Thankful For A Homesteading Community

When you belong to a community it’s truly an amazing feeling, regardless of what type of community it may be.  But let me tell you, I couldn’t be more thankful for a homesteading community….they get me.

If you’re lucky enough to have access to this type of community embrace it.  I mean really EMBRACE it.  Ask questions, seek guidance, shop, barter, help out, meet people, join the community.  Finding these communities can be as easy as doing a search on Facebook – search your town (or surrounding cities) and add the word homestead.  Once you find it, join it, you’ll be happy you did.

Upon leaving suburbia we lost quite a few friends; it’s okay, we knew it was bound to happen.  At first people found it to be exciting that we maintain a garden as our primary produce source, canned to preserve the harvest and that we kept a few chicken.  It wasn’t until we accumulated 30 chickens, 9 ducks, guineas, goats, meat rabbits & turkeys that many went from, ‘Ohhhh, that’s exciting!’ to, ‘Ohhhh, you do all that now?’

I think sharing that we raise and butcher our own meat animals is what may have pushed many of our friends over the edge.  They tend to give you that look, some shake their heads, a few think you’ve gone overboard, while others wonder why the heck you’d butcher your own meat when you can buy it at the market!  That’s when you realize it’s time to find likeminded people, people who get you.

Sorry, that went a tad bit sideways, back to being thankful for a homesteading community….

A post appeared on the homesteading group I belong to, it asked if anyone would be interested in getting together as a community and assisting each other in butchering our turkeys.  I didn’t even hesitate, many hands make light work, why wouldn’t we take advantage of this group event?

Holly, the hostess, was amazing and she thought of it all ~ tents, scalding pot, sink, processing tables, knives, everything was ready to go by the time everyone showed up.  In all there were 14 of us there, some were new to processing, a few sought help to get the job done quicker, while others were there to guide people along.  Regardless of why we were there, everyone pitched in and helped, it was a true community event.

Together we processed 14 turkeys in roughly 1.5 hours and I honestly don’t think it could have gone any better.

Helping hands, a willing host and a good community made for an amazing experience for all that participated.  So, whether or not you’re currently homesteading or just beginning your journey find your people and embrace your community.  Life is simply easier that way.

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