By Daisy Luther
The Self-Reliance Weekly Report is a collection of strategies, made up of the articles, books, DIYs, and products that I found useful on my own little prepper’s homestead. This week, “normal” winter is kicking in with colder temperatures and more precipitation in many parts of the country. Protecting your family, animals, and gardens is of great importance when the mercury stays down for an extended period of time.
Prepping
What to wear outside, winter edition. When the snow is flying and the weather is cold, it’s vital to protect yourself from the potential of hypothermia. Layering is an essential part of keeping warm, and there are 4 specific layers you should have on. Not only should you dress in layers, but you should always have extra layers in your vehicle in the event of an emergency. (Here’s a peek at my winter vehicle emergency kit.) Who can forget the family of 6 in Nevada who survived for days in the frigid wilderness with only what they had in their vehicle? Accidents can happen to any of us, and inclement winter weather only makes them more likely. This guide from the US Marine Corp is a thorough overview of winter survival skills. The following articles will also help. You must make sure you know the priorities of winter survival and you’ll also want to check out this list of winter survival skills from a former Alaskan trapper, too.
Do you know what to do if you are lost in the wilderness? Speaking of outdoor survival skills, what would you do if you were lost in the wilderness? Do your kids know what to do if they get lost out in the forest? Check out these tips from a search-and-rescue class. Because it can be difficult to know everything, I also keep a little guide in all of the family backpacks, in my glove box, and in my everyday carry kit in my purse.
Use Alaska as a cautionary tale of what happens when the transportation system fails. Obviously, Alaska isn’t producing a lot of food this time of year. The remote state is almost completely reliant on barges that bring new supplies on a regular basis. When a cargo ship suffered mechanical problems last week, it became evident almost immediately how vulnerable the food supply there was. It’s incredibly important to have an emergency food supply and to build a prepper stockpile. Don’t be too smug if you live someplace with a less fragile supply line. There are many reasons the transportation system could break down, and if the trucks stopped running, the effects would be dramatic.
Have you ever really stopped to think about matches? Probably not because it isn’t something most of us ponder. We just use them when we need them and don’t think twice about it. Since we’re talking about winter, and fire is a big part of remaining warm, here’s what you actually need to know about matches. (And if you don’t have a wood heat source in your home, take a look at this information about the 6 best wood-burning stoves for preppers. Is it possible for you to modify and add one of these?)
Prepper Night at the Movies. When the snow flies and it’s cold outside, make some popcorn and get in a prepper state of mind with these 40 flicks that will get your wheels turning. They aren’t all academy award winners – in fact, some of them are Darwin award winners and guides to “what NOT to do in an emergency.” The key is to use them as a point of discussion with family members and to exercise your preparedness mental muscles while watching them. Be sure to read the comments, too – as always, you guys have great additions to the original article. Don’t forget to leave your own suggestions if I left out your favorite survival movie.
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Do you want to prep but you’re not sure how to get started?
We can help. Go on over to Preppers University and check out our Prepping Intensive course. And if you’ve been at this for a while and want to take your preparedness to the next level, check out our 6-Week Advanced Prepping Intensive.
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Homesteading
Contrary to popular belief, winter isn’t a lazy time on the homestead. There are extra precautions and steps you must take to keep your animals healthy. Here’s a great overview of keeping all of the critters fed and safe in the cold weather. Want even more winter homesteading details? This round-up has something for everyone, no matter what kind of animals you keep.
When a winter storm is coming, extra preparations have to be made to keep your livestock cozy. While everyone else is rushing to the store for bread and milk, the homesteader has other priorities. Learn how to prep your homestead for an impending blizzard, and how to clean up after the snow falls and get back to your routine.
Every gardener’s favorite winter activity is planning the next garden. When you’re sitting there by the fire with a hot cup of tea, browsing the seed catalogs (be sure to check out this gardener’s favorite seed sources), you are going to want to look at this fantastic planner by Granny Miller. (It’s totally free!) This garden planner is designed with the home preserver in mind, and since I do a lot of canning, it is going to be my personal guideline to the year ahead. And if you live in the city without a large garden space, don’t despair. This container gardening round-up is just for you, so that you can begin planning for more food self-reliance too.
Do you want to raise chickens but aren’t sure how to get started? I just took the plunge this year, and it’s wonderful! This thorough guide will get you on your way to fresh eggs every morning. And if you want even more chicken information, the resources here will make your day.
DIY
- Here’s how to make those outrageously expensive fuel tabs that you need for some emergency stoves
- Can’t find washing soda? Make it yourself!
- Make your own all-natural toilet bomb cleaners
- Want even more DIYs related to self-reliance? Here’s a whole list of them.
Independence
The most revolutionary act is to be self-sufficient and in need of nothing that the government can provide for you in exchange for some small liberty. When there is nothing that you require enough to submit, then bullying you becomes much more difficult. Commit these random acts of resistancee.
Do you want to free yourself? Then you have to be more self-reliant. Here are four important steps to creating a life of independence.
Farm Blog
Brr….it’s been a chilly week at our little homestead. (Of course, in comparison to the temperatures many of you are dealing with, I’m just being a big baby.) But when you get used to milder temperatures, drops to near-freezing are pretty dramatic.
This week, we’ve had chickens in our “infirmary.” The beautiful rooster I picked up a couple of weeks ago didn’t work out. He injured 3 of my chickens pretty severely. I was planning to send him to the crock pot, but he got a last minute reprieve when a friend with a more mature flock offered to take him. My poor little Silkie rooster, Orwell, lost his comb and potentially his mind, as he seems to be suffering from chicken PTSD. His behavior is completely different and he wants to beat everybody up. He used to be so sweet. Because he’s small, the hens are having none of it, and there is much squabbling in the hen house. I had to return him to jail in the brooder yesterday briefly – sort of a chicken time out. I think I may rename him after a local restaurant called “El Pollo Loco”. (The crazy chicken.) Two hens who had been quite battered seem to be recovering, one a little more slowly than the other.
My poor landlord. And poor may be the key word, because the expense of the septic repair just keeps climbing. Once the government gets involved everything gets more difficult and pricey. He was required to have the county out and they kiboshed the original outrageously expensive repair plan and recommended an even more expensive plan. Again, incredibly thankful I rent instead of owning.
We found a very nice place to move with something rare in California: an abundant year-round water supply. I’m pretty excited about this. Of course, with water running through the property, predators will be more prevalent, so we will have to take some extra steps to keep our livestock safe. One thing about my impending move that will break my heart is the loss of my glorious, perfect henhouse and run. (*weeps*) When looking for budget-friendly ideas for a predator-resistant chicken environment, I found this great podcast (with the written transcript also available.) I am hoping to modify a large chain link dog kennel at the new property with some hardware cloth on the ground and some kind of secure structure for night time.
Meanwhile, our major activity now is packing, packing, packing. I really thought I was done with this, but as it turns out, here we go again.
What’s going on at your farm or urban homestead right now? How’s the weather in your area? Did you have bad weather, and if so, what did you do to keep your animals warm and cozy? Please share your updates in the comments below!
Books and Products
The following are products that I personally use and have recommended in the article above. (These are affiliate links, and purchasing through them costs you nothing extra but provides a small commission.)
This book tells you how to build a pantry based on healthful, nutritious whole food, even if your budget is tight. (Full disclosure: I wrote it when I was pretty darned broke.) This is the second edition of the book and is greatly expanded, with more how-tos, more lists, more budget advice, and even a bonus chapter full of healthy, pantry-based recipes. ORDER HERE.
The emergency food that we use is NuManna. It is the tastiest on the market, without the addition of MSG, high fructose corn syrup, or aspartame. As well, the products are 100% non-GMO, and some pretty
As well, the products are 100% non-GMO, and some pretty delicious gluten-free options are available. (ORDER HERE.)
This book belongs in every backpack, purse, and glove box in America. Each of my daughters has one and it’s a favorite gift to pass on to loved ones. While it doesn’t go in depth on any one topic, the guide has the basics of what you need to know to survive any situation, on land or in the water, in any climate. The small size means that it will fit into all but the tiniest of purses. (ORDER HERE.)
Winter survival for a buck. For just a dollar, (how could you go wrong at that price?) get the US Marine Corp Winter Survival Guide. This handy 181-page book will direct you through putting together an appropriate kit to survive in the coldest of conditions. (Available only in Kindle.) (ORDER HERE)
Spark Naturals are the essential oils we use. I like the fact that Spark doesn’t have the hype of some of the multi-level marketing oil companies out there. They are simply good products at a fair price. ORDER HERE (and put DAISY in as the promo code for an additional discount.)
Daisy,
Thank you for all the great links you add in articles!
I am glad to hear you found a new place. Hope you get moved and settled in soon.
Take care.
KY Mom
I think most people in rural Alaska keep enough basic groceries around to weather one missed barge run. Around here there is one full service grocery store within 90 miles plus a country general store that carries basic groceries, animal feed, and hardware. Valdez which is 90 miles away has had road access cut for more than a week twice in the last ten years. ( they were resupplied by ferry and air). Still most lower 48 people shouldn’t be too complacent. Much fruit and produce comes fro Mexico and the southern hemisphere. I doubt Minnesota is producing much more food than Alaska in the winter. It is the urban people that are most at risk from transportation or power interruptions.
I agree – Alaskans seem like a pretty self-reliant group. There are always those who get complacent with the norm and then their personal disaster occurs because of it. Totally agreed about those in cities being at the most risk. It isn’t just the transportation issue. The fact is, when you live in a city, conveniences is everywhere, so you tend to go to the store more frequently and purchase fewer things at a time. You never end up getting stocked up because resupply is merely a block away. (Obviously not all city dwellers do this, but it tends to be customary, especially in cities where people rely on public transit or walking.)
Thanks for the mention! So glad that you finally found a place that will work for you at a price that’s more reasonable than what some of the over-the-top landlords were asking. No more poo issues!
Thanks for the mention. I love all these awesome resources in your post. I can’t wait to read everyone of them.