Women homesteading ALONE?

Of course a woman can homestead alone!  At least some women can.  Some women can't.  Same with guys.  How confident are you in your current situation.  If you aren't afraid to grab the bull by the horns (figuratively speaking), you probably can.  If you are controlled by fear, you probably aren't the best candidate.  I think it is always better to go into something like this with a partner you know you can trust.  Injuries, sickness and bad luck happen to everyone and another set of hands is insurance, plus there a real emotional benefits.  Humans are pack animals, and most of us are happier with at least one other person on our side.  If you don't have a reliable partner, it is probably better to go it alone than to go with someone who won't have your back.  

I have a real problem with people focusing on the disadvantages they work under because of the form they were born in.   There are advantages conferred by your gender, race, family background, athletic ability, physical attractiveness, etc.  If I were born a Kennedy I would probably hold public office in Massachusetts right now, no matter what my qualifications (I wasn't born a Kennedy though, damnit!).  You take the cards you were dealt and play the best game you can.  Is it fair?  No!  Who said life is fair, where is that written? (That was an obscure Princess Bride quote).  Every group that has disadvantages also generally has some advantages also.  Use them.  Women, stereo typically are way better at networking than guys are.  Although women are generally seen as less knowledgeable on some areas, they also have the advantage of being able to ask questions that might get a guys man card revoked if he asked another guy.  Most folks are more willing to help a woman than a man and are more likely to offer some form of support if she needs a hand.  Of course, that's a stereotype based on how people act on stereotypes, doesn't mean it's not generally true though.  You have the disadvantages, might as well use the advantages.  If it's raining soup, put out a bowl.

I am probably the furthest thing there is from a modern feminist.  I'm an older, traditional guy who is happy in his role as provider, protector and nurterer.  It's part of the social contract with my wife.  I take care of these things, my wife takes care of those things.  Traditional gender roles were formed when people had large families.  This necessarily put limits on the woman (pregnancy, nursing, etc.).  My wife and I raised a large family, so the traditional roles worked for us.  A healthy teenaged girl is capable of lots of heavy work.  A forty or fifty year old gal with health problems, not so much.  If I were in a different situation, I would necessarily have different roles.  

I wonder why this question is even asked.  A capable person makes it work, the incapable can't.  Capable and incapable are not gender specific.  The only major advantage I see is that men tend to be bigger and stronger.  I don't think anyone would even ask if a small guy could homestead.  The question would be insulting.  Small and even old/ partially disabled guys can still homestead, therefor a woman can homestead.  

I've heard some say women are more likely to be exploited, etc.  It's always good to have a back up plan for worst case scenarios (a couple of good dogs, a 12 guage, a sympathetic sheriff on speed dial).  Generally it doesn't come to that.  Most people know intuitively when you mean business or if you're going to back down.  How often do men actually have to use physical force on other men?  Once they're past the stupid teenage years, it's a very rare event (and if it happens, there is generally a woman or lots of alcohol or drugs involved).  I'm 63 and have managed to go my entire adult life without a fist fight, and I have not had to back down much.  It may surprise some gals, but people try to take advantage of guys all the time also.  It's your job not to let them take advantage of you.  

I've also read complaints that some unscrupulous men will try to move in with a woman to take advantage of what she has (property, etc.).  I can't even count how many stupid guys I've known who've had a gal move in with them, quickly blew all their money and finally took most of what they owned and moved on.  Often, their friends recognized what kind of gal she was at the start and tried to warn them, but many guys tend to be stupid in this area.  Women can be stupid in this area also. There are manipulative assholes in both genders, and they generally try to take advantage of whoever they can.  If you're a member of the other gender, you are just an easier mark.  It's up to you not to let it happen.  

This is a interesting question.

Can two 30yr super strong brothers setup a 100 acre permaculture farm with just hand tools...NOPE
Can two 70yr old people (married couple) manage a homestead with leaking roof....NOT Really
Can one male/female go ice-climbing or sail around the world(hurricane) by them-self.....Realistically NO.
Can a single strong male enter hand to paw mortal combat with a bear and win........ 9/10 NO

Overall I would say that with modern machinery/tools/contractors for hire/etc it is just about as easy for a woman to homestead alone as a man could.

For now I am just going to ignore the gender,  male vs female part of the question and just focus on the part that say 1person going at it alone vs two or a group. And in that cause yes having my hands, will make things go faster.

