keith bowen

Oh, just saying Connecticut has very high State taxes.

Hello Everyone,
    My wife and I are starting the process of a big move from the rat race of CT to hopefully  transition into a homesteading lifestyle in Eastern Tennessee. We have dabbled in gardening, wild edibles, aquaponics, chickens and canning. We are both in our 50's and are blue collar workers trying to stay ahead the taxman's next demand.
     Our goal is to sell our home and relocate while also looking for a place where we can expand our ability to become more self sufficient. We will need to work outside the home since we will not be able to purchase a property without a loan. We will have some money from the equity of the sale of our home if we act soon. (The market is crazy right now). The amount is unknown at this point until we speak with our realtor. definitely not enough to by a house ,but possible land. At our age I was hoping for an old abandoned homestead a with fixer upper, a well, and some fruit trees. Always nice to dream.   One of the most important thing I have learned though my experience is that other people are my best resource. So we are hoping to make friends here to help with all the unknowns.
      I guess what I am asking for is the wisdom of others who have gone before us. Thanks.

First , I would like to thank everyone who contributes their knowledge and experience to this site.
  A little background to help understand my question: I  don't consider myself vegan as such, (meaning it's not an ethical decision but rather a health choice), but I don't consume any animal products except honey so my questions are more directed towards the energy input/output of animals in a closed system as it relates to plant crops only. My main protein sources come from peas, beans ,legumes nuts and seeds ,whole grains, greens. I have some experience with small flocks of chickens and Aquaponics.

Ideas and thoughts :

Growing plant proteins
Animals in systems for manure, pest control, etc. ( without the need for meat, dairy ,eggs .Is it worth it ? )
Green manure
Vermiculture
aquaponics (again, is it worth it for plants only ?)
* and most importantly,  all the stuff I have never considered

Thanks so much in advance

hello, has anyone tried another material to carry heat exhaust through the thermal mass cob. like maybe a cast from fire clay or even bricks. just an idea since I'm having difficulty locating cheap stove pipe. I understand the drag issues. Just putting it out there. thanks