community where I live. I'm so new to this new world...don't know even where to look. Maybe Telegram or something. Like bartering is something interesting. Will look into that. But hard to make a community with lockdowns etc.
The initial push to preserve food to start a stockpile of it is quite large. When you consider the amount of time that you’re putting into preserving the food in fact it’s time saved at the end when you have the food at hand and don’t need to go off to the store and spend a few hours shopping for it every couple of weeks.
Yes, food preservation is one of the most time consuming facets of a true and well-functioning homestead. Grow what you eat and eat what you grow! Sadly, I see many self-proclaimed homesteaders waste the abundance.
Not sure where you live but we have only pine in eastern Washington. Pine burns crazy fast. Would be nice if we had harder wood but that’s the way it goes. We’re not off the grid however but using that wood stove is amazing. Using presto logs is good through the night. Pine doesn’t last. We put a 2100 gallon cistern in this year. We needed it as our well wasn’t producing enough. That was a game changer. Meat birds and pigs is a good way to go for meat. Of course laying hens as well.
You have to burn seasoned wood. One because its safer. Alot safer. No chimney fires. Second. Wet wood does not burn hot. So your wasting your wood. Your labour. Your time.
The trick with firewood is getting ahead. It’s tough but doable (even if you have to pay someone one time to do it). 5 years is great. You have a skid steer so I would suggest IBC totes so you wouldn’t have to stack. As far as kindling goes, sounds like you may be overworking there. If it’s dry one size should do you fine. While you have access to it, a blow torch for lighting is the ticket. Looks like you have a lot of fir on the property which is good. If you can get your hands on some hardwood all the better. Good luck!
Crypto, traded off a ledger cold storage. Eventually getting a mastercard or other that will transact digital wallets in the near future... good luck getting a loan from a bank though. You will need to pay bills and taxes with fiat currency still to even steward property. You need to have a business to protect yourself essentially.
Radiant heat. Steel pipes filled with flowing hot water through the house. Burn firewood and heat water. It’s what the do in northern Russia and Siberia.
"I own that labour." I love it! I also say those words with pride and joy working on my own homestead. The labour you put into your own land is freeing and empowering and so rewarding in so many ways.
I’ve been listening to you for years, this year I got fired for not wearing a mask, now I’m venturing into homestead/ market garden. Thank you for all the info you bring to us.
Thank you for standing up, I know it is a high price, good luck
Awesome, and wishing you the best on your endeavours.
💪🏻
Oxford university professor just came out snd said masks don’t help according to the data. You could probably sue as the data comes out.
Good wishes.
From one homesteader to another, some tips my grandmother taught me was to freeze certain produce crops to process later. Tomatoes are easiest to process once frozen. In midwinter when I have more time on my hands I put my frozen tomatoes in a sink of fairly warm water, the skins slip right off, then I process them either in a water bath canner or in my All American pressure canner as stewed tomatoes (onions, peppers & celery) or as spaghetti sauce with meat. I put my peppers in the food processor then fill up my large muffin tins and place in the freezer, once frozen pop them out into a ziplock plastic bag and you have 1 cup of minced peppers for cooking throughout the winter. I do the same with celery but use a much smaller muffin tin, then I use it for soups and any recipe calling for celery. You can also flash freeze beans, peas and pea pods, then steam or sauté them directly from the freezer. We cook our corn on the grill in the husk (we soak the corn husks in water prior to cooking), then peel the husks once cooked, strip the corn from the cob, bag and freeze, then reheat directly from the freezer, tastes like it was just picked. I also use the frozen corn to make creamed corn for Cottage Pie. I dry our hot peppers then use a coffee grinder (I have several grinders for different herbs) to pulverize them, but make sure your powdered peppers are fully dried before putting in jars, otherwise they’ll mold - I typically place the powder on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and put in the oven on 200°F for 15-30 minutes depending on moisture content. Again, once peppers are dried, you can finish processing them at a later date when you have more time. The same goes with herbs. Root vegetables, once cured, go directly into our root cellar, we are fortunate that we own an historic 1774 farm so we have a built-in root cellar in our farmhouse. Once you start raising critters for food, you will need to allocate even more time to food processing in the Fall. We raised 49 meat-birds this year, I processed 26 into parts (i.e. breasts, wings, legs, thighs), the rest went into the freezer whole. The carcasses leftover from the parted out chickens went into stew pots and were boiled down into chicken bone broth which I pressure canned for winter soups, stews and gravies. Next year we will do 100 chickens, heritage breed turkeys and Peking Ducks. It takes a whole weekend to process live birds all at the same time; or you can process them in batches, or if there’s a reputable butcher close-by who has affordable rates, you can get them processed freeing up time for other food preparation chores. Welcome to the world homesteading, you’ll never go back to your old life, this life is hard but it’s so rewarding😊
Thank you for your detailed prep!!!
