I am also interested in starting a Homestead. I spent a day this weekend performing trail maintenance in rural Ohio. Chopping up fallen trees that covered the path, and clearing enough of the undergrowth to allow safe passage through the forest. Creating a Homestead in a forested area is a tough job. Just clearing the trees would require a tremendous amount of effort. It's a great way to keep warm during the winter though. Plus, watching the transformation from forest into farmland would be rewarding. I could breath a little easier knowing there won't be a tree falling on the house.
With some of the trees cleared, the more productive tasks of raising plants and animals is achievable. Chickens, Goats, Sheep, and Pigs would be my focus for livestock. Pigs and Goats would mature to weight relatively quickly, and allow me to continue my pursuit of transforming the land.
I would like to be able to include modern day equipment in my dream though, because it's better to work smarter than harder. Why should I have a horse drawn plow when I could use a tractor? It may incur more fees than the manual counterpart, but it would allow me to care for a larger area and save myself some sweat.
It is great to know that the Steem generated from this post can help someone else achieve their dreams. I hope my comment and Resteem will help you on your way to independence.