I think a lot developers drastically underestimate how hard self sufficiency farming is.

There are billions are people trying to get out of self sufficiency farming because it's suffering.

To make it bearable you need tons capital intensive machinery, and extensive skills. You have to do it on industrial scale.

I grew up on a farm, and that's why I'm a programmer! (I kid! Actually it was the summers working construction that drove me to programming.)

Farming is not such fun, but rural living is pretty cool.

As a former poor rural farm kid myself, I recommend raising your family before, or have enough in reserve so they don't have to go without. Also go through a winter with heat from wood you cut yourself. That's a good indicator if the life is for you or not :)

Former poor rural farm kid here as well. I have to admit I wouldn't go back to the corn fields, corn harvesting is hard and painful (sharp leaves). But working with the animals is something I always miss, waking up early enough to see the sunrise on the fields, the smell of fresh manure...

Maybe someone should start a commune for ex-software-engineers.

On it ;)

Really? More info?