Backwoods Living with the Foxfire Woman

A Homesteader's Perfect Gift

Today is Yule, the Winter Solstice and the perfect time for new beginnings.  As the sun begins it journey around the wheel, the days will become longer and spring is just around the corner.

For now though, it is the holiday season (no matter which holiday you celebrate).  For gifts this year, particularly for our older children, we found the gift that screams "spot on" for a homesteading couple like us.  Heifer International.

For as little as twenty dollars, you can provide sustainability to a family in a third world or impoverished area by purchasing a flock of chickens.  For a bit more, you can upgrade to ducks and geese.  A few more dollars will provide rabbits; a buck and two does.  Higher amounts will purchase anything from goats and pigs to cows and water buffalo.

This was perfect for us.  Although our four older children have moved to the city, we saw this as a way to remind them of their roots.  Our two younger children (living with their mom, not us) will have their flocks of chickens along with a present or two.

We get to feel good knowing that someone in need will have the means to put food on their table for a long time to come.  That once the animals start reproducing, they will pass on a part of their bounty to others.  So each flock of chickens we bought could indeed feed an entire village within a few years.  That's an awesome thought.

If like us, you're looking for that last minute gift, think about Heifer.  One person can make a difference.  We got lucky, with six kids, hopefully we'll help change the future for many.

Untitled Comment

{ 11:49, 2005-Dec-21 } { Posted by HSBPublisher }

Heiffer International! Sounds very neat. Welcome to HSB! Glad to have you here!

-gena