Ditch The Store

Off-Grid Homesteading 

Week 1  Solar Power Solutions

- Brief introduction to the episode's main topic: Solar Power Solutions for Homesteads.

- Overview of the importance of solar power in achieving off-grid living and self-sustainability.

Introduction to Solar Power on the Homestead

Choosing the Right Solar Panels and Equipment

Solar Power Installation Tips and Tricks

Maintaining and Maximizing Solar Power Efficiency

This episode discusses the death of animals, if this upsets you please speak to someone, family or friend for support. If you are uncomfortable speaking to them please speak to a support service in your area.

The realities of homesteading and farming mean that you will have to deal with animal death regularly, and if this is not something you, or anyone living with you, can manage then my very blunt advice is to not go into homesteading or farming involving animals.

Livestock cannot communicate with us what the problem is, so animal health is, for the most part, an educated guess. And while some people, myself included, are pretty good at understanding what is happening, it is still a guess. This ability comes with time and experience.

During the learning process, you may get things wrong and animals may die. If that raises emotions you cannot manage then do not become a livestock guardian.

Realities of Rural Living - Episode 60

Before women make the transition to rural living, whether in Australia or the United States, they must consider several realities of rural life:

By carefully considering these realities and conducting thorough research and planning, women can make informed decisions about whether rural living is the right choice for them and their families.

Week 5 of Goat Keeping 101 Episode 59

Breeding

Terminology first

Doe or Nanny

Billy or Buck

Doeling or Buckling or Kid

Wether

First Freshener

Single or Multiple

Lactation

Gestation

How to Manage Breeding and Kidding

Why do you want to breed?

Or should I just have wethers

A doe of breeding age and suitability

Keeping a Buck or using another breeders buck

AI or a Buck

Running Bucks with the herd

Gestation period

Kidding time - can you handle the kidding process

What to expect

When things go wrong

Milking process

Milking issues

How to keep a goat in milk

Can you just keep milking?

Biosecurity

Vaccinations and illnesses

LongTerm Planning and Sustainability

Join a goat community, online or in person

Find good books about goat keeping, ask for recommendations

Buy your goats from someone who is ok with you going back to them to ask questions

Considering the long-term commitment of goat-keeping and planning for the future.

Reflection and Enjoyment

Taking time to appreciate the joys and challenges of goat keeping.

Title Week 4 Nurturing Your Goats Health, Nutrition, and Preventative Care

Welcome back to our homesteading journey, where each week brings us closer to mastering the art of goat keeping!

This week, we delve into the critical realm of health, nutrition, and preventive care for our beloved caprine companions. So, grab your notebook and let's ensure our goats are thriving in every way possible!

Identifying Common Health Issues Know Your Goats Educate yourself on recognizing signs of health versus illness. Get to know your goats intimately, from the lustre of their coats to their typical behaviour. Familiarity is key to spotting deviations from the norm.

The Big Four Keep a vigilant eye out for parasites (both internal and external), injuries, nutritional deficiencies, and diseases.

Internal Parasites Bottle Jaw and FAMACHA Score Learn to recognize symptoms like bottle jaw and how to perform a FAMACHA score. This simple test checks the colour of the inner eyelid to gauge anemia, a common sign of internal parasites.

Management External parasites are relatively manageable, but vigilant observation is crucial. Regularly check your goats for lice or nits by running your hand against the hair. Treatments are available at livestock shops for easy management.

External Parasites Managing external parasites in goats is relatively straightforward. One of the easiest ways to check for external parasites is by running your hand against the direction of the hair growth. This simple action allows you to detect any lice, nits, or other parasites clinging to the goat's hair fibres. Additionally, observe the goat's skin for signs of irritation or damage caused by these pests. For treatment, there are various medications available at your local livestock shop specifically designed to control external parasites. These treatments are easy to administer and typically do not require veterinary intervention unless the infestation is severe. I use a powder application on my goats, and every six months, my trusted veterinarian provides a blue spray for me to apply to the goats' backs after they've been shorn. This simple routine helps keep external parasites at bay, ensuring the comfort and wellbeing of my goats.

Injuries and Wound Care Preparedness While injuries are rare with good fencing and housing, it's essential to be prepared. Keep bandaging materials and wound spray on hand for minor injuries. In severe cases, have a plan in place for assessment and potential euthanasia if necessary.

Nutritional Deficiencies Detection Monitor your goats' condition and coat for signs of nutritional deficiencies. Dull, dry coats may indicate a lack of essential nutrients. Prevention Provide a mineral block in the paddock to ensure goats have access to vital nutrients. Goats are intuitive creatures and will self-regulate their intake.

Disease Management Vaccination Vaccination is a vital tool in disease prevention. Discuss vaccination schedules with your vet to protect your herd against common diseases. Preparedness Have a plan in place for disease outbreaks, including whether to treat or euthanize unvaccinated animals. Preparation is key to navigating health crises effectively.

Veterinary Support Vet Relationship Build a rapport with a vet knowledgeable about goats. Regular checkups and consultations are invaluable for proactive health management.

Udder Care Udder Health Regularly inspect your goats' udders for signs of abnormalities, such as lumps or heat. Prompt attention to issues like mastitis can prevent serious complications.

Preventative Healthcare Routine Prevention is Key Establish a comprehensive healthcare routine, including vaccination, worming schedules, and regular hoof trimming.

Prevention is always better than cure. Observation Spend time observing and interacting with your goats daily to detect any emerging health issues promptly. Additional Insights Vet Consultation Having a good relationship with a vet is vital. Seek their guidance on medication and treatment options, especially for injuries and illnesses beyond your expertise.

Annual Checkups Consider having a vet conduct an annual health check on your entire herd. This proactive approach allows for early detection and intervention for any potential health concerns. Preparing for Emergencies While injuries are infrequent, having a plan for major injuries is essential.