My Ritalin hasn't kicked in yet so I just subscribed to your channel so I can have access to this wonderful information (I had a quick glance) later 😀👍
Curtis, I know it’s hard thing to understand during the winter, but burning seasoned wood should be one of your priorities in the coming years. If you can split, stack on pallets, and roof enough wood to be a year ahead, you will burn less wood.
Think of how many btus you are using to burn off literally hundreds of gallons of water that is contained in your just split this week firewood.
A full cords of white oak is 5,600lb green and the same cord, properly seasoned is 4,200lb... that’s 1,400lb of water to boil!
I support this video and am years behind you, but am hoping to get where you are headed. Thanks.
This is actually a very solid recommendation. Building a wood drying shack would be also ideal to dry wood 1-2 weeks in advance of use, also for cut plywood
We agree 100%! The greatest benefit of drying your wood is that wet wood also creats creosote in your chimney! GOD bless
I didn't realize that anymore be burned unseasoned wood, because it's horrible for greenhouse gas emmission and other pollution. We have about twenty cords of wood that was cut and seasoned years ago. Our woodstove is so efficient we only use a cord to a cord and a half a year of oak with a small amount of pine/cedar mixed in with it. I hope Curtis will stop burning greenwood it's horribly wasteful.
@@targeted4truthjahsun it is not wasteful for Curtis, it’s just extra work. Did you watch the video? He is surrounded by trees in every direction. Guess what happens if he doesn’t burn it... it decomposes. And when it decomposes it releases basically the same emissions you are so worried about, just slower.
I had to climb up on the roof and clean the chimney in February because of burning with wood that was not seasoned (also burning with pine). I learned my lesson.
With freedom does come great responsibility and that in a nut shell is what many folks are missing. That level of connection to daily life is not something everyone can do. I do not know many who are responsible enough for the job. I always admire those that are willing to step up to the plate and swing!!! Still jab free here in Tennessee!
Once you get the hang of it the processing and preserving of food will be streamlined. Preserving fur, fish, game, farm crops, herbs and wild edibles ( like berries ) are all my favorite part... Stockpiling food is better than stockpiling paper money to me.... And the farther out into the bush I am, the happier I am.... Your operation(s) look quite large - and complex - just give me a well built trappers/hunters cabin and an old school 4x4 and it is a wonderful life...
"Be a producer, not a consumer." So motivating!
You need to be creating a stockpile of firewood during the limited use months. When you harvest a tree for firewood also create kindling from the smaller pieces. People often just think of logs, but when my kids were little they helped by picking up sticks and putting them in buckets that got emptied into bins for kindling.
Oh my gosh you are speaking my language! So thrilled to find your channel and lapping it all up. We live in South Africa and working hard to become self reliant and live off grid. Thank you for all your content and info. Great to know there are some awake people out there! Blessings to you and your family
Thank you for being so honest, you are the first homesteader that actually says it like it is and is not afraid to call it out. everyone else is hinting at it but not actually saying it. the people like you are and will be the next leaders of the free world, and I'm sorry to say it but Your freedom comes with a lot more responsibility than your own in this case because, YOU ARE ONE OF GOD'S HELPERS. I appreciate you.
I know. There are a lot of cowards out there. The real pandemic is fear and the result are cowards.
This guy is a millionaire playing this n the woods.. his job is being a millionaire. I think you just got fooled.
@@bobjob3632 No, I don't think so, and if he has the money to do this , then, good for him. but at this point we should all start living off grid, cause what's about to happen is no joke.