I would however say that using heavy equipment/etc without someone to provide help, in case you get hurt could be avoided.

Now back to the gender part of the question:

In alot of ways I can see a single woman getting alot more community help than a man, but I can also see a woman getting annoyed with "overly friendly male help".

I think that a woman can read a book and use a pencil/ruler/saw/screwdriver as good as any man.
She can shoot a gun and kill/scare away a bear as good as any male.
I dont think that a bear/lion/rat see a female vs a male much differently in terms of prey/predator.

In terms of other humans viewing a single as a prey vs avoiding a single man and seeing him as a predator. I think this is a valid concern. You tools/goods might be robbed to provide for some starving relative or just vandalized for laughs and kicks. If you get in a dispute with the neighboring family about the property line, then in theory it is just you alone vs 7+ other people. But a tool like a gun/dog/cellphone/lawyer/etc make it not much of a difference.

My biggest worry would be the loneliness, months and months, year and year, without a partner/best friend. But it is very doable and you should go for it. Lot of other people have done it and you can do it too. And who knows where it will lead you.

People will annoy you asking you when are you getting a man, pushy man will annoy you asking if they can be your man, and there is even the fear of being rape. I dont know how to completely prevent it, but if you made it past 25-30yr old the odds of you getting rape is very low and closer to nill if you are 60. That said be firm with your boundaries, dont drink and drive or drink and flirt.

S Bengi: I both agree and disagree with you, based on my experiences (which are just mine, but pretty typical for females alone in this society.)

"Can two 30yr super strong brothers setup a 100 acre permaculture farm with just hand tools...NOPE
Can two 70yr old people (married couple) manage a homestead with leaking roof....NOT Really"

Yes, they can. People have been doing this for millennia under much worse circumstances than modern folks generally have to. We can go to the lumberyard to get stuff to fix the roof, but the people who couldn't do so still managed to fix the roof, one way or the other. And ALL farming was done with just hand tools until recently.

"Overall I would say that with modern machinery/tools/contractors for hire/etc it is just about as easy for a woman to homestead alone as a man could."

Agree with the concept, yes, that's why I bought a tractor etc. Contractors/help are harder, it was mentioned in this thread about the guys tending to not do what is needed, but what THEY think you need. There's a REALLY intense problem with that, more than a lot of people are aware. Some of it is well meant "I'll take care of you little lady!" some of it is some kind of superiority complex "You just don't know what you need!" some of it is lack of education about Permaculture type things "Of course I sprayed it! You HAVE to spray it!!" some of it is just flat clueless "Oh, that tool you gave me would have done this easier than a shovel?" Some of that probably the males in the Permies world get too, some of it is really specific to females. So I can't assume I can hire someone to help, and actually get done what I need. When I find people I can trust, I hang onto them, but the finding is difficult. Coming up with money to pay them is difficult also. I can't afford to pay anyone to do anything I can do myself, even if I don't like to do a task.
An addendum to the above thoughts

"I think that a woman can read a book and use a pencil/ruler/saw/screwdriver as good as any man."

Yes, but that ticks off some men. It REALLY does.

"My biggest worry would be the loneliness, months and months, year and year, without a partner/best friend."

That depends on what kind of person you are. If you are the kind of person who needs a lot of social contact or does not. I do not, I do fine as long as I have at least one animal to talk to. I have severe health issues, and have spent most of the last 22 years alone, the worst time being 2 years that I think I got out the door less than 20 times, to go to the grocery store, talking to no one but the clerk for less than a minute. Of all the things that worry me about being a single female doing what I do, that one is not on my list. Someone who doesn't cope with aloneness might have issues, but that's not a gender specific thing.

I think any human who is of the mindset to go it alone can do so. It's easier with outside help, or machinery, without those it goes slower. None of that is a gender thing. The social issues that affect specifically women might be more of a problem, as is the social conditioning inflicted on most women. We are both more likely to be viewed as prey than a male, and more likely to be assisted than a male. The real question is how well will any specific person be able to balance all of that? Some people find some parts more difficult, others will find other parts more difficult. I know which parts I have problems with, and I think any person who s considering this needs to realistically assess which parts they will have trouble with.

The book I linked earlier is quite useful, I'll probably write a review of it at some point, so far I'd say if you are a female looking at any type of farming life, you will probably find at least something useful in it. Males would too :) There's some really good advice in it.

