Those that are attempting to adopt the homesteading mindset are trying to re-learn the lost knowledge from our agrarian ancestors, as well as trying to find practical ways to save a buck or two.  The homesteading mindset is all about re-purposing items we already have in our possession.  With 230 million tons of trash that is thrown away each year in the United States, many people do not realize that the trash they are throwing away can truly be a treasure. 

Finding ways to re-purpose trash can not only make your lifestyle more “green,”, but it can save you money and time as well.  For example, for those of you trying to get your gardens to grow – did you know that plastic soda and water bottles can be used as a drip irrigation system for your garden?  This would not only save on time watering the garden, but also conserve water.  What about all of those great vegetable and fruit peels we throw away instead of composting them?  Most of the trash we throw away can be re-used, re-purposed or re-cycled for another use. 

Here are 10 ways to make your trash work for you:

1. Save those glass jars and bottles and recycle them.  

2. Tuna cans can be used as food plates for rabbits.

3. Popsicle sticks can be used as garden markers.

4. Worn down crayons can be melted into a mold to make more crayons, or used to create fire starters.

5. Ziploc bags can be washed and re-used for future uses.

6. Fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds, filters, newspapers, wood ash, grass clippings can be taken to the compost pile.

7. Bones from last nights dinner can be dried out and pulverized to be used as bone meal for garden (make sure all the meat is off the bones).  Once the bones have dried out, they can be thrown into the compost pile or put directly into garden for a fertilizer (provides plants with phosphorus and calcium).

8. Small plastic containers used for yogurt, butter, etc can be re-used as seed pots.

9. Coffee cans can be re-purposed and used as an organizational container for bug out bags, in the home or around the homestead.

10. Plastic containers for spices, oil, laundry soap and shampoo can all be re-used or re-filled.

Spraying smelly bug repellents on  the skin to keep mosquitoes away is the worst, and can be dangerous to children and pets.  The thought of chemicals seeping into the skin literally make my skin crawl.  But no one wants to be stalked by a swarm of mosquitoes either.  Not to mention they carry diseases with them that all of us would like to avoid.  There are plants that can do double duty in the garden by being aesthetic and pleasing to the eye as well as a repellent from mosquitoes and flying insects. 

Despite what many believe, mosquitoes are not after your blood.  They can smell you from 100 feet away!  The deodorants, lotions, perfumes and smelly shampoos confuse the mosquito into thinking you are a flower, and they believe your blood to be flower nectar. 

 There are some easy solutions to remedy this nuisance.  Plant herbs and flowers that give off a scent.  These plants release a smell into the air that mosquitoes cannot stand to be around.  Truly any herb that is pungent, or gives off a distinct smell will deter mosquitoes from coming around it.  These herbs and flowers can be made into a tea or natural repellent, and then sprayed around the yard before a person has a party or BBQ.  Another method of creating a all-natural repellent is to crush the leaves of the herbs or flowers to bring out the oils from the plant and put them in a quantity of alcohol or vodka.  Once the oils have infused with the alcohol begin spraying it outside as one would do with a regular store bought repellent. 

Here is a list of some flowers and herbs that repel mosquitoes and flying insects.

• Geraniums
• Hibiscus
• Mosquito Plant
• Catnip
• Rosemary
• Citronella Grass
• Lemon Grass
• Basil
• Lavender
• Peppermint

Summer is just around the corner.  It is not too late to begin growing some herbs and flowers that can serve mulitple purposes.  All of your guests will be thanking you for your thoughtfulness and forethought of keeping the nagging mosquitoes away during their visit!

By Rebecca Boyle

You say tomayto, I say tomahto.

You say Miracle-Gro, I say … pee.

Apparently, human urine works remarkably well as a fertilizer for tomatoes, according to a new study out of Finland.

Plants fertilized with a mixture of stored human urine and wood ash produced 4.2 times more fruit than plants without the pee, the study found. The urine-fertilized tomatoes had more beta-carotene than unfertilized ones, and much more protein than traditionally fertilized plants.

And the tomatoes were just as good as those grown with traditional fertilizer, according to a panel of 20 brave tasters.

Healthy human urine is rich in nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphate, all key ingredients for healthy plants. As long as the pee doesn’t contain any fecal matter, it’s usually free of any microorganisms.

Surendra K. Pradhan, K. Holopainen and Helvi Heinonen-Tanski of the University of Kuopio in Finland collected human urine during the winter of 2007-2008 from several eco-toilets in private homes. The urine was stored for about six months at 45 degrees F and tested for microbes and bacteria. The team mixed it with wood ash collected from a household furnace, and found the mixture was just as good as — or better than — conventional chemical fertilizer.

