HICKMAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Homesteaders love the independence that comes from living off the land. In fact, some are even living off the grid, too. News 2 traveled to Hickman County to meet a couple who power their homestead using solar energy. 

Summer on the West family homestead is busy. There are animals to care for and vegetables to harvest, but Concetta and Olin West wouldn't have it any other way. The couple moved all the way from Washington state to build their homestead in Middle Tennessee. 

"We were always do it yourself kind of people," said Olin. 

The West's Hickman County property is different than many others - there's not a single utility line in sight. The Wests are unplugged from the grid. They take us to the basement where their solar power is converted and stored for home use. That energy is captured in solar panels on top of the barn. 

"A house this size running off grid - that's pretty remarkable," Mark said. 

"It is. In the winter time, the load is not nearly as much," said Concetta West. "For us, we are truly just dependent on that energy." 

The couple also showed us how the boiler easily warms the house in winter. 

"In the winter time, it's making sure the water level's right, and loading it twice a day or once a day if it's not too cold....Great example of being off grid." 

The Wests call "homesteading" a buzzword. The reality is that they have lived off the land since they were children and it's in their blood. 

"You did this decades ago. Did you call this homesteading?" Mark asked.

"No, it was just called life," said Olin. 

On a large homestead, running an efficient and economical operation is key. Take the garden. Instead of filling each garden bed with several hundred dollars of pricey soil, they use straw bale gardening as an alternative method. The process is less expensive and also means less maintenance time pulling weeds. The fruits and veggies not eaten in the summer are canned and preserved for winter; they get plenty of meat from the animals; and milk and cheese from the goats.

"I think it's way more economical. I really do," said Concetta.  "Not only that but it is the quality. We can control the entire process of the life of that animal." 

"It tastes better knowing that it came out of your garden," said Olin. "And it tastes better knowing that you raised the animal that you're eating. It's healthier." 

"Do you have to substitute at the grocery store for anything," Mark asked. 

"Sugar, flour maybe," said Concetta. 

The Wests hope to one day live more off grid and tap into a well in order to unplug from city water. Any homesteader will tell you that living off the land is always a work in progress. 

"I consider it going back to the way we used to do things," said Olin. 

The West family also owns a restaurant in nearby Centerville called The Local Place where they serve salads, sandwiches even homemade ice cream. 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/special-reports/hickman-county-homesteaders-living-off-grid/