Pearl Sutton wrote:The social issues that affect specifically women might be more of a problem, as is the social conditioning inflicted on most women. We are both more likely to be viewed as prey than a male, and more likely to be assisted than a male. The real question is how well will any specific person be able to balance all of that? Some people find some parts more difficult, others will find other parts more difficult.

As a fellow solo female homesteader, I would concur with this. The interesting thing is that it's the social conditioning inflicted on us but it affects both the way we perceive life and also the way men perceive us.

For example, I get a lot of men who are incredulous that I would do this without a husband (and I even have kids!). But - if they  met a male homesteader, it wouldn't seem like such a big deal. The truth is, there are some tasks I am not really able to do as well because perhaps lack of strength or the fact that I'm 5'5 and don't have as much of a wingspan so I have to use other tools, do things differently, etc.

Most of it though is really a mindset. i actually started my Youtube channel (Uncle Dutch Farms if you're looking) because of this - because I hope to inspire women who want to homestead but are single. I see it in FB groups all the time - women doubt that they can homestead without a man. I'm not sure if it's because traditionally the men do the heavy lifting type stuff or what, but the truth is I think it's just a mental obstacle and if we (as women) can stop asking ourselves "am I going to be able to do this?" and instead ask ourselves "Is there any reason I can't do this?" we get very different answers.

Sometimes I have to ask myself that when I fall in the automatic thinking of "I can't do THAT." It really requires critical and independent thinking because a lot of people will automatically assume without even realizing it that you can't do "manly" things like build houses and work on cars. Especially if you're like me - I didn't grow up with any opportunity to learn how to work on cars and build houses and do stuff like that so I have had to learn it all independently as an adult.

Case in point - I put up 4x8 siding sheets on my house, alone. It was hard because again I'm 5'5 and so it was really difficult for me to simultaneously hold the sheets in place and screw them in but I developed a system to brace them in place so it would make it easier for me to put them up, so I got it done. I am, however, opting to pay someone to do the upper parts - I could in theory do it, but I'm choosing to not because it would mean a ton of lifting and scaffolding and whatnot and I figured in this case I'd rather just pay a professional handyman and have him do it.

I weigh things like that all the time. I will say that the fact that I earn a decent living helps me a lot, because I can use my time to work for dollars and then use said dollars to purchase services. Like buying firewood - I can buy firewood for the entire winter for about 1-2 days worth of income... but it would take me WAY longer than that 1-2 days to cut, buck, and split it myself. I find I just have to be mindful and be in the mindset of "I can do anything I need to do, but is it worth my time or should I hire someone to do it?"

The safety thing... well I think that applies to men just as well as women. I mostly worry about 4 legged predators but I'm prepared as well as I can be. A shotgun and some good LGDs do the trick. One thing I will say is that while I am solo, I'm not really *alone* because my brother and parents both have adjoining properties. So I can hire my nephews to do stuff, and if there was some need for extra gun hands for some reason a phone call would bring them out quick (although I think that's more of a "neighbor" thing and not specific to me as a female).

And yes - the other side of the token is how men react to me. It's kind of all over the board. I get the proverbial head pats (Let me tell you about this ONE guy at the lumber store who always asks me if I have a "fun craft project" when I come buy lumber... sigh) and lots of men (mostly older, for some reason) who find out I'm a single mother with land and decide that they want to date me. I call them land diggers 😂 But I also have men and women in my life who are supportive, encouraging, and help me learn this stuff as I need to learn it. Youtube helps massively as well.

As with anything, I think this is one of those things that sometimes we women need to hear someone tell us "Yes, you can do it!" and more often than not, we first need to tell that to ourselves.

Carol Chung wrote:Is it possible for women to homestead ALONE?  

I'm 38.  Living in nature and being self-sufficient has always been my dream.  But I have a few worries.  One of them has to do with the safety of living alone in the rural areas.  Because I have heard stories of single women getting robbed (even though she was living very close to neighbours).  And it seems it's not uncommon to hear about burglaries in the countryside, in both developed and developing countries.  I'm worried.

Not sure if anyone is reading this still, but the post was shared with me.  Yes, it can be done!  I'm doing it on 30 acres in the Ozarks of Arkansas.  I also have a blog and a Facebook page I've just started.  Would love to hear about others doing the same thing!  Don't let anyone tell you that you can't.  You don't know till ya try.

Lazy Dog Ranch & Homestead Facebook Page

Lazy Dog Ranch & Homestead Blog

Sylvia

Probably the person who started this thread is not reading it any more. It would be nice if she posted an update. Did she do it?☺️.