In taste tests, the urine-fertilized tomatoes tasted different from those fertilized with urine and ash, but tasters didn’t have a preference — “all tomato samples were evaluated as being equally good by the tasters,” the study says. The results are reported in the latest Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

The same team had previously tested human pee as a fertilizer for cucumber and cabbage, and a South African team reported last year that urine had successfully fertilized maize. The Finnish team said they tried tomatoes because they’re grown all over the world and are a staple ingredient in many recipes.

The use of urine to fertilize crops has been practiced since ancient times, but is relatively rare today, thanks to the ick factor and the prevalence of chemical and mineral fertilizers. But as farmers and home growers seek organic ways to grow food, urine could be a solution.

The study “may contribute to the development of positive attitudes about the use of urine and ash as fertilizer as a way to both increase crop yield and reduce water pollution,” the authors wrote.

It may not be necessary to go all NASA with our pee and start drinking it. But if we can safely and efficiently grow food with it, why not?

This article was generously contributed by Popular Science for your reading pleasure.

It’s ironic that a minuscule seed holds the power of life or death for humans. Multiple disaster organizations, as well as government web sites, recommend that a person have food stored for emergency shortages. Although a food crisis seems unlikely, there is a possibility that it could occur. While canned goods can sustain a family for a short while, seeds are required for producing food for a longer-term crisis.  Storing seeds will ensure that in a long-term disaster, you will be able to provide essential vitamins and nutrients that will be needed for more physical exertion and mental clarity. 

Non-genetically modified (GMO) seeds and heirloom seed varieties are preferred for long-term survival because they produce fertile seeds that can be saved for subsequent growing seasons.

Think of seeds as a necessary security investment for your future. If you need them for a long-term survival situation, then you have them. Store the seeds for a long term disaster in a safe, dark, dry place.  Many suggest packaging the seeds and placing them in the freezer to prevent them from aging.

Some ask how seeds can provide security and how they can provide immediate aide in food-shortage scenario.

1. Bartering. Seeds could be used as a bartering item, and if they are used for that purpose, then their value increases ten fold. Many people do not consider storing seeds with their long-term food items. Start thinking of your seeds as a form of currency.

2. Inflation. If you have seeds to grow produce, then the plants are continuously producing more seeds for future growing seasons. If you don’t have to buy produce, then you are saving hundreds of dollars a year on your grocery budget.

3. Nutrition. Many farmers dispute the nutritional value that GMO seeds; in fact, farmers would like more research conducted to further gain insight in how GMO seeds affect our nutritional health. Heritage and non-GMO seeds are safer nutritionally for you and your family.

4. Safety. If you plant your seeds, then you know where they came from and what chemicals/fertilizers were used on them. When you buy produce from a merchant, you do not have that security. Even if the produce says that it is organic, it doesn’t mean that it is grown to the same standards that you would dictate for your family’s nutritional safety.  Many are growing more concerned about the potential of an attack on our food source.  Even the Department of Homeland Security is concerned with the possible terrorist threat on food. Tommy Thompson stated, “For the life of me, I cannot understand why the terrorists do not attack our food supply because it is so easy to do.”  This supports the need for every family to put food storage as the highest priority on their family’s disaster plans.

5. Sustainability – Using non-GMO seeds will create plants that will provide seeds for future harvests, thus creating sustainability for those who need the food the most.  Seeds can also be sprouted to eat for added nutrition and vitamin intake.  There is a certain satisfaction to growing your own food.  Food that you can depend on, that you have invested your time in seeing it grow to fruition.  Through this satisfaction and pride, comes the understanding that you are self reliant and can take care of yourself without any involvement from the outside (grocery stores, government hand outs, etc).  The end result from planting a tiny seed is freedom.

Seeds are an invaluable commodity and hold the key to long term sustainability, and survival in some cases.  Investing in these meager seeds can hold the power to sustained health.

Contributing Author: Misty Baker

Just because you live in an apartment, does not mean you have to live without the joys of fresh, homegrown garden vegetables. There are just a few simple steps that can help you achieve your homegrown produce dream.

 The first thing that you need to do is to consider your growing conditions. Ask yourself what is the availability of sunlight? It is a good idea to spend a few days watching the sunlight pattern on your patio, deck, or balcony. The amount of sunlight directly affects which plants you can grow successfully.

