This is a great idea, implementing it 100% is next to impossible if you have a day job.
Trying to live completely off the grid, nothing store bought or pre-manufactured is a daylight to dark (and then some) prospect. I know that's not really what is being suggested, but that's the dream, right?
I've been to places where the existence is nearly on a subsistence level. It's a hard, rough and life shortening way to live. You have one less than optimum growing season or a too dry (or too wet, or too cold, or too hot, or too whatever) period and its pretty much game over.
I think finding a balance between self-sufficiency and making good use of the modern marvels we have available to us is the way to go. I’m not giving up on antibiotics (or even Tylenol!) for a mojo bag of mixed herbs. I have a fair-sized backyard garden and of course eat what I kill when I hunt, but there is no way to grow, catch or kill enough food to feed me and my family. Farmer's Markets are a great way to go. Locally grown, fresh and you can shake the hand of the gal or fellow who grew it (usually, be skeptical of the “farmer” who didn’t grow the produce they are selling). Here in the neighborhood we have a pretty good trade system. I have extra tomatoes, the guy next door has extra strawberries, and we trade. Everybody has extra squash. You leave your truck unlocked and it shows up in the front seat.
As wonderful as it is, venison every day gets old for me. I like a steak or a chop once in a while. I have a buddy that has some pasture available. We buy a couple of calves every spring and butcher in the fall. Some we sell for money in the bank to buy next year’s calves, pay the process fee and foot the feed bill. It is a no loss/no gain system that provides the best beef you can get. No access to pasture? Get in contact with your local FFA chapter; lots of calves don’t go on to premium sales and students need to unload livestock for next year. That’s how I get my pork. I have a local kid that sells cash hogs. I buy them for whatever the going per pound price is and have it custom processed to my specifications. Ham like you wouldn’t believe!
All my meat comes to me at a lower cost (8-10%) and at much higher quality and I know the name of the guy/gal that grows some of my vegetables. I still buy things at the grocery. I am picky though; if a pineapple doesn’t SMELL like a pineapple I don’t buy it. It’s tough to find some things out of season. Good apples in March? Not likely.
Cool to think and dream about, much harder to do. I think I have reached a good compromise.
OkKeith