Homesteading skills needed to be successful

for the past ten years I have only used fixed knot 6 inch mesh woven wire (as opposed to slip knot ) The goats head will spread slip knot but fixed knot won
't move. They cost about the same . It also comes in 330 ft and 500 ft rolls- larger rolls are cheaper per ft.I've never seen fixed knot at TSC stores and some of the Coops don't mention it. You have to ask for fixed knot.
Also on my water tanks for livestock I put reflectix insulation on top (be sure to get alum on both sides with bubble pack in the middle) available at home depot and lowes-- it floats and keeps water cooler in summer and helps with freezing in winter. Plus its a great pad for the bullfrogs to set on. I also drop 3 or 4 inch pieces of about 12 inch pvc in tank for the crawdads and frogs to go in to hide for raccoons and occasional turtle that gets in.
I add 3 concrete blocks inside tank and outside tank for a step. This will save a lot of baby goats from drowning.-Guess how I found out.
Now is a great time of yr to put cuttings of elderberry in the ground. Just cut a piece off with several buds on it.  Scrap the bark in a couple places and push in the ground. I usually do this after a rain when the ground is like butter.
i plant jersalem artichokes in the drip lines on my outbuildings. Then I don't have to water

This thread is worth a bump.

I would add: the ability to create a temporary hoarding/hovel to protect materials, tools and workers from nasty or variable weather. You can plunk them down exactly where you need them and keep working productively in all seasons. Mine are scrounged tarp shelter frames, with the rib spacing reduced to 24" and quality tarps over top.

It would seem important to divide this subject into two distinct categories.
The skill set required to live in the setting of no electricity as life existed before electricity became ubiquitous as a service to man that diminishes the need for backbreaking labor. Is this a realistic approach? In my estimation, that answer is unquestionably “Yes!” However, the challenge of such a change is significant and probably requires learning that skill set at an early age, studying the behavior patterns of the adults in their lives who practiced those skills for everyday life. Many of these skills have been listed here, so I’ll avoid redundancy.
The other skills required for living in the current environment of society requires the knowledge and ability to provide electricity on an individual basis thus maintaining the essential services required for life in our modern society.
This is, in my opinion a completely “doable” accomplishment. When one studies the accomplishments of Nicola Tesla, as well as learning how the production of electricity is accomplished at the individual level, I see this as a completely possible approach.
The real issue when comparing the two concepts is clearly one of personal choice.
Of course the compromise exists and that is what many of us are doing right now. We’re living in an agrarian setting, but utilizing the available electric energy to assist with the work required for safe, healthy operations of our place on earth.
Both approaches are capable of providing a self sufficient and comfortable lifestyle but wholly dependent on your own personal efforts.
In either scenario, happiness is available and can be achieved.
So in summary the skills you adopt will be those that create and support the lifestyle of your choosing. Both are good and will help you achieve independence in your life. May you be blessed with the choice that provides happiness and good health to you and your family.

Gerald O'Hara wrote:It would seem important to divide this subject into two distinct categories.
...
The skill set required to live in the setting of no electricity as life existed before electricity became ubiquitous ...
...
The other skills required for living in the current environment of society requires the knowledge and ability to provide electricity on an individual basis thus maintaining the essential services required for life in our modern society.  

Good thoughts, and I hope I did not do violence to your ideas with my skinny quotes.

Personally I would add a third distinct category:  the skills, mindset, and resources to jump from one category to the other at a moment's notice. Resilience!

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:

Gerald O'Hara wrote:It would seem important to divide this subject into two distinct categories.
...
The skill set required to live in the setting of no electricity as life existed before electricity became ubiquitous ...
...
The other skills required for living in the current environment of society requires the knowledge and ability to provide electricity on an individual basis thus maintaining the essential services required for life in our modern society.  

Good thoughts, and I hope I did not do violence to your ideas with my skinny quotes.

Personally I would add a third distinct category:  the skills, mindset, and resources to jump from one category to the other at a moment's notice. Resilience!

Actually, I thought I implied that concept near the end of my post. I completely agree with you on that.