tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post2844908904186377732..comments2024-03-18T15:02:43.329-07:00Comments on Rural Revolution: Making a living in a bad economyPatrice Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06012022335047974670noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-40547961477345494122017-12-19T01:53:50.891-08:002017-12-19T01:53:50.891-08:00Nice written!! I have been a big fan of your blogs... Nice written!! I have been a big fan of your blogs. thanks<br /><a href="https://rutherford48484.wixsite.com/utankreditprovning/laes-mer" rel="nofollow">Wix webpage</a>Dr.Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09173467979978072930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-7007696010796661022012-11-30T06:30:14.162-08:002012-11-30T06:30:14.162-08:00The only things our struggling fellow consumers wi...The only things our struggling fellow consumers wish for is more groceries in their tiny sacks, more money left in their wallets and rest. Solve these issues and you have your winning idea. Personally, I am working on a website to dispense free money. Hope this helps.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-69711847423318567722011-02-20T19:01:56.096-08:002011-02-20T19:01:56.096-08:00Sounds like a winner, Dawn!Sounds like a winner, Dawn!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-78047479413500899662011-02-20T15:31:21.554-08:002011-02-20T15:31:21.554-08:00Good idea Dawn
AmandaGood idea Dawn<br /><br />AmandaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-8159218065743137282011-02-20T14:49:02.981-08:002011-02-20T14:49:02.981-08:00There are a lot of great ideas on here. One of the...There are a lot of great ideas on here. One of the problems that I see with most of them is shipping, even pre-shtf. <br /><br />A great idea both pre and post shtf is coffins, I have told my family that when I die I don't want them spending thousands of dollars on a box to hold me, just a simple pine box. But there again, how are you going to ship it. That makes your customer base close to home and therefore not very big. <br /><br />Consider this; Knowledge is Power. You guys are a wealth of it. People are scared and are wanting to know how to get ready for it (shtf). A lot don't even know where to begin. Most probably haven't even thought of toilet paper or Enola Gay's preparedness products. You guys have forgotten more than a lot of people know about urban homesteading. I have learned a lot from you both on this blog. But I am the type of person that learns from seeing not reading. A lot that you have put on your blog you say is super simple, but it really intimidates me. <br /><br />So here is my thought. Come to my home and teach me. Wait, wait, wait, hear me out. You guys cant physically go to everyones home and teach them to can chicken or milk Matilda, or build that great canning closet. You certainly don't want us all coming to your house to learn it (potluck anyone). So video tape it. Make dvd's about...well...all that you do. I have read articles and blogs that both of you have written and you are very funny and entertaining, so move it from the computer screen to the tv. Several people on here have posted that they would pay for classes to learn these things, so teach us on dvd. I would buy them. Don when you planted wheat last fall you wished that you had disced the feild one more time after the seed was thrown, why? You could show us your trial and errors, you know like the 2000 ways not to make a light bulb. Things that you have tried that failed, and ultimatly what worked. How to milk a cow, how to choose a cow when you are going to buy one, what is a good price for a cow, utter attachment, ect.<br /><br />You could call it: Urban Homesteading, Urban Homesteading, Urban Homesteading, Urban Homesteading, Urban Homesteading,...oops sorry.<br /><br />Urban Homesteading for Dummies.<br /><br />Get a hold of the nearest college and find a student taking film making classes. Get assistance with editing if you want. Find someone that knows nothing about what you are teaching on that particular video to be in it also, that way they can ask questions about things that you may know but forget to talk about. <br /><br />Dvds are a whole lot easier to ship than a coffin, and require a lot less space to store. <br />Your customer base would be huge and, I would think, not a lot of over head. <br /><br />I could be totally off my rocker and wrong about the costs and it would not be worth it. I also don't know if this would work post shtf, because I don't know if we will have power. If we do though, I would like to have a video library of knowledge. If we don't then hopefully I will have gotten them soon enough to have learned what I need to from them and put that knowledge to work. <br /><br />That way, we can all come to your house while you teach us what we need to know, and none of us ever have to step foot on your property.<br /><br />Just a thought.