"If our goal is a peaceful, just society, self-reliance at the home and community levels must be a central focus of our lives." ~ Ben Falk, The Resilient Farm and Homestead
By Pete Kennedy
In the next Solari Report, John Moody returns to the Food Series for Part II of Homesteading. In our interview, John shares his advice on how to raise livestock, including the recommended infrastructure and feed for poultry, goats, sheep, hogs, and cattle. He discusses how rebuilding the homestead ecosystem can increase the amount of livestock feed you get from the natural environment, and how perennial permaculture can improve nutrient density.
John also covers beekeeping and discusses how to maximize water availability and use through ponds, swales, and cisterns. Finally, he offers his minimalist approach to owning equipment for his farm and describes sources of fuel for the homestead.
Again, John has generously offered to answer questions homesteaders might have. You can submit questions to foodseries@solari.com.
Seeds for Generations, a heirloom seed company, is also offering a discount to Solari subscribers. See details below. You will need to login to access this information.
Timemark Segments
Starts with benefits and drawbacks of livestock
00:17 Poultry
22:57 Goats
31:02 Sheep
36:51 Pigs
43:57 Cows
55:27 Beekeeping
59:07 Water
1:10:04 Tools & equipment
1:23:08 Fuel for the homestead
1:31:22 Close
For Let's Go to the Movies, I recommend the documentary Great American Farm Tour. Homesteader and filmmaker Justin Rhodes and his family leave their farm near Asheville, North Carolina to drive around America in a converted school bus in search of the country’s greatest farms.
”678” is not validThis is the last week of the month, so there is no Money & Markets. Please email your questions for Ask Catherine or post them at the Money & Markets commentary for the first week of June here.
Talk to you Thursday!
Related Reading:
Books by John Moody available on his website:
- The Frugal Homesteader
- Winning the War on Weeds
Other books:
- The Have More Plan by Ed and Carolyn Robinson
- The Good Life by Scott and Helen Nearing
- You Can Farm by Joel Salatin
- The Resilient Farm and Homestead by Ben Falk
- The Nourishing Homestead: One Back-to-the-Land Family’s Plan for Cultivating Soil, Skills and Spirit by Ben Hewitt
Related Links:
Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund
The Weston A. Price Foundation
Source for heirloom seeds:
Seeds for Generations is a family business devoted to sharing their love of heirloom seeds and gardening, seeking to inspire and equip more people to grow their own food. Jason and Shannon, and their seven children, grow most of their own food on their homestead in the mountains of Virginia and want to help you and your loved ones be able to do the same. In a modern economy that’s coming apart at the seams, they want to help you grow a better future and are sharing a special discount offer just for Solari subscribers! Please log in to access the code.
Related Solari Reports:
