ARE YOU REALLY PREPARED CONT.
HOW MUCH LAND DO YOU NEED.
For most people it is a mistake to buy too much land. All land requires alot of maintenance. You must keep the weeds, brush down and mantain grass and wood lots. Not to mention more land means higher land taxes for most.. I really can't give you a definite number of acres, but I can say most of you don't need more then a few acres, 15 tops. I have seen nice homesteads on 5 acres of really good land. if your land is in the southwest or west then 15 would be your number. add another 5 acres of wood lot in the east half of the country. 10 acres of wood lot out west.
LOCATION: The best location for a homestead is on a gentle slope with good water and soil. stay out of valleys although the do have better land. they are more likely to flood also. Stay of the top of the hill to stay out of the weather and wind, but also keeps your home stead from standing out against the sky. look for good southern exposure and protection from pervailing winds.
Your water needs can be met by springs or existing wells, if you have a year round spring then site your house below the spring so a gravity feed water line can suppy an tank next to the house. If you have to drill your looking at from 10 dollars to 20 dollars a foot according to where you are. Then add costs of pumps and water lines and permits. Most well companies will not drill without permits, unless they know you well. Make friends with the kind of people you'll need help from to complete your Homestead, trade work with them. They can be extremely valuable to your survival.
Remember not only do you have to be able to defend your homestead location, but you have to be anble to escape quickly.
The best homesteads are partialy wooded with enough open area for a house, garden, and pastures. In the north, heating with wood is often necessary. So is a woodlot. If the land is completely wooded, remember clearing land is time consuming and hard work. So be prepared.
To be continued: ( I gotta feed my stock)