 The second step is to assess your space.  If you have a small space, then you will have to grow small plants with smaller root systems. It would not be a good idea to plant corn or other large plants. Most importantly, make the best use of your space!  Use additional space on walls to grow vegetables and fruits.  And hanging planters could also make good use of a small patio.  Strawberries, cherry tomoatoes or dwarf pepper plants would thrive well in a hanging basket.  The following is a listing of plants that grow well in containers:

• Tomatoes (you will have to provide support for their stalks)
• Peppers (you will have to provide support for their stalks)
• Lettuce
• Cabbage
• Mustard greens
• Carrots
• Turnips
• Onions
• Garlic
• Radishes
• Potatoes
• Most herbs

 The final step is to purchase good dirt. I prefer a mix of five different types of compost, e.g., worm compost, cow manure, mushroom compost, vegetable and fruit compost, etc., vermiculite, and peat moss. If it is good enough for Mel Bartholomew, the inventor of square-foot gardening, then it is good enough for me.

 If you would like some more information on small container gardening, then there is an abundance of information on the Internet. I highly recommend the Squarefoot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew.

When spring comes around, so does the annual planning of the summer garden.  No doubt, there were also fantasies of walking through a robust garden clipping off tomatoes for salad, and pulling off bountiful ears of corn for supper.  The gardening process begins with finding the perfect garden location, waiting for the right temperature, and planting the minuscule seeds that will inevitably become a harvest.  But there is more to gardening than just planting a seed and watching it grow.

Watering the Garden

Even moisture is an essential key to maintaining plant growth.  Plants should have on average about 1-2 inches of water per week.  More water should be provided during hot summer months where there is drought like conditions.  Soaker hoses and other methods, such as the use of rain collection barrels can assist in water conservation and at the same time, providing water during the rainless summer months.  Another method of crop irrigation is the use of ollas, or unglazed clay pots buried in the dirt.  These clay pots get water to the roots, as well as alleviating water evaporation.  This type of irrigation is 50-70% more effective than modern day irrigation systems and it also assists in eliminating disease caused by excessive watering.

Mulching the Garden

Mulching around the base of the plants is another essential method in maintaining healthy plants.  Adding 2-3 inches of natural mulch will assist in retaining more moisture in the soil, discourage unwanted weed growth, prevent soil erosion and help eliminate unwanted pests and insects.  Mulching also helps the soil have an even temperature which will assist is healthy growing roots.  Additionally, natural mulches such as grass clippings and straw will provide added nutrients to the soil in the decomposition process.

Feed Your Garden

Native American Indians planted fish at the base of a garden mound as a gift for the plants.  That gift of fish, when decomposed, provided needed nutreints for the plant to grow and bear it’s fruit.  Using natural fertilizers will condition the soil, or growing environment for the plant.  Plants need certain “foods” to grow and become more productive.  Typically, “foods” that plants need to thrive are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.  These elements will promote strong, healthy root systems and healthy fruits.  Natural fertilizers can be purchased at gardening centers, or a person can try and create their homemade version of fertilizer in the form of compost.  Composting is a great way to give back to the garden.  This natural soil amendment is a process that needs to be started before the garden is grown as it takes time for the weather, and nature to break down particles that will become compost.  Depending on the size of a compost heap, compost would be ready for use in the garden after 4-6 months.

Another way of feeding plants is  companion planting.  Companion plants have a symbiotic relationship and equally benefit from being planted near eachother.  Some of the benefits are pest control, higher yield, and added nutrients in the soil.  This fertilizing method, simplifies the gardening process to a minimum.

Pruning Your Garden

Many do not like to take the time to do this essential step, but it truly makes a huge difference in the health of the plant, as well as assist in helping the plant redirect it’s ergy on the growing of fruit.  Taking time to prune dead foliage, branches, non-producing limbs, etc will assist in developing better sized fruit.  Pinching and pruning are two methods of controlling the growth of vegetables.  Plants are very adaptable, and prefer to be pruned or pinched from time to time.

What to Pinch

Pinching is used to remove growth buds, flowers or immature fruit.

• Pinch branch tips throughout the growing season to grow more bushy and full instead of lanky and tall.  Remove only the last set of two leaves, including the stem, each time you pinch a branch.
• Continuously remove any dead or faded foliage.  Keep only the growth that is green and healthy.
• For flowering fruits and vegetables, pinch off 1/3 to 1/2 of the blooms that appear in order for the plant to concentrate on growing larger fruits.

What to Prune

Pruning is used to correct or remove branches or prevent the spread of the plant outside it’s growth area.

• Prune plants when they are growing too large for their allocated area.  Use sharp, clean shears to prevent the spreading of disease.
• Remove entire unwanted or non-blooming branches to keep plants contained.  Keep some foliage to shade the developing fruit and prevent sun scald.
• Continuously remove any dead or faded foliage.  Keep only the growth that is green and healthy.