It was an interesting thread to read.

I agree: it’s a matter of willingness and mindset. I am one of those women that is not completely alone, but I spend most of the weekdays by myself.

I take care of a bunch of critters, two milking cows, a handful of milking goats, 30+chickens, some pet geese, two pigs, a steer or two at any given time.

In the summer I grow a big garden.

My place is out of the beaten path, the neighboors houses are not visible. My dogs keep me and the critters safe, and I did take some gun safety classes and target practice. Better to be prepared and never need it than to need it and not know what to do.

Tyler Ludens wrote:A woman homesteading alone is not likely to have a big family to do chores with her, it seems to me.  If a single parent, likely she has only one or two children, and they are possibly too small to do many chores?  She has to somehow manage to work a full time job, raise her children, plus homestead.  To me that seems superhuman.  

A sign of the times, indeed :.)  My grandmother was born in 1899.  Married a young lumber foreman at 13 (he was twice her age... times were way different!).  First child at 14.  He worked the lumberyard from early until dinner time.  She took care of the home, garden, and critters.  That's how they both grew up.  I learned from watching and helping her.  A ridiculous amount of us did.  She had 11 children.  By the time I was in my teens, I had 41 first cousins.  And her family was much the same.

I didn't know how much family we had until a family reunion at which 300+ relatives came with parents, siblings, children, and significant others.  However, each family did their own thing.  They lived so far apart they only saw each other at major holidays or one of those family reunions.  Her generation lived through the depression dirt poor with a dirt floor - seriously - and they never went hungry.  Her husband died when she was in her early 30s. So she and a woman down the road who also had a herd of kids and lost her husband, they would trade back and forth and planned their gardens so each grew a few things the other didn't have.  Reduced labor, increased variety, and you can bet all the kids helped.  Two women and a bunch of kids did just fine.

Fast forward to these days.  Sort of.  I always worked and raised my sons, + domestic engineering.  None of us can figure out that math.  It wasn't easy or fun.  We just got through it day-to-day.  When my sons were older, I worked more and they both started working in high school.

Time can be illusory.  In the time it takes to watch Good Morning America, I got laundry and breakfast started, made lunches, and washed dishes.  Then walked sons to a bus stop or took them to school, returned home to finish laundry, then went to work.  After work, there was dinner, usually another load of laundry.  Sons took their baths.  Sweeping, mopping, a quick dusting, and feed critters.  Then I could take a bath and sit down for the day, usually with work brought home for another couple hours.  

Maybe it's about making the most of time and momentum.  

Back to my grandmother.  She was usually moving, but never rushed.  She'd pick the garden in the morning.  Shell butterbeans on the porch.  Pull out preserves, fry meat for a meal while making biscuits for 2 dozen people and make it look effortless.  Then wash clothes in the wringer washer and hang them to dry.  Maybe gossip for half an hour on the phone with a friend - or friends sometimes since party lines were still a thing.  Read the bible for 30 minutes.  Watch a soap opera.  Then sweep, mop, dust, and back to fixing the next meal.  

She did not have an easy life at all.  A few of her kids were not quite pillars of the community.  She never remarried.  She took care of one of them for the rest of his life after he returned from Korea.  No breaks sometimes, yeah?  She never learned to drive.  Her youngest daughter taught her how to read and write when she was in her early 40s.  She nearly lost the property after her husband died because she had no social security number.  The list goes on.

What she had in spades was a strong work ethic, somehow a healthy perspective about life and living, and a rhythm that kept her going to keep the kids taken care of and her house spotless no matter how many people were in it.  Though in hindsight, as time went on I think part of her strategy was keeping us kids around to delegate to and keep our parents visiting each other so she could get a break from them! :=)  If ever a human could herd cats, it was her.

She also told great jokes that we were never to repeat, which we did.  

My generation and those that follow, have very different challenges.  3-4 generations living in the same house or, close by, seldom happens in the cities.  The experience and wisdoms of an older generation around children is mostly lost.  

All these reasons and many more is why I began learning about how to get back to what works better than what living has become for too many people.  

I can barely wait to get my hands back in the dirt.  Get bone tired from being busy outside.  Sleep like a baby.  Not worry about what's in the air, water, and food.  And most of all, spreading out.  People were not meant to live on top of each other for long periods of time.  Definitely not for a lifetime.

First off, this is an older thread.  I'm curious about how you've progressed and learned along the way.

