With the New Year upon us, many of us think about new possibilities and goals for improving our homestead and making things better.  Especially as the new seed catalogs start coming in, I personally like to think about new things to add to the homestead and what new experiments I can try.  That’s what I am doing again this year.

Resolution #1:  Read new books, but make sure to try at least one new idea!

I love books.  People that know me either love to hear about the new books I’m reading or cringe when I start telling them about all the new ideas they should try.   Reading is great, but it only really matters if you learn new things that make things better.  I have been in situations where much reading is done, but not much really changes.  What’s the use?  So, resolution one for this New Year—read more—but make sure to try at least one new experiment to improve the homestead.

As examples, in 2010 I researched rock dust to remineralize the soil and experimented with Azomite.  It’s some really good stuff, but a little expensive.  In 2011, I read all about and began using the Grow Biointensive system and John Jeavons’ instructions in How to Grow More Vegetables Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine.  This past year, I began experimenting with Tillage Radish to improve the soil and reduce the work of cultivating our hard Missouri clay.

Resolution #2:  Focus on one important goal.

I love to try new things, as Laura can attest to.  Sometimes I lose my focus and drive my family crazy trying to do too many new things.  Resolution two—focus on doing one new thing well.  You cannot do everything and especially not everything well.  Continually challenge the things you are doing and make sure you stay focused on the important things.  Master a new skill or new improvement, and then move on.

Resolution #3:  If you keep doing the same thing, you will get the same results.

Lastly, as a homesteader and mini-farmer, I thrive on improvement and growth.  I’m excited to see what new people I will meet, what new books I will discover and what new things I can try—as long as I remain focused.  The soil can always be made better.  We’ve got a long way to go.  Resolution three—If you keep doing the same thing, you will get the same results—so this is the year to go for it!  We all get busy with our day to day activities but identify one thing to do different.  It could be big or small, but pushing on innovation is what will make your homestead or mini-farm better and is truly a new year with new possibilities. This year, I’m focusing on significant soil improvement.

What are some of your New Year’s resolutions?