Frugal living is part of what it takes to lead a successful and fulfilling life. Many of the mainstream ‘personal finance’ experts, such as Dave Ramsey, preach daily about eliminating debt and living within one’s means.
Of course, in our modern, technologically driven society, there are so many things that were never even thought of in years past that leech our bank accounts little by little. Some of these services might make us feel like we can’t live without them, like Netflix, Hello Fresh, Door Dash, iTunes, Amazon Prime, and many (so, so many) other apps. With the prospect of potential economic crisis ahead, it’s clear to some that many of these services will have to go.
As society moves ever-more toward a technical utopia (or dystopia), there are people who look back on an old way of living, and see that there might be a place for the ways of our grandparents, great-grandparents, and earlier generations in today’s world. Some of these people see in our ancestors an astounding example of self-sufficiency, and determination to survive. Though there have always been folks who strive to live such lifestyles, a new spotlight has been put on this way of life, and treated as a movement of sorts.
This movement may go by many names, but it is generally referred to as the new(ish) buzz word, “Homesteading”.
Homesteading comes in many varieties. Some go all-in, and live without any modern provisions at all – including electricity. Others opt for a more “modern” approach, integrating all the best aspects of modern life with the self-sufficiency of bygone days. Homesteaders can be found all over the Internet, teaching incredible skills such as gardening, canning, raising livestock, soap-making, and a lot of other activities that have fallen out of favor over time. Many profess that taking up these skills is challenging at first, but the rewards certainly outweigh those novice hardships.
Homesteading has the potential to lower one’s bills. For instance, instead of going out to eat, or subscribing to a costly food delivery service, less than $100 worth of seeds can plant a garden to provide a whole family with a year’s worth of fresh, organic, and pesticide-free vegetables! Home-raised chickens provide Homesteaders with a healthy supply of eggs and even meat! Savings on their food bill alone is what drives many to take up this lifestyle, and is also part of what keeps them doing it.
Aside from the financial benefit, and even the health benefits of eating homegrown food, there is a sense of fulfillment and purpose among Homesteaders. By removing themselves from so much dependency on society, and even escaping the 9-5 rat-race in some cases, many feel more connected with their families and with their environment. They gain stronger bonds with their children, as they pass on the knowledge and skills to the younger generations.
Here in Tennessee, and the South in general, this lifestyle hits a little closer to home than in some other parts of the Country. For much of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, the South was “behind” the rest of the U.S. in terms of technology. Electricity wasn’t even readily available to much of Tennessee until the Tennessee Valley Authority (T.V.A.) was created in the 1930s. Once power plants were up and running, adoption of it was rather slow-going. There are countless stories of houses being retrofitted with electrical plugs and lights for the first time as late as the 1980s!
In the Tri County area, Carroll County, specifically, there is a large community of Amish residents who have never stopped living this “alternative” lifestyle. It is quite common to see horse-drawn buggies traveling down the highway, and road signs warning drivers to slow down and watch out for them. Many of the Amish residents are integral to the local economy. They are well-known for selling fresh eggs, produce, local honey, molasses, sorghum, and various other culinary delights. They are also highly respected builders, and have built many of the homes and structures you might drive by on a daily basis.
There is a growing number of families in the area adopting aspects of Homesteading, who are sharing their journey on YouTube and other Social Media. One such family is that of Nate and Aislinn Chappel. Nate and Aislinn began sharing their Homesteading adventure in 2020, and have documented everything from the very beginning. Tune into the Happy Chappy Homestead YouTube Channel, and you can watch as they make their first livestock purchases, improve their land, grow a garden, share various insights and lessons they have learned, and, most importantly, witness the bond they have with each other and with their children, as this lifestyle has brought their already-close family even closer!
Homesteading may not be for everyone. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all way of living. It can, however, become an immense blessing if given a chance. As the economy becomes ever-volatile, people will begin looking for alternatives to help “ride the storm”. The perfect solution may be closer to us than we think.
At the time of writing, Spring is just around the corner! For anyone who might be thinking about getting started, there are plenty of local resources, and now is the perfect time!
Gardening is typically one of the first skills people pick up, when breaking into Homesteading. There is no better place to pick up gardening supplies than at a local Farmer’s Co-Op! Below is information on local Co-Ops in the Tri-County area.
Benton Farmers Co-Op
172 Natchez Trace Rd., Camden, Tennessee 38320
(731)584-8294
Carroll Farmers Co-Op
21495 E. Main St., Huntingdon, Tennessee 38344
(731)986-8271
Henry Farmers Co-Op
225 TN-69, Paris, Tennessee 38242
(731)642-1385
Additionally, stores such as Tractor Supply have annual baby chick sales! It’s a great way to get started raising your own chickens, either for eggs or poultry. Tractor Supply also sells feed and supplies for a large variety of livestock and pets, alike! In the Tri-County area, there are two locations – one at 1266 Hwy 641 S., Paris, Tennessee 38242; and the other is located at 20940 E. Main St., Huntingdon, Tennessee, 38344.
Facebook is full of groups that are centered around Homesteading. It doesn’t take a lot of searching to find one, and instantly get connected with friendly and knowledgeable individuals!
Some of you may be in need of land, or a new place to call your Home(stead). Here are some quick links to help make your search a little easier:
Land for sale in Benton County
Land for sale in Carroll County
Land for sale in Henry County