Seasoned professionals in off-grid living must become intimately familiar with the natural resources in their region. Self-sufficiency requires leveraging available assets in the most Earth-friendly manner. Additionally, homesteads should recognize what they can and cannot access to establish supplementary systems. Discover the best way to source and employ natural resources as an off-gridder.
Water Sources and Management
While water is the most versatile and necessary resource, it can be complicated to gather safely. It requires access points, collection equipment and purification systems. Explore what could be available nearby.
Rainwater Harvesting
Without a public utility provider and treatment plant, off-gridders must source their water and clean it themselves. Rain barrels are one of the most reliable methods of water gathering because they do need to be near natural water bodies. Build an efficient setup of gutters and piping to redirect water into screened barrels for later use.
Testing and treatment are as critical as the harvesting system. Gutters, tanks, barrels, filters and other equipment are only relevant if the water is potable. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a comprehensive strategy because each treatment method excels in a particular aspect of purifying water. For example, boiling eradicates germs but is not adequate for chemical removal, which is better executed with filtration.
Natural Springs and Wells
Building a well or finding a natural spring is another way to leverage nearby resources. If homesteaders are lucky enough to have a spring on their land, monitoring flow rates throughout the year is crucial for identifying viability. Off-gridders only know how much the spring may provide throughout the year by seeing its supply during low seasons. Submitting samples for bacterial testing is essential for identifying future treatment management.
Digging shallow wells that reach aquifers is another way to support off-grid living. Toxic materials more easily contaminate them, so verify cleanliness and safety.
Water Purification and Filtration
Chemical treatment with chlorine, running through filters and boiling are a few ways to clean water of several contaminants and pollutants. However, no solution is foolproof. Taking advantage of natural water sources requires a multilayered purification and filtration method to eliminate reliance on utility providers.
DIY methods include running water through gravel, charcoal or sand, which are even more natural resources homesteaders may have at their disposal. The strategy is effective for removing sediment and bacteria. Know each use case for water requires varied levels of purification and filtration. Drinking water needs more attention than water used for irrigation.
Energy Generation and Utilization
Feeding crops, hydrating and cleaning are vital for survival. The next step in off-grid resource management is power generation. Green power is the most eco-conscious and reliable way to avoid relying on municipal services.
Solar Power
Renewable energy is the best way to go when abandoning the grid. Gauge the home’s power requirements to calculate how many panels are required for necessities and homesteading operations.
Considering battery storage for surplus power should be top of mind if finances permit, allowing off-gridders to leverage as much energy as possible even if natural disasters or poor weather strikes. Thoughtful module placement harvests sunlight, keeping electricity flowing when the city nearby may suffer from an outage.
Wind Power
Turbines are more versatile than towering structures in expansive flatlands. Off-gridders living in windy areas may use residential wind power options to supplement other renewable generation or act as the sole provider.
The average household uses 10,649 kilowatt-hours yearly, though a homestead may use more or less depending on its size and assets. Translating this into small wind turbines results in at least several 1.5-kilowatt turbines to constitute a significant portion of energy needs. Nine-mile-per-hour winds are ideal.
Hydropower
A microhydropower system requires more intricate peripherals, but it is an energetic resource waiting for homes to tap into it. A pump, turbine or water wheel creates the energy needed to supply an alternator. Wires connect to the home, allowing it to manipulate the rushing waters as electricity. Regular maintenance using aerators or weed harvesters keeps water fresh, odorless and pest-free.
Firewood Management
Countless homesteads still rely on firewood for the land’s needs. However, aggressively taking advantage of nearby forests leads to future issues. Nature will struggle to regrow and nourish its soil with necessary nutrients. Prioritize sustainable firewood harvesting and preservation by storing and seasoning logs properly.
Food Production and Preservation
Wilderness lifestyles require humans to get intimately familiar with what their property is able to grow. What type of farming does it respond to? What lies on nearby bushes and trees? Discover how to responsibly participate in off-grid food production and, more importantly, preservation.
Permaculture Farming
A seemingly unlimited amount of farming methodologies have permeated the centuries. However, permaculture farming is one of the most reliable ways to produce enough food for the homestead sustainably while working with the land’s natural processes. Its ideals focus on low- to no-waste farming, regenerative principles and supporting rewilding. Off-gridders do this by:
- Recycling water
- Companion planting
- Crop rotation
- Soil restoration
Pairing this with organic practices means the land remains free of chemical pesticides and other abusive behaviors that could strip the soil of nutritious microbes, amplifying yields.
Foraging and Wild Edibles
It is vital to research the area where the homestead will be. Dwellers should know native trees, grasses, mushrooms, berries and more for several reasons. First, it complements and diversifies food production. Secondly, it alerts homes of invasive species. One foreign plant species may invite several unfamiliar animals or insects into the region, potentially catalyzing food and biodiversity destruction.
Increasing knowledge about forageables also enhances safety. Off-gridders must know what is and is not safe to eat, touch or interact with. This protects them and any ranching animals or pets they have on the property.
Root Cellars and Food Storage
Trying to bolster yields is useful only with a robust preservation and storage strategy. Minimizing or eliminating food waste by canning, dehydrating, drying or fermenting as much as possible is vital. Building an underground storage space where it is easier to manage humidity and temperatures is paramount in making food last through non-growing seasons.
