Hello from Central Pennsylvania!

Good morning!

Thanks for having me here. Long story short, I grew up on a 12 acre hobby farm - we had chickens, some ducks, lots of gardens, some fruit trees, a potbelly pig, and about 6000 landscaping/evergreen trees. I headed off to college, and I've been a city boy ever since. This week my wife and I took a step towards fulfilling our dreams and bought the farm, so to speak. Out in the Laurel Highlands, we found a 17.5 acre farm close to just about everything we love about the area. We'll be moving with our 6 year old son, two cats, and a big tank full of tropical fish.

I haven't done this kind of work in a long time, but we're all solidly dedicated and excited to be taking this next big step in our lives.

I'm very glad to join this forum- I've got a lot of learning to do in preparation for the move, which will be happening in about a month and a half.

Here's a view from the side of the house. Hillside forest to the left, about 6-7 acres of third growth, mostly oak, maple, and black birch. The rest is some pretty overgrown pasture that we'll want to convert to more forest as well as devote to permaculture, endemic trees and plants, vegetable gardens, pasture for chickens, maybe ducks, maybe goats in the coming years.

Looks like a little slice of heaven.

It seems to be, to me at least! I really can't wait to close on this deal and have a proper look at the land and survey the surrounding wooded area!

I'm just so re-new to all of this. I grew up on that little hobby farm and hated all the work involved in keeping running. I never thought I'd be back here again, but it wasn't until I was in my 30's that I understood what my dad was thinking.

That being said, I can't even contemplate how much work I have ahead of me, much less how to do it, or the best tools for the jobs.

I am in a similar situation. Leaving 0.14 acres in the city for 11.11 acres in the middle of Missouri. I'm supposed to finalize the sale of my bhouse today or tomorrow, so we have been very fidgety . I didn't grow up on a farm but have been doing a lot of homework for the last year with the plan of leaving in about 3years. But the universe has pushed us out the door early and we're so glad it did. We're also glad that we have found such a great community and wealth of knowledge here on permies. Take care of yourself and keep us all updated. I haven't made a proper introduction here to explain our situation but I will get it done today. Take care of you and your loved ones.

Congrats on your move Michael, I hope your house sale goes through without any hiccups! You've got us beat with those whopping .14 acres though, we're currently on .08

The universe seems to have a similar plan for us well! We moved to our current home 8 years ago for diversity and convenience, and of course being close to our friends and family. Since the pandemic struck we saw everything anchoring us here crumble away. With no real advantages in staying, the advantages in moving out to the cut became even more apparent to us. We were going to wait until our kiddo was in middle school before pursuing our homesteading dream, but the universe lit a fire under our butts, so away we go!

We've got an aerial shot from the drone to share!

Zachary Carpacian wrote:Congrats on your move Michael, I hope your house sale goes through without any hiccups! You've got us beat with those whopping .14 acres though, we're currently on .08

The universe seems to have a similar plan for us well! We moved to our current home 8 years ago for diversity and convenience, and of course being close to our friends and family. Since the pandemic struck we saw everything anchoring us here crumble away. With no real advantages in staying, the advantages in moving out to the cut became even more apparent to us. We were going to wait until our kiddo was in middle school before pursuing our homesteading dream, but the universe lit a fire under our butts, so away we go!

That aerial shot looks great! We too were pressed by the virus that shall not be named lol. A lot of people think that the world is going to hell, but I absolutely think it is the greatest time to be alive. If one has the will to do it, the world can be theirs. There are more and more people who are doing similar things to us and it probably wouldn't be happening if not for all of this. It's the reason I quit my job. I don't know what you think about it all but of I can give any advice, it is to not despair. Do what your heart thinks is right and you will have all you need. Grow a moral family and a moral community and you'll be set. Smile man, you are doing the damn thing!