If practiced, these simple gardening methods will help a person grow healthier plants with higher yields.  Growing fruits and vegetables requires constant practice, and learning from mistakes.  These methods listed above can help a person establish a better understanding of what plants need in order to thrive.  Happy Gardening!

 1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one
cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin
B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium
and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick
up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and
Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for
hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a
cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a
soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in
a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long.
The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent
undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the
area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or
to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem
area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the
collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing
the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber
slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free.
Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish
essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium,
avoiding both a hangover and headache!! 

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge?
Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European
trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you
don’t have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber
over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that
not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice
and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, facial or visit to the
spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water,
the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling
water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma
that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students
during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints?
Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your
tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will
kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a ‘green’ way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless
steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to
clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine,
but is won’t leave streaks and won’t harm you fingers or fingernails while
you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and
slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and
markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

This information was in The New York Times recently as part of their
“Spotlight on the Home” series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways
to solve common problems.

Look to the animal for clues as to what the problem may be.  It is advised to research the ailment as much as possible and to look for clues to indicate what the problem may be before trying to remedy the problem. 

• Listen to the respiration and heart rate, as well as take the temperature of the animal.
• Check to see if the animal is eating or drinking.
• Look at the consistency of the manure.
• Try the remedy, but if the problem persists, call a veterinarian.

5 Home Remedies for Livestock

Every farmer who owns livestock has a special remedy that he or she uses to treat their animals.  Here are a few that may be helpful to those that are new to caring for livestock.

Organic Iodine Dextrose

Coughing in horses can be due to a serious, life threatening condition called heaves.  Coughing can be brought on by dust, mold or anything that overworkds the respiratory system.  An inexpensive way to assist the horse is organic iodine.  Iodine is an anti-inflammatory and expectorant that assists in loosening phelgm, making it easier for the horse to cough.  Adding 1 tablespoon of iodine to the horse’s evening grain for 21 days will make the cough go away.  Organic Iodine Dextrose is available at many feed stores.

Aloe Vera Gel

The gel from the aloe vera leave can be used to treat skin inflammation due to insect bites, burns, cuts and scrapes, as well as hot spots.  Aloe vera can also be used to heal deep lacerated cuts (as long as stitches are not required), as it possesses anti-bacterial properties.  Additionally, if aloe gel is placed in area where the animal likes to lick itself, the animal will refrain from licking that area due to the taste of the herb.  Aloe can also be used as a laxative for dogs, however, it is advised to discuss using aloe vera internally with a veterinarian.

 Tea Tree Oil

This multipurpose extract is an anti-yeast, anti-fungal and antibacterial substance that can be used to treat minor cuts and scrapes.  It can be easily found at many health food outlets as well as larger stores such as Wal-mart,

Dry Oats

Dry oats can be given to rabbits to keep them from getting hairballs.  If rabbits get hairballs, they will not be able to regurgitate, thus causing serious complications in the animal’s health.  Oatmeal is a fiber that keeps the digestive system moving and decreases the possibility of hair collection and forming blockage.  Rabbit breeders advise to give a handful of uncooked oatmeal after they have given birth and in the spring when they begin to heavily shed.

Vitamin B12 Shots

Animals who are very frail or just born that have low energy would appreciate an injection of B12 to get their energy going.

This article is intended to offer natural alternative suggestions.  It should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary prevention, diagnosis, or treatment.  Please consult with your veterinarian before taking any home home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site.  Only your veterinarian can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your pet’s unique needs or diagnose your pet’s particular medical history.

 The corn stalk offers itself as a structure for the beans to climb on.  While the beans supply the corn with needed nitrogen as well as well as improving the overall fertility of the soil.  When the beans climb the corn stalk, it also provides the stalk with added stability from strong winds.  The squash vines grow at the base of the bean and corn plants and  provide a type of living mulch to help conserve water and provide weed control.  The roots from the squash vines are shallow and will not invade the roots of the other plants.  Once the plants have been harvested they can be incorporated into the soil as organic compost, thus fertilizing the soil even more.  In this approach, the efficiency of space is not only beneficial, but it is also very easy to achieve results.  Moreover, this is a great gardening approach to teach children about companion planting. 

How To Create The Three Sisters Gardening Technique

Just like in human life, each sister must be by itself, before another sister comes along.  In this technique, timing and spacing are the keys to success.