Other than that I have a few comments...

Dogs are nice to have, but they have food demands that other animals don't.  I have a donkey specifically to protect my goats from such critters as coyotes and other people's dogs.  They can also deliver a damaging kick to an unwary intruder.  They can also raise quite a ruckus when strangers come by, either human or animal.  Food demands are relatively easy...plenty of grass and a maybe a bit of grain each day.  Yes, the one limiting factor might be fencing, but if you have other livestock, that is already taken care of.

Homesteading alone doesn't necessarily have to mean homesteading "alone" if its designed correctly.  An IC of collective homesteaders could provide both the independence of being your own homesteader, but also provide the security of having others around living in a similar manner.  However, if you have your own land upon which you are living, you could find another homesteader to live on the place, in their own independent mini-homestead with their own abode, etc.  This could provide that sense of security for which you were looking.  It might be an optimal way for two women who wanted to be independent to share some land.

Just my two cents...

this lady is very inspiring:

I am, and have been, for 30 years.  I now live in the desert, about 35 minutes from anywhere.  To tell you the truth, I have never had that fear.  Beginning in my 20's (now 75) I have always lived in the wilderness.  More things can happen to you in the Walmart parking lot (LOL) than can happen to you living alone in a rural area.  Look at the people who put bars on their windows...will that save them? No, not if someone really wants to get in.  The first thing you have to do is try to change your consciousness.....if you are fearful, fear will always follow you, if not in this idea, then others.

I am mostly deaf, have been for a very long time.....but I do not allow that to make me fearful.  I do have a LGD but she is here to protect the livestock, I don't really think of her as protecting me.  I just live my life; there are too many things to be happy about living this kind of life, why should I give that precious energy over to a fear of the unknown?

If you want to contact me, I can be reached at expressionsoftheheart777@gmail.com. I would be more than willing to mentor any woman who wants to live this way of life without others.  I am 5'4" and 115 pounds and I built my cabin and everything else here on my property.....on my own.  You can do this if you set your mind and heart to it.  

Woman or man, it doesn't really make a difference.  You have to want to make your homestead, and want to do it enough to focus on it with all your heart, in spite of all the well-meaning advice from everyone.  Working alone you have to be safety conscious, just like you do in any setting, but even more.  You have to take the time to use your brains instead of brute strength, and walk away from a problem for a bit if things start to go south.  Dogs are great company and good workers, and I always feel much safer in the woods than the city, personally.  You do have to be ready to work long hours, especially in the beginning, and especially if you have another full or part time job.  Chores by headlamp, before and after work are just part of the routine, and are quite grounding.  When I had small children I treasured my milking time when I had a few minutes of quiet to put two thoughts together consecutively.  Building a homestead alone is an exercise in honestly confronting yourself, as there is no one else to blame when the firewood runs out before winter is over, or something falls apart because you didn't build it properly.  But the other side of that is the wonderful feeling of all the things that you do get right, or try a few times and finally master, or seeing the place thrive and transform toward your vision.  The downside of homesteading alone can be the times when you feel overwhelmed or lose sight of the larger picture and get bogged down in the day-to-day issues.  But unless you are actually a hermit, and have no contact with anyone else, friends and family can be a force toward the good.  Relationships are great-I've had some really good ones--but it's a myth that a person can't be a functional adult and not be in one, and be able to accomplish whatever they set their mind to.  Especially with homesteading, where your project is so self-defined.  Go for it, whatever it is!  To paraphrase someone in the thread, no one is coming to get it done for you.  

Loads of interesting points on here.
But I didn't see anyone ask the question- What's the point of doing it alone?

What I mean is this- I've been homesteading alone for 2 years, and I'm recently asking myself this question. I'm feeling the lack of having someone to share this with.
Y'know, sharing the day to day little things, like 'oh wow look at the size of that eagle' or 'what's this weird bug on my arm?'.
Like sharing the triumph of a job well done. Or the ease of sitting in the sunset together with a Mojito without having to invite someone and arrange it all first.

I'm losing my motivation a little bit because of the lack of partnership. The massive amount of effort required is beginning to outweigh the benefits for me.
Why am I trying to make a beautiful garden if I'm sat in it myself most of the time?

I'm mostly introverted, but I'm not a hermit. I have friends around but they're mostly couples with kids and they don't have much free time. Trying to do anything with them has to be planned out military style.
I miss the easiness of someone just being there. I'm getting restless and dissatisfied, on my farm day after day, talking to my dog. She's great but not much of a philosopher. And more likely to eat the bug on my arm than gaze at it in wonder.  

