The How and Why of Self Reliance

Many years ago I ran across directions for making a “ginger beer plant” in a delightful sort of coffee table book full of oddments entitled “How to Hold a Crocodile”.  I followed the directions and they worked well—but while we had run across a way to be self reliant for our occasional yen for soda [...]

Goat keeping is rewarding. Keeping goats is fun. Very basic information for new and prospective small scale goat stewards. Goats are one of the most common animals kept in an effort to increase one’s self reliance.  There are many books about goats to be had, but most of them miss the mark on the whole.  [...]

Most of us could eat better (and more cheaply!) than we do, even on a tight schedule.  It just takes a little thinking ahead to increase your food self reliance in that step past growing your own.  Some of it is bulk cooking a head, some of it is just planning.  All of it helps [...]

Bloggers kicked out of Today.com are networking to increase their self reliance. If you are an ex-Today.com blogger, announce your independent blog here and get backlinks!

Herbs, generally speaking, are any plant lacking a permanent woody stem commonly used in food or traditional medicine.  Many you can grow yourself quite easily, and most will increase your self reliance if only by drastically reducing your food budget.  Growing and drying herbs is a pretty simple proposition and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at [...]

Very basic information for new and prospective chicken stewards, including assessing goals and options, housing, breed choice and feeding.