Today, we talk about Ways to Beat The Heat on The Homestead, as well as cover all of our usual Monday segments.

Thanks to everyone who reached out about last week's interview with Tactical. We got a lot of feedback, and it's clear that hearing more from him is something the community wants.

Featured Event: Rabbit Processing Meetup – June 29 Join us from 1–4pm at the Holler Homestead for a hands-on afternoon of learning, connection, and food. We'll walk through the process of rabbit butchering from dispatch to chill tank. Bring a side dish and come prepared to learn. Details here: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/2025/06/02/rabbit-processing/

Sponsor 1: DiscountMylarBags.com – Long-term food storage supplies that won't break the bank.

Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com – Solid tax strategies for those of us living outside the system.

Tales from the Prepper Pantry

• Freezer went down, but the Yolink sensor caught it in time — major save.

• Pickled beet-palooza this week. Pantry smells like vinegar and victory.

• Put up a solid batch of dill relish.

• Premade meatloaf in the freezer is paying off big right now during long days.

• Need to work on a better strategy for keeping the pantry space cooler in summer.

Operation Independence We're making steady moves on the Holler Hub setup. Lynne suggested we use the Basecamp basement and classroom for the country store — keycode access and posted hours. Also starting up GSD work weekends this summer.

Main Topic of the Day: Ways to Beat The Heat on The Homestead

1. Why This Matters Heat waves can wreck your garden, stress your animals, and push you to your limit. If you ignore the signs, you pay for it later — in lost yield, poor health, or burnout. It's time to adapt.
2. Plant Care During Heat

• Plants struggle to uptake calcium through roots when soil temps go above ~85°F — a CalMag foliar spray helps keep them from curling up and dying.

• Shade cloth is your friend. Your garden doesn't need full sun all day — especially in the South. I built a PVC shade structure that changed the game.

• Water early, mulch deep. Timing is key.

• Know when to leave stressed plants alone — sometimes less is more.

1. Livestock Management

• Pay attention to microclimates. Move animals to shaded, breezy areas if you have them. If not, start figuring out how to create them.

• Always be checking water — manually or with sensors. Don't assume it's fine.

• Look for signs of heat stress: panting, lethargy, standing in water, reduced feed intake.

• Think long-term: is your pasture layout working in July?

1. Homesteader Self-Care

• Hydration is more than water — think salt, trace minerals, cucumbers, bone broth.

• Plan your day around the sun. Hard stuff in the morning and evening.

• Work in bursts — short and intense is often better than long and slow.

• Know the signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Don't tough it out.

1. Systems & Tools

• Yolink sensors saved my butt this week. Don't rely on memory for water or power checks.

• If you have a natural feature like a cold creek — use it. My 55-degree creek is the MVP right now.

• Heat is the best teacher. Pay attention and plan infrastructure improvements while you're sweating — you'll actually solve the problem.

Reminders

• Get your Self-Reliance Festival tickets — prices increase soon.

• Subscribe to the LFTN newsletter for events, updates, and useful stuff I don't post anywhere else.

Make it a great week.

Community Links: Website: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com Holler Roast Coffee: https://hollerroast.com SRF Tickets: https://selfreliancefestival.com Telegram Group: https://t.me/lftnchat