@@bobjob3632 Are you sure you're name isn't Wang Ho Chinn?
After watching this video Curtis you have went up 1000% in my eyes! Great content!
Nice to see you thriving, Curtis! Blessings to you and your family ❤!
My friends mom grew up on a farm in the 60’s and they almost never left the farm. They canned everything too. They would process a couple hundred chickens and cook em in soups and stews and ?? And store everything in the cellar. Good for you Curtis. I would have liked to have had something like this but I ran out of time, don’t have a partner. I might be able to get something going still. I have a lot of stuff but nowhere near self sufficiency.
It's never too late friend! Much love..
I'm an old granny homesteading alone and I want to encourage you right now. This instant. Do NOT shoot for perfection. Prioritize, and get up NOW and do ONE THING to bring you closer to self-sufficiency. "Keep it simple" is your new motto. Do one thing every day. Make it ugly-- but make it work. Blessings.
@@grumpygrannysgoatsngardens3185 what fantastic advice! I'm nearing on 50, and have been waiting for a piece of property, but it's just not in the cards just yet, so I decided to just start doing it here in the city where we're at! It's an enormous learning curve, so I'm glad that I'm taking the time now to learn some of this stuff. Most recently, I got chickens, and they have been like the homesteading gateway drug! Lol 😆
Realize you cant do it all, but you can do something. I have chosen rabbits over chickens for protein as they are easier to dress out and it easy for me to get eggs locally. Rabbits provide fertilizer you can use directly without composting. Plan on adding quail in spring as they are easy to process, no scalding and plucking, just skin them. Figure out what you are good at and develop that as a barterable skill. Gardening not my strength but have invested in several pressure canners and plan to barter canning service for produce. Developing a medical herb garden and making that another strength. Kindling can be gotten from roofers when they are replacing shake roofs. A pickup truck load of old shakes will give you kindling for a couple of winters. Grab a couple of truckloads when you have the opportunity.
@@theurbanthirdhomestead yes!! Chickens and rabbit are definitely the right choice on the Keep It Simple homestead. Also trees over gardens! Dehydration over canning. Scrapping for wood! Now we're moving!
I heated my house 2100 sq ft with nothing but wood for 10 years... I never made wood any smaller that what would fit in the door of the stove, made minimal kindling and had very very dry seasoned wood. Makes huge difference in time & work spent to heat wit wood.
Thanks for using your platform to spread the truth. Glad you are awakened. Love and protection to your life and family.
Buying land overseas in a village. Thanks for sharing your journey. Very helpful
I cannot tell you how thankful and happy I am to hear of other people who are aware of what is happening, and doing something about it. Sadly most people do not have the resources to do what you have done, but in reality we don't need a lot of this. We go to extraordinary measures to preserve our comfortable way of life, but reality is a lot of the things we are trying to recreate are long term going to be a waste of money and time. I am sure you have already thought that through and know that our homesteads need to be sustainable off of the land we live on. Our dependence on technology and electricity may be a fools errand in the long run. Congrats on your success and putting your money where your mouth is. Big thumbs up. Now make sure the people around you are doing the same things. We are only as strong as the weakest links in our local communities. Even in rural areas.
I so agree with your views, Curtis, on what is happening and how we need to prepare ourselves and take a stand.
You are a gift to humanity Curtis.
Good words, Curtis. Ben living of gris myself now for two years and learning the same things you are.
This is exactly the messaging that needs to be getting out there. Thank you
You are so right my friend. Your hard work is a great investment in your future and your family's security. I applaud you
Tesla, skid steer, and all the other nice equipment sure makes things more comfortable. Hope this is a long term approach on life for you and your family.
Look into a thermal mass type oven for heating. You'll use way less wood. Once it's warmed up, it takes very little energy to maintain.
Totally agree. Also packing the burning chamber with logs at the bottom and lighting a small kindling fire on top also makes the burn more efficient or having a vertical feed system.
I really love the soapstone stoves and they really hold the heat.
Rocket mass heaters are nice.. we want to buld one, I want to gather all the material, then build it during the summer.. couple that with radiant heat could make for a nice set-up.
