Stephen Zank
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  • January29th

    This week I purchased a new book for my library of reference material on ranching, farming, and leading a self sustaining lifestyle. The book is titled “The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It: The Complete Back-to-basics Guide”.  0789493322While I do not intend on becoming one of those people who completely lives off the grid, I do have a desire to be connected to the land in an agrarian way and reduce my dependence on the products of the global industrialized marketplace. I find satisfaction in the development and creation of homemade commodities and would like to experience more of that in the future. Due to the constant instability of world markets and the uncertainty of the future of our food supply, I would feel more comfortable with the ability to produce my own food and be able to survive off the grid if the grid was no longer available. I realize that the chances of such a catastrophe are low as some people may contend but doing nothing in my mind would be a failure on my part. At the current moment in my life I am not in a position to live self-sufficiently but it is the goal that I hope to reach.

    This book is filled with useful information covering various aspects of life on a small homestead including how to prepare land for crops, grow vegetables and fruit, rear livestock, and even foraging in the wild. I am very interested in learning how to grow my own tomatoes, keep bees for honey, use dairy products, and learn the practical information including tips and advice so as to reap the harvest, respect te land, stay healthy, and waste nothing.

  • December20th

    You know all is right in the world when the baby is asleep!

  • November18th

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    Erika and I were on our long road trip this summer and although we saw some amazing things along the way, this one topped them all. In an apparent feat of exhibitionism, this man was apparently riding his unicycle, and juggling three basketballs.  I can’t wait to see what I can find next!

  • October26th

    Erika and I took a walk this morning and I found out where our water comes from.

  • October14th

    Zank Ranch

    Posted in: The Future

    p_1600_1200_424C6ACA-5097-444F-B9BD-1BB2F87AC370.jpegWhenever I watch movies about pioneers or homesteaders It strikes a chord in me that makes me wonder if I was born in the wrong century. Although they did not have many modern comforts, and their lives were filled with danger I feel a longing for some of the adventure and experience they partook in. What a thrill it would have been to be a part of a wagon train heading west into unexplored lands filled with the hope of a prosperous future. It must be the same feeling that modern astronauts have when they are strapped into the rocket on their way up through the atmosphere.

    Where is that equivalent experience today? Where can the average individual strike out into the unknown, stake a claim, and see the fruits of his labor? I want to be proud of my accomplishments, to be able to sit on my porch at the end of the day and look out over my land with satisfaction that I have tended it well.

    Is that dream able to be realized through my efforts in my career as an urban planner where I look out over an urban landscape that I helped to shape? Is that dream able to be realized in a more rural setting on a small ranch where I strive to live a sustainable low impact lifestyle? Read More