[Anne Putnam]

I know a lot of people starting homestead and here in Michigan we have what is called a Tribe….but are very spaced out…. we do barter with each other, but many are doing the same type of thing and more diversity would be needed to actually develop a community. If you have heard of “the anyone can farm experience”….most of their focus does seem on small farm animal production, butchering, but they also do herbs, gardening, soil improvement (biochar), forging, bee keeping, first aid and other courses via their Tribe day to help educate others from all over Michigan and other states. I could see these being the start of community mentoring that can develop in each tribe member’s local community.

your questions: What do you think a good settler qualities and skills must be to be part of a settlement? What kind contributions being monetary or skill sets must a settler have? Just like Anastasia says we need all type of qualities, everyone has been developing a skill set that can bring creativity and what is needed for such a time as this, if they are being called, they are needed. I do not think there are any necessary skill requirements, everyone can learn any skill – so maybe it is just their desire.

On the land aspect… we have 17 acres, and eeding two horses, a donkey and a few cows (beef and dairy cows), with the current practices of hay cutting, etc – this is sufficient and almost not enough. For us to support a few other families with our dairy and some beef we also need to cut an additional 15 acres of hay. Beef won’t be a thing of the future and perhaps dairy either, but it is currently part of our culture. And raising your own cows is much different than large production, because each one gets love and care – I talk to them all daily. They seem to know their purpose and our dairy cows love being milked. Raw dairy is also very healing. And like Anastasia did state that it may not be this generation but it will eventually go away. And where are these animals to go if we don’t care for them? We cannot expect an immediate change for everyone. So this is part of where I struggle on the one hectare size. I have been nurturing our fields and seeing an increase in hay production, but do not think someone could keep a couple horses on 2.5 acres (they are happier with another horse) plus their garden, pond, etc. There is going to be a lot of improvement that needs made with how we do pastures (not just “grass”), this is all going to take time. So right now, at least in America because of our current lifestyles I see these domains as larger, and as we adjust and improve the land to be able to support what we want on smaller acreage then they will be divided giving parts to our children and children’s children. That’s my thoughts….

[Anne Putnam]

I have many questions around meat and population control… we have a farm with dairy and beef cattle, sheep, chickens, etc. Now the question on my mind most of recent… is with the bull calves and castrating… I mean even on the dairy cow side, you wouldn’t want the cow to be impregnated by it’s own calf…. there is the option of selling the calf… but having a calf yearly we would have a surplus of cows eventually….. our dairy cows love giving you milk…. they are grass-fed but look forward to it every morning. And what about barn cats and managing the cat population if they are not “broken” (aka known as “fixed”). And I will say, we have only butchered a few beef cows….this last cow walked right into the butcher… it was a bit melancholy but it is like he knew it was his job to do….it’s not like you didn’t love the cow, just like you love a plant, perhaps more love was giving to the cow than any plant….

And if animals always ate other animals?…. The wolves had to survive, did they always eat other animals… so then where were they obtaining their source of food, if all the animals in it’s domain are friends, from a neighbor’s domain?…. and is it different if we eat the animal verses a wolf eating an animal….

And plants are alive, have feelings are part of the universe no different than an animal…. so how is sacrificing a plant for food different than an animal….

Adam was given the job to determine the purpose for all animals…. so what was the purpose of cows, goats, sheep…. it doesn’t talk about it in the books that I recall, other than not knowing the purpose of goats.

And if energy is never wasted, would not the animal be reincarnated as well, which is why Native Americans had rituals when killing an animal….. Many thoughts to ponder….

• This reply was modified 6 months, 2 weeks ago by  Anne Putnam.
• This reply was modified 6 months, 2 weeks ago by  Anne Putnam.

[Anne Putnam]

Greetings from Midland! We also have a homestead and homeschool. I have been trying to get property taxes corrected since 2022 when we recorded our land patent. It is interesting because everything I have been doing over the years since children seem to line up in relation to building a kin domain in steps- gardening to starting my own plants to seed saving to moving to a “farm” to getting animals to planting medicinal herbs – to doing the land patent – etc and then found these books on it all started to make more sense on how things came about in my life. I am excited to find others from Michigan! I do know of one other couple from Alpena area who has read the books as well. Please keep me posted on any plan meet-ups. My husband has not yet read the books, he is very busy but does help quite a bit with everything on our homestead outside of work. I did purchase the books in hope that he can find time to read them. I am now reading them for a second time.

[Anne Putnam]

You have done private discharge for your property taxes? Curious how you have done it, I have tried and they never accept it.