Still working on harvest and canning, but I think I should add to the last section.

That if you are planning to put your retreat in the mountains remember that growing food above 6000 ft elevations has it's own problems.

I am at 6300 ft, and as the beginning of September begins, I must harvest all the plants that are not in the green house and put temp green houses over the main garden to estend the growing season.

I started most of my gardens in the green houses this year, so I was able to harvest in late august.

But remember at this elevation, the last frost of the year comes in May, The first in early September. That is a short year folks.

Another thing to think about is how much time you have to give to your homestead.

The days will be 16 hours or longer, that is just to set up your homestead.

If you plan to work the most you can give is 8 hours.

The reason I say this is If you plan to put in a 8 hour day on a job and commute home then work yor homestead for 8 hours. You will only get about 4 hours sleep a night.

I remember growing up on my Grand fathers farm. He worked the fields from about 0400 to 1100 when he left for work on the 2nd shift at the mines. He worked till 8:00 or 8:30 pm came home, washed up and ate. Checked the animals and fields.

Then went to bed and started all over the next day.

We kids were up at 0400 and milking by 0430 spent all day in school then came home at 1600 hrs and right to the fields after changing our clothes.

Now That is a day for a young man, he was in his 40's or 50's. but he was use to it.

If you are that least old you must think about whether you can dedicate that much time to this.

If you have sat at a desk the last 20 years, your best bet is to work with friends and family in a commune style system.

That kind of system will allow you to share the load with family or like minded folks. But choose your partners well.

The commune lifestyle has its own unique problems.

Of course if you are Morman or planning to join the Mormans you could have several wives to help with the work ,

I think having one wife is punishment enough for any man.