Yes, doing it all is a lot of work but it's so worth it, Curtis. Love your videos. Bless you and your family.
Same, I was genuinely completely stunned by how many of my colleagues fell in line and too whatever the government threw at them.
Nice video, sharing your experience. I might never get there. But having a house with a garden that provides every year more home grown vegetables are my babysteps into the direction of more autonomy.
Hi Curtis,
I believe in everything that you are saying and think you are doing an amazing job in preparing and looking after your family, the only downside I see with any of it is, that you are still reliant upon vehicles, batteries, diesels etcetera. When they are all taken out of the equation can you still produce enough energy to keep your family safe and sound.
Thanks for charing your homesteading indeovours. We living in interesting times and to be free takes a lot more responsibility yes. Its great to see you went off-grid in so many ways. May you be blessed abundantly..
Enjoy hearing you talk and you select important topics. Thanks.
I used to email back and forth with Alan Watt and he warned us of this “technocratic era” and in one of his last emails he wrote “I hope you are mentally prepared for what is coming down the pike…” Rest well Alan
The guy was a hero.
@@offgridcurtisstone He most certainly was, I listened to all his talks from 2004 and on…used to send him some cash and a gf in my past life was very kind to hand knit a touque and some wool socks to help him keep warm, which we sent him. Sure miss his blurbs…sometimes I listen to an old one. I was about to send him another present as it was on “to do” list when I heard of his mysterious passing.
I tried googling Alan Watt and I don't think I found the right person. Will you share a link?
@@LifeWaterPhotography Alan Watt is a philosopher
Dehydration is by far the easiest storage method. Keep it simple, especially my senior brethren going it alone-- KEEP IT SIMPLE
Much appreciated gravy. Be blessed everyone
Still figuring out this computer thing to find you in other arias. I had my homestead fully equipped a few years back while I was still working. Work kept me from home weeks at a time. They stole all the fencing, the 24 by 32 barn, the irrigation system ,all the woodworking tools,all the gardening tools, and stripped my tractors. M health stripped me of work 3 years ago and it has been a very slow and steady build back. Degenerative spine ,neuropathy and an ms diagnosis. Everything takes 3 or 4 times longer, but steady at it. Much time crawling or skooting through the gardens doing what the tractor won't. Still keeping 5 50 by 170 ft gardens. You've always been encouragement when I'm exhausted ,hurting and want to walk away. Just lay down in the isle and gather my strength and Finnish the row. It's good it all got gone it allowed me to rebuild and restructure to what works for me today.
Great video. The blaze king stove we are using in my experience is the best yet. All winter so far only had to restart a couple times. Very efficient.
Food preserving is indeed most important and time-consuming, but rewarding in the wintertime having your own organic veges, fruits and berries for year-round consumption. 3 months optimal growing time to produce 12 months worth of food, aside for what you grow in winter greenhouse. West side of Okanagan Lake, still growing in my insulated covered raised beds.
Love your stuff, man! Suggestion... do a timeline grid of what core tasks are over the year. Example, July is start of early harvest and canning. Canning probably escalates later as farming rolls off. Farming rolls off late fall. But winter preps and so forth begins. See what I mean? A chart with guidelines on where focus is.
Reach out to me privately if you want a better understanding of what I'm talking about. Could be a core tool for everyone. "With Freedom comes responsibility."
Producing your own biodiesel is always a good addition to your arsenal to reduce costs on petro diesel
Shitting in buckets is easier than a composting toilet. I had nothing but grief with mine. Snapped cotter pins on the main shaft if the mix was off, even a little, getting either too heavy or too hard. When that happened I’d have to take the toilet apart, empty it by hand, and fix it. After that happened half a dozen times, I gave it up. Outhouse at minus 20 was preferable.
Haha -20! Wow, that's an experience to write about. I remember when I was in the Himalayas in Northern India, the long drop squatter at the homestay I was at (4200m above sea level) had snow in the corners of it.. and that would be because it had no roof 🙄 Memorable bowel evac.
