Authors: Betsy Matheson
Tags: #Non-Fiction
DIY Projects for the Self-Sufficient Homeowner: 25 Ways to Build a Self-Reliant Lifestyle (2 page)
The world seems to be growing in complexity every day.
While much of today’s new technology makes legitimate improvements in our lives, this new electronic age has created something of a backlash. Each upgraded cellphone generation and ever-spreading factory farm distances us just a little bit farther from the days when all you needed to conquer the world was a tillable acre and a mule. The projects in this book are designed to help you close that widening gap—if only just a bit.
Self-Sufficiency vs. Green
People who are interested in adopting a more self-sufficient lifestyle almost certainly subscribe to today’s Green principles and to an approach to living based on stewardship. It is worth noting, however, that the projects described in this book were chosen because they result in a product, usually a consumable, that contributes directly to the pool of things you and your family need in order to live—and live well.
The decisions we make every day—even down to which grain was used to make the flour in your morning toast—are part of a chain of thousands of other decisions that, taken together, have a profound effect on the resources of our planet and the health and prosperity of our families. The urge to take back some control of our own lives and futures has never been stronger.
The good news is: You can. Whether you live in a bustling city, sprawling suburban development, or rural estate, you can achieve greater everyday self-sufficiency with relatively little effort. As self-sufficiency expert John Seymour wrote, “You do not need five acres and a degree in horticulture to become self-sufficient ... self-sufficiency is about taking control and becoming an effective producer of whatever your resources allow.”
DIY Projects for the Self-Sufficient Homeowner
provides you with around two dozen ways to help you maximize your resources and participate in the march toward greater
self-reliance. Whether you own a small balcony downtown or a couple of acres in the suburbs, you can grow much more of your own food than you ever expected—as long as you have the right tools, such as raised garden beds, compost bins, container gardens, or even a small greenhouse. Whether you have an expansive estate or a small backyard, you can raise animals—this book will show you how to build a chicken coop, a beehive, and animal-friendly fencing. It contains many more projects related to the production and storage of food from your own homestead.
Solar panels that
collect and heat air to warm cold spaces in your home are mechanisms you can build yourself and duct in to your home’s existing ductwork. Learn how on
page 147
.
But raising your own food is not the only way to increase your self-reliance. With new DIY-friendly technology, generating your own clean energy is easier than ever. Here, you’ll see exactly how to build a solar panel, install solar energy systems, and understand alternative energy sources.
The key to your self-sufficiency is to focus first on a few doable projects that fit into your lifestyle without a lot of adjustments. Most modern homeowners will not be able to maintain a fully self-sufficient home without quitting their day job, and that shouldn’t necessarily be the goal for everyone. All homeowners can, however, take steps toward greater self-reliance, and partake in the satisfaction that comes from providing for your family’s needs through your own effort. So get started: The time has never been better to declare your independence.