<br />Dawn<br /><br />Patrice, did this already post once? It didn't give me the message it normally does when I post something. If it did please don't post it again. <br />Thanks <br />DawnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-48258643899216568992011-02-19T20:21:26.919-08:002011-02-19T20:21:26.919-08:00I think the first baby step - while waiting for th...I think the first baby step - while waiting for the "perfect" idea to fall on you - is to consider the items folks have suggested that expand on what Don is already doing. Make use of his tools, his skills, and his current love - wood. I'm thinking he needs to add a lathe to his collection and start adding bowls, cups, plates, platters, etc. as companions to his tankards, using similar patterns. Maybe some salt and pepper mills if he's really feeling brave. I bet they would move like free beer. Actually I was thinking that a few of sizes of straight-side "crocks" would be nice also. These could be turned or glue-lam'ed like the tankards. My grandmother always had a set of "canisters" on her counter that held, coffee, flour, etc. And of course cookie "jars". I was thinking a straight-side container with no lid would be great to set on the counter and hold cooking utensils. And done like the tankards, would be a beautiful conversation piece also. The economy may well tank big time, but as one person put it, so long as UPS still delivers, someone will be buying. The more you can haul in now, the more you'll have to see you through a rough patch.<br /><br />Jeff - TucsonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-24099737574023131282011-02-18T16:28:44.867-08:002011-02-18T16:28:44.867-08:00My husband's family made it through the Great ...My husband's family made it through the Great Depression making pipes for smoking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-47952642132417056462011-02-18T15:41:33.888-08:002011-02-18T15:41:33.888-08:00Grandpa always said: Funeral Homes and Baby food;...Grandpa always said: Funeral Homes and Baby food; get 'em coming and going.<br /><br />Drop down side baby cribs. The nanny state is about to outlaw them 'cause folks are too stupid to assemble or use them properly. Examine a few designs and Don can figure out any possible weaknesses and improve upon them. (Unfortunately, liability may be an issue.)<br /><br /><br />Steve Davis<br />Anchorage, AlaskaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-31272722469540327592011-02-18T14:40:24.070-08:002011-02-18T14:40:24.070-08:00I know quite a few folks that are going back to th...I know quite a few folks that are going back to the old fashion clotheslines-I have read about your drying racks but you may be able to come up with a nice revsion of the T shaped pole. I also would pay to have lessons in pressure canning. My daughter and I went to an extension class and left feeling totally intimidated.In my lifetime I have done everything from paint an exterior of a house and fire escapes, waited tables,worked 3 jobs and went to school to be an RN while working part-time and taking care of 3 small kids. I can hardly stand it when I hear someone say they rather take their unemployment than to do a job beneath them. If its legal its not beneath you.danniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09927115644696786196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-29093001770723318852011-02-18T13:54:34.279-08:002011-02-18T13:54:34.279-08:00Patrice and Don,
Such wonderful ideas from everyo...Patrice and Don,<br /><br />Such wonderful ideas from everyone! Wow! <br /> <br />I love the idea about classes and would gladly drive down from Newport to take a few. However, I'm one of those people who don't want strangers visiting my house (and that's on a good day - not just when it all goes haywire!), so this may not be something for you. A new friend in our gleaner group invited me over to teach me how to can chicken - and, in the process, how to use my new pressure canner. I can't tell you what a gift that was, and it was something I would gladly have paid to learn. I don't know about charging people for classes in your home in Idaho, but if you were to offer a cheese class, for example, you could have cheese presses for purchase. What about using a grange hall for classes?<br /><br />Another idea I saw above was composters. I saw a photo of one on another website using 35 or 50 gallon drums. It is the kind that turns on an axle (hope that makes sense), and I immediately thought of Eagle Peak Containers. That's the kind of thing you could even sell at a farmers market to see if there's any interest, and it would keep people away from your home. <br />Whatever you choose to do, I know you'll find a way to make it a success. Best regards.