Rich Rayburn

I would concur with the first three items listed.
The fourth item concerning a reliable power source is the fly in the self-reliant ointment.
It's true that with an electrical power source you can bring everything with you including the kitchen sink with running water, however any power source needs maintenance, usually high tech replacement parts, and has a limited lifespan and the potential for failure.
To live securely off-grid would really mean to literally unplug, not just from the cultural infrastructure but from all plugs.
There are thousands probably tens of thousands or more people in the United States right now living without electrical power for their daily routines, and I'm thinking that the Amish the Mennonite and other such groups are happy and healthy.
To truly live off grid, takes a lot of planning, commitment and hard work, however though as the above mentioned groups prove every day it can be done quite satisfactorily.
Merely an observation from someone who has had first-hand experience in this area.

Anna Pymander wrote: You're choosing this lifestyle shuts out a lot of the world, including women. Didn't you have a helpmate there at some point?  --- Anna in Portland OR

Hi Anna, I think it's the other way around,  a lot of the world including a lot of women have shut THIS lifestyle out.
Most people have forgotten that up until a hundred years or so ago everyone lived similar to this lifestyle (as the Amish and others still do).
It must have been doable  and comfortable because it made it possible for 8 billion of us to be here now!
Just plain living....

Trace Oswald wrote:

Joseph Lofthouse wrote:That type of mega-huge cataclysm seems too big to survive, therefore I don't prepare for it, and don't know of anyone that does. Same way that I don't prepare for a mega-astroid strike, or the sun going super-nova.

Tons of intentional communities prepare for normal disturbances like winter snow, civil-unrest, flood, hurricane, earthquake, drought, etc...

Bingo.  I very much believe in being prepared for "normal" disasters, black outs, tornadoes in this area, snow storms that stop travel for a week or two, even civil war.  I don't even bother thinking about truly monstrous events like this.

Pole reversal isn't an event like a supernova or an asteroidal impact, it would probably have far less impact than a limited nuclear exchange, or a plague like that which happened in the Middle ages.
People worry about those things.
Do a little research, if and/or when it does happen there are things that people could do to mitigate it.

Anne Miller wrote:I am curious, how does a person set up for preperation for the Poleshift disaster cycle?

Is there really things that can be done?

Anne, National geographic did a good article on the possible consequences of a pole shift effect on the Earth. I don't have the article here, but you could probably just Google national geographic and magnetic pole reversal.

It appears that considering ways of decreasing your dependence on wireless technology, and making preparations for increased solar radiation, would be the most individuals can do.
This type of event most likely WOULD NOT be similar to an asteroidal impact or anything like that.

Thought I'd bump this post up again, it's harvest time and it would sure be nice to share nature's bounty with a like-minded lady, either in person or vicariously.

Hi Ryan,
Wondering if you have checked into the logistics of growing and processing grains.
For commercial purposes you would likely need several acres for wheat, oats or corn.
Then there's planting methods, most grains on a commercial type scale even small would need machinery such as planters, cultivators, some type of combine for harvesting and then a threshing machine for separating the grain from the stalks.
Much of this could be done by hand but not on a very large scale.
There's also the issue of the small grains competing with weeds and insects, most commercial growers use pesticides and herbicides. Growing organically you could end up with a field of weeds instead of wheat.
These are just some of the things that should be considered for a small scale grain raising on a commercial level.
I have grown wheat, oats and field corn on a very small scale for household use, and have had varied outcomes, sometimes a reasonable crop and sometimes very little.
If you were purchasing the grain then you would only need some type of equipment for grinding it into flour, a much easier endeavor..
Just food for thought, as I have had some experience with several small grains.

Jack,
It looks like your grandfather must have been implementing the original no-till planting method!
Complex but simple, and low tech to boot! 👍👍

Christopher, the property is located in what is called East Central Minnesota.
It is a transitional zone with both conifer and deciduous forests.

And Zack I will contact you with a  PM..