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Category: Homestead

We Built A New Chicken Coop: The Why, How, and What We Changed To Keep It Secure and Multipurpose

We Built A New Chicken Coop: The Why, How, and What We Changed To Keep It Secure and Multipurpose

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From 2014 – 2017, I had my chicken coop in a room in my barn. This worked out great for several reasons: proximity to the house, a ready-made room that was closed off from the rest of the barn, and low cost. I used free and reclaimed materials to build nesting boxes, roosting bars, and an outdoor area.  You can check out that build here: Introducing The Chickens! and Homemade Nesting Boxes.  In 2016-2017, we became aware of another problem…

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Winter Preparedness: Getting Ready For Snowstorms and Blizzards

Winter Preparedness: Getting Ready For Snowstorms and Blizzards

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I have lived in the Midwest all my life. Snow, snowstorms, ice storms, and blizzards are just a part of life. In fact, you can get a bit immune to them. You know almost exactly when the school is going to let out early or call it for the day. With the great advances in technology, you know when the storms are going to hit which gives us ample time to get ready.  Some storms are definitely worse than others….

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Self-Sufficiency 101: Pressure Canning Green Beans

Self-Sufficiency 101: Pressure Canning Green Beans

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In my garden, one of the easiest things to grow and to preserve is green beans. They grow without much effort. You plant the seeds, either bush or pole green beans, set up a trellis if they are pole beans, and provide adequate water. They germinate pretty well and they will grow even in my black clay soil.  Being self-sufficient means you should be learning new skills all the time. However, I believe that you should pick some easy things…

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10+ Vegetables You Can Grow & Store Without Canning or Freezing

10+ Vegetables You Can Grow & Store Without Canning or Freezing

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Food storage is one of the most fundamental facets of prepping, homesteading, and self-sufficiency. You want to make sure you have your needs for water, food, and shelter covered before all else. That is basic prepping, but in this day and age, you might want to take your food storage to the next level. To increase food storage (and take it to the next level), a lot of people (including me) really push growing your own food to help supply your…

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