Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
A chicken coop doesn't have to be fancy, just suitable for the purpose. This portable one moves easily
around the yard, provides safety for our foraging hens, and costs only a few dollars.
When I had a baby in April, I purchased all my plants as started seedlings from a local nursery,
and the costs of the vegetable garden were twice as much as usual. Compare that to the year I
purchased seeds for everything and spent only $90 for seeds that will last two to three years even
if I don't save any! All of these things can make a huge difference in what the costs will be for you,
and what the savings might be for your family.
A 1996 study by H. Patricia Hynes, an author and professor at Boston University, showed that
for every $1 invested in a community gardening area, there is $6 worth of vegetables harvested. I
estimate that we save about $400 per month on our grocery bills for our large family because of
the food we produce for ourselves, both from the garden and the livestock. Your situation will be
unique, of course, but through the various parts of this topic I'll share any tips that I've gathered
along the way to help you save money on this self-sufficient living journey.
Having said that, there are things that are worth so much to me, I would invest in them no matter
what the cost. For example, grass-fed chicken from my own farm, or someone I know locally, is
something I would invest in even if the cost were significantly more than the grocery store coun-
terpart. Feeding my family nutrient-rich, cruelty-free, and sustainably grown food is important to
me, so there are times when we pay a higher cost either in money, or usually in time, to make that
happen. There is a comfort and satisfaction that comes from knowing exactly where my family's
food came from.