<br />Lisa/dragonfly.gardendragonfly.gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08032454278054871627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-37077734339765668852011-02-18T11:41:00.537-08:002011-02-18T11:41:00.537-08:00Well, I have an idea that would sure be neat for r...Well, I have an idea that would sure be neat for retailers like me, who specialize in kitchen stuff and bread making. I would love it if I could find a good, pretty and adjustable wooden bread slicing box. There are some out there, but they are plain and ugly and the slices are one size only. If you could figure out how to make an adjustable one, that would be awesome. AND what about bagel and English muffin holders to slice those? Just a thought.OPCCookhttp://www.oklahomapastrycloth.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-42228323553513211262011-02-18T09:06:05.530-08:002011-02-18T09:06:05.530-08:00I think soap molds would be a needed item.Also if ...I think soap molds would be a needed item.Also if things really went back to the 1800's you could make wagons and sleighs.I've seen websites that have the plans for those.People who are into mountain man rendezvous might order them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-82127475082258994992011-02-18T07:58:50.617-08:002011-02-18T07:58:50.617-08:00DON, HELLO AGAIN-GRANNY MILLER HIT IT HEAD ON WITH...DON, HELLO AGAIN-GRANNY MILLER HIT IT HEAD ON WITH THE NOODLE CUTTER- ALSO MAYBE A DUMPLING CUTTER- WOOHOO WOULD I EVER BUY THOSE.. BEEN SEARCHING ALL OVER FOR THE NOODLE CUTTERS... THANKS--- GLORIAMovinon04https://www.blogger.com/profile/14207542388104371183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-48219487630633234662011-02-18T06:53:25.127-08:002011-02-18T06:53:25.127-08:00*tool handles - hammer, ax, PhD (post-hole digger)...*tool handles - hammer, ax, PhD (post-hole digger), saw, awl, scythe, rake, shovel, hoe, pitchfork, etc. <br /><br />*garden carts like this: http://whizbangbooks.blogspot.com/2007/12/wb15.html<br /><br />*snowshoes<br /><br />*milking stanchions: <br />http://www.ehow.com/how_6631973_homemade-goat-stanchion.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-57848565905185631552011-02-18T06:20:25.487-08:002011-02-18T06:20:25.487-08:00LOL @ JimLOL @ JimMaria Stahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01860866965815658652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-65010075829357178092011-02-18T05:58:37.057-08:002011-02-18T05:58:37.057-08:00Chicken tractors?
How many do you have to hitch u...Chicken tractors?<br /><br />How many do you have to hitch up to pull a plow?:)<br /><br />jimjimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-91215647520894397752011-02-17T23:32:54.555-08:002011-02-17T23:32:54.555-08:00My first thought before I even finished the post w...My first thought before I even finished the post was to make wood furniture. If you can get your hands on decent lumber and cut it up/plane it/whatever it is that needs done (my knowledge of the lumber industry went away when I was 8yo and my grandpa's mill closed down). Even now, finding good, quality wood furniture is like looking for the holy grail. Sigh.<br /><br />Or a CSA type thing if you have a big enough fenced garden area and enough family to work it. If we're able to move onto some acreage in the next decade or so, I plan to start my own u-pick operation, and let the kids figure out their own business venture (my 7yo is set on either selling chickens or eggs). In the meantime, I'm hoping to just amp up my own growing and possibly sell from a cart in the front yard to folks driving by in the neighborhood.LannaMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14072980040369333704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-71451119022156300512011-02-17T22:17:04.574-08:002011-02-17T22:17:04.574-08:00I would love a couple of 2 or 5 gallon sized barre...I would love a couple of 2 or 5 gallon sized barrels with spouts to make homemade vinegar. You could also use a wood burning tool to make etching and labeling. I have been picturing them in my house for so long.penna64https://www.blogger.com/profile/17376519840980333885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-86651980074428437202011-02-17T21:24:55.586-08:002011-02-17T21:24:55.586-08:00I'm not sure what kind of wild life you have l...I'm not sure what kind of wild life you have living in the area around you, but I just paid $40 for a 3# box of deer horns for my dogs as dog chews on Ebay. I know a lot of people are selling them now and a lot of them are natural sheds - they pick them up in the woods (deer, elk, etc.) People are buying them for craft projects and for their dogs.Lynnenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-32563944167153464812011-02-17T21:11:38.849-08:002011-02-17T21:11:38.849-08:00How about a cheese press, ladders, crutches, canes...How about a cheese press, ladders, crutches, canes, small tool sheds, three sided machinery sheds, chicken tractors. These are just a few things that come to mind.<br /><br />I love the ideas. I too am trying to figure out what I can do to help bring income into our home.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-12549767206092315142011-02-17T21:07:31.012-08:002011-02-17T21:07:31.012-08:00Don & Patrice,
