Just a Modern-Day Pioneer

Summer is coming to an end and I can start to feel the changes. The above picture is from our 5 day peregrination through the Uintas. We visited many beautiful places while the weather was fair, but this one by far, was my favorite. The days were perfect, the air unpolluted, and the nights cold. We spent our time fishing, listening to thoughts, sitting around campfires, and imagining a different time in the same place. The feeling to stay is always so strong. It's so much fun to throw away time counting stars...

Anyway, I've spoken about the travels of my family, but haven't actually spoke of my family yet (Ready-set-go!). My partner (Megan) of over 3 years sent for me a year after she moved out here and scoped things out. I am so thankful to have found such a strong, beautiful creature (she's unworldly!). Not to mention intelligent...She snowboards professionally and still finds the time to be a rocket scientist for a big aerospace company. She is an amputee and a total inspiration to everyone she encounters, including me. We are the proud parents of two fur babies (I promise to post photos), Cappy (poodle) and Sirius (Yes, from Harry Potter, cat). We both came from the south, so I am so grateful for the pets. I am obligated to power through cold, winter morning walks and afternoon hikes thanks to them. Megan on the other hand, LOVES the cold weather. Like fire and ice...

Leaving Tennessee behind was extremely difficult not only because of the food and abundance of culture, but because I had to leave most of my family behind. I am great at meeting new friends, in love with Utah's geography, but my mind is still roaming across the rolling hills of my homeland. They say home is where the heart is...Megan is originally from Alabama and this is her first time living outside of Huntsville. I've lived in the country and later moved to a big city. You never know what you're missing until it's gone holds true for sure. Also, as an aspiring homesteader, the east coast just seems more ideal.

The Plan

I've spent the past few days trying to conjure up a real business plan. I've had the ideas in my head for years now. Unfortunately, my head cannot be hooked up to a projector. Nothing too elaborate (yet). Naturally, it should be sustainable and a project that gives you confidence with a dash of adventure.

First, geographic location and plot size. My grandparents had a 210 acre farm in Tennessee with plenty of room for growth. After reading about the Homestead Act of 1862 (it was later doubled to 320, then 640), I've decided that 160+ acres is feasible. It leaves room for expansion, land leasing, crop rotation, and different types of farms (tree farm, hunting farm, etc.). It's important to keep an open mind and be adaptable.

Then there's finding 1-3 projects to cultivate in the first 3 years (realistically the first 5 years) of business. I want my plan to consist of one costly investment/risk, and two projects that are safe/generate income. The latter two should be as least stressful as possible, sustainable, and cheap, but not at the expense of quality. Thinking small isn't always a bad thing and I know it'll lead to more creative opportunities farther down the road.

Next, the most difficult task. Everything needs to be put in writing (a business plan), ideas need to be presented to potential business partners (never go in without a presentation), and networking needs to start. Attend networking events! Until I actually got serious about wanting to start my own business, I did not know such a thing existed. Research the law, licenses that need to be obtained, and most importantly, how much money do you need to take care of you.

In the future, I am sure things will be added/omitted as I delve deeper into creating a sustainable, and someday perhaps profitable, homestead. Please feel free to hand out advice, ideas, and share real life experiences! I know right now I'm mostly optimistic with a realistic take on potential snafus, so don't be afraid to give me the ugly truth. I promise it's not enough to crush this dream because no one goes into homesteading/farming without having their hearts in the rights places. I will be adding more to this blog and I am sorry posts are appearing at snail pace. I have been busy seeking employment in law enforcement and share the good news in my next blog.

Home on the Preordained Range

 I am not a complete narcissist, though I seldom do think of myself from time to time. I am a recent college graduate—English major, political science minor. My goal was to become a practicing attorney. After more than eight impersonal, generic law school rejection letters, I decided to revaluate my career goals. Eight months of NPOST (National Peace Officer Selection Test) training, aka, the police academy ensued. First of all, I will start by saying it is not as glamorous as it sounds.

It was a curriculum full of intense exercise, rigorous training, and being trapped in a room of super inflated egos. However, I managed to survive and graduate. Right now, my time is totally consumed by the cumbersome task of finding employment. I've lost count of how many agencies I've applied with; I remain effervescent/resilient. I am officially Special Functions and Law Enforcement Officer certified, now to find somewhere to actually enforce the law.

In mention of time, it has been a difficult concept to grasp. Instead of dragons and quests, it's been a tiresome adventure full of insensitive bureaucracies and dead end jobs. While some will argue working for minimum wage (a.k.a. indentured servitude), is not enough to rival even the weakest of dark magic, a lot of people do it each day. We've become so complacent and afraid to speak our minds in fear of the repercussions that may ensue. I stand on my feet 9 hours a day, used for everything from the neck down by so many corporations. In fear of a loss of employment, I decline from any gratuitous use of my current employer's name.

How will these people ever get ahead in life if someone is always out to take their legs? And the sad thing is, I feel it too. I feel myself slowly beginning to degenerate. This is what lead me to Home on the Preordained Range. Instead of continuing to surround myself with the sounds of bodies groaning, knees creaking, and mouthes moaning, I've decided I want to homestead with three of the most remarkable people I know. I am confident working the land and policing can be done simultaneously. Considering I come from a line of farmers, I feel it's in my veins to pursue this opportunity to preserve this family tradition.

This blog will consist mainly of bicycles, politics, and homesteading. It will follow my life and hopefully change at least one. I am sorry if this is a deal breaker for many or leaving a bad first impression. It's just the nature of the beast. I would like to close by stating that I am not anti corporatism; I just wish they (since corporations are now people) would go back to treating workers with dignity. I hope to someday create my own corporate climate surrounded by happy, healthy workers. I'll leave you with the "Maid Needs a Maid" by Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton.