Recently I was asked where I get information to learn about living a self-sufficient life. Beside our extensive and ever growing library, there are servers full of information out there on the internet. The list below will be updated on a regular basis, but this list out to get you going. As you can see, this is a pretty extensive list. If you have some favorite links and would like to share them, please leave a comment for other to see your input.
The links below cover topic from growing your own food, frugal living, food preservation and storage, self-sufficiency and disaster preparedness. Some of the links are other folks blogs. ENJOY
http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/
http://www.survival-center.com/foodfaq/
http://extension.usu.edu/foodpreservation/
http://www.blogger.com/goog_406614113
http://www.howtosaveseeds.com/
http://sshomestead.com/
http://solarcooking.org/plans/Plans.pdf
http://www.dehydrate2store.com/
http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/
http://www.blogger.com/goog_406614124
http://www.seedsave.org/
http://riley.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=8&tax_level=1&tax_subject=2
http://www.blogger.com/goog_406614131
http://apartmentprepper.com/
http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/
http://www.simple-green-living.com/homesteading-skills.html
http://www.backhomemagazine.com/
http://www.webofcreation.org/BuildingGrounds/aqua/TOC.html
http://www.food-skills-for-self-sufficiency.com/
http://modernsurvivalonline.com/garden-update/
http://www.lehmans.com/
http://www.blogger.com/goog_406614150
http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm
http://www.backdoorsurvival.com/
http://gardeningtosurvive.blogspot.com/
http://www.stevespages.com/page7c.htm
http://whatifitistoday.blogspot.com/
http://www.survival-spot.com/survival-blog/downloads/
http://www.livingoffgrid.org/
http://ronsprimitiveskills.blogspot.com/
http://homesteadinghomemaker.blogspot.com/
http://suburbansurvivalblog.com/
http://www.blogger.com/goog_406614171
http://modernsurvivalonline.com/survival-database-downloads/
http://www.blogger.com/goog_406614176
http://www.pioneerliving.net/
http://www.blogger.com/goog_406614181
http://ny-prepnet.blogspot.com/
http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/
http://beprepared.com/
http://www.beewench.blogspot.com/
http://thesurvivalmom.com/
http://www.shtfblog.com
http://set2survive.com/s2s_basic.html
http://www.blogger.com/goog_406614194
http://www.preparednesstools.com/
http://livingthefrugallife.blogspot.com/
http://theschultzcompound.blogspot.com/
http://www.hoglogfrog.blogspot.com/
http://www.preparednesstools.com/
http://www.armageddononline.org/
http://www.the-urban-survivalist.com/
http://www.grit.com/
http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Great Raised Bed Experiment of 2011
Yes indeed, finally another long overdue post. Seems like whenever I have the great intention of keeping this blog up-to-date, I get side-railled and end up putting this on the back burner.
Being out of state for 11 weeks over the winter of 2010/2011 really put me behind schedule on essential tasks and projects around the farm.
With the arrival of spring, I had to scramle to prepare things for this year's crop. This included building 12 raised garden beds for our veggies.
The beds are constructed 100 percent of reclaimed solid oak planks. The solid oak planks were salvaged from specialty pallets that were destined for the landfill. These specialty pallets are made of 4"X4"skids and (2) 11/2"X6"X3' planks. The pallets are extremely simple to break down and remove the nails.
The beds measured 3'X 6' and are 11 inches deep.
To fill the boxes I needed 18 square feet of composted soil for each of the 12 beds or 24 cubic yards of soil.
I visited a local dairy farm and scored a 6.5' X12' trailer full of pure cow manure. The manure was hot when I picked it up, so I had to work it well and cool it down before putting it in the beds.
I lined the bottom of each box with newspaper then added a layer of about 2" of sawdust to each box. Next, I added another six inches of cooled manure mixed with old compost to each box and watered it in real good. After letting this settle for about a week, I topped off the boxes with another layer of compost mix and let this settle for another week. I finally added two inches of premium potting soil and blended this with about 2 inches of the settled compost.
I built trellises from reclaimed wood to support the cucumbers and lima beans. We plan to expand our raised beds by an additional 12 beds for next year's garden.
I have included the following links to assist in your personal research about raised bed gardening. I can also recommend the following books to start or add to your gardening collection.
http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/factsheets/vegetables/raisedbeds.pdf
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/publications/guides/E-560_raised_bed_garden.pdf
http://cmg.colostate.edu/gardennotes/713.pdf
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hort2/mf2134.pdf
Being out of state for 11 weeks over the winter of 2010/2011 really put me behind schedule on essential tasks and projects around the farm.
With the arrival of spring, I had to scramle to prepare things for this year's crop. This included building 12 raised garden beds for our veggies.
The beds are constructed 100 percent of reclaimed solid oak planks. The solid oak planks were salvaged from specialty pallets that were destined for the landfill. These specialty pallets are made of 4"X4"skids and (2) 11/2"X6"X3' planks. The pallets are extremely simple to break down and remove the nails.
To fill the boxes I needed 18 square feet of composted soil for each of the 12 beds or 24 cubic yards of soil.
I visited a local dairy farm and scored a 6.5' X12' trailer full of pure cow manure. The manure was hot when I picked it up, so I had to work it well and cool it down before putting it in the beds.