Decide in advance how you'll address such situations, whether it's administering first aid, seeking veterinary assistance, or considering humane euthanasia. As we embark on this journey, remember that proactive care and a keen eye are your best tools for ensuring the health and wellbeing of your goats.

Tune in next week as we explore more aspects of goat care and delve into the joys of goat companionship!

Week 3 Milking Goats Milking Equipment and Supplies - Introduction to Essential Milking Equipment Discussing the importance of tools like milking stands, milking buckets, and teat wipes for a smooth milking process. - Emphasizing Cleanliness and Sanitation Explaining the critical role of hygiene in maintaining milk quality and preventing contamination. - Choosing the Right Supplies Offering guidance on selecting appropriate milking equipment based on individual needs, preferences, and budget constraints. Milking Techniques - Step-by-Step Guide to Milking Providing a detailed walkthrough of the milking process, highlighting the importance of gentle handling and patience to ensure the goat's comfort and cooperation. - Mastering Hand Positioning and Rhythm Offering tips on optimal hand placement and rhythmic movements for efficient milk extraction while minimizing stress on the goat. - Addressing Common Challenges Sharing strategies for handling stubborn goats, managing difficult teats, and troubleshooting issues that may arise during milking sessions. Milk Handling and Storage - Ensuring Quality and Safety Stressing the significance of proper milk handling practices, including immediate chilling to preserve freshness and prevent bacterial growth. - Exploring Storage Options Discussing various methods for storing raw goat milk, such as refrigeration, freezing, or using milk coolers, to maintain its nutritional value and flavor. - Tips for Freshness Offering practical tips and tricks for extending the shelf life of raw goat milk, ensuring a constant supply of fresh, delicious milk for your family's consumption. Family Benefits of Raw Goat Milk episode 31 - Nutritional Advantages Educating on the superior nutritional profile of raw goat milk compared to pasteurized or store-bought alternatives, emphasizing its rich content of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial enzymes. - Culinary Creativity Inspiring creativity in the kitchen by exploring diverse recipes and culinary uses for goat milk, including homemade cheese, yogurt, soap, and other dairy products. - Sharing the Joy Highlighting the satisfaction and pride of providing your family with wholesome, farm-fresh milk, fostering a deeper connection to the food you consume and the animals you care for.

Goat Keeping 101 Part 2

Choosing the Right Breed for Your Homestead

- Factors to Consider We'll delve into factors like space, climate, and your personal preferences to help you select the perfect breed for your homestead.

- Tailoring to Your Homestead Whether you're starting small or aiming for a larger operation, we'll discuss how different breeds fit into various homesteading scenarios.

Basic Goat Care

- Understanding Goat Behavior Learn to interpret your goat's behaviours and needs, from vocalizations to body language.

Bucks and does

Hierarchy

Herd behaviour

Strength in numbers

Climbing

Biting

Headbutting 

Faking fitness

- Creating a Comfortable Environment Discover the importance of shelter and secure fencing in providing a safe and happy home for your goats.

- Daily Care Routines Establish a routine for feeding, watering, and grooming your goats to ensure their health and well-being.

Water 

Food

Shelter

Housing and Fencing

- Meeting Housing Requirements Explore the basic needs of goat housing, from shelter to space, and learn about different shelter options.

- Fencing for Goats Do You Really Need Fort Knox? We'll debunk myths about goat-proof fencing and provide tips for selecting and installing effective fencing.

Fencing 

Soft v hard

Jumping

Horns

- Implementing Pasture Rotation Understand the importance of pasture management and rotational grazing to keep your goats healthy and your pastures thriving. 

Ideally 6 weeks between coming back to that pasture. 4 rotations of 2 weeks each. Dependent on your areas stocking rates. 

Understanding Goat Nutrition

   - Learning about the nutritional requirements of milking goats for optimal milk production and overall health. Goats are browsers not grazers, and will test food before eating it.

They will sometimes eat things they shouldn’t and definitely have preferences. 

Too much grain is not a good thing as they are ruminants. They will rest during the day and chew their cuds, regurgitating the food and breaking it down for digestion. 

   - Discussing the importance of providing a balanced diet that includes fresh forage, grains, and mineral supplements.

Bi carb and mineral blocks should always be available for them. 

Stay tuned for our next instalment, where we'll delve deeper into goat care and health! Whether you're a seasoned homesteader or just starting out, our series aims to empower you on your goat-keeping journey.

Episode 54 A Beginner's Guide to Goats Part 1 Introduction Welcome to the first installment of our three-part series on goat keeping for women new to homesteading! In this week's guide, we'll dive into the exciting world of goats, exploring breeds, dispelling common myths, and laying the groundwork for successful goat ownership. Whether you're dreaming of farm-fresh milk, luxurious fibre, or simply delightful companionship, there's a goat for you! Don't get goats if - you hate fencing, you don’t like smells, you are squimish, you really want a dog, you don’t like animal maintenance or you have nice gardens or landscaping. Exploring Goat Breeds - Introduction to Popular Milking Breeds We'll introduce you to a variety of milking breeds, each with its unique characteristics. From Toggenburgs to Nigerian Dwarfs, we'll discuss milk production, temperament, and adaptability. British Alpine (big producers), Saanen (can be big quantities), and Toggenburg (above average production), Nigerian Dwarf (high butterfat and protein). Anglo Nubian (above average in all 3), - Dual Purpose Goats Did you know goats can serve multiple purposes on your homestead? We'll explore breeds suitable for fibre production, meat, and more. Other breeds are Angora or Cashmere for fibre, and -Boer or rangeland for meat. Dispelling Common Myths - Eat Anything? Contrