Turned Abandoned 60 ACRE RANCH into A SUSTAINABLE Homestead / 4 MONTHS in 45 Minutes / OFF GRID 

Watching this couple working together so well and getting so much accomplished sure brought back some fond memories for me. About 25 years ago my late wife (23 years since she passed away) and I purchased five acres of land out in the country to get away from the noise and frustrations of living with wall to wall neighbors. We had an old 27' Allegro motor home that we brought out to the land to stay in when we were clearing the property and to live in on weekends. It was a LOT of work but in a short time we had enough cleared that we could have a house that she found that was going to be demolished to make way for a new four-laned street moved out to the property. That being done, we worked like crazy to get the plumbing and electrical completed so we could move in. Sadly, my precious gift from God did not live to see the project completed, passing away from cancer just three weeks after being diagnosed, but enough that she could have the things she wanted built for it. The one thing I did learn from all of that working together was just how really close we grew every day. I had the best wife and partner any man could ever dream of having. Just seeing the happiness on her face each time we passed another milestone just made me work that much harder to get us into the house and having time to relax together and enjoy it. In the 23 years since she's been gone I have thought about selling the place and moving on but somehow I just can't seem to being myself to do it. There is just so much of her still here. Seeing this couple and how well they work together and the feelings that they have for each other really brought a lot of what we had back to me. I wish this young couple many decades of happiness and health as they work to build their dream together.

I think a housing crash will happen because all those people who bought homes over asking price, although it was at a low interest rate, they are over their heads. They have no equity if the housing prices continue to go down, and if for whatever reason they cannot afford the house anymore and it goes into foreclosure because even if they try to sell, they will not make any money. I think this will happen to a lot of people especially with the massive layoff predicted for the future and the cost of living rising at a high speed.

My wife and I did the same thing, bought a bare piece of land, built a homestead. Looking at this video is so inspiring for others who want to do this and aren't sure they can. Makes me wish we had filmed our journey. You guys did a great job showing how even something that already exists can be turned into a homestead quickly and on the cheap. Helping people leave the rat maze and move closer to nature is a noble aim.

2 things.... Wood stove on a wood shelf, and no insulation. Ive built houses for 30yrs, doesn't make scene.

I don't know where you live, but not having insulation inside the walls or at least damp proving it might bite you later on. Love the project, you rock guys!

Sheet rock goes on the horizontal, no insulation? Remember when you were cold outside? Good job guys- life is a journey!

Man what a great woman you got, treasure her with your life man, because our country is not producing such wonderful women anymore, I am widow and she totally remembered me my wife and our journey, wonderful project, really rally wish you the best from the bottom of my heart

This video is so Inspiring for all young people growing up in this day and age. I pray that as the world be turning that more young folks watch this and get off a cellphone and choose a life like these two. Dude your lady is awesome just as you are. I HOPE ANS PRAY Y'ALL DO THIS, MAKE A GREAT LIFE, AND STAY TOGETHER FOREVER.

Anyone can put up build something but doing it right is on a whole other level

I wish my wife had wanted to do things with me like this! Skipping insulation seems penywise and pound foolish since the building will not be usable during the winter (and perhaps the summer).

No idea where you two are today, but I promise you won't find any more like you. Love hard, work hard, and fight like hell against anything that tries to tear you apart. Prayers and well wishes for both of you. 🙏

Beautiful young Lady with her handsome Man. And happy, hard working COUPLE. TAKE NOTE AMERICAN YOUNGSTERS!!!!!!!