Responsible Fishing and Hunting
Depending on the homestead’s diet, taking advantage of natural resources may include fishing or hunting. However, it may be advisable to keep this to a minimum if unfamiliar with population numbers. Raising animals may be a more suitable alternative for sourcing meat-based protein sources. Off-gridders seeking to lower carbon footprints and decarbonize as much as possible should seek plant-based protein sources, like soy and legumes.
Building Materials and Construction
Covering every physiological need leads homesteaders to consider shelter next. The materials and strategies used to build structures are the metaphorical and literal foundations of elemental protection and emotional security. What is available in nature to support reliable roofs and resistant walls?
Wood Resources
As previously mentioned, sourcing wood requires attentive planning. What plans do off-gridders have to repopulate cut trees, and will they be native seeds sourced from the original plant? Sustainable timber harvesting includes:
- Preserving old-growth trees
- Taking note of watersheds
- Choosing softwood over hardwood
- Avoiding destroying animal homes
- Know the world’s most threatened trees
- Grow alternatives and supplements, like fast-growing bamboo
If purchasing instead of cutting, ensure the supplier is Forest Stewardship Council-certified with proof at the ready.
Earth and Natural Building
While wood may be the most popular choice for buildings, humans have built from other materials since the dawn of time. Clay, mud, straw and other materials are eco-friendly, so long as they do not uproot habitats or displace species. Survey the property to see if these materials are abundant, even for small structures like sheds.
Recycled, Reclaimed and Salvaged Materials
Homesteads seeking cheap, eco-conscious alternatives to environmentally degrading materials may look to recycled, reclaimed and salvaged materials as their foundation. Consider how everyday objects like discarded pallets or tires otherwise destined for landfill fill diverse repair needs or act as a shell for something more substantial. Found materials are always the most naturally advantageous option because they do not strip the earth.
The resurgence of earthbag homes is another trend. Sandbags and plasters may last a lifetime, and off-gridders use them to build cheap tiny homes and even small emergency shelters.
Natural Remedies
Utilizing natural resources extends past housing and feeding. What about medicinal applications? Though some natural remedies may not compare with advanced medical technology, it is unarguable that herbs, tinctures, teas and salves sourced from nature provide relief. Many tackle minor colds, cuts, scrapes, burns or bites, but use sound judgment when crafting home remedies.
Astringents can draw things out, such as a bee stinger, and bitters assist gut health. These are only a few herb categories, though not all may be available on the homestead’s land. Here are a few to keep on shelves:
- Elderberries for making syrup to support immune systems
- Melted beeswax for nourishing dry, itchy skin
- Chamomile tea as a sleep aid
- Almonds to make oils and salves
If conditions worsen, seek professional medical assistance.
Waste Management and Composting
The trash company is not going to take care of off-grid waste production. Many drive their waste to landfills while practicing intentional management of the rest.
Composting Systems
Composting is one of the most advantageous ways to take advantage of natural resources while severely reducing waste output. This makes it easier for off-gridders to create a comprehensive trash management system. American homes discard 80 million tons of food yearly, though much of this is the food industry-originated. To avoid adding to this statistic, establish a composting system.
Food scraps, yard clippings, paper, coffee grounds, untreated paper and even uncolored hair may go into compost bins, transforming into nutritive plant food. It strengthens soil composition, preventing erosion and keeping helpful species present in the organic matter.
Knowing what is compostable is as essential as acknowledging what cannot go into bins. Pet and other animal waste, dairy products, meat, bones and anything dyed cannot enter the stream. It will disrupt the organic processes that decompose matter.
What composting system works best for the homestead? These popular options are ideal for homesteads with high agricultural yields:
- Vermicomposting: Using fungi or worms to digest food waste.
- Aerobic composting: Any composting method requiring frequent oxygen introduction, including open-air methods.
- Anaerobic composting: Any composting method without oxygen, such as Bokashi.
Off-Grid Septic System
Composting toilets and off-grid septic are the next bits of infrastructure crucial for successful off-grid living. How does this relate to taking advantage of natural resources? The right toilet system supports other composting efforts if appropriately treated.
Many connect to another system where the household inserts carbon-rich organic additives, such as sawdust. Using found materials on the homestead is the best way to make use of resources. Other specs like temperature, size and waste accumulation determine the system’s efficacy as a supplement to conventional composting.
Community-Building and Work Exchanges
An unsuspecting way to leverage natural resources is through connections. Some off-gridders live near like-minded people or in small communities like an eco-village. Getting the most out of nature may call for sharing tools, equipment and knowledge with one another.
Using nature’s bounty is equal parts using it to benefit the homestead and the greater good while knowing when to pull back. For example, if resources only allow the construction of one greenhouse, then the rest can survive with a single building until resources replenish to support continued development. Learning to take advantage of natural resources requires collaborating, acknowledging what others have, knowing what people are willing to share, and calculating the proper timelines for scaling.
Balanced, Off-Grid Living in Accordance With Nature
Being free of utilities and the whims of corporations is liberating if homesteads know how to interact with their land. Off-grid living is a prime opportunity to become more connected with nature and its processes while learning to take care of it after its unending support to humanity. Responsible resource collection, management, utilization and storage are critical for sustainable and viable homesteading practices. Whether working in a community or alone, mindful natural engagement is the foundation for resource use and awareness.
Leave a Reply