Worry less about thieves and accidents. Instead be sure you're at ease with yourself and with being isolated for long periods.

I have passed the 70 year mark, and my wife and I do quite well on our homestead ....including patching the roof on the barn, cleaning the chimneys, etc.  My wife has more physical limitations than me, so I doubt if she could do 100% of the work alone, but that has nothing to do with her age or sex ( she was attacked when she was in her mid 20's and had the hell beat out of her).

Now for the details, I work in two hour sessions and then rest for at least an hour in between.  I do have a front end loader on my tractor.  My wife and I are both RNs with MS in Rehabilitation......we know how to design accommodations into our work and the design of our house. This year, I purchased a wood splitter.  I also now have an auger for post holes on my tractor. My experiences tell me we can pretty well continue with the Bees, Chickens, KuneKunes, Nigerian goats, and garden until our mid 80s. At that time, we will eliminate most of the livestock. Garden wise, I plan on attaching a greenhouse to our home. The would hopefully translate into more fresh food throughout the year and less canning.

There is no reason why a woman, or a woman over 70, cannot homestead alone.  It takes some thought and planning, but it can be done.

I can't find it now,  but someone asked the question regarding  barking dogs.  First, I find an outside dog to be critical in rural areas.  My experience has been that predators will take over at night without a dog.  I favor a Border Collie.   I have learned what the barks mean:  human bark, another dog bark, small animal bark, deer bark, play bark, large predator bark.

The dog's behavior when I step outside with a firearm speaks volumes.  If he leads, he wants to show me, and he does not see a serious threat. If he wants me to lead, there is potential serious trouble.

At my present site serious means coyote or human acting strangely.  So far, the only human  issue has been a couple of teens using my driveway as a parking spot.  As long as I don't get sued for child support,  I really don't care.

How did your adventure turn out?

Anna McIntyre wrote:
Loads of interesting points on here.
But I didn't see anyone ask the question- What's the point of doing it alone?

I truly do not think anyone WANTS to do it alone. But if you are ready and have no partner...you must moved towards your goals. Hell yes it would be fantastic to go in with a handyman and build together,  or a group of families that can come together and tackle it all. Unfortunately that isn't always an option and we must continue on being the powerhouse women that we are and get that shit done! ; )

Abe Coley wrote:this lady is very inspiring:

Loved this video! What a beautiful space. Thanks for sharing.

Lots of really intelligent and interesting thoughts and feelings about this. As a woman who has seen, experienced, and created amazing things, I know how much I’m capable of regardless of what anyone else believes and I own that sometimes that’s not much. I’ve been through times in my life and I was fearless, sometimes way past stupid fearless, been physically strong, and mentally capable. And I’ve been through times when I can’t move even though I know my fears are illogical I’m scared and need help to move through them so I stand still. I haven’t lived the life nature intended for this animal, didn’t raise my children to live the way nature intended, and when life slowed down and I got some wisdom I think seeing it broke me. Some days I’m sure I’m doing as much as I’m capable while feeling ashamed I haven’t done more. I know I can’t do this alone and I have no shame owning that. I’ve seen too much, been through too much, and broken too many bones to lie to myself or anyone else. I can always dream though, no matter how hurt my body or brain are that day, I can dream. And maybe put want ad out there in the universe and find my special kind of nutter to team up with.

Valid concern about illness or injury.  I have a neighbor who I visit with often and ask advice of.  I let him and his wife know that I want to do this task today...could you swing in if you go by and don't see me in the yard?  I am blessed because in winter, my 2 nearest neighbors come when the snow is heavy with their tractors as they know I haven't mastered that yet.  In return, I always make sure they get goodies and hot drinks in winter and will always help if asked.

