THE SKILLS YOU NEED NOW TO START HOMESTEADING

If you're thinking about starting to homestead, these 16 skills are the most important to learn now.
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Moving to a 40-acre homestead before acquiring the skills we've learned over the past 20 years (first in an apartment, then in a home on 1/4 acre, to 5-acres, etc.) would have been a dire mistake.
Here are 16 homesteading skills we think are imperative to learn BEFORE moving to a large homestead... and many can be learned right where you are, even if that means an apartment in the city!
Time Stamps:
1:57 - Chit Chat
6:24 - Question of the week: Why don't we see Josh without a hat any more?
9:40 - Cooking from Scratch
11:12 - Bulk Buying
13:13 - Pantry Management
14:41 - Food preservation
16:43 - Learning to work together
19:20 - Gardening
20:42 - Fixing things yourself
22:18 - Working with power tools
22:57 - Bread baking
24:00 - Keeping animals
25:36 - Natural medicine
28:15 -Hauling trailers and moving things around
29:09 - Natural cleaning
30:29 - Practicing off-grid scenarios
32:16 - Hospitality
34:33 - Entertainment
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MORE ABOUT US!
WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: bit.ly/HFWelcom...
Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us at www.homesteadi... and on Facebook at / homesteadingfamily
A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!
Click any of the links below for instant access to free video training resources:
- Healthy Healing at Home- Free 4 video workshop on our herb course Herbal Medicine Cabinet: Colds
homesteadingfa...
- Bread Making workshop- Free 4 video workshop on our masterclass, The Art of Homemade Bread
homesteadingfa...
- Meals on Your Shelf- Free 4 video workshop on canning. The Abundant Pantry: Canning
homesteadingfa...
Click any of the links below for instant access to these free downloadable PDFs:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - A PDF download filled with our family’s favorite holiday recipe.
classes.homest...
- 5 Steps to a More Self Sufficient Life- Simple PDF download on 5 steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
classes.homest...
- Thrive Wellness Checklist- A simple PDF download for healthy living.
homesteadingfa...
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- PDF download that is an introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
homesteadingfa...
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list- PDF with Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
homesteadingfa...
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles- Carolyn’s favorite make-ahead breakfast casseroles.
homesteadingfa...
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs- PDF download with multiple ways to preserve eggs.
homesteadingfa...
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden- PDF download with an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden
homesteadingfa...
- Save the Crumbs- Several Recipes for using bread leftovers, a less committal entry to bread than the workshop.
homesteadingfa...
- Fearless Fermenting- A PDF on basic lacto-ferments.
homesteadingfa...
- Fermenting Tomatoes- PDF download on fermenting tomatoes
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- Preserving Culinary Herbs- Downloadable, step by step directions to drying, freezing and salting culinary herbs.
homesteadingfa...
- Render Your Own Lard- PDF with instructions on how to render your own lard.
homesteadingfa...
#PantryChat #Homesteading #Homesteadskills

[@TheAdhdGardener]

I dream of a homestead but until then ive been just urban homesteadin for now. Small scale but better than nothing! Push forward people..aquire them skills

[@dawnnelson7876]

Hey it totally counts! I'm in a little rural town and it's very different that our last place that was way out in the country with a few acres. You'd be surprised what you can do in a small space. Here in town I now have a garden, rabbits, ducks, a goose, several compost bins, worm farm, fruit trees, and next year we plan to add quail and honey bees. I know you have to work with your areas laws but things like worms, bees, and rabbits are great even in very small spaces and they aren't loud like chickens and ducks can be. My worms are below my rabbits so they take up the same square footage plus they use up the rabbit manure making black gold for the garden.

[@NorthnSouthHomestead]

I hope that you get your dream, but Rock what you have now ❤️. All the better skills you will have when you get your dream 😊

[@sheilazangrilli1710]

I live in the city on a standard suburban lot. I consider myself a homesteader as I am striving to be more self reliant and cultivate community with my neighbors. I am retired and my pension only goes so far. I am growing food in a garden and front yard orchard (no lawn for me), I am learning to preserve, and cook from scratch (I hate cooking however , my late husband was the cook). I have plans for chickens, rabbits and possibly bees. Sewing has always been a pleasure for me and have made many of my clothes. I also knit, weave a bit and spin. I have a freeze drier and was able to wait for a sale and my partner received a veteran's discount, otherwise we might still be waiting. In the plans is a outdoor kitchen, water catchment and someway of storing our produce and pantry supplies ( no basement and the house is small). I've been thinking about getting a small outdoor shed and turning it into a cool room. I envy the land you all have but homesteading is entirely possible in the city.