bought 14 acres... deff cannot live without electricity though... Has a 100x50 foot barn built in the 60-70s.. already repaired all 16 windows, and the pillars up front and the walls outside, repaired the wiring and electrical and water going to it. Only 5 acres is cleared land, the rest used to be but the woods took over.. Im only 1 person and i have only basic tools chain saw etc.. no skid steers or tractors or anything.. so i gatta cut the trees and move em all by hand... takes a lot out of me.. I repaired the entire house inside and fixed the septic, the well, and water filtration.. replaced every light fixture, painted, wall outlet and light switchs etc.. Im all for self sustaining... but here is the problem.. living "off grid" or home steading.. is a full time Job, i wouldnt be able to afford the mortgage if i just took care of chickens, and goats and cows and so forth all day.. So my 14 acres.. is more to enjoy just being away from everyone, no noise, have a few hourses.. and be able to shoot and do whatever i want on my property... Maybe start a little garden for veggies just because... but yea deff dont see how people "home stead off grid" and still pay the mortgage lol. Im not saying people shouldnt look to doing this kind of stuff.. but its ALOT of work... clearing the land, building fences, doing repairs.. taking care of animals... Hell mowing the land is a pain in the butt too. The main thing i want to get is a tractor of some sort like in your video, but with a digger attachment and mower attachment.. The main problem with this though is they are more than a damn car.. soo im stuck doing everything by hand for now. Money is another factor... doing a cheap T post and chicken wire fence is well cheap.. id prefer wood as it looks better, but a wood fence will cost tens of thousands to install over just 5 acres. all this stuff takes money... ive probably spent about 15k in cash in SUPPLIES alone to repair everything i listed.. Hell just the deck railing wood to repair the wrap around deck was $1200, ive done everything myself.. but it gets old

I strongly recommend that you trench all the way around the your house and work building and put a French Drain all the way around so when it rains you don't have flooding in the house or work shed. It looks great but don't forget the foundation protections that must be done. The flashing isn't enought!!!

It’s great to see a young couple working together so well

I love to watch couples who can do what needs to be done and enjoys it as they learn. Love your progress! What you've done is amazing! Keep it up!

Painting the roof black, no insulation and converting a water tank into a barn are three decisions I do not understand. Looks pretty.

You two have no idea how much I envy you doing this. If I was 55 years younger, I'd jump on something like this in a minute. Good luck with this and I'll be dropping back in to see the progress.

It's wonderful to see people born in and a citizen of the U...S... A... buying acreage . Prayerfully they will keep it. God is Good!

Great video. Reminds me of the project I had about three years ago. My wife and I bought a house from hoarders in June 2019. If you've ever seen that show on TLC (Hoarders), this house could have been an episode. Raccoons had lived in the attic for years and raccoons don't care where they go to the bathroom which meant that there was about 10 years worth of racoon poop in the attic that had to be cleaned out and insulation replaced. Then they had cats living in the house for years. They cleaned out the litter box and put the old kitty litter in the empty kitty litter pails but then they never threw the full pails of old stinky kitty litter away. They stacked them in the basement. There were 22 pails of used kitty litter stored down there. 35 lbs each pail. (That's over 700 lbs of used kitty litter.) It took almost a year to get rid of all the different odors. Because we were on a tight budget and couldn't afford one of those big garbage bins we had to put all the trash in 33 gal trash bags and put them in three garbage cans and two recycle bins each week. All total I estimate that I threw away approx 300 bags of trash and approx 5,000 lbs of recycled paper. The roof had not been replaced until many years after water leak damage had already been done. I worked on the house a lot when the economy shut down for covid (approx 60-70 hours/wk) but had to quit once the economy opened back up. For one, because I was sick of working on the house and two, because I had run out of money and had to go back to working lots of O/T so I could afford the stuff for renovation. But besides being a real confidence builder being able to tackle something so big by myself it has also been a great investment. We bought the house for $5,000 and is now worth approx $235-250,000. I wish I would have taken the time to video all that I did to this house as you did. So many amazing stories about this house project; We took possession of the house on July 10th and the following day the A/C went out and had to replace the unit. One month later the house was struck by lightning. Thanks goodness we had already gotten the house insured because it was $15,000 for that repair. Then there was the ziplock freezer bag my wife found with $1,500 cash in it. And then there was the scanner we found and didn't realize what it was until a guy buying junk furniture from me recognized it, looked it up on ebay where it was selling for $1,900. It is definitely the biggest project I've ever undertaken. You did a great job on this video and on your project. Props to you and your wife for a great job.

Nice project. I would put damp proofing between the floor joists and the concrete slab to prevent moisture moving up into the floor and insulation in the floors, walls and ceiling - warm in winter (less fuel) and cooler in summer.