1. In late Spring or early Summer, hoe a mound of soil into piles about 1 foot high and about 20 feet across.  The centers of the mound should be about four feet apart and should have flattened tops.  *Note: a 10×10 square foot of space is the minimum area needed to have a good corn harvest of corn.  If you have a smaller garden area, plant fewer mounds, but be aware that you may not get good full corn ears as a result.  See Diagram:

<——————————— 10 FT. ———————————>

 

2. In the center of the mounds, plant 5-6 corn kernels in a circle about 6 inches apart.

3.  After a week or two, when the corn has grown to be 5 inches or so, plant seven or eight pole beans in a circle six inches away from the corn kernels.  

4.  A week later, at the edge of the mound (about 1 foot away from the beans, plant seven or eight squash or pumpkin seeds. 

5.  When the plants begin to grow, weed out the weaker plantlings, and keep a few of the sturdiest of the corn plants from the mound as well as the bean and squash plants. 

6.  As the corn and beans grow, make sure that the beans are supported by the cornstalks.  They should wrap themselves around the corn.  The squash will creep between the mounds of the corn and bean plants.

Once the vegetables are harvested, they can be canned, dried out or eaten fresh.  The yields from these vegetables will be able to further sustain a family longer.  Perhaps the Native Americans were right by calling these three plants “Our Sustainers.”

The three sisters: corn, beans and squash were some of the first domesticated crops used by the Native Americans to sustain their long term survival.  The Native Americans taught the Pilgrims their agricultural techniques to help the Settlers survive.  In fact, if it was not for these seeds given to the Pilgrims, and the three sisters approach, the Pilgrims sustainability would have been greatly diminished.  

Additional Information:

 Story of the Three Sisters

Survival Food Series: Essential Trees, Bushes and Berries

Buffalo Bird Woman’s Garden

America was founded upon an agrarian lifestyle, and farmers were the driving force behind America.  Currently, people are trying to find ways to move back to farming in order to grow their own food, to be more self sufficient and less dependent on the government. 

Back To The Land Movement

With the scare of an impending economic collapse, people are changing their whole outlook on how they live.  Many people are beginning to research and make plans of cultivating and raising their own foods.  They are turning to the last farming generation and asking questions on soil types, planting seasonal crops and crop rotation.  Many are beginning to prepare micro farms in their backyards to sustain their families in the event of cost inflation or even worse a catabolic collapse of the system. 

How Much Food Can Be Grown?

As the cost of fresh produce rises, growing food in a survival garden will be more common.  Many people starting out will not know how much food to grow.  Scott McGuire, an urban micro farmer began his micro farming as an experiment to see how much food could be grown for his family.    He points out that he is growing the seeds “not only valuable for what they can grow, but there may come a time when seeds could be a form of trading exchange or currency exchange.” 

People talk about emergency preparedness… If we are in a long term emergency, what will you pack for you emergency? Number one item in my pack is seeds.  Even if you don’t plan on growing them, they can be traded to people that will. 

Source – Scott McGuire

He believes having the plant realm, insect realm and human realm co-habitating equally together.  In the long run, this makes all the creatures involved happy and producing the way they are intended to.  As McGuire takes us on a tour of his micro farm, he boasts that this is one season’s worth of vegetation.  McGuire’s garden itself is in the yard of a rental property.  He proves to all of those that doubt that food can be grown in a small space in the city. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOaPFt_ajvU#t=10m40s

Micro Livestock

A thriving micro farm will need to have natural fertilizers that are high in nitrogen such clovers, legumes and manure from preferably livestock.  Finding micro livestock for the micro farm is almost fitting isn’t it?  But in the long run, they will not take up a lot of space, need a lot of area to feed off of, and will still provide food for the family if need be.  There are many different forms of micro livestock.

• Rabbits
• Guinea Pigs
• Pigeons
• Miniature Pigs
• Miniature Deer
• Goats

Farming is not only growing food for you, but growing food for the animals. 

 Companion Planting

 Companion plants are neighboring crops that are placed next to other crops to because they are beneficial in one form of the other.  Usually companion plants  provide concentrations of certain minerals such as nitrogen, attract friendly insects or will provide shelter or be used as a growing structure.  The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service or ATTRA states that certain herbs, flowers and vegetables can be used in the same garden and provide the garden as a whole with what it needs to thrive.  ATTRA has an extensive list of companion plants as well as relative information on soils and compost, organic gardening, energy alternatives and information on livestock.

As food prices begin to soar more and more, people are taking this into their own hands by growing their own.  People are beginning to see the benefits of not only growing their own food, but acquiring knowledge and skills on how to be more self sustaining.  Scott McGuire is teaching many of us that having a self sustaining lifestyle, does not mean packing everything up and heading the the country.  On the contrary, it can literally begin in the backyard of a home with one seed at a time.

Related Articles:

Micro Livestock E Book

 The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service