Hi All! New Here (But Not New Homesteaders)

Hi All!
We are new here but not new homesteaders. We are a family of seven and have just returned from a year in Central America. Boy, did we learn a lot down there! We sold our old homestead in Oregon and bought 10 acres here in Oklahoma to start a new homestead. It was bare ground but already had a well, electric and a septic system.
Looking forward to learning even more here and maybe being able to contribute a bit.
You can learn more about us on our Youtube channelHomestead Kids Youtube Channel
My regular work is in I.T. and web development, but I far prefer running heavy equipment.
Please feel free to ask us questions as you think of them.

Sounds great, looks like you have an active and happy family.
How exciting to be back stateside and starting a new adventure.

Hey, Tim! With a big family and a place that needs everything dug, built, and planted, I imagine you're busier than the proverbial one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest. So you might not be worrying about trees just yet. But if you want some persimmon seedlings in buckets, I have extras I could share. If you happen to be within a reasonable driving distance, there might be other wild stuff on this 40 acres that you'ld like one day, too. Feel free to PM me any time with a "neighbor, have you got a cup of persimmon seeds?" or whatever...

Welcome aboard!
Please share with us what you have learned on your trip.

Dan Boone wrote:Hey, Tim! With a big family and a place that needs everything dug, built, and planted, I imagine you're busier than the proverbial one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest. So you might not be worrying about trees just yet. But if you want some persimmon seedlings in buckets, I have extras I could share. If you happen to be within a reasonable driving distance, there might be other wild stuff on this 40 acres that you'ld like one day, too. Feel free to PM me any time with a "neighbor, have you got a cup of persimmon seeds?" or whatever...

Hey Dan'l
That sounds great! I will pm you to find out more info. You are absolutely correct about busy. But we can usually make a bit of time for other things also. Pretty late in the year getting a place started!
We are definitely looking for trees. And we love Persimmons! Anyone else here in Oklahoma have fruit trees that aren't too expensive?

Thanks!

Tim, PM back atcha. I've been looking at your family's YouTube channel and you guys have a nice place with a lot of potential! But we'll definitely have to find a way to bring you some surplus stuff to plant, and some local seeds.

Howdy Tim, welcome to permies!

Miles Flansburg wrote:Howdy Tim, welcome to permies!

Thanks Miles!

Ken Peavey wrote:Welcome aboard!
Please share with us what you have learned on your trip.

I will do my best at sharing!
Thanks:)

Dan Boone wrote:Tim, PM back atcha. I've been looking at your family's YouTube channel and you guys have a nice place with a lot of potential! But we'll definitely have to find a way to bring you some surplus stuff to plant, and some local seeds.

Local seeds would be great too As I mentioned, we have a lot to do to get this place productive It's a LOT of work getting a homestead together from scratch!

Thanks

Where in Oklahoma are you all? It occurs to me that there could be small transplantable pecan and persimmon trees growing under or near older trees? There are two organic farms near me that may have seed this year. One will definitely be selling okra seed. Not sure of the variety, but I can find out. It is unusual because even older, larger okra are still soft.

I've been sharing permaculture videos with them hoping to encourage adding burms and planting permanent crops instead of or at least in addition to the plasticulture they're using now. Depending upon what kind of seed you need, there is usually a woman in Oklahoma selling large numbers of open pollinated organically grown seed for $50 on Craigslist. If you don't see the ad (look in Tulsa) I've probably got her contact information saved.

Maybe we can do some trading or I can raise some cash to hire some machine work done. If you use Skype, the easiest way to reach me is to connect with me there. (Username GrowMap).

Gail Gardner wrote:Where in Oklahoma are you all? It occurs to me that there could be small transplantable pecan and persimmon trees growing under or near older trees? There are two organic farms near me that may have seed this year. One will definitely be selling okra seed. Not sure of the variety, but I can find out. It is unusual because even older, larger okra are still soft.

I've been sharing permaculture videos with them hoping to encourage adding burms and planting permanent crops instead of or at least in addition to the plasticulture they're using now. Depending upon what kind of seed you need, there is usually a woman in Oklahoma selling large numbers of open pollinated organically grown seed for $50 on Craigslist. If you don't see the ad (look in Tulsa) I've probably got her contact information saved.

Maybe we can do some trading or I can raise some cash to hire some machine work done. If you use Skype, the easiest way to reach me is to connect with me there. (Username GrowMap).

Hi Gail.
We are about an hour and a half South of OKC. Haven't learned yet of any organic farms near us. Still doing a lot of learning what and who is around us here. I think we have decided to just go ahead and buy our Okra seed from Peaceful Valley Farms since they sell in bulk (by the 1/4 pound). We bought some late this summer and planted some. It is of course too late this year for it to do anything (I would guess anyway), but the seed came up well so I am happy with that. That being said, if I found local seed in bulk, I would buy that instead. The one you mention on Craigslist is Dan, TheSeedGuy (http://theseedguy.com/) outside of Tulsa. We have bought seed from him (I can't remember the lady's name that delivered the seed now - Sorry Ma'am.). I am extremely happy with TheSeedGuy's seed and packaging. They do not sell in bulk though simply because they are a small family farm. The seed they do sell is all heirloom seed and their packaging is fantastic. I compared the packages of seed they sell to that of Peac---- ------ Hmmm, am I supposed to name their name? I will let it go for now - I like both companies. The seed guy gives a VERY generous amount of seed in each package while the other ones have a tiny little dab of seed in their colorful packaging. BTW - the $50 package from TheSeedGuy.com is a value beyond compare. I can't say enough good about them (Note: I am not affiliated with them in any way - Just a happy customer...) We bought the $50 "55 Variety Heirloom Seed" package and was extremely surprised at how generously it was packaged. The big seed companies could take a lesson.
I don't often use Skype, but I think I have an account.
We are building up our homestead slowly - right now trying to gather up enough scrap lumber to build a modest house. Looks like we have a fair start:



Thanks,

Tim