When it was discovered a few years ago that I was not able to tolerate gluten...
the protein in certain grains such as all wheat types, rye and barley...
I knew my world of food would have to change.
It meant being careful of what I brought home from the market...
being careful of where I went to eat...
Wherever gluten products are used,
it is a danger and risk to those with celiac disease.
It's a serious problem because gluten is poison to me.
We also wanted to live on less monies and useless worldy goods...
and downsize to a small, manageable house
Therefore...
the protein in certain grains such as all wheat types, rye and barley...
I knew my world of food would have to change.
It meant being careful of what I brought home from the market...
being careful of where I went to eat...
Wherever gluten products are used,
it is a danger and risk to those with celiac disease.
It's a serious problem because gluten is poison to me.
We also wanted to live on less monies and useless worldy goods...
and downsize to a small, manageable house
Therefore...
with that in mind...
the idea of having our own small farm grew
and one year ago...
we built a tiny cottage and moved unto the farm
Over the course of the year...
we acquired animals for raw milk and eggs...
sowed and planted various trees, vines, roots, and crops that would produce our foods
Except for the established cocoa orchard...
we planted about 90% of the fruit trees on our farm
There isn't anything we didn't try...
the result being in the photos below
In just a year's time...
we grew enough food for us...
for selling...
and to give to those in need
The Lord God has blessed the island with a good growing season throughout the year
A farm means lots of work...
but, pays back in useful dividends for all involved
Leaving the rat race and 9 to 5 job behind...
it has cleared up much more time for us to work with our hands...
and give more time to the studying of God's word
The photos in this post is a picture of what we have done so far
1 farming husband : )
our dogs, Foxie and Shadow
1 cow, 4 female milk goats and 1 sire
3 beehives
4 egg hens, 1 rooster
1 cocoa orchard
sugar cane, cotton, coffee
Fruits
soursop, watermelon, papaya
pomegranate, cherry, fig
guava, tropical sugar apple, bananas of different species
giant granadilla, sorrel, lime
starfruit, tangerine, tropical golden apple
passionfruit, plantain
plum, pineapple, breadfruit
avocado, mango, nutmeg
Herbs
lemon balm, oregano, rosemary, basil
anise hyssop, mint, sage
ginger, black pepper, big thyme
vanilla, lemongrass, aloe
Vegetables
eggplant, peas, cucumber
broccoli, bok choy, onion
beets, collards
tania (a root), coconut, cassava (a root)
sweet potato, pumpkin
corn, beans, okra
celery, cabbage, green onion
carrot, dasheen, pepper
lettuce of various kinds
tomatoes of various kinds
New plants we are trying
strawberry, purple grape
Wild grown plants we learned to use as medicinal purposes
bacano, pitibum, black sage
Things we learned to do and use from nature around the farm
foraging for food, using bamboo for various projects
using the river to water our crops during dry season with a generator
We did not go into homesteading to be more spiritual...
or try to save the earth...
the Lord will do that at His coming
It isn't about being "survivalists"...
God Himself takes care of His people in every circumstance
We don't consider ourselves "self-sufficient"...
our being and existence and sufficiency is in Almighty God
But, we do believe in being good stewards with whatever the Lord gives into our hands to do...
and doing it unto His glory
If He so chooses to bless, we rejoice...
if He chooses to take away or bring trials...
we rejoice in Him and His salvation
and so...
may all glory, honor and power be to the Lord God and Jesus Christ
May the Lord shine His grace on you
