Staying Prepared on a Rural Estate During Winter

Living in the country is not the same as living in towns and cities. There are many challenges homesteaders face, even with modern technology. Fortunately, you can stay prepared on a rural estate by making some minor changes and staying vigilant about things. Here are some tips.

Keep the Home Maintained

A well-maintained home is critical when you live in a rural area. It could be some time before help arrives when something goes wrong, and many contractors don’t even want to make the trip. So the onus is on you, really. Anything can go wrong, especially in winter. And the last thing you need is to call professional roofers to fix a hole made by crashing tree branches! Maintenance all over is required. So, check the gutters, trim the hedges, and clear the drains.

Invest in Internet Upgrades

It’s almost impossible to get anything done without the internet these days. Even simple tasks are now reliant on web access such essential government services. However, rural communities are still not being let down and forgotten when it comes to the internet. However, It’s not all doom and gloom. Some internet providers are trying hard to bring fast and reliable web access to isolated communities. You can also consider Starlink, but it is a lot more expensive.

Get Food Prepared on a Rural Estate

Puckering down for the cold season can be a bit of an experience. Rural locations may not have the same access to supermarkets that most people enjoy. However, there is some self-sufficiency involved, and that puts you at a small advantage. Of course, it can take around 5 years to become 50% self-sufficient with a lot of hard work. But even halfway there, you can prepare for the winter ahead with pre-made meals, growing vegetables, and making preserves.

Check Animal Feed Supplies

If you have animals, you are responsible for their welfare over the winter. You don’t want to run out of feed while the roads are unsafe or even closed. So, stock up on the supplies you need for the animals. From chickens to cows and everything in between, they all need the same care and attention as in spring. If you think there won’t be enough, consider selling some of your livestock so no animal goes without. You can then use that money for utilities over winter.

Manage Energy and Water

Further to utilities, energy, and water are vital. You need these for the most basic and necessary tasks, and either one going down can cause misery. Energy is pretty costly these days, but there are many ways to conserve or generate energy. Solar panels and wind turbines work pretty well in rural locations with land. You can also catch rainwater and use it for tasks like watering crops. To conserve water, you can also install low-flow devices that use much less.

Summary

A well-maintained home will help keep you prepared on a rural estate through the challenging seasons. Preparing food ahead of time, such as preserves, can make a big difference. However, it also helps to ensure you have access to enough energy and water throughout the winter.