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Hello to all! Welcome to the new Countryside Homesteader's Forum, where we discuss topics, exchange ideas, or just share thoughts or concerns relevant to those of us striving to live the back-to-basics, self reliant Good Life portrayed in every issue of Countryside Magazine.

We welcome your thoughts and comments on a wide variety of topics. Have an idea? Want to share a helpful homestead tip? Looking for information on a specific activity or general homestead topic? Here is your chance to connect with like-minded individuals and help spread the wealth of knowledge that we collectively contain.

-- Steve Belanger (csymag@midway.tds.net), June 11, 1999

Answers Thanks, Countryside Magazine, for providing this open forum for your readers and other like-minded individuals. I'm looking forward to participating in the forthcoming discussions.

-- Greg Scott (csforum@sws-wis.com), June 11, 1999.

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I'm glad to see you started a forum. Once everyone knows you're here it'll get moving! I subscribe to Countryside, so I know you'll have a quality site in time. Good Luck. Kathy

-- Kathy Lupole (kllupole@mkl.com), June 18, 1999.

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Dear JD, The forum is a great idea! I like this system better than a regular chat room anyday! Seeing what other folks contributed over the past days, weeks, etc., is much more thorough on a topic, helping others that may have the same question. Keep up the good work and all success to you. G

-- Ginger Morgan (vermort@spacestar.com), June 26, 1999.

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I too am a Countrysider and am most glad for the Forum. As several people already have figured out I am willing to share what I know. I do have one problem with the format of this Forum however and that is simply that there is no way to tell if there are new messages. This means time wasted to search back through already answered questions to see if there are more responses. At any rate, Steve, kkep up the traditions of the old man and keep our mag coming.

-- Nick (nikoda@pdqnet.com), July 18, 1999.

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Gee, I'm glad I didn't wait any longer before discovering this forum. We've gotten Countryside since it was a couple of pages long, used to pick it up at the Whole Earth Food Co-op in Madison, WI, before we subscribed. Our favorite magazine, and one ofonly two magazines that we never hesitate to renew when the subscription is up. (The other magazine is Home Power). This should be fun.

-- Jim (jiminwis@yahoo.com), August 03, 1999.

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I am really glad I found this forum. I like the way it is set up too, as I am not that great with the computer yet, I like that all the answers are right below the question, instead of constantly clicking on the next one and waiting, this is FUN!

-- Jenny Pipes (auntjenny6@aol.com), October 04, 1999.

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been getting countryside mag for awhile now, eagerly read all i can get my grubbie hands on, have been able to purchase all the old issues i could, wish i could get more, but... good a place as any to tell ya, jd, that you have inspired many to live a better & different & wanted & dreamed of & more simple life, moi included. many thanks for the urgency ref y2k - it inspired me to get all kinds of info that may or may not be available in not too long. also, been wanting a place in e.tenn forever & finally got that too... an honest to smoky mountain goodness log cabin made fm real trees, lotsa other stuff, but no grid (THANK YOU) and wunnerful spring. are springs ever at the top of the hill, or am i just cursed. oh well, learned about ram pumps, too. anyway, from the heart, thank you for all the everything, mostly giving folk an opportunity to believe in themselves. sometimes that's all you really need. and better than the best wishes for ya after the new year...se ya next century & issue.katie, a temporary reluctant urbanite

-- katie hankins (yarnspinnerkt@hotmail.com), November 05, 1999.

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I don't know how "new" this forum is because I just found it today...I find myself actually crying as I read all the responses from past questions. My husband and I currently live with our two young children in Las Vegas, Nevada. I have been waiting for 17 years to move to the country! For the past five years or so, I've devoured every book and magazine I could find on homesteading and homesteader skills. I never subscribed to Countryside because it was available at our library. Now, we are leaving tomorrow morning to see a place in Colorado Springs. The place belongs to a distant relative that is getting a divorce. I don't know much about it, other than it sits on five acres of land, seven miles outside of town and has an old '73 mobile home that has been upgraded and added on.

The current owners have two Nubian goats and a 3-stall barn too. I can hardly wait to actually see it. After all these years of dreaming and visualizing the "perfect" homestead - I'm ready to jump on anything just to get "there". Of course we are city through-and-through. My husband spent summers on his grandfather's black angus ranch in Wyoming when he was growing up and I had a horse for a few years (20 years) ago....Other than that, we have nothing but our desire and willingness to go for it. I can't believe it, but I'm so scared, I've actually considered copping out and staying in "sin city". At least here I know I can make a living...

I subscribed to Countryside today on-line. I hope and pray we don't quickly become the butt of seasoned homesteader's jokes about the city folks coming out and failing....I would love to hear from anyone who has words of wisdom, encouragement or advice. Count me in! I intend to be a forum participant from this day forward. Good bye sidewalks, hello countryside!!!

-- Leslie Wall (lesliewall@yahoo.com), November 23, 1999.

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Hello Folks at Countryside. I just wanted to say Thank you for your great magazine and now this great website forum. I check out this site often, it keeps me from jonesin'until I receive my next issue of Countryside! I have subscribed to this magazine for quite a few years now, and try to obtain every back issue I can get my hands on. I appreciate what you are doing Jd and family,your words have provided me an opportunity to really think about the big picture of life.To better understand what is realy important to me and how I can implement these thoughts into actions in my life. I love to read the stories that other folks contribute, and I hope someday that I will have a helpful and worthwhile story to share with you all. By the way, the sections written in Countryside by the Intentional Peasant are Great! I love that guy. Well, keep on keepin' on Jd, and Countrysiders, Best Wishes for this New Year and beyond. Sharon

-- Sharon (wswiii@worldnet.att.net), January 08, 2000.

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This week is my first time on the internet. We have internet access at our library. The first site I looked up was Countryside, as I have been devouring the magazine for several years. I immediately got an E-mail address to correspond in this forum. I am absolutely elated. There are very few people here in Thousand Oaks who are homestead minded. I can honestly say the I am probably the only little league mom in town who has to go home to milk the goats! We have five children that we have homeschooled for 10 years. Three are now grown things are getting easier, more time to do the things I love. Anyway, I love this forum, there really are people out there like me!!!

-- Christine Allen (cfallen00@hotmail.com), January 19, 2000.

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Hello, I have had this computer for a week now. so you can teach an old dog new tricks. I have been living the homestead life for many years now. You do not have to have a bucket of money to do it. Now, I have been envious of those people who can just pick a place,buy it and build their cabin in the woods with every convenience known to man. But i did it the hard way. ok, i know most people think Kansas is one large wheat field, but it just is not true. no offense to the folks in western Kansas, they are some of the nicest people you could ever meet. Southeast Kansas has every thing a homesteader could ask for, cheap land, good soil, great people. Oh, did i mention Trees, hills, valleys,sunsets to die for, lots of fresh air,jobs, and lots of countrysiders who would love new people to move into the area. karen

-- KAREN MAUK (DAIRYGOATMAMA@AOL.COM), February 01, 2000.

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JD. We wish You Well! We've been family, each and every day for many years. I have laughed and yes, I cry at times with all of our world in and out of sync. Once again Thank You and Diane, for being here. Yes. Homesteaders, you can find peace away from sidewalks. Its not goodbye is it? After all, A son will carry on. JR

-- James R. Jones (jr3star@earthlinl.net), February 22, 2000.

-- ducky (duxinarow3@yahoo.com), July 13, 2001