[@NorthnSouthHomestead]

Fabulous, thanks for sharing, I enjoyed reading it.❤️

[@kathleenredick275]

Re owner finance - spend the money and have a lawyer review your contract.

[@buhlemabutyana8494]

I am from South Africa 🇿🇦 and all of these skills we taught as schools but they don’t anymore, my mother was a home economics teacher and this is what she taught. Thank you for the great video.

[@mimib6253]

sadly the Old school system has never exactly been practical OR sustainable here in the USA, but times sure are a changing lately....

[@kuzadupa185]

Unfortunately these skills aren't taught because there is a certain focus on making the common people as useless as possible to themselves so they are forced to be reliant on the government.

[@davewest5776]

Buhle I think it's all over the world I'm from England and kids used to taught to cook and sew and gardening, woodwork and metal work now it's just computers and kids aren't taught the whys just the how's ,take algebra kids say we never use why bother but everytime you bake a cake it's algebra just a bunch of items that make x ie your cake or pie so let's have fun folk's

[@Mysfit_Oasis]

... I wondered what home economics would teach.... That makes so much sense. I was born in 74, and by the time I got to highschool this was removed from the classes offered... My home economics class was a joke. Taught me how to carry a flowerbag baby I made for a week, and how to plany dream wedding that was completely impractical and I never was able to have the wedding I planned...

[@kathleenredick275]

The home school people are doing it right. I home schooled, and you teach math then use it 'outside' of school to cook, bake, garden and build.

[@ogmama4eva]

My husband and I have been gradually learning these things over the last 10 years... we still live in the city, unfortunately, but we've started gardening, I've learned (and grown) medicinal herbal remedies and buying and storing in bulk (as much as possible). And learning solutions/ substitutes for the more technical stuff for when we do move. This information is so accurate. Thank you for putting all that together! 💯

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jugglinglifewithpurpose]

I can’t recommend this video enough. Thank you for doing a video on this topic. It’s actually more necessary than most now when they begin a homestead. You covered so much and we’re very helpful! We enjoy your channel greatly. God bless friends! ☺️

[@mikegriffin3437]

One skill to add to this list. BASIC FIRST AID . A must have if far from any from any medical facility.

[@energizerbunny1]

Excellent information so not so overwhelming in starting.

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DOWNSOUTHHS]

Much love from down south

[@ladyofthemasque]

I'd suggest learning how to use whitewash (slaked lime paint) on your buildings, particularly the insides of dairy barns, pig sty shelters, & chicken coops, since the limewash is naturally antimicrobial. it'll usually need a couple of coats, but it won't harm your animals, will cut down significantly on the risk of mold or mildew, and will brighten interiors so that you need less light to see what you're doing than if you left wood, brick, etc, bare. Old time chicken coops, milking barns, and dairy rooms (where milk was processed, butter & cheese made, etc) were always coated in whitewash for hygienic reasons. Those who've done the egg preservation thing with glasswater, it's the same stuff, slaked lime (pickling lime), just used in a different way.

[@JoeDavidson-gc7zo]

Awesome good info keep up the good work

[@Achristianhousewife2024]

I admire you both,, it’s a lot of hard work..God bless you and your family 🙏💕

[@diane9812]

I ended up with a quality stand mixer because a broken one was on sale for 10 bucks. My husband fixed it in about 5 minutes. Wonderful message.

[@crissymurray6176]

HELLO to all homesteaders. I only wish, i had money to buy my own place.. but i do not have that luxury of being able to work my way to save up for a farm with alot acres but havin health issues, makes me a liability! But i watch all of u and i feel like i am there with u! Thank you, for that experiences!

