Alaska is becoming more and more likely the location we will be homesteading. I detest the cold, but the only other place that is tax-free is Texas, which may not stay that way. I do not want to homestead somewhere, not have a "full-time job" and lose my home because of it, simply because some bureaucrat decided I needed to support him. I want to live in area with no government, including public schools, police, fire department, etc. I want to defend my own land, school my own children(yes I do intend to have internet access so they can get online), and protect my own home and family. I have the highest respect for law-enforcement, but I see it as my job, nobody else's. Basically, I want to out in the middle of nowhere taking care of me and mine.
I am coming up with a design, which will, of course, depend on the local terrain, to create an all-in-one underground or similar-type house, barn and greenhouse so I never have to leave the warmth. Cold, as you may recall, is painful for me. I will need a reliable source of water, artificial lighting and a source of energy for it(I imagine solar is out in the winter!) good stores of dried, canned and frozen foods of various types and a whole heck of a lot of determination. I know I can do this, but I need to do even more research first as well as stocking up on a lot of things!
For now, I have time. I don't believe the world will end or the grocery stores will run out any time soon. Heritage plants will still be able to be purchased next year, and so will chickens, cattle, goats, bees, and rabbits. 2012 will be just the same as 2011. Unfortunately.
There a quite a few good ideas in it so far, and I haven't even read all that far in it. I have also read several other homesteading books, which I will list when I find them.