Great job. Critique: Could have forgon some paint or aesthetics in exchange for insulation, easier to add paint than insulation later. I'd rather be comfortable and look bad, than look absolutely awesome 😁 and be cold. Again great job!

Quick temporary solution for the ‘cold feet’ problem… As someone who has great difficulty in finding work boots in my size, I have had to wear steel-toed rubber boots with no insulation. I now carry two pairs of ‘hand warmer’ brand insoles. They stay warm for a few hours; long enough to get done what I need!

That’s enough dirt to make that shop into a green house!! What potential you have on that property-what a blessing🤗

Being a construction worker myself, you all did pretty good job for it being a cheap affordable build.. and gotta say it come out looking pretty nice..

Love what you guys have done with this property but I'm concerned about the lack of insulation and actual moisture barrier in the walls of the 10x10. I did see the note about cost savings and building a tiny home later but all the framing and wallboard are going to end up wasted effort and money due to high condensation between the tin and the wallboard.

I love everything y’all did to this place. This is my dream property. Y’all work so well together, God bless y’all!

This is awesome man. Good for you guys. Not only is great to do everything yourselves, but it's very rewarding to stand back and look at what you've accomplished with your own 2 hands. Well done, you made this look great, good luck with the rest

‘’Courage taught me no matter how bad a crisis gets ... any sound investment will eventually pay off."

Even if the room were for a short time (maybe used later for a work shop, etc.) insulation under the flooring and in walls and ceiling is almost a must! For heat, a heater made out of a barrel works great. Was at a cabin years ago that used one (for safety purposes they built a fence/railing around it to prevent accidentally touching it in passing) and it heated it up very well.

SUCH A GREAT LOAD OF ''IDEAS''=AND YOUR ''WOMAN'' IS JUST TOO COOL'==REMARKABLE''=NOW THE REAL WORK BEGINS==TAKING CARE OF THE ==''CRITTERS''=I AM ==84== NOW, AND HAVE GONE THRU SO MUCH IN MY LIFE==I SEND YOU MY HEART FELT BLESSINGS FROM NEW ENGLAND==MY LAST PROJECT WAS AT THE AGE OF ==62== I BUILT MY OWN HOME=MOSTLY ALONE==''KUDO'S''

I know you feel so proud to see your dreams coming true,done by your hands. Congratulations!!

I love to see the fast pace work and craftsmanship, but I am wincing at the complete lack of insulation going in. It would be a lot easier to cool/heat that space even with only a modest amount.

Look at all the hard work you all have done in a short time at Shootdang Ranch. Ranch is looking beautiful blooming out and turning green. Be proud of yourselves. We viewer's are so proud and happy for you guys.

My husband and I are too inspired to do this very plan. This couple is absolutely amazing. ❤❤

I just came across your channel today, what a pleasant surprise it was. I love creating and building and just about everything y'all are doing. You girlfriend reminds me of myself back in my prime. I built barns, fences, lots of decks, cut down many a tree. Everyone that knew me always came to me for help and advice on their projects. I ran heavy equipment, tractors, chainsaws, plumbing, tile work, painting (I am also a artist). I am so enjoying your channel and I will be going back to the start to watch all the videos.

while I love this idea and both of you did put in a lot of great work, I question some of the steps you did to cut costs. To start wood and concrete should never touch. You should have spent more time in flashing and protecting the wood. Start by placing a plastic barrier between your wood and subfloor. then make sure the grade is not pointing towards the home. By doing it that way you could have insulated the floor too. I also would insulate everywhere. While I am not sure what your plans are, but it seems to get cold where you are. I would have insulated everything. Insulation is not super expensive and it is easy to do when you have access and hard to do afterwards. This overall is a great idea and something that I would like to do if a good property like this ever becomes available near me. Thanks for showing the video.

I enjoyed the video. A nice young couple; I wish them all the best. I get being on a budget (surely do), but given the amount of money and effort going into this, I don't think saving on insulation, water-proofing, underlay, pressure treated wood, etc is the place to save.

The hardwork, the tools, the sweet couple everything is so at their best.

