Off-Grid Homesteading in the Missouri Ozarks
Welcome to Pappy’s Place—one man’s journey to build a simpler, more self-reliant life from the ground up.
This Isn’t a Homestead Built Overnight
Pappy’s Place began with a piece of wooded ground in the Missouri Ozarks, a hot tent, a wood stove, and a decision to build a different kind of life.
Since then, every step—from hauling water and making power to growing food, raising animals, building shelter, and learning from the things that didn’t go according to plan—has become part of the story.
Pappy’s Place is about more than living off-grid. It’s about learning to do more with less, becoming more self-reliant, and building a place—and a life—worth calling home.
Explore the Homestead
From off-grid systems and building projects to growing food and lessons learned the hard way, there’s always something happening at Pappy’s Place.
Lessons From The Homestead
Equipment, mistakes, successes and practical lessons learned along the way
Back Porch Entertainment
Music, stories and laid-back entertainment from the back porch at Pappy’s Place
Pappy’s Place Homestead Guides
Practical, downloadable guides for building a more self-reliant homestead—from gardening and water systems to the lessons learned along the way.
Latest From Pappy’s Place
Follow along with the latest projects, lessons, successes, setbacks, and everyday life from the homestead.
When Grief Comes to Stay
Read the Story →: When Grief Comes to StayGrief doesn’t follow a schedule, and faith doesn’t mean pretending the pain isn’t real. Scripture reminds us that…
Chaos in Life
Read the Story →: Chaos in LifeFinding Peace in Chaos – When Everything Around You Feels Out of Control Today’s Scripture — Mark 4:37–40…
When You Can’t See the Whole Road
Read the Story →: When You Can’t See the Whole RoadWhen we can’t see where the road ahead leads, God doesn’t ask us to understand everything. He asks…
Meet Pappy & Reiner
Jesse “Pappy” Ratliff is the owner, founder, and CEO (Chief Everything Officer) of Pappy’s Place. Well… almost everything.
His K9 companion, Reiner, was volun-told that he is the Manager of Tactical Security for our seven-acre homestead. Truth is, he loves his position.
Our bond formed within a minute or two of meeting, and we’ve been figuring things out together ever since—finding that balance between “get the work done” and “relax and enjoy what God has laid before us.”
Somewhere in between are the adventures, the lessons, a little mischief, and the everyday moments that have made Reiner more than my companion. He’s become an important part of the story we’re building here at Pappy’s Place.