We have definitely not done everything perfectly on the homestead- not even close! That is just a given when you are starting a new endeavor.Hopefully you can learn from some of our biggest mistakes and save yourself some of the heartache and extra expense that we did.

1- Wait to buy animals until you have the infrastructure in place! Yes, there is a reason this one is first. It is so tempting to see animals on a farming and ranching page on Facebook and show restraint. I am preaching to the choir here. I am 100% the problem. We had pigs living in our garage for much longer than we had planned. They were there originally to be in a temperature controlled environment through the winter because they were young. However, it eventually turned into us needing to get a barn asap to get them out and about. We did the same with turkeys. Save yourself stress, build the coop/barn/pen whatever before you bring them home!

2- Finish the fence around the garden. We have yet to do this! Our first year on this property we planted a huge garden and let me tell you, there were some well fed antelope running around. I didn’t feel too bad though. She did have twins so I thought she deserved to eat my tomatoes.

3- Plant the trees now. Future you will thank you. There’s a saying, I don’t know who to credit it to, but that says “the best time to plant a tree is 25 years ago, the next best is today.” Buy the trees.

4- Stop going for “Pinterest Perfect.” Our chickens do not have chandeliers in their coops. There’s no wallpaper. Yes, it’s cute. But you know what? There is still going to be manure all over it. Pretty doesn’t make poop go away. Functional, safe, efficient those are the types of builds you want.

5- Stop comparing. Full stop. Your property that you just moved into is not going to be like your neighbor who has been doing this for 20 years. Go learn from them, but don’t expect them to be the same, you’re comparing apples and oranges. Be ok with being a beginner. Learn all you can and embrace where you are. Eventually you’ll have all the things you need- just not yet and that’s ok!