You both are very creative. You visualized what you wanted to be done and did it. Very, very good. I wish I had done something like that when I were younger. Blessings to you both!

I JUST said to my husband last week when Danielle was on a video talking about how much y'all had done, I said, "They ought to do a time-lapse video showing how much they've already done"! I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS VIDEO! Y'all have done so much already!

Hard to believe how far yall have come man time flies! Jason your a heckuva craftsman bud getting it done!

I AM a seasoned You Tuber with the Crocker family and I have been here for over 3 yrs and I still enjoy watching this video on occassion. Yes it is that awesome and you will see for yourself and I know you will agree. Thank You Crockers and Danielle too

You are amazing❗️ 4 months, what you accomplished is no small feat. So glad I found your site.👏🏻

Unbelievable how much you all accomplished in just 4 months! Can’t waIt to see the next few months!

I remember everything you all did. I seen everyone of the videos. People saying you don't do anything, they should be watching this. Probably more than they do.

Refreshing thing to see people forming families and taking on big projects like these. That being said painting that building black will make it turn into a sauna during summer, and I would personally have improved that hole in the middle of the floor to turn it into a storage area, could even be a wine cellar or something like that since it would have a somewhat controlled temperature. Other than that I love the idea and the project, I sort of want something like that

Very hardworking couple, its really nice to watch you guys, great work, well done!!!

Amazing!!!

The way the world is going. Everyone needs a homestead. Im going that direction. Nice seeing you all having so much fun while working together.

Loved watching. You'll are so meticulous and did a great job. Most young people nowadays just half ass do things but I was very impressed with all the time and hard work You'll put into it. Good luck in the future.

This was the most satisfying thing to watch ❤️ I can't believe how beautiful you guys made everything look in such a short period of time. So inspiring 😍

Know all three of you are so proud with every second you've put in these videos to prove the land. So looking forward to seeing the houses come up. Your all awesome.

I’m just amazed at what you’ve done in 4 short months. All of you are creative and are great at repurposing items you have, I’m anxious to see what’s next!!! You three make a good team!!

Hard work, team work and an incredible vision can accomplish your dreams. Thank you for the inspiring video!

You guys have done an amazing job working together. God bless you guys ❤

As an contractor for over 25 years… you all did a great job. Of course, I would have added a vapor barrier and insulation underneath that first framed floor just in case the concrete wasn’t sealed. Also, Thompson’s Water sealer is the absolute worst product that anyone can put on wood.

How exciting to be able to restore/recondition an old abandoned building into a usable space! Congratulations on your efforts!

This land, these projects, the livestock…this is the dream. I’m hoping in a couple years that we’ll be able to find and purchase our land.

Love the look on both your faces..So full of excitement about the project.

Two things , at the 11:34 mark you installed your window to the frame then sided over the nailing flange of the window, because of this the window WILL leak on the inside of the wall. Also if you have to replace the window for any reason you'll have to either remove the siding if you want to save the window or cut the nailing flange and ruin the window.

It has really taken shape. Hard to believe that it looked like that being we have seen it looking so good for such a long time.

I love that barn it's all galvanized steel from what I saw of it nice find prayers for y'all appreciate you guys and taking the time to share this awesome transformation

This is my first episode to watch... the building was a pump house (or shed). These are used to house pumps at the origin of a pipeline or as a booster station. The large concrete "pillars" are actually pump and motor bases.

Just a suggestion. Next time you build a sub-floor over a slab, it is standard to use pressure treated lumber when you are in direct contact with a slab or foundation.

I got plum tuckered out watching you youngsters working so hard. I'm really happy for y'all and I wish you the best in your new homestead life. God bless and all the best to you!

The couple that welds together, stays together. Impressive!

Omg. I watched jared channel. My tablet had a hissy fit. So i happy to have found you.

Must be such a satisfying feeling looking back at how you have transformed your property, well done and a great inspiration. 👍

I've been watching you for so long and I remember all of the work that was done. Going back to watch it again now has just blown my mind. THE MOST AMAZING TRANSFORMATION..... Jason you Danielle and Jared are the hardest working people I've seen on you tube. Just getting in there and getting it done. 1.2 million views, I'm not surprised. You deserve everything good that comes your way. You've earnt it. Love the progress, looking forward to seeing both yours and Jared's tiny houses being built. Love, happiness and peace to you all.😘❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Nice tip for wood stove, after first stack pipe put a reducer to 3". It will double heat output.