[@rebeccarisk1772]

This is so informative and thoughtful. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@grandmasstories3418]

Great allaround advice!

[@tomcondon6169]

I was thinking about adding to your list. Home schooling. A family should teach their children all the skills. I will have to learn calculus. Jui Jitsu, a basic skill for boys, also, grappling. A man needs to be competent in protecting himself and his family. Other things.

[@RRRns1]

Thank you.

[@rhondak4940]

So funny about the haircuts...😉😁

[@bradleymiller437]

The closer I get to being able to do this the more I’m worried I won’t be able to manage by myself. I’m a single man with no interest in a family. Doesn’t seem to be that teens would have any interest in part time work, those days are long gone. I want a coppiced two acres, tiny cottage, firewood selling, ducks w/pond, either a dog sitting service or breeding, an acre for vegetables, an acre for fruit, six acres for pasture divided into thirds, breeding dairy cows for dairy and retired dairy beef (I’m thinking either mini Jersey or highland), studding service, 2 acres for feed, meat rabbits, country store, team of mules for transport, a dairy and meat processing house, root cellar. 20 acres prefers in the south, I hate winter! What about sweetner, grains, and animal feed? Can I make those on my own? Is honey a parallel sweetner to cane sugar? Ideas, suggestions, and corrections to make my rough draft more realistic would be much appreciated.

[@bradleymiller437]

How am I going to move water through my property to crops? I’m thinking of purchasing land with a brook or creek, damning and diverting through the property.

[@bradleymiller437]

Producing electricity for freezing. I’d prefer to hang my meat to cure but how is that done? How do I create a larder?

[@foxywhitetip7387]

The shelters are over flowing with highest numbers of healthy young dogs killed ever in the last few years . Who would want to breed more .

[@foxywhitetip7387]

Especially in the south the situation is dire

[@roxannkosmicki6259]

Definitely Community- sufficiency! love that and pantry management... so true!

[@whitepinehomestead]

Such an encouraging video this morning. We are on our way, not where you are yet, but excited to keep working towards that.

[@NorthnSouthHomestead]

So excited for you.❤️

[@dianalittle7323]

My brother, God rest his soul, used to have a sick sense no matter what time, or day, he would be here right when my bread came out of the oven...

[@SP-ue1eg]

Great list, definitely items you don't see from those "doomsday preppers" and are all so practical and necessary. Thank you for all that you do to share and teach real, necessary, practical skills that help every person in their everyday lives.

[@rawfoodelectric]

Also, have a chat about putting up a small, inexpensive, unheated, greenhouse. I've been told one can use cattle fencing for it. I'd like to try that.

[@jessicakathryn]

I live in my truck and am moving towards producing my own food.

[@riyamitraministries]

I appreciate you guys so much. Thank you for sharing all the wisdom 😊

[@victoriatorres8871]

I soooo love it....but, how the snap do you thrive In FLORIDA with these crazy heated weather.? Nothing grows....it sooo frustrate me to tears.....😒🥺

[@madisonthehomemaker]

Can’t wait to watch this with my husband!!!

[@MandyMakesThat]

I grew up in the city but my folks moved us to the country when I was 12. I resisted every bit of it and moved inner city as soon as I graduated. Now that I'm older I have been gradually moving farther and farther from the inner city and currently have a condo in suburbia but have felt God calling me to start gardening a couple of years ago. I kill my houseplants so that is how I figured it was from Him. This past summer I started solo camping with my pups and exploring more of the mountains around me and nature then BAM Co7id hit and now all I can think about is getting out of the city, living as much as I can off the land but am terrified at how to do it all! I have my eye on a small piece of property with some cross fencing and a chicken coop for down the road, but how does one even start when one kills even house plants?! As a chef I've also got the cooking from scratch down, but what do you mean about having convenience products from scratch on hand? loving your content and your homestead is so lovely! A perfect blend of rolling green hills, tall grass, trees, cabin, kiddos and garden. So lovely!

[@richardhanes7370]

I killed my first house plants also 😂 but as soon as I moved to a small field outside, everything grew perfect. I found pumpkins bring bugs and I don't want to use pesticide so I cut out the pumpkin patch.

