I grew up on a pretty large farm in southwest Iowa. At one time or another we had cows, pigs, sheep, goats and chickens. We always had a garden- I believe it was a full acre of edibles. My mom canned vegetables and baked bread. I could milk both cows and sheep. And I recall at least one hog roast where the butchering was done in the barn before the hog was put into a roaster as large as a car.
Though it’s difficult for me to recall exactly how much grocery shopping my mom did while we lived on the farm, I believe it was done once a month and I don’t think I ever saw more than 4 or 5 bags of groceries come in the door at a time.
When I was a teen we moved into “town”. Gone was the large garden, the farm fresh meat and the home-canned vegetables.
You truly don’t know what you had until it’s gone.
In the past couple of years I’ve noticed a rise in the number of backyard gardens. And now “urban chickens” are making their way into backyards and more people are dreaming of owning small acreages and becoming more self sufficient.
The problem is that they don’t really know where to start
As we have become removed from the farm, we have begun to rely more on what can be provided for us at a cost and not what we can provide for ourselves. Even growing up with parents and grandparents who utilized the land, I have forgotten much of what I learned at my mother’s side those long years ago.
Backyard Farming on an Acre (More or Less)
If you’re wanting a handbook with usable content you can take action on immediately, you won’t be disappointed with the new Living Free Guide, Backyard Farming on an Acre (More or Less) by Angela England.
Angela takes you through everything from finding land to using the land you have, gardening, animals, canning, soap making and more.
I was impressed by the depth of knowledge in the book. Unlike many who research and write these types of books, Angela and her family live this lifestyle. (And though she says this in her book I also know it as a fact as I am lucky enough to call Angela my friend.)
If one of your goals for 2013 is to eat healthier, save money or be more self sufficient, I would urge you to grab a copy of Backyard Farming on an Acre. As one Amazon reviewer wrote, “It’s the only other book I need besides my Bible.”
There is also a great bonus companion guide for your kids. The Homeschool Companion Study Guide for backyard Farming on an Acre (More or Less) would be a great summer project for any family. And it’s free!
Do you have a garden- or even chickens- in your backyard? Or is one of your goals to be more self-sustaining this year? I would love to hear about your plans!
photo credit: Chiot’s Run via photopin cc
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Thanks for sharing, Jodi. This farm girl gone city is loving the city life, especially while my kids are young; but you definitely have me intrigued! And I like that there is a companion guide for kids!
Thanks for sharing I will have to check this book out! I am also intrigued by the idea of landscaping with food. I would love to plant some berry bushes along our home! Edible landscaping – yummy! You have inspired to dig out my seed catalog again. I didn’t can anything but I did several quarts of tomatoes!
We have a small backyard garden and I really want to utilize it this year now that I will have 3 growing kiddos. I am very lost when it comes to gardening, so thanks for the recommendation