You two and helpers of course, are hard workers. Your place is awesome 👌.

This New Journey has been absolutely an amazing story to see unfold. You all have worked so hard .Again Congrats you guys

You two guys are living the dream. What greater satisfaction can two young people have other than building their dream together. I wish you nothing but the very best in the years ahead. Greetings from Down Under

Thanks for sharing your life with us! I was in the Music Biz most of my life. It is so awesome to see other peoples life!!!! Cool stuff!!!

I absolutely love that you not only didn't paint everything white, but you stained the wood instead of painting it. My pet peeve is everything colorless, it's like 'Dude there are literally thousands of variations on non white, pick one.'. Love the color you chose too. Here's to not being like everyone else.

Thanks for sharing guys! My family and I are undertaking something similar but only on 5 acres, steel barn house that we're not quite sure if we want to commit to so we've made it livable for now. Just finished our first year here, the last 6 months were spent cleaning up the scrub. Good luck!

Been too busy to youtube for the last 9 months or so and suddenly his whole life has changed! So pleased to see it. I remember the first few vids of his struggle in Oklahoma. Such a change since then. A testimony to hard work and perseverance. Mind you so has my life and for the better. Engaged, new city, new direction. A whole new future ahead!

You guys are amazing! And you look like you are having fun!! Great couple , a lot of hard work!! All the best to you!!

Wow that was pretty amazing to watch. You're kind of a jack of all trades there. And probably a master at many. You and your wife look so cute together and working hard and making a life! I think that is awesome!

I was surprised that you put untreated lumber down next to the concrete. You did a good job with the construction.

It’s an absolute joy to watch such a beautiful young couple working like two little busy beavers building their dream. This is very inspiring!

Thanks for the storage tips and battery info!

Awesome you gave me ideas for building a water storage placement from the roof of our house.

Awesome video-from the beginning of buying the property and all the work and improvements you’ve done , wow 🤩. What a great video you have put together. Great work Jason, along with Jared and Danielle… Proud of everyone 👍👍👍👍

So happy for you guys. Thanks for sharing your journey.

You are amazing. It blows my mind of what all of you have accomplished. I will watch your other videos. Fantastic!😊❤

You have skills and equipment that makes me believe you were in construction before this project. Kudos

This process of two partners working hard together (from scratch) building a nice place, is wonderful to watch. Man, y’all are hard workers! You both have worked long and hard to accomplish a remarkable amount so far, and it’s so impressive the knowledge that y’all have in knowing what to do. It looks GREAT. I have too many RU-vid subscriptions and am getting rid of a lot-- but I’ve subscribed to your site.

I am amazed with everything you 3 have accomplished in 4 mths but l've loved it from the beginning ❤

I absolutely love how you guys transformed this property!!

The best part was when you build that heater and room that was awesome congrats man and your wife is so cool

That building is an old water treatment building , and the recessed concrete pit was where they monitored the water flow, injected chlorine, etc., all because the discharge line needed to be below ground level.. The first room you renovated was the electrical room. Between my dad & I we have almost 100 years experience in that field of work.

Really great video! Gotta say tho, a bunch of years ago I rebuilt my shed into a shop with just tar paper and siding. 10 years I put up with it, then finally took the siding down and insulated. Gained so much usable time out there…

You 2 are great and you are a lucky guy to have your girl out there working shoulder to shoulder with youb getting shit done !

It looks awesome and you work very well together and it's very rewarding to see what was abandoned brought back to life in a short time span I'm just wondering if you plan on putting power and running water in at some point in the future

It feels good to see someone else doing this kind of stuff besides myself and the wife. Good job guys and gal.

Great job guys y’all have came along ways in 4 months y’all work so good together thanks for sharing your lives

Thank you for sharing your journey!

I like how that window got turned around before you nailed it in. LOL, Locks on the inside!