As we entered this year we re-evaluated our farm plan and priority list from last year. We had to make one adjustment because we (meaning Monica) wanted to add a medicinal and culinary guild to our front yard which is almost completed. We set out a budget, proposed time line, and a materials list. Because of the location (the front of our house) and how solid the ground was – I won’t call it soil because it was mainly rock and gravel, the project was more difficult than we anticipated. We ended up having to rent an excavator which increased the time and expense. We are very happy with the progress and the aesthetic quality it brings to our property. However, that did change the start of our next major projects- digging another pond further up our property (we tried to do this at the same time as the guild since we had an excavator, but the ground was too wet and soggy) and building a small off-grid cabin for visitors. We’ve put these projects on hold until we can evaluate our progress on maintenance and winter preparations.

Why start on winter preparations in May? Well because time goes so fast and if we put this important task aside until we feel like we need wood, it will be too late. We need to use the time when we don’t need to burn our wood stove and fireplace because the weather is pleasant to get prepared. So, we are planning for the future and for us that means that firewood has to become a priority and projects need to wait. We will still get to them in the order we’ve decided. The order is not set in stone, it does change once in a while as new information, resources, or needs present themselves. However, having this list keeps us focused, we know where our energy and resources are going to be invested next. It’s actually a huge help!

The longer we live on our homestead the more we realize that we have bigger plans than we are able to execute and this isn’t necessarily a bad thing! This is when the skills of prioritizing and planning become essential. I’m not saying these aren’t essential skills for any job,  but they are especially  important when you are the CEO, the financial backer, and the guy who does the physical labor! There is only so much time in your day, week, and month, and only so much money available so you want to ensure they are being used in the best manner and for the most-important tasks.

Take time to evaluate your goals and set out a plan that makes sense. If you try to squeeze too much in you are bound to burn out and possibly not choose the correct order of execution. Consulting with someone who has experience planning and prioritizing will help you avoid these mistakes.

This is one of the parts of our business that Sean and I enjoy the most – consulting. We have been able to help clients to see the potential of their property in ways they haven’t, but most importantly, we have given them a suggested timeline of projects and suggested execution. Armed with this information they’ve done things logically, their planning time is greatly reduced because the overall plan is already laid out, they simply need to follow the plan. If you’d like more information on how we can help you achieve your homestead goals in the best way, contact us. We do not have set pricing on our consulting, depending on what you are looking for it can range from $150-$850.

We are committed to helping new and established homesteaders achieve more than they imagined while not being overwhelmed by planning and execution.