here's a thou...Don & Patrice,<br /> here's a thought ( which may have already been mentioned ): say someone pulls a EMP or power/batteries become scarce and/or unaffordable, then a lot of electronic stuff wont work any more. Then it'll be Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls: Welcome to the Games of Yesteryear! I can see very nicely crafted WOODEN things like Chess, Checkers, Dominos, et al, being in high demand, with fancier versions being made out of more exotic woods ( might be a good time to lay in a stock of said wood while it's still available to be got----in the country we say 'best be getting while the gettin's good'). Just a thought! <br /> AlaRedNeck and Mrs NeckAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-67668515637405324972011-02-17T21:02:10.825-08:002011-02-17T21:02:10.825-08:00Hmmm, with all the snow that Idaho gets, perhaps a...Hmmm, with all the snow that Idaho gets, perhaps an ox cart with skis for runners. Or perhaps a hay wagon with skis instead of wheels. Or a convertable wagon - remove the wheels and put on the skis for winter transportation out to feed the cattle. Sleighs would be useful and fun. <br /><br />Anonymous Patriot<br />USAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-20488684783841393602011-02-17T20:45:54.342-08:002011-02-17T20:45:54.342-08:00Thanks so much for putting up this subject! SwampM...Thanks so much for putting up this subject! SwampMan and I have been discussing this (having another income source) on and off with increasing urgency, but something else always seems to come up that requires our attention. In this economy, we can't depend on either one of our incomes being secure and, in fact, I'm earning less now than I was four years ago with insurance costs going up and wages not rising. <br /><br />We've previously worked together in our own businesses for 20+ years (construction related), but we all know what happened to construction and the contractors (rueful grin). At least we're still alive and together! We know several people whose businesses failed that divorced and the man committed suicide. <br /> <br />I've been politely (and not so politely!) requesting SwampMan to make looms, wool combs, drop spindles, and spinning wheels for quite awhile, but I'm at the very bottom of the list behind the paying customers waiting for sturdy rocking chairs! Check with the local spinning and weaving guilds in your area to see what, if any, items that they would like to buy locally. Again, these items would fit into your existing market as well as to spinners and weavers outside the renaissance fair world.<br /><br />A handcrafted item that I really like for my own use are the brooms with eccentric handles and broom corn braided/stitched and trimmed by hand. Again, it fits into your existing market line but also appeals to people that just like household items to be beautiful and are willing to pay for it. <br /> <br />Our uncle has a you-pick farm in a rural area. He has peaches, blueberries, strawberries, onions, and a few other items I don't know about as he adds new items every year. He has hayrides back and forth to the orchards. People come from all over the state to pick his fruit, some for their own use and that of their friends, and some taking it back to their communities to sell it. He also has homemade ice cream featuring the fruit in season. It is delicious and *very* successful. I'm not sure if you could also put in small fruit trees and berries that grow in your area (and whether you could keep the cows out of them if you did), and tolerate tourists/customers everywhere, but it works for him. <br /><br />Since you have a junior ox now, perhaps one day you can add ox carts to your list of sales items.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-18971987234941343632011-02-17T19:41:10.074-08:002011-02-17T19:41:10.074-08:00I like the clothes drying rack idea, too. But if ...I like the clothes drying rack idea, too. But if I had one, I'd want it to fold like a ladder rather than hang from my ceiling. That way it would be easy to set up and take down. I wouldn't want it to hang from the ceiling because of the difficulty a single person like myself would have in installing it. An a-frame rack about 6 feet high and 4 feet wide would handle most of my laundry. (I hang sheets over the tub enclosure). It should be sturdy, but not too heavy. And the hinges should be stainless steel so they won't rust due to all the wet laundry. <br /><br />Anonymous Patriot<br />USAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-69469389008972845492011-02-17T19:33:01.476-08:002011-02-17T19:33:01.476-08:00What about custom exotic wood rifle and shotgun st...What about custom exotic wood rifle and shotgun stocks?<br />I'd love to have a tiger wood shortened stock for my Remington 500 with a molded out hand indention<br />for my stubby short ladies hand instead of this black flat plastic.<br /><br />notutopiaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com