This is a great topic. I love all of the perspectives. I have a full time job, a small homestead, 3 large dogs, 3 strategically placed surveillance cameras and firearms. I had never fired a gun before I was 30, but I had been shot at, so as soon as I could, I took an NRA handgun course. And 3 more. I know my neighbors and they know I'm single, except for times when my son visits or I'm dating someone.  I have been trained to use my weapons offensively and defensively and I'm active shooter trained and a safety manager as well as the geologist at my job. When I feel there is a chink in my armor I turn my attention to that and find info or training to get better prepared. I love small/short tests like when the power goes out, or I get snowed in, to take inventory and reevaluate if I want more land and get back to the isolation of my past homesteads. Like many responders on here I was married to a guy that did very little around the homestead- we both had jobs and his team roping hobby followed by lead guitar in some bands took his heart away from the family and homestead. I did become superwoman, raising two adopted special needs kids, running two businesses and the homestead. Back then I was called a "prepper", but I just called it planning ahead. Women can do this with or without help. Start where you are now. Grow a little food, have pets and chickens and get trained on things you don't yet know how to do. Or learn to barter, and keep a mysterious side when meeting new neighbors. Not creepy, just don't show all your cards.  They'll respect your privacy. I lock doors and cars and let my dogs bark away people and animals.  It's a lifestyle to be proud of. I would never leave the country to find land to homestead. I know my town and area and laws, which is a great place to start. You can even homestead in suburbia if you're more comfortable in that environment. I absolutely want at least 10 acres. I can replace my job with that. I used to think.I needed more like 100 acres. I'm studying to be more efficient with less. Cheers!

Neat to see a ladie living off grid life been my dream to so I'm almost have everything together just waiting for the right time my name lucas!

Yes it's not good to be off grid alone , but some do. I rather have a partner , someone around

Security, like permaculture, is best accomplished through redundancy, or having many elements set up in "layers" that are aimed at accomplishing the same goal.

If you are a single woman, start by letting a man do your voice mail message. Put a big pair of men's dirty boots outside your house on the front porch. Get a large, intimidating dog to patrol your perimeter or at least put out a large dog bowl with "Thunder" or "Zeus" (as opposed to "buttercup" painted on it). Have a small or medium dog inside that will alert you to problems. We had an Australian Shepherd that had a large, loud bark and would alert us to anyone approaching our house.

Lights are your friends. Set up motion sensor lights at all access/egress points. Set up "layers of security" for access (a gate into the property, a security door, a deeply inbedded dead bolt lock or other security device that impedes forced entry on your main door) Keep hedges trimmed near your house so that there are no convenient hiding places. Keep your eyes open for people casing your property, vehicles that drive by repeatedly and slowly or park somewhere that the occupants can watch your property.

Arm yourself. I used to be a law enforcement officer. I recommend a good tactical shotgun or an AR15 with red dot optics for home defense. Get a concealed carry permit and carry a pistol. If you aren't comfortable with firearms, either get training or choose some OC/CS chemical spray and keep it on you or by your bed. Don't just "get a weapon." Get a home security system with a loud external alarm and have it monitored. Put a dead bolt lock on your bedroom door and trade your hollow core interior door for something more solid. Set it up as a "safe room." Keep your cell phone accessible at all times.

There is more that could be said, but you get the idea. Couple prevention measures with defensive measures and layer them on top of one another giving any potential aggressor a challenging time getting access to you and making him sorry he gets access if he overcomes your layers of prevention.

Above all, build community. Get to know the law enforcement officers in the area and do nice things for them. There is no substitute for neighbors you can trust.

My name is Jonathan, SWM if your considering off grid and looking for a partner not mate, there are many honest hard working people looking for an opportunity including myself perhaps you should try reaching out.

Too bad I'm 6 years late... Single permasteading ladies in their 40s, if you need manly help, let me know. I'm available. I'm totally obsessed by the idea of permaculture homesteading, never been lucky in corporate slavery, due to my Asperger's. Concerning my credentials. I grew up in a Ukrainian village, we grew and preserved most of our food, and food for our animals, like 2-3 cows and 2 goats. Also, I'm a carpenter by trade, a woodworker by passion. More aboit me on my FB page. Just look for Serg Downshifter.

Carol Chung wrote:Is it possible for women to homestead ALONE?  

I'm 38.  Living in nature and being self-sufficient has always been my dream.  But I have a few worries.  One of them has to do with the safety of living alone in the rural areas.  Because I have heard stories of single women getting robbed (even though she was living very close to neighbours).  And it seems it's not uncommon to hear about burglaries in the countryside, in both developed and developing countries.  I'm worried.

Reality is you are more likely to be harmed by an intimate partner than by a stranger breaking into your home. Get a livestock guardian or estate guardian type dog and you’ll be safer than a man could ever make you.