I too am “off grid” with my electric cars, solar panels and batteries in the basement but I’m totally dependent on business as usual (BAU) in the outside world to supply me with the necessary things of life. Not to mention both our solar systems have about a 12 year life then charge controllers, inverters and the panels themselves have to be replaced. Curtis it’s time to admit you’re totally dependent on BAU as we all are. Like it or not your well being is dependent on the well being of the world that supplies you!
BRIAN very true
I am off grid as well, you are right.
Plus I had police helicopters flying around my land and house.
Plus I had robbers going around lately. Police came 4 hours later to take pictures of the all property and house.
Plus, almost no water in Spring and Summer for veggies.
Batteries are very expensive!
Things are not looking good here in Europe.
I love chicken!
@@anabelaramos8399 That doesn't sound good. Maybe you could relocate?
@@Growmap where?
People are arriving here from Germany, running away, and say this is one of the best places in Europe. Austria, Germany and Italy plus Brussels are going mad. They are ignoring all laws and treates, national and international. Human rights, bioethics, Nuremberg, european constitution, Helsinque, everything.
Well, I was alone now I have german and french neighbours, that's positive.
As a professional florist I have a couple of skills that may transfer to off grid life and I'm grateful for that but wow oh wow, I can't imagine how much there is to learn. Thanks for taking us along on this journey Curtis. You, Justin Rhodes and others are very helpful!
You can do it! You can do anything you put your mind, body, spirit to!
Love your plans.--------As far as the rest------you nailed that also.
I really appreciated the validation of my homesteading lifestyle that you stated in this video. So many thought I was redickulous for wanting this life. Slowly, they are awakening
I think you said it quite well when you said that those who could just print money don't care about money they care about control because it can't be printed.
Just wanted to add something to a comment you made with reference to prepping food and that "maybe you will get someone in to help next time"... someone said to me just the other day why wouldn't you get a cleaner, a gardener, a helper because it gives someone else a job! That was pretty profound when this friend said it. Sure not everyone can afford to bring in help but those who can, remember "it gives someone a job, it gives them a purpose and an income they might not have had otherwise". To me that's pretty positive to make a difference in today's world.
I freakin' love you, Curtis. Thanks for all you do.
Thanks for the video, Curtis. I always enjoy hearing your perspective.
Maybe during the winter months you could use the wind to generate electricity along side the solar energy.
I keep my house at 65F in Winter (50 over night). I cool it to 75- 80F in Summer. We poop in buckets too. I have a very deep cistern that was used to store water for decades, but is no longer in use. It has become the septic. I dump the bucket every 2-3 days.
If you want a clear picture on the most sustainable form of human living, look at the way humans lived for THOUSANDS of years (ancient to colonial) when they could survive off off everything provided within about a 15 mile radius. A LOT from their immediate homestead, and the rest supplemented (from and to one another) by those living in the surrounding areas.
I'm not saying modern "high" technology (ex: solar) should be abandoned, but it should be seen as a bonus cream. Create a solid foundation of EARNEST thousands of year proven suitability, but DO NOT make your homestead/lifestyle dependent on the presence and parts access associated with modernity.
Yes, what you speek of is true independence with cooperation and healthy interdependence. Everything else is gravy and subject to manipulation by humans with less than honorable intent.
@@therawmarro
WELL stated Marilyn
Thousand years ago, life expectancy was 50 years old. Their solution was to die young...😑
Merry Christmas and have a wonderful New YEAR
You are doing what the rest of us want to do but for some reason can't. I'm stuck in a city because my wife and kids would never agree to suffer the "hardships" of rural life. They don't seem to realize that we are suffering the insanity of city life with high taxes, high crime rates, pollution, stressful jobs, expensive childcare, etc. Rural life would be a breath of fresh air. Literally.
It is. I lived in the city most of my life.
Always admire people that go off grid…maybe someday.
A wood chipper will give you effort less kindling using branches. Has many uses . I envy your life 😃 and enjoy your videos…if hubby would get on board with this type of life I would run and pack b4 he finished talking but he isn’t on same mind set . I do what I can where I am I come off the road in July i bought my grow tunnel and above ground beds and buy up as many jars as I can to hit the ground running buying a diy shallow well kit from plumbing supply and have Berkeley with several replacement filters, oil lamps with clear fuel gallons and waiting for my wood burning stove…have 5 cords of split wood. Husband yells saying I am insane…maybe I am…but if not at least I am ready best I can be if shtf
Very, very good video. You have much wisdom for such a young guy. Blessings!