[@jackieperkins691]

Thank you for sharing!!! :) I bookmarked this video.

[@DaleModisette]

Just a little info I've gather over the years. *1.9848 acre per person living in a sustainable village (234 people [35% are child under the age 12] and 464.4432 acres for the village)* 80% crafted, made and grown in said village And 20% are raw materials, food not grown, medical equipment/supplies, electronics and etc. - 0.6250 acre of farmland/person (146.2500ac) - 0.0892 acre of farmland products to be sold/person (20.8728ac) - 0.2321 acre of living area/person (54.3114ac) - 0.0214 acre of wine vineyards/person (5.0076ac) - 0.0714 acre of ponds/person (16.7076ac) - 0.1069 acre of coffee/person or 3,456 trees (25.0146ac) [555 trees/2.4711 acres or 1 Hectare] - 0.0071 acre of teas/person (1.6614ac) - 0.0142 acre of herbs/person (3.3228ac) - 0.1428 acre of schools/person (33.4152ac) - 0.2142 acre of park & wildlife/person (50.1228ac) - 0.1428 acre of village square/person (33.4152ac) - 0.1785 acre of livestock/person (41.7690ac) - 0.1392 acre of roads & etc/person (32.5728ac)

[@deborahtofflemire7727]

My husband is a hat guy too not for the same reason I am a retired hairdresser. He has a lot less heir then he wonders did. I believe it is because of the HAT !

[@sheilazimmerman3905]

This was a great video for me and full of helpful information as well as important. I’m new to this way of living, but it’s so much of who I am as a person, and it truly is a way of life. I do it on a smaller scale, but the results are huge and robust. I still have so much to learn, but I’m so happy, and I thank God daily for this wholesome living and life. Thank you again, and God Bless you and your lovely Family🌸

[@patwilliamson4701]

Such great information!

[@karinvertue103]

Thank you that was really helpful

[@mississippiapple1078]

Wish I could hug you

[@RebeccaEWebber]

Do you know something you can share about finding a freeze dryer that isn't $3,000?

[@jimjames3168]

Where do you get your grains? I don't ever seem to see people growing grains. Why is that? I see a lot of folks baking bread from scratch, but nobody seems to be growing wheat.

[@lelandfallon8273]

Be nice if you have a reference to videos you did or books on each of these skills we should learn. I know there is about canning from your wife’s videos but what about everything else?

[@kdconover]

I use alum to make our pickles crunchy. I have an amazing recipe for a sweet tart pickle. Is there a reason not to use alum? I’m trying to grown organic, as well as preserve.

[@susannoel6396]

I have bought herbs plants but they don't live long. What am I doing wrong? Even when I transplant them into a bigger pot from what I bought them in they just don't fare well.

[@doc2793]

Does anyone remember the company they recommended a while back for really good hand gardening tools? I wanna buy some for my wife but don’t recall the video where they gave their recommendation. Thanks

[@JaniceCrowell]

Josh, you are handsome, hat or not.

[@kman8271]

I suck 😔 I can’t seem to enjoy fermented foods. Help!

[@TheHecticHomestead]

Hey all! We just bought some property and are finally able to start our homesteading journey. Head on over and join us and follow along on this ride!! Episode 1 is now up! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXPUhZ5nmqufqNE

[@scotmcdougal347]

I'd add some medical training, such as simple first aid and CPR, up to perhaps an EMT certification class. I was certified in 2001 and have used those skills many times since. You can certainly take the class without taking the State certification test.

[@NoNORADon911]

Great suggestion, thanks

[@Sue-ec6un]

If only I could only find another human to partner with. Until then, I just keep plugging away alone. Kitchen skills, gardening and preserving all under control. The rest of the yard... ugh. Lol 😂

[@favoriteswubby]

What area do you live in? Maybe a nearby family could include you into their extended family 🙂

[@uk_prepper6775]

Yep, I feel your pain

[@gettintherejanice6216]

