3 Ways to Become More Self-Sufficient on Your Ranch

Becoming completely self-sufficient on your ranch is no easy task. With the right tools, animals, and equipment, you can arm yourself with what you need to obtain this self-sufficiency for the rest of your life. In order to achieve this goal, you will need to provide for basic electricity and food needs while cutting back on your everyday living expenses. Here are three ways to truly become self-sufficient on your ranch.

Have Livestock

In order to become completely self-sufficient on your ranch, you need to own a variety of livestock. Maintaining a livestock herd will provide you with meat, eggs, milk, and more. The herd is also necessary for the natural balance of the plant life of your ranch, providing manure and helping to maintain fields through grazing management. Livestock options to consider include cattle, goats, pigs, bison, and chickens. By gradually adding to your herd, you will eventually have all that you need to be self-sufficient. There is an unparalleled peace of mind that comes with knowing where all your food has originated.

Use an Off-Grid Power System

Having an off-grid power system means being completely independent from the energy companies and being self-sufficient with generating your own utilities. You’d have to supply your own electricity, heat your own water, etc. Although this can be the most challenging part of self-sufficiency, there are numerous options to help you to achieve this, ranging from the installation of solar panels to the harnessing of wind energy. A portable generator will prove to be an invaluable investment when looking to live off the grid.

Live Simply

The easiest way to be self-sustaining is to adopt a simplified lifestyle. The fewer gadgets and frivolous items that you depend on, the easier it will be to not depend on others or outside vendors. The less that you need, the less that you will spend, and the less you will need to go outside of your own ranch to have the items that you depend on. Although this can be a hard adjustment to make initially, it will become second nature once you abandon the expenditures of the past.

While it is a lot of work to get to the point of self-sufficiency on your ranch or farm, the effort will pay off big dividends. There is nothing quite as satisfying as knowing that you can provide for your family regardless of outside circumstances.

Ready to become a more self-sufficient rancher? Click here to learn more about common self-sufficiency concerns for ranchers and how to come out on top!