The term “ homesteading ” typically conjures up images of prairie , canning jarful , tractors , kine , quaint houses on raft of estate and off - grid sustenance . However , after watchingThe Homestead Documentary , you will see a tapestry of mass and homesteads , each so unparalleled in their own way .
Melissa K. Norris and Carrie Wilson make this miniseries to feature fresh typeface and way of exist off your land alongside an enormously diverse group of pioneer . The cast of characters are similar in their desire to be more independent and ego - sufficient . But each has found creative methods that individually suit them best .
Documentary Idea
Technically a “ homestead”is define as“the home and adjoining land occupied by a family . ” Most people overcomplicate the definition with whimsey that a homestead postulate to be in the country , on ton of land area , outside and/or pretty out of touch with forward-looking conveniences . The Homestead Documentary , however , showcases homestead kinfolk living on lots as small as .25 Akka in the middle of cities . The miniseries also shows some on bigger plots of dry land the owners have worked hard to engineer .
“ This docudrama is not about mass who are trying to turn back the clock and live like it ’s the 1800s , but rather bringing those old - fashioned methods and principles into their day-after-day subroutine to savour the benefits and rewards that homesteading has to offer , ” explain Wilson .
“ These the great unwashed are homesteading using the conveniences of a innovative world , using technology , gismo and resource that were n’t usable 200 years ago ! ”
The documentary features apiarist , animal breeders , farmers , crybaby keepers , nurseryman , builder , rancher and many homesteading profile sharing modern way they make a net income and sustain their homestead .
A Personal Story
When Wilson relocate her family from the U.K. to the U.S. two years ago , she was eager to grow her own food and be more self - sufficient . She began her homestead journey in 2002 in a pursuit to reclaim health through food following the death of her first married man to terminal illness .
She turned to the internet to learn proficiency and skills she could impart to her home . She rapidly ascertain homesteading is n’t a one - size - fits - all scenario .
Carrie wanted to create a more accessible and connected way of learning from others . Thus , The Homestead Documentarywas contain out of a desire to show different aspect of homesteading in touchable manner from the homesteaders themselves . Today she is a wife , remain - at - base - mom andhomesteaderin the rural midwest . She is passionate about showing the great unwashed how to bring a bounty to their own backyard on a budget , and this project propelled her voice in the homesteading community .
Getting Things Going
Finding participant was easy . “ I initially announce the project in 2019 and my request for participants by order a shoutout on Instagram . It was like the second when you set a toy boat informal in a current and then bear your breathing time to see if it will capsize or not , ” says Wilson .
“ I was bumble away by the number of the great unwashed who were excited about the idea . I cursorily had a squad of citizenry quick to link up arms and make it happen . It was amazing what close friendly relationship we germinate as a resultant of working on the project together . ”
Finding a scheme for success was not as simple . After directing and produce Season 1 totally on her own , Wilson presently discovered Season 2 was turning into too big of a task for one someone . Knowing she wanted to line up a professional manufacturer to partner with , she started a Kickstarter hunting expedition .
Unfortunately the campaign did not meet its destination . Wilson was pressure to find a Modern way to move .
This novel path happened to include homestead guru Melissa K. Norris . Melissa is a fifth - generation homesteader helping 100 of grand of people each month to use simple mod homesteading for a healthier and self - sufficient lifespan through her internet site , YouTube epithelial duct , popular Pioneering Today podcast , the Pioneering Today Academy , quarterly magazines and books .
Norris came across the documentary film through an Instagram reel share by Portage View Farm ( sport in time of year 2 ) . She reached out and invited Wilson on her podcast to talk about the project .
“ At that second in sentence , I was lick my injury , following a failed Kickstarter campaign that I had launched to sample and raise funds for the yield of time of year 2 , ” explains Wilson . “ After we recorded the podcast episode , I shared with Melissa privately that I was not certain how the task could move forward . I nearly fell off my chair when she ask me if I ’d moot bringing her onboard as a business sector partner .
“ She really yield the task wings and we have n’t look back . ”
As for the future , Wilson shares , “ We would like to continue telling the story of belittled farm and homestead , showcasing all the unlike means masses near homesteading . We have seen and heard the impact those stories can have in spurring others on in their own journeys . I would love to severalize you we are immediately planning season 3 , but the reality of the world of media and celluloid is that it takes large budgets and man hours to get a quality product .
“ So , with just having launch season 2 , we are going to wait and see how it does at the loge office first , ” Carrie laughs .
“ But on a serious bill , if we do start casting for time of year 3 , we will do so through our mailing list . Anyone is welcome to fall in atwww.homesteaddocumentary.com . ”
More Information
If you have spent any prison term on YouTube or Instagram looking for Homesteaders , you have probably already met some of the fellowship involved . Here is a look at Season 1 & 2 player :
