Planning Long-Term Goals for Your Family Homestead
Starting a homestead is no easy task. No one suddenly wakes up one day and decides to abandon everything for a life out in the country… No one who truly understands what that means, anyway. The process of starting a homestead is a long and arduous one, filled with long hours of planning and goal setting. It can seem incredibly overwhelming and if you are from the city like we originally were then it can seem like an impossible task trying to figure out where to start.
We get it because we’ve been there, made all the mistakes, learned all the hard lessons, and that’s why we’re here to help you in your journey. Hopefully, with the help of this journal and the extensive documents posted in the Spirituality, Lifestyle, Community, and Guidance sections of this website, you can avoid some of the mistakes we made and enjoy a smoother transition into the homestead life.
The task list below is an excerpt taken from our Guidance page and asks detailed questions to help guide you on the right path for you in establishing your long-term goals for your family homestead…
If you desire to live on a Catholic Family Homestead, and if that desire is tested according to the parameters of a true discernment, and if the desire was increased as you prayerfully considered your values… then you’re ready to begin the process of establishing long term goals, which are derived from your values coupled with your desires. And here’s an important tip that you can use throughout your journey – this exciting desire that you have on your heart was originally put there by God himself. In other words – Now that you have given yourself permission to begin an exciting adventure, it’s okay to be happy about it. Actually, it’s very helpful (necessary) to be happy, and interested, and engaged, and even thrilled about this amazing new adventure in your life. So as you start planning and thinking through some of the details, be careful to not over-analyze every little decision – just have fun exploring new ideas and meeting new people.
Okay then, now you’re ready to start making a plan. Here are some basic questions to answer in order to build the foundation of your plan…
A. Which Homestead type seems most attractive to you?
Do you want to homestead alone, by yourself and/or your family?
Do you want this endeavor to include extended family, old friends, new friends or even some religious perhaps?
Would you like others to help you with the work and/or the costs?
Would you like any people to visit for work, play, or even retreats there?
Would you like your pastor/parishioners to visit you from time to time?
How close do you want to be from your parish, family, and/or friends?
B. Are you thinking about a farming career, or simply a hobby farm?
Do you envision growing enough items to help reduce your food costs?
Do you want to sell a few products to pay for some of the expenses?
What products do you think you would enjoy growing?
What are your first seven reasons for wanting to farm?
C. What type of lifestyle is most suitable to you and/or your family?
Are you homeschooling now or planning to homeschool?
Is there a Charter School component to the kids’ education?
Will you be signing up the kids for Baseball, Soccer, or Ballet?
Do you want to run into Starbucks for coffee in the morning?
Do you want to engage in town activities or eat out often?
What activities do you want to include at your homestead?
What entertainments do you want for your children and/or visitors?
Can farming projects provide activities and entertainments for you?
D. In what locations(s) would you consider building your homestead?
Do you need to be close to your day job or can you work remotely?
What resources and/or amenities do you need to be close to?
Are there any particular states that you like better than others?
What type of terrain seems most suitable to you and/or your family?
Are there any places that you would like to intentionally avoid?
E. How much time and money do you want to invest in a homestead?
How much is it worth to you relative to other aspects of your life?
What percentage of your life will occur at the Homestead?
When you dream of living on a homestead – Does your dream include future housing for your adult children and their spouses and kids?
In order to establish a foundational-rough draft of your plan, simply answer the questions above. (And write the answers down!) Also be sure to add your own questions and answers by writing them down as well, because the questions above are intended to get your minds and hearts working, while beginning an important dialogue between the decision makers of the family and/or group. You don’t need to expect any totally-clear answers, or even any complete answers yet, although some might be clear and complete. Any start can be considered a good start while realizing that plenty of things may change as you make new discoveries and collect more information. You should be asking for discernment help from the Holy Spirit, and preferably through Mary because she is the one who is leading this “Way of Salvation” at this time in our salvation history.
Blessings and Peace to You,
Phil Zeiter
Our Lady’s Ranch