I am divorced and I think marriage can be great and makes your life great and I am somewhat open to a future with a partner. But I refuse to believe I can't have this dream without a man. The man I had felt more like a liability than an asset. They use the examp!e of husband and wife already. Married dreaming together learning to work together but it goes way beyond when I was a teen and in my twenties my closest friend who I spent the most time with was four years my senior and her friends and we canned and dehydrated and it was very much a social affair. It was mostly women but some men I moved away and don't have it now but I had community. It is tricky right now building that community right this minute but build friendship with like minded people and with complentry skill sets. Think community. And support network and people to bless

[@jaeesmichelle]

i plan to start alone. once i have land i think it'll be easier to convince others to come and help 😅

[@uk_prepper6775]

@@jaeesmichelle that's exactly what I have done, I'm currently installing a rain water harvesting system, I have been growing a garden, and did some canning for the first time last week

[@michaeldunwoody3629]

Excellent counsel! Skills are at the core of any successful Homestead. We started a homestead 8 years ago. At that point, our only skill was our ambition to make it work. I spent a fortune buying all kinds of stuff to make it work better, smoother, and easier. It took me about five years to realize that it will never get smoother or easier. And that's okay because the work you put into it is the most rewarding part of homesteading. I kind of think of it as a formula: knowledge + skills + tools + energy + time = a homestead. A little seed and some good soil never hurts.

[@claudettecharles3542]

I really appreciate this wisdom because i am planning to move out of the city God bless and prosper you all

[@krystynam4076]

Haircuts are costly and such a great skill to have especially on homestead.

[@SuperMzjames]

Just let it grow :)

[@zritamoe7528]

Definitely. I have naturally curly hair, so I gave up on outside help many years ago. Didn't want to keep paying for bad haircuts. I've been cutting my own hair for a long time. I'd encourage anyone who needs to save money to start by practicing in small increments - don't cut too many inches your first time - and before you know it, it will become second-nature. :) There's also a ton of tutorials on this platform, obviously. Lol

[@HomesteadDNA]

My wife started cutting mine because of CoVID but I think I'll let her keep doing it. She does a good job :)

[@NorthnSouthHomestead]

@@zritamoe7528 I don’t have curly hair, but I have had 1 good haircut....all the rest, I have walked away thinking why did I pay them for a bad job done.😂😂😂For a few years now, I just trim my hair myself...and I am happy with it every time 😊

[@marlenewebster7095]

The key is to keep a rat inside your hat and letting it munch away at your hair while you cook. 😂

[@shandysgarden]

WOW. I didn't realize how tapped into the homesteading lifestyle I actually am! This was a great personal triumph for me, watching this and crying at the same time. Moving back down south again, post-divorce, starting a larger scaled homestead, is something I've dreamed of since 2019. I've turned my waiting room into my classroom for a while, now.... Being patient is so hard!! But your chat has solidified my path even more. I know I'll get there, to those few acres, but for now, I'll keep growing on the inside😊 I'll keep doing all those things on my itty bitty concentrated quarter acre suburban lot!! Hopefully only a little longer. It's May of 2023 as I watch this. My goal is to move in 2024. Thanks for this motivation ❤

[@RealJasmineLove]

Owner finance 2-3 acres and buy a camper. Money u save in rent get well septic and start to build

[@lindasteckman7147]

Loved this chat... Re: Hospitality and simple pleasures - There's something to be said about sitting on the porch, after a long day with a glass of ice cold tea, sharing your day with a friend... Watching the chickens is an added bonus!!! 😁

[@mimib6253]

I circle around so much between Offgrid w/ Doug and Stacey, Raincountry, Mary's nest and a out a million others. Educational vids are so important, see This is why the public education system really needs to change!

[@cathleencaratan3373]

My motto is that your skills will be your greatest preps. They are foundational to problem solving in situations under pressure.

[@NorthnSouthHomestead]

Absolutely ❤️❤️❤️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@darlasoifua5125]

I'm at the very beginning of my Homesteading journey. I found this extremely helpful.

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Wonderful!

[@nicholehillabush7211]

So, I'm super curious to hear more about recognizing diseases in your trees, and what to do about it!

[@justpatty7328]

Excellent topic for a video follow up question and answer!

[@marycoffin642]

Thanks for answering my curiosity question! And thanks for pointing out the need for developing hospitality! It is a concept sorely lacking in this day and age. It is foundational in the Rule of St. Benedict (which tells me in part, why you enjoy Brother Cadfael stories!).