I don't comment much. BUT I have to say thanks. Your an inspiration. Stay strong.
It's fulfilling AF bro. It's natural and right with God bro.
Godbless
The time is coming that knowing how to grow food will save your life.
Thanks for sharing as you learn !!!!! So valuable
Glad to see you're so awake! boy could we talk!
Most people don't understand what a massive amount of work goes into building a homestead from scratch.
I think you should consider making a 3 sided earth bermed house, using concrete blocks for walls that are well drained with large gravel on the perimeter so no moisture soaks the concrete. The earth stays at a constant temperature year round. In your area, possibly 46-57* Fahrenheit. It will protect and insulate your house in summer and winter. With 8-10 feet of earth all around (and a well insulated roof, possibly even more earth,) the coldest your house would get may be around 50 degrees, depending on how much glass windows you have on the south facing front of the house. Look into the off grid community of “Earthships” in the high desert of New Mexico built by architect Mike Reynolds. He is all about recycling, but you could modify your house to your needs. The steel tubes for air conditioning is also great. So, working with the element of the earth itself, instead of fighting the bitter cold air, would be more practical, in my opinion. (And get some dogs and firearms for security.)
We're already well on our way with our project, so we're not changing it at this point.
Something to keep in mind...
The ceo of Toyota recently said "If Japan switched entirely to electric vehicles, we'd have electrical blackouts every summer."
Mind you, Japan relies on coal and natural gas with the absence of Fukushima.
Is there anyone in their 60s starting a homestead? Curious. Just not quite sure if I'm up for it.
When you run your generator. You can use the glycol to heat space. Once you got the building buttoned up you can use glycol heat from generator through rads for garage or building.
The other thing I thought of for efficiency with a tesla is you can get a diesel mini boiler for a car. They were first designed for semi trucks as glycol heaters. They make models for vw diesel cars as well. Think 6000 per unit. It would save your tesla battery for sure.
As for kindling. You walked through a lot of brush in your walk. There is a lot of dead sticks and twigs. Rake it all up in summer and leave in a dry tarped area. Saves a lot of time making kindling. You can sort by size. As for water. There is 2 ways to do it. I am on your list I am a red seal plumber and refrigeration with lots of cottage set ups. I can save you time but you need to contact me to be helped.
Seems like EM or Bokashi saw dust could be a good addition to the buckets
Thanks for making the video.
Years ago, late 70's, early 80's, in Organic Gardening Magazine, there was an article about a study that looked at time and motion in regards to food production.
The study found that 60% of all the work/labor in food production was in the harvest.
I don't remember if "harvest" included preservation such as canning, dehydration, smoke house, freezer, etc.
It did open my eyes to what would be involved in large scale garden production.
Well now what are you going to do if u can’t bank? Will they allow you to pay your property taxes? This is something we’ve been talking about what we might have to deal with.
I ask myself the same question. How can we pay the bills if we would not be connected to the 'wallet'?
Buy a Harvest Right freeze dryer. Retain nutritional content vs freezing.
Thanks for sharing. Very helpful.
Curtis, I really want to sign up for your content but cannot watch it over the web. We are off-grid as well and the only way to watch you now is thru RUclips. We are in the middle of setting up solar to power a faster internet so hopefully soon we can sign up. Everything you said is spot on. My biggest lesson is cope and organize. First you deal with a problem immediately, then fix it with a system over time. Good luck on your adventures. We are exactly of your mindset. Canada as we knew it is done. We need to build the future with our hands and minds. Cities are an ancient dying concept.
As usual, very informative content. Thanks for the video!
Pee, poop, dump on compost, cover with leaves. Easy. Magic. Also you might wanna boost the bug load for your amazing chickens. The Great Mother has been transforming poop into gold for millions of years
BeLIEve
I miss the liberty on the land! Thanks for this, from just down the road in Kamloops. Rant on, bro!
