Week 1- Nikki Pinard

Emerging pattersNikki Pinard

May 22, 2015

I began to think of what I would need on a homestead. There would need to be food, livestock, recreation, fuels, surplus and income.

I called this category the “uses catagories”

I began to look at all of the elements I wanted to have on my homestead. I noticed not everything was to directly benefit me, so for my next category I organized my elements based on who would benefit the most from them.

One of the objectives of these homestead designs is minimal work and the highest yield. I began to wonder how many of the elements I wanted would require a lot of attention? How many of the items can be built and only require minimal maintenance? What

would need occasional maintenance?

My process was picturing how I would support myself and my family on a homestead and have surplus to sell or donate to the community. What would my family need to be content at our homestead? I came up with some ideas for recreation, food, other

plants, and fules. They are interconnected because they address all aspects of holistic health for my family.

Larger goals that emerged were wanting members of my community and family to be involved in the development of my homestead. I want a homestead that welcomes friends, family, and community. I also want a homestead that encourages a health community

and healthy lifestyles.

Some things that seemed out of place were categories like homestead farm business and farm stand under my uses categories. It seems uncomfortable to me to seek income from the community for food items. I want to learn how to expand this category to learn

how a homestead can produce a family a substantial income and to effectively use the surplus that comes from the homestead.

Happy First Week!!