[@JeanneKinland]

I just discovered your channel and just catching up on your old shows. You guys are very professional and I appreciate what you sharing here. Good Luck with your journey.

[@salemthorup9536]

Josh: my hair is a bit shaggy. *lifts his hat to reveal silky, wavy silver locks of abundant hair* Dude, don't hide that. You're hair is amazing!

[@HomesteadingFamily]

LOL. Thanks!

[@DivaGlamSquad]

Haa..haa.. so true

[@williamvoris2707]

We’ve been on our property for three years. We hit the ground running and it’s amazing how much we’ve got done in that time. We already knew how to garden and lots of other stuff. But we still have lots more to learn. Been lots of work. We have a garden, orchard and working on grapevines. Plus animals, we love it.

[@sarad2083]

Great tips! I'm trying to start this in a few years and I'm really trying to learn as much now before we buy some acreage 😁 I'm definitely going to put some of these to practice sooner than later

[@oliviafaith8589]

This is a fantastic video. I have so many aspirations for homesteading. Right now I feel stuck in my city, feeling attached and dependent on so many things. I really appreciate you guys showing us small ways we can break free and become independent right where we are!

[@sminthian]

I've found that I actually save money by selling the homegrown food that I grow, and buying supermarket stuff for myself. If anything goes wrong I'll start eating my own food, but I'll go with what's more profitable while I can.

[@victoriasmees5625]

That’s hilarious!

[@alexandraaalto775]

As always, loaded with tons of relevant and useful information, and so pleasantly presented. Thank you. Please might I ask if you have any tips to offer on Home Curing of meats / Charcuterie..? I have been experimenting over the years and always, with great success. I honestly do believe if people tried it, they might be pleasantly surprised ! I look forward to hearing from you at a time of your convenience and prat that God Bless you in all you set your hands to. Warm greetings from France.

[@dlgrilli]

I really got a lot of takeaways from your video! Thank you! I have a bit of an upbringing around this but lost some things along the way. These past 6 months have brought some of it back and I've learned new things from you two (and a few other KZbinrs). Thanks for what you are doing! I think you are needed more now than ever! Blessings!

[@rubydefelice3034]

Adding grape leaves to your pickles really preserves the snap!

[@pattybonsera]

I really appreciate this episode. I actually do currently live in a 2nd story apartment and have zero land. My goal is to eventually have my own property. In the meantime, I am growing herbs hydroponically, made my own almond milk (I'm lactose intolerant so I can't do dairy), used the pulp to make muffins, pancakes and healthy protein snacks. I am blessed in that I have a lot of sun-facing windows, so I bought some seed packets to grow micro-greens. I am learning how to repurpose things like onion and garlic skins to make my own seasoning (it's so good!) instead of store-bought. I bought 2 aloe plants and once they are big enough, I'll be making my own aloe-glycerin soap. I'm a business continuity practitioner and disaster preparedness educator. In my profession, we learn all about and teach short-term emergency preparedness, but we don't learn about the long-term. It's become almost like a challenge for me to see what I can learn next for my personal sustainability in being more producer-focused with the goal to produce as much as I possibly can.

[@LeeCraftyHomestead]

while I guess I passed the test on all of them. ok it time to move to the country.

[@NorthnSouthHomestead]

Go for it go for it if you can ❤️

[@tiffanyramus3465]

I guess you could survive without it lol but another skill that came to my mind is what you can forage in your area. Even backyards in town have dandelions you can make into teas and jellies, and in the woods behind me grows a wild mint we use for tea that knocks out a cold faster than any medication I know of. All kinds of useful things you can gather for free if you put in a little looking. 🙂

[@crunchycountrycatholic]

I've just found your KZbin channel and I love it. I've grew up working in the gardens, raising chickens, had a couple goats (as pets, truly) and ducks at one point. Now I'm married with a 3rd kiddo on the way and we are planning to begin looking at properties in March. Our whole goal is to be able to provide a space for my family and my aging parents to safely have community and to teach my children to love and respect all the Lord has given us. Our families are so excited to unite and learn together. Thank you for all of your wisdom! This is exactly the video that I needed to find!

