Episode 859: Off-Grid Cabin Build Progress + Our Journey to Tennessee
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Looking for off-grid cabin build progress with real-world lessons and honest timelines? In Episode 859, I share what we finished this week, what went sideways, and how our path—from suburban life to a Minnesota homestead to full-time RVing—led us to building an off-grid cabin in Tennessee.
Coffee Corner ☕
This week’s cup is a new experimental blend from Food Forest Farms: Light Colombian balanced with Medium-Dark Peruvian. It hits the sweet spot for a bright first sip with a chocolatey finish—great in the AeroPress, which is still my daily driver for no-nonsense, repeatable results.
- Deal: Get 10% off + free shipping at FoodForestFarms.com with code LOTS10.
- C4 Club Perk: Fresh roasts shipped monthly; expect special blends like the upcoming Survivor/Aces & Eights roast.
- Brew note: For AeroPress, I’ve been letting it ride a tad longer on the immersion (~1:30–1:45) before pressing—clean cup, bigger body.
Cabin Build Update 🛠️
We put in a big push on subfloor and buttoned up house wrap to keep framing lumber dry through the next rain cycle.
Done this week
- Wrapped the shell (two 9-ft rolls did it) to protect the deck, joists, and framing as we move into windows/doors and siding.
- Laid four 36′ rows of T&G subfloor across the main footprint. That first row is everything—took time to square and it paid off.
What we learned (and fixed)
- 16″ OC joists: Start your run with one joist offset so your layout lands center-to-center down the line, and ends at the far edge.
- Sheet layout on a 24′ span: Tolerances get tight—plan your seams and blocking before you start.
- Weather management: Even with metal siding coming, house wrap now keeps the work zone dry and prevents swelling headaches.
Up next
- Finish cut-ins, blocking, and short pieces on the deck.
- Order windows, doors, and framing lumber (local yard’s getting the business).
- Frame exterior walls, set openings, then metal siding.
- Wood stove as soon as the shell is closed.
Target: First-of-year move-in goal is still on the board—weather and delivery schedules permitting.
Our Journey: Suburbs → Minnesota Homestead → Full-Time RV → Tennessee Off-Grid 🌄
Why we left suburbia
We wanted fewer neighbors, more agency, and the space to build skills and resilience. That meant hunting a property where we could learn by doing.
The Minnesota chapter (the skill forge)
We bought 35 acres and went hard on experiments: layers and broilers, turkeys, quail, rabbits, big gardens, and comfrey (which stuck!). We scaled each enterprise until we understood the workflow and numbers—then either optimized or cut.
Reality check: The winters were brutal. Short seasons, frozen lines, and animal water rotations that would break most folks. It taught us a ton—but it wasn’t sustainable for how we want to live long term.
The pivot: wheels under the house
We retrofitted a 32′ travel trailer for off-grid living: solar, composting toilet, and a tiny wood stove. A shakedown run to the PNW proved the concept. Then we sold the house, hit SRF, wintered in Texas (total game-changer for how our bodies felt), and kept following the breadcrumbs.
Finding “home” in Tennessee
Community ties and a property opportunity lined up in TN. After two full cycles of seasons here, we knew this was the right climate and pace. Now we’re building an off-grid cabin designed for the life we actually want: small footprint, paid-off structure and land, low monthly burn, and selective income streams (more on that below).
Build Notes & Tips (What I’d Tell a Friend) 🧱
- House wrap early: Even if metal’s coming soon, wrapping protects your investment while you stage the next steps.
- Subfloor sequencing: Spend time getting Row 1 square and straight. Mark centers on joists before you carry in sheets to avoid “measure twice while you’re holding 80 lbs” syndrome.
- Block ahead: Pre-plan blocking under seams that won’t land on joists (especially around cut-ins).
- Weather windows: Tennessee can swing wet—stack tasks so rainy days are for ordering, planning, and shop prep.
What We’ll Run (and What We Won’t) Once We Move In 🐓🌿
- For us, not for sale: A small flock for eggs and some meat, just enough to feed the house and keep chores fun.
- For revenue: Specialty, low-touch options like mushrooms and comfrey; plus non-perishables, consulting, and digital products.
- Online vs. offline: We’re weighing how much to keep tied to the internet vs. local, real-world commerce. The end goal is fewer dependencies and more sovereignty.
Community & Links
- Show home base: TheLOTSProject.com — blog archive, product reviews, resources.
- Chat between episodes: Telegram group (say hi and share your coffee method).
- Today’s coffee: Light Colombian + Medium-Dark Peruvian at FoodForestFarms.com — use LOTS10 for 10% off + free shipping.
Sponsors & Mentions
- Blockstream Jade & Jade Plus — Open-source hardware wallets that keep your Bitcoin keys offline and safe. Support the show here: store.blockstream.com/?code=TheLOTSProject
- ComfreyRoots.com — Bocking #4 comfrey cuttings grown and shipped in the U.S. Start a regenerative bed, make salves, or boost your compost.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show and our build.
