Living a Sustainable Lifestyle

The decision to go off the grid started in 2006 when we moved to the farm and had to look at replacing the existing furnace and started looking at alternative sources of heating.  The real decision to go off grid was pretty much made for us when our electrical bill doubled in 2008 and then doubled again when the new "smart meters" were installed. Thus, to say, the decision to go off grid has been driven by economics.

For us, living off grid means:

• Utilizing solar and wind power with a back-up diesel generator
• Heating with wood (outdoor wood stove) with propane furnace as a back-up
• Use cold water instead of hot water whenever possible
• Cooking on a propane stove specifically designed for off-grid living
• Cooking on an outdoor propane BBQ
• Maintaining our old fashioned wood burning cook stove for emergencies

The decision to go off grid has also entailed a complete lifestyle change. What we give up, we only hope to gain in the smaller footprint that we leave behind in this world.  Here are some of the lifestyle changes that have been made:

• We use an outdoor and indoor clothes line to dry our cloths
• We use low energy light bulbs throughout all buildings on the farm
• We do not flush the toilet after every use
• We have a seasonal outdoor composting toilet
• We do not use an automatic dishwasher
• We refrain from using electrical kitchen appliances
• We are mindful of bathing and showering habits
• We burn candles and avoid leaving unnecessary lights on
• We utilize and collect hand tools as opposed to power tools whenever possible
• We minimize our use of electrical appliances, tools, toys and luxury items
• TV's, computers, printers, etc. are plugged into power-bars which are turned off when not in use

Living off-grid was a great and wonderful experienced that trained us to live much more simply and sustainable.  Unfortunately, in 2017 our backup battery bank became obsolete and died on us.  Our current income will not allow us to purchase new batteries.  We are therefore back on the grid, however, we still use all possible means to live frugally, and with as small a footprint as possible.

In 2018 we added a line of products to help promote consumers to getting off plastic. 

Wood

Wood, Wood and More Wood. An average winter will see 10-12 bush cords of wood used to heat the house and greenhouse.

Wood

Wood

Wood, Wood and More Wood. When the job is done, the wood will be stacked neatly in our wood sheds to keep dry throughout the winter and handy next to the house.

Wood

Wood

Wood, Wood and More Wood. When the job is done, the wood will be stacked neatly in our wood sheds to keep dry throughout the winter and handy next to the house.

Wood

Wood

Wood, Wood and More Wood. With 100 acres of woodlot, we are not short of a wood supply. However, bringing in enough wood for the winter is a huge job.

Wood

Wood

Wood, Wood and More Wood. With 100 acres of woodlot, we are not short of a wood supply. However, bringing in enough wood for the winter is a huge job.

Wood

Wood Chipping

All branches, bark and debris from our wood cutting efforts are shredded and used for mulch, incorporated into composting and used in the barnyard for the cattle during the winter.

Wood Chipping

Brush Piles

Brush, bark and debris from logs are collected in piles to be chipped for multiple farm use.

Brush Piles

Cook Outdoors

It is so nice to be able to cook outdoors whenever possible. Food takes on a whole new flavour and meaning.

Cook Outdoors

Solar Fencing

Solar units such as this one with a battery unit supply all of our electric fencing needs for the cattle.

Solar Fencing

Water

With climate change and drought upon us, we purchased a 3,000 gallon water reservoir that will collect water off the roof of the barn and supply water for irrigation.

Water

Water

With climate change and drought upon us, we purchased a 3,000 gallon water reservoir that will collect water off the roof of the barn and supply water for irrigation.

Water

Water

With climate change and drought upon us, we purchased a 3,000 gallon water reservoir that will collect water off the roof of the barn and supply water for irrigation.

Water

Generator

This gas powered generator is very fuel efficient and is used to pump water from the ponds used for irrigation.

Generator

Ponds

There are three ponds that feed into each other that will supply water for irrigation.

Ponds

Ponds

The mandate of our pond project was not to disturb or upset the natural environment in the process.

Ponds

Ponds

The mandate of our pond project was not to disturb or upset the natural environment in the process. The goldfish in this picture all survived and have continue to multiply helping to keep the pond in balance while providing food for the travelling blue heron and other creatures of the forest.

Ponds

Ponds

The mandate of our pond project was not to disturb or upset the natural environment in the process. A wide variety of frog species propagate each year in the pond adding to the pond ecosystem and providing food for other species.

Ponds

Barn

Eves troughs were installed on the barn to allow for collection of rain water and to deter excess rainwater from the roof to saturate the barnyard area, assuring a better environment for our cattle.

Barn

Storage

Additional shipping containers have been purchased to store irrigation equipment, tools, bins, baskets, seed trays, animal feed, and marketing supplies.

Storage

Storage

A large shipping container was purchased to provide clean space for hanging herbs, making soil, storing irrigation equipment and other uses. It was a smart and economical purchase.

Storage

Manpower

Being inventive and finding ways to work equipment without electricity is a challenge. This bicycle driven flour mill works great. The workout keeps us in shape.

Manpower

Outhouse

We installed an outdoor outhouse to reduce the use of the household toilet, thus saving energy. The outhouse is the preference in spring, summer and fall.

Outhouse

Outhouse

We installed an outdoor outhouse to reduce the use of the household toilet, thus saving energy. The outhouse is the preference in spring, summer and fall.

Outhouse

Cloths Line

One of the smartest things we did was install an outdoor cloths line. Huge savings on electricity and propane heating fuel. Cloths smell so much nicer too!

Cloths Line