[@plante_n_seeds4505]

I love sharing my coffee with you guys on Sunday morning :) Thank you for sharing on this topic! It's a really good reminder for me because right now buying land or a house isn't possible. So taking this time to experiment with the garden, preserving and buying meat in bulk for the first time... it's all important. I don't necessarily feel like a homesteader, but as you said, it's really a mindset shift.

[@dawnteskey5677]

Watching our chickens is real entertainment, they have their own little community and its fascinating. We learn so much just by observing. So much fun!

[@kathleenredick275]

RE gardening, even if you have gardened for a long time, if you move to a different climate (there are many just in the USA), you will need to learn what works in your new area. I'm now in the desert. 🤷‍♀️😄

[@kathleenredick275]

I've been towing trailers since I was 12. One thing I heard a few years ago regarding learning how to haul livestock was to put a 5 gallon bucket FULL of water in your trailer and practice until you can haul it without spilling any water. My dad just rode with me and trained me.

[@svetlanikolova7673]

I just shave my head and call it the day. The best haircut I ever gave myself. Even as a woman. Being bold for a while made me save so much money on shampoo

[@foxywhitetip7387]

It’s great in the summmer !!!

[@melaniehymel4280]

I would love to live your way ❤️

[@johnnysmythe7767]

Great chat, thank you for sharing with us the basics of what we need to start working on. I just moved from Canada to rural Japan. Have a house and some land and am excited to get working on a homestead of a slightly different kind of lifestyle. Looking forward to your next chat so we can learn more! :)

[@tabithaclark3584]

Can I just take the time to say, I think it's really awesome that you and your family are sharing your lives and your knowledge. God Bless.

[@kathrynramirez3131]

I just caught this video and thought it would be good to listen and see where we are with homesteading. I am surprised with what we are doing compared to your list. We are doing a bit of everything now in anticipation of buying land later one. I want to thank you for sharing your list, I am feeling more confident that we are on the right track and just need to continue taking steps forward.

[@mtman673]

I disagree with needing two people, I personally have no problem homesteading by myself.

[@jennifersinclair6044]

Another great episode. What I liked about it most, is that, it made me realize. I'm more prepared than I originally thought. That's a great comfort, thank you!

[@NorthnSouthHomestead]

I love your comment.

[@jennifersinclair6044]

@@NorthnSouthHomestead aw... thank you!

[@jessicakathryn]

Do you guys have any advice for growing edible plants in a tiny mobile space? I turned my SUV into a tiny home and live in it full time.

[@kuzadupa185]

Has your family ever thought of starting to grow mushrooms somewhere on the homestead? Both as a way to help with composting and for feeding the family nutrient rich mushrooms?

[@pyxis55]

Your fair is happening? Lucky you -- all the Vermont fairs have been canceled. :-(

[@plante_n_seeds4505]

I know, our fairs in NH were cancelled as well :( No wool festivals either.

[@shellp888]

Same for NY😕

[@charlotteanderson7761]

Same for Maryland😭😭

[@JohannaW85]

Same here in England! All summer fêtes cancelled 😔

[@fionafiona1146]

Our local one is online/backyard you too could tune into "live music", table/jahrgang conversations and all booths/local sellers are collected on one website and take turns delivering contact less (it looks sold/scalable).

[@bootmender]

I live on a large farm here in Northern Arkansas. At 70 years old there is no way I can do everything. My wife died some 18 years ago but I have my lovely 90 year old Mother in law living with me. This may sound crazy but I keep bringing other families in. I am Baptist. But we have a Mexican family that is catholic, 3 mennonite families and a widow lady that was mormon. They all have there own homes here on the farm. Nearly every Friday night we share a meal together and then gather around and sing. We built a lodge and a church building to have socials in. We have a large garden, green house and a orchard. We raise chickens for food and eggs. Rabbits, cattle for food and milk. 9 bee hives, We also have wild game, deer, wild hogs, Turkey, squirrel, ever couple of years we mite kill a Bear. Field crops of corn, oats, wheat. We also have a sawmill and some natural gas wells we make Royalties off of. We cut about 300 acres of hay, sell some and keep some for our own livestock.

