To can food at home, you combine canning safe glass jars, lids with rubber gaskets, food that's safe for canning and the right heat processing. Home canning allows you to preserve almost any food – even entire meals – but you need to follow the rules. I do the bulk of my home canning during harvest season, but can fire up the canner any time of year. One trick I've taken advantage of is to toss whole fruit (like tomatoes) or fruit puree into the freezer, and then finish processing when the weather has cooled. In this post I’ll discuss how to can food at home safely, basic equipment for home canning, canning tips and recipes.
7 Best Chicken Tips for First Time Chicken Owners
Chickens are all the rage these days, and while I'm usually not big fan of “trends,” I happen to think this is a good one! There is a lot of chicken raising information out there and it can definitely be overwhelming at first. While I don't claim to be the final authority of all things chicken, I've kept a flock for several years now and want to share my seven best chicken tips for simplifying your chicken keeping. [Read more…]
Homestead Goats – What You Need to Know to Get Started
Nimbrethil, an Alpine doe, takes a break from carrying gear on a multi-day pack trip in the Oregon Cascades.
Raising your own homestead goats as dairy animals is a great way to get connected to your food source. Goats are not only a fabulous source of high quality milk, but are an incredibly versatile animal on a homestead. Homestead goats can also provide meat, fiber, carry a pack, clear brush, or serve as a livestock companion. Dairy goats have endearing personalities, which make them a joy to keep on virtually any size homestead. [Read more…]
Getting Started Beekeeping – Iron Oak Farm’s First Hive
This is a guest post by Jennifer Sartell of Iron Oak Farm sharing their experience with getting started beekeeping.
It's amazing to see our little farm growing, taking shape in the nooks and crannies of our property. So steady, so quiet, it moves along. I look out over our pumpkin patch and see the giant gourds, orange and globular, almost alien-like against the green grass. I think back to the spring, where the little sleeping seeds awoke in the ground. With time, rain and sunshine we now have enormous trailing vines, wrinkled star- like blooms and huge voluptuous fruit. [Read more…]
For the Ladies – Getting Started with Firearms (Part 2)
This is part two of a guest post mostly for the ladies, but I suspect some gentlemen may find this useful as well. To those who have considered getting a gun for self-defense, this is for you. Today we cover selecting a firearm, some common gun related terms, and why you need proper training.
How to Find a Firearm
“No – you don't want the P220, you need something that's girl sized”. The last time I heard that was from the gun store employee who DIDN'T make a $850 sale.
It's not as common as it used to be, but on occasion you will find a gun store employee who either ignores you or suggests a “girl gun”. Take your business elsewhere. You wouldn't buy a new outfit at a store where the clerk thought you were fat when you're not, so why buy a gun at a place where they assume you're an idiot because you have breasts. It's getting better all the time ladies. On a business trip to St. Louis I walked into the Gander Mountain in St. Louis, asked about 1911's in .45 and the store clerk didn't bat an eye though his smile went up about 2000 watt at a new customer. [Read more…]
