Many years ago, in my early married years, a man I greatly respected gave the following counsel:
“We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard. Even those residing in apartments or condominiums can generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden as neat and attractive as well as productive.  If there are children in your home, involve them in the process with assigned responsibilities.”

His name was Spencer W. Kimball, and he was the President of the church I belong to.  Latter-day Saints regarded him as a prophet, and I loved him as one. I took his counsel to heart.  At the time, we lived in a two bedroom apartment in Edmonton, Alberta Canada.  I noted that he mentioned “those residing in apartments“, so I knew my living situation did not exempt me from his instructions.

My husband and I set about to figure out a way to comply.  We were young.  I was only 18 years old.  He was 22.  We planted a small garden in a space provided by my parents in law in their acreage vegetable garden.  We travelled out weekly to take care of it.  We were terrible farmers, and my father in law had to bite his tongue many times to keep from dashing our spirit.  My mother in law praised our efforts and was very encouraging.  When I look back on it now I roll my eyes at how young and naïve and – lets be honest here – ‘stupid’ we were.  My husband built me a window box that we hung from our kitchen window.  I had visions of Snow White watering her blooms from the window. Lets just say it didn’t exactly work that way, …. and that’s all I have to say about that for now.

Over the years, I continued to be motivated by this same talk (given in April 1976) by President Kimball.  Our ultimate goal was eternal happiness of course, but one still has to navigate this mortal life, and there are ways to do it better.  “Recognizing that the family is the basic unit of both the Church and society generally,” he said “we call upon Latter-day Saints everywhere to strengthen and beautify the home with renewed effort in these specific areas: food production, preservation, storage; the production and storage of nonfood items; fix up and cleanup of homes and surroundings.”  The die was cast so-to-speak.  We made the decision to follow these and other tenets spoken of by him, and they became life shaping for us. “Children should learn to work.” he said.  “Develop your skills in your home preservation and storage.” he said.  “…. acquire and maintain a year’s supply of the basic commodities” he said.  “Wherever possible, produce your nonfood necessities of life.  Improve your skills ....” he said.  “Keep in good repair and beautify your homes, your yards, farms, and businesses.  Repair the fences. Clean up and paint where needed.  Keep your lawns and your gardens well-groomed.  Whatever your circumstance, let your premises reflect orderliness, beauty, and happiness.” he said.  “Plan well and carry out your plan in an orderly and systematic manner.” he said.  “Avoid debt.” he said.  I took it all very personally, and took the stance that he was speaking directly to me.

We knew our lives would be blessed by living these principles of self reliance and we endeavoured to do our best to align ourselves with them as much as we had the ability to do so.  We felt an attraction to rural life and hoped one day to live in the country, but circumstances pointed us in another direction and the closest we got to it was our first home in the small town of Calmar, Alberta. It was an old home.  Very old.  Which made it affordable.  Many good and growing memories were made in that old house.   I read an article in Harrowsmith Magazine (my connection to a world I wanted to be part of) one day that helped me be patient with our dream of one day owning a small farmstead. Without being able to quote the article or tell you much else about it, the author asserted that one could live a homesteading life no matter what their present circumstances were. I was empowered. And I determined to do so.

I had always felt a closeness to my pioneer roots, and I endeavoured not only to be grateful for their sacrifice and hard work and efforts,

but to do many of the same things they had done well.  We planted a garden as President Kimball instructed.  Every year.  No matter where we lived.  When in Calmar we bought our fresh milk and eggs from the farm.  We made our own yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream and butter.  We bought our honey from the local beekeeper.  We bought our wheat from a local farmer and ground our own flour.  I made our bread.  I learned how to make soap, and made our own.  Not everyone in our circle of friends and family saw things the way we did.  I admit we raised plenty of eyebrows and even our own grandmothers shook their heads.  They had no desire to do things the way they used to do them, and couldn’t see why anyone else would. lol

Those days seem so long ago now.  We’ve learned so much and have come so far.  Many things have changed.  We raised five kids.  Bought a business that I managed for over twenty years.  Moved a few times, owned a few houses. Experienced our share of heartache and joy.  Served the Lord in assorted different callings, and our fellow man whenever we could.  Did our best to keep the spirit in our home.  Tried to be good neighbours and friends.  And yet through it all, some things have not changed.  Those basic, foundational tenets we adhered ourselves to all those many years ago.

We never did get too far out of Edmonton. In fact we live here now, and I expect at this point we’re here to stay.  We live in a modest home with a little-larger-than-average yard.  This is our 8th residence and 3rd owned home.  In every place we’re tried to live by the principles of self reliance using whatever advantage we could uncover in our situation.  This is the home that offers us the most advantage.  Ironic that all the kids are gone now.  But that’s okay. They still come home and we’re still all learning right?

I’d like to share our Homesteading-in-the-city journey with you. Some of it through recollection and some of it through our daily life.  Few of us will ever “homestead” in the way our great grandparents did.  And you know what? I’m okay with that.  Theirs’ was a hard life.  Full of uncertainty and fear of drought and hail.  I am grateful to not have the same worries.  No, in my lifetime I would say that “Homesteading” is a lifestyle choice of self sufficiency as near as one is capable of achieving.  It is “characterized by food production, home preservation and household independence”. The word conjures up images of Little-House-on-the-Prairie, but actually homesteads come in all shapes and sizes, rural and yes, even urban if needed.  Whatever our situation, our little lot can become our own little Garden of Eden, tended and nurtured.  The yield can be tremendous, not the least of which may be good, wholesome, organic food.  In our little homestead we gain awareness and connection, and independence, and feelings of self sufficiency and more independence, and peace.  And inter-dependence – which is not the ugly step-sister of independence. But that’s another subject for another day. 

As in pioneer days it requires a fair amount of learning, but thankfully now, education can be as close as the click of a mouse. If we’re fortunate we may find others of like mind who will share their experience with us, and we can round out our education with hands on instruction and of course, personal experience.

Welcome to our home. Our kitchen. Our food storage room. Our family room. Our yard and garden. We hope through our journey together, you’ll be encouraged down your own path of self sufficiency and Homesteading – wherever you are.

Warmly,

Cindy Suelzle