Experience

OakridgeFarms.com is about the modern homesteading experience of  Mark Chester and a 40 acre farm with a hilltop house  in northwest Missouri, USA.

My homesteading dream started on September 11, 2001. It occurred to me how quickly life can change. Maybe a homestead would provide everything I would need – forever. So, I started on my journey for the homestead.

In 2007 I bought a 50-acre farmstead. The farmstead had a certain appeal, but it was not truly homesteading since the property had an old home. I sold the old farm. Five years later in 2011, I purchased 40 acres of raw land. Small as farms go, but enough for me. The property already had one small outbuilding but little else. Folks might have lived on the property years ago based on evidence of a rock well and fire hearth but nobody had lived on the land recently.

Successful homesteading requires all of those who attempt it. Skills and especially they’re endurance. While it may have gotten easier to homestead (after all, most homesteaders don’t have to animal survive predators), homesteading is not easy. Homesteaders constantly confronted with unique problems to solve. Problems seem to occur at the worst possible time. Resolve will be tested.

But the rewards of homesteading are also boundless. Most of humankind must “make a living” while the homesteader is truly living. Homesteaders are more intune with the land and weather because they must be. Homesteaders appreciate nature.

Independence is very great satisfying. Come what may, a homesteader will survive. The homestead may be remote and often beyond help from the rest of civilization. If a homesteader wants something done, it is usually up to them. It’s no wonder that after surviving it all homesteaders gain confidence.

Homesteading breeds character. Traits like courage revered by humans throughout time can be developed by homesteading. Problem-solving skills can be honed on the homestead.

There is a myriad of decisions, especially early on. Where do you want this? How do you want that? It can be thrilling and also exhausting. You definitely eat your own cooking.

The Building

The 1700 square foot building is a shop / house or “shouse” style. There is 670 square foot of living space and 1000 square foot area shop area. The living space includes a great room with kitchen, master bedroom, and bath.

Hilltop View

The Pond

Pond View