All good points about heat and energy, dealing with a leaky fuel stove as I listen to this video, lol. But I advocated strongly for a woodstove and set aside money to get firewood delivered and now that the fuel has to be shut off for repairs at -30f in alaska, I'm feeling pretty vindicated!
Good move!
Lots of snow up there!
Hi Curtis, Merry christmas to your wife and 2 children. Jenne
Yea, gravy! My sad math skills added up the hours you mentioned for maintaining the place. A whole lot less than 40 hours a week plus drive time plus a lunch hour/half hour.
We have ten acres of organic gardens
Have you thought about how much you need to clear cut around your buildings and solar arrays in case of crazy forest fires so your investments don't get damaged?
There seems to be a lot of fires on the west coast the past few years.
recently heard: The past is history and the future is a mystery.Today is a gift, that's why it's called the "present".
Curtis you are absolutely correct, the name of the (their) game is >> CONTROL
Great video, I'm 18 and poor so I'm glad you are posting at least a few videos on RUclips.
You can do it. Build community, barter, share, care-- this is how we build the New World. Not gonna be outta money, son
I too am glad Curtis is posting a few videos on RUclips bc I too am broke.
@@grumpygrannysgoatsngardens3185 Ah you are someone I am curious about and was asking Curtis about. I was wondering what do elder people do if they can't do the hard labor etc. If you have a RUclips, I will go check it out. Maybe my questions will be answered. especially since you say you have little income. I make 1k a month....doesn't leave very much so will see if you have tips.
@@grumpygrannysgoatsngardens3185 OK I will keep a note about this but kinda hard to build community where I live. I'm so new to this new world...don't know even where to look. Maybe Telegram or something. Like bartering is something interesting. Will look into that. But hard to make a community with lockdowns etc.
Pascal-- poverty is the door to creativity. Blessings, you are our future
Epic stuff as always!
The initial push to preserve food to start a stockpile of it is quite large. When you consider the amount of time that you’re putting into preserving the food in fact it’s time saved at the end when you have the food at hand and don’t need to go off to the store and spend a few hours shopping for it every couple of weeks.
Yes, food preservation is one of the most time consuming facets of a true and well-functioning homestead. Grow what you eat and eat what you grow! Sadly, I see many self-proclaimed homesteaders waste the abundance.
Not sure where you live but we have only pine in eastern Washington. Pine burns crazy fast. Would be nice if we had harder wood but that’s the way it goes. We’re not off the grid however but using that wood stove is amazing. Using presto logs is good through the night. Pine doesn’t last.
We put a 2100 gallon cistern in this year. We needed it as our well wasn’t producing enough. That was a game changer.
Meat birds and pigs is a good way to go for meat. Of course laying hens as well.
Patience is virtue. Great share , thanks for great info🌞🌦💧🌻🐝🌱🌵🦁
Excellent perspective and insight !
First lesson I learned in homesteading was don’t live where it snows 😂
You're spot on!
You have to burn seasoned wood. One because its safer. Alot safer. No chimney fires. Second. Wet wood does not burn hot. So your wasting your wood. Your labour. Your time.
I have a place about 200 miles to the southeast of you... totally understand, humanure and all + rainwater, cistern, fridge, solar and starlink!
The trick with firewood is getting ahead. It’s tough but doable (even if you have to pay someone one time to do it). 5 years is great. You have a skid steer so I would suggest IBC totes so you wouldn’t have to stack. As far as kindling goes, sounds like you may be overworking there. If it’s dry one size should do you fine. While you have access to it, a blow torch for lighting is the ticket. Looks like you have a lot of fir on the property which is good. If you can get your hands on some hardwood all the better. Good luck!
What are your thoughts on trading if we can not participate in banking?
Crypto, traded off a ledger cold storage. Eventually getting a mastercard or other that will transact digital wallets in the near future... good luck getting a loan from a bank though. You will need to pay bills and taxes with fiat currency still to even steward property. You need to have a business to protect yourself essentially.
Great video! Thank you
We have ten acres of organic gardens. We have a 12 by 12 outdoor fridge freezer
Radiant heat. Steel pipes filled with flowing hot water through the house. Burn firewood and heat water. It’s what the do in northern Russia and Siberia.
Some good pointers 🌿⭐