I know I am 7 years late to this thread, but have enjoyed all that was shared and was wondering how you all are doing now?? Im about to start my solo female homesteading adventure.
Erin

Im 60 yo woman.  
I have been homesteading alone since 2019.
My emotional health due to loneliness is becoming more difficult to function with.
Many projects require 4 hands rather than two.
I have fallen, slipped on ice while carrying loads, and became traped under a tree trunk (for a 5 min struggle) when tring to move it to a different location.
I have had an encounter with a bobcat, face to face (literally). i dont own a gun because im fearful to use one. my screem scared the cat.
i cant butcher roosters or any animal. its heart breaking to me.
presently my 4 wheel drive F150 is stuck on ice in my driveway and i can not get out.
Planting trees every spring has taken up time use choices and creates a tough growing season in which im always behind. During the fall harvest i am also stacking wood for winter. Overwhelming.  i can not cut my own firewood as i fear the saw.
i want to build a better heat system and off grid power.
both beyond my time availability and skill set.

Im not going to give up. most days are beauty, health, and reward.
the world is crazy and this is the best life choice.

the above statements are to help any alone woman fully know what to expect.

cynthia Stafford wrote:Im 60 yo woman.  
I have been homesteading alone since 2019.
My emotional health due to loneliness is becoming more difficult to function with.
Many projects require 4 hands rather than two.
I have fallen, slipped on ice while carrying loads, and became traped under a tree trunk (for a 5 min struggle) when tring to move it to a different location.
I have had an encounter with a bobcat, face to face (literally). i dont own a gun because im fearful to use one. my screem scared the cat.
i cant butcher roosters or any animal. its heart breaking to me.
presently my 4 wheel drive F150 is stuck on ice in my driveway and i can not get out.
Planting trees every spring has taken up time use choices and creates a tough growing season in which im always behind. During the fall harvest i am also stacking wood for winter. Overwhelming.  i can not cut my own firewood as i fear the saw.
i want to build a better heat system and off grid power.
both beyond my time availability and skill set.

Im not going to give up. most days are beauty, health, and reward.
the world is crazy and this is the best life choice.

the above statements are to help any alone woman fully know what to expect.

I'm 50 and have been urban growing, a quarter acre homestead for 6 or 7 years now. I currently have a partner but, they are a cancer survivor and have had a transplant and I'll likely outlive them here.

for me it seems simple that a woman can do things alone like this. we do most everything anyway? always have. my great grandparents, he was sickly and she did everything on their little farm. everything: ten kids, all housework, all farming, livestock and plants. she did it all and as the kids aged up they helped then moved out.

she did all that with no electric until the last years of it too. for me, I do everything outside the house. I work and do the orchard and garden and am starting quail and guinea hens this year. I've built hoophouse and greenhouse and compost piles and haul in manure and wood chips and fix the boiler and the gas heater and the freezer. I do the plumbing and repair the floors and roof.

my current partner does all the housework. I hate housework, so I'm really glad about that. it's good to have company but another thing that makes it easy on a woman to do this alone is that we have our friends. if and when I outlive my partner I'll invite an old friend or two to move in with me. a few of us here can do just as well. I'm not social or extroverted but my friends last a long time! I've thought ahead and spent time meeting and knowing younger people too, finding friends half my age or less, people who will be able to pick up when I leave off.

but to do that you can't be stuck in the past. I am in awe that we have the internet, that I can have video calls with friends on the other side of the country. they can walk me through their own gardens. they can show me the weird bug. in the phone! in my pocket! I use tiktok and other new stuff all the time, younger people have access to so much knowledge that I need, and I know things they need. I think it was Timothy Leary who said that you've got to stay current or you get lost. whoever said it was right. all the new things are changing the world for better and worse and I feel like I've got to understand those things.

I got diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago and getting therapy and medication for that made everything so much simpler. being able to keep track of things is no longer a chore of its own. I really grieve for the lost years I spent without that being fixed or helped.

as a woman I do get the condescending talk from men when I need to hire in help, but I'm not concerned with people's opinions so I don't respond well to it. the only real annoyance is men trying to hit on me at the mechanic etc or in the trades. it's always been like that. I've lived rural, I've lived in the deep forest, and I've lived in the center city. I've felt least safe in suburban areas and developed farm communities than I ever have in city or true forest seclusion. here I'm in town but not downtown and it's pretty good. safe as anywhere else could be. I don't have a lot of money and it's visible, so I think that helps some. I do wish I had money, more space, more land would be good. the house and plot next door were for sale a time back and oh, I dreamed of buying it


I really wonder how the original poster is doing. if she ever tried.