I lined the bottom of each box with newspaper then added a layer of about 2" of sawdust to each box. Next, I added another six inches of cooled manure mixed with old compost to each box and watered it in real good. After letting this settle for about a week, I topped off the boxes with another layer of compost mix and let this settle for another week. I finally added two inches of premium potting soil and blended this with about 2 inches of the settled compost.
I built trellises from reclaimed wood to support the cucumbers and lima beans. We plan to expand our raised beds by an additional 12 beds for next year's garden.
I have included the following links to assist in your personal research about raised bed gardening. I can also recommend the following books to start or add to your gardening collection.
http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/factsheets/vegetables/raisedbeds.pdf
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/publications/guides/E-560_raised_bed_garden.pdf
http://cmg.colostate.edu/gardennotes/713.pdf
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hort2/mf2134.pdf
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
This is our Farm
When we hear the term "farm", it congures up a little different thought in everyone's minds.
Some people will think of a large commercial farm that employes hundreds of employees and has a fleet of farm vehicles to plant, fertilize, and harvest a variety of crops. Others will congure up the thought of a small business type farm that specializes in a particualar crop and takes these crops to a farmer's market.
Our little farm is special to us. We like to think of ourselves as "subsistence" farmers. We grow what we feel we need to sustain us until the following year. We select what we want to grow, plant it nurture it, harvest it, and preserve it by freezing or canning it. Any excess is given away to friends and family and periodically sold. Selling any of our produce is NOT our primary focus. Our primary focus is to work towards being self-sufficient.
This is now the third year we have planted a crop and we continue to learn how to simplify things and increase output. We made tremendous strides in this area by incorporating some raised beds into our overall vegetable garden plan.
Some people will think of a large commercial farm that employes hundreds of employees and has a fleet of farm vehicles to plant, fertilize, and harvest a variety of crops. Others will congure up the thought of a small business type farm that specializes in a particualar crop and takes these crops to a farmer's market.
Our little farm is special to us. We like to think of ourselves as "subsistence" farmers. We grow what we feel we need to sustain us until the following year. We select what we want to grow, plant it nurture it, harvest it, and preserve it by freezing or canning it. Any excess is given away to friends and family and periodically sold. Selling any of our produce is NOT our primary focus. Our primary focus is to work towards being self-sufficient.
This is now the third year we have planted a crop and we continue to learn how to simplify things and increase output. We made tremendous strides in this area by incorporating some raised beds into our overall vegetable garden plan.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Emergency Preparedness--Self Sufficiency
We tend to pride ourselves on being prepared for many emergencies, but the recent tornadoe outbreak on 27 April 2011, reminded us that preparation is never ending. We learn lessons and plan to improve on these shortfalls for future events.
Having learned many lessons from these severe weather incidents, we are already working on new plans.
Sure, we have made plenty preparations to have plenty of food stored to get us through a long-term type of emergency or disaster, but we had omitted several items on the list.
We learned that our blackout experiments over the winter gave us lot's of practice to prepared for an actual power failure we experienced.
In an emergency or disaster situation, you most likely will not be able to walk into any store to get what you need. The people who get to the store or the gas pumps will get what they need and hoard what they think they may need. Here is a list of 100 items that will disappear first during a large scale disaster situation. The original source of this list is unknown. If you created this list, please let me know and I will give you due credit.
100 Items to Disappear First
1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won't heat a room.)
15. Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens
Take a hard look around your home and see what you may have on hand in the event of a disaster or Start in you pantry and realistically answer the question--How many days of food do I have on hand to feed my family?
That is a great starting point.
Look for aditional features on preparedness in the future.
Having learned many lessons from these severe weather incidents, we are already working on new plans.
Sure, we have made plenty preparations to have plenty of food stored to get us through a long-term type of emergency or disaster, but we had omitted several items on the list.
We learned that our blackout experiments over the winter gave us lot's of practice to prepared for an actual power failure we experienced.
In an emergency or disaster situation, you most likely will not be able to walk into any store to get what you need. The people who get to the store or the gas pumps will get what they need and hoard what they think they may need. Here is a list of 100 items that will disappear first during a large scale disaster situation. The original source of this list is unknown. If you created this list, please let me know and I will give you due credit.
100 Items to Disappear First
1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won't heat a room.)
15. Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Goats/chickens
Take a hard look around your home and see what you may have on hand in the event of a disaster or Start in you pantry and realistically answer the question--How many days of food do I have on hand to feed my family?
That is a great starting point.
Look for aditional features on preparedness in the future.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Are you Prepapred?
In light of disaters around the globe in the past year, we have decided to share this link to a guide published by FEMA. It is entitled "Are you prepared?"
Do yourself and your family a favor and download it. Take time to read it and make your own plans.
None of us are exempt from a disaster hitting close to home.
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/areyouready_full.pdf
Handbook to Practical Disaster Preparedness for the Family
Crisis Preparedness Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Home Storage and Physical Survival
Do yourself and your family a favor and download it. Take time to read it and make your own plans.
None of us are exempt from a disaster hitting close to home.
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/areyouready/areyouready_full.pdf
Handbook to Practical Disaster Preparedness for the Family
Crisis Preparedness Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Home Storage and Physical Survival
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