Tom Harkins 
If you’re considering getting your very own flock of chickens, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans keep chickens these days; you can find them on homesteads as well as in the backyards of suburban America as well. One of the best reasons to keep chickens is for the fresh eggs that they produce. There is … Read more
If you’re a homesteader, preserving food is an absolutely essential skill. If you want to live a sustainable, low-cost lifestyle, you need to be able to optimize the foods you grow, harvest, hunt, forage or buy, so you have a healthy, low-cost supply on hand during cold weather, or during tough times when food is … Read more
If you’re a homesteader, preserving the foods you grow and harvest is extremely important. Preserved foods enable you to ensure you have enough supplies on hand during the winter, when your homestead will likely be less productive. While food preservation techniques like root cellars, canning and smoking are popular options to store the food you … Read more
If you’re a homesteader now or aspire to be one, sooner or later you’re going to start a backyard chicken flock. If you’re planning on getting those chickens soon, you should start thinking about what kind of breed you’d like to get. The so-called dual-purpose birds, which lay eggs reliably and also grow big enough … Read more
In February, when winter shows a few signs of being tired out – and yet it can still drop cold weather and snow on you in a heartbeat – it is time to tap those sugar maples and make some syrup! Maple syrup is delicious, and a real treat you can make from scratch right … Read more
If you’re a homesteader, you probably have a few rows of garlic planted in your garden bed. Garlic is easy to grow and to harvest, and it is an extremely useful herb. Fresh garlic has been cherished for its medicinal properties for decades. People also use garlic as a surface cleaner, or even to repair … Read more
It’s time to make some delicious apple butter! If you’re lucky, you’ll be picking a few bushels right on your homestead; however, even if you don’t have your own apple trees (yet!), fresh apples are abundant at farmers markets and pick-your-own orchards this time of year. So how can you take advantage of a good … Read more
What are you going to do with all of those grass clippings? If you just mowed your lawn and don’t know the answer, then you are really missing out. While grass clippings may be a nuisance to regular homeowners, you can put them to great use on your homestead. In fact, you may find grass … Read more
Ground beef is truly the pinch hitter for your weekday dinners. It is inexpensive, easy to prepare, and it is extremely versatile. A pound or so of ground beef in your freezer opens up a world of possibilities; you can prepare almost anything for dinner this evening! Whether you sauté it on your stove with … Read more
Do high tech and homesteading go hand in hand? Absolutely! When people think of homesteaders, they often envision people eschewing all modern conveniences, and living like they’re in the 19th Century. However, while simplifying your life is a key component of homesteading, that doesn’t mean you have to turn your back on technology. There’s no … Read more
It’s time to give root vegetables a shot this season! In a few more weeks, we’ll all be gardening in earnest. Many gardeners already have started their seeds indoors, and are prepping their garden beds for the season ahead. As you plan and prepare for gardening, you should definitely consider giving root vegetables some space … Read more
Are you ready to make some blueberry jam? If you’re a homesteader, finding a way to preserve delicious easy-to-grow fruits like blueberries should be a top goal this year. Making jam is easy, inexpensive, and can help you get the most for your dollar; and if you grow your own blueberries, you can make this … Read more
Garlic is a superstar in your garden, and pickled garlic is one of the best ways to enjoy this tasty vegetable. More and more people are growing garlic on their homesteads. It’s also easy to get your hands on garlic, even in bulk, at nearly any grocery store. However, most people use garlic solely to … Read more
Are you ready to start canning? Canning is a great way to preserve the foods you harvest, forage, hunt, or buy. Once you learn how to can, you will be able to keep your pantry stocked all year long. If you sell foods at a farmers’ market or run a community supported agriculture (CSA) program, … Read more
If you can make it yourself, you probably should. Most people become homesteaders because they want to live a more deliberate, self-reliant life. One of the best ways to become more independent – financially, and from supply chains that could get disrupted unexpectedly, and add things to products that you do not want – is … Read more
So, you’re tired of the hustle and bustle and high prices of city living, and considering a move to the country. Maybe you plan on planting a large garden, buying some livestock, and raising your own food. And those Mother Earth News articles about off-the-grid living have piqued your interest, too. Good for you! Moving … Read more