[@melaniehymel4280]

This is my first time watching

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Thanks for watching!

[@j.reneewhite915]

I don't make pickles anymore but wanted to pass on a tried and true trick. Place 1 oak leaf into the pickle jar before canning and the tannin in the leaf will keep the pickles crisp.

[@mahinat.coover8972]

Thank you very much

[@joecarson3479]

Quick question. What camera and mic do you use? Your visual and audio is great. Thank you. Green Ridge Farm

[@vanessavillamil3176]

I wish you would offer a class on mending.

[@rickeyswindall]

Cinnamon Queens lay agates # of Eggs. 17:54

[@Donna.V]

I was raised that food should be shared. For me, the best thing is when someone likes what I've cooked. Your thoughts on hospitality really felt true. I didn't associate this with homesteading, but it really fits. I think this is one of the elements I'm seeking.

[@mzlibertyrose8586]

This was so good!! Thank you so much for taking time to teach us! I'm so appreciative of you both! God bless!!

[@margaretthompson6391]

Love the updated list. You have previously touched on this subject as have other channels. This time you have included a number of additional but relevant skills. Thank you for not recycling the topic.

[@JesusChristIsComeInTheFlesh]

Great advice generally. But you cant say one cannot do something similar to what you're achieving as a family perhaps on a smaller scale! God says we can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens us. Either God's words are true or they aren't. Some folk do not have a help mate and I think God will enable those who call on Him. As I say - great advice about needing to help each other and learning to work together IF there is another person to help! If not - GOD can do anything in us if/when we realise our need of Him for everything! I don't think most of us fully realise that we wouldn't even be able to lift our wrist if God did not give us strength to do that every second of every day.

[@cocomochalatte5937]

I like your point of view...I also think that people have a tendency to think that being self sufficient means doing everything for your self, but in the bible, the term is used to mean being content with what we have and like you said, relying on God to help us and give what we need to accomplish what we need to do.

[@Metella44]

So good a point on self-sufficiency --- I see these guys bragging about being off grid and using a chainsaw - so ? who got the oil? refined the oil? made the chainsaw? Mined the materials? Shipped it to your area :) We have to make sure we are taking care of ourselves - but we are ALL INTERCONNECTED and need to care about each other :)

[@candaceirons4634]

Love your first point. I have started my homestead garden on a tiny balcony in a 1 bdrm second story apt. We just bought land and are building our dwelling. Hopefully 6 months and we will be able to upscale a bit but I started a year ago right here learning how to garden and build and all the other essentials.

[@aurorahornbuckle2899]

Thank you! God bless

[@jenniferr2057]

Yes! The one I work to convey it's cooking, from ingredients, using what I need to use up next. Feeds us and reduced waste. So different than the "American way"!

[@fionafiona1146]

That part remained trough to me but returning to local, seasonal (bulk?) ingredients and reducing meat (from 8-12 meals out of 21! including something) still looked daunting.

[@timcoombes5646]

Sometimes my dream of homesteading feels so far out of reach, but this video really helped remind me how many skills I have already spent time developing and how everyone of those skills brings me closer to where I want to be

[@greatlifemore879]

Is there a way to make your own toilet paper that is easily biodegradable.

[@thebigvee137]

I haven't found a good recipe there are some solutions. But I haven't been able to find a really good ones. You could always go with Rags which I personally find a little unsanitary as well as uncomfortable. Then there are also paper wrapped rolls which are a slightly better option because there's obviously no plastic the downside is there really expensive. Tell me if you found anything in the past 4 months.

[@Achristianhousewife2024]

Look at the sodium content on canned goods, soups, hamburger helper,, etc.. scratch is so much healthier ..no wonder so many have high blood pressure..I have canned goods for food storage in this pandemic .. but you have to be sure to use herbs,onion and garlic as substitutes for salt.

[@justpatty7328]

Agreed! Excellent comment. :)

[@kellyreynolds1980]

Wow! You have a county fair! Where we live everything has been cancelled😞. I'm so glad to hear that life is continuing in other places. Have a great time! I love the Lego creation idea. I may have to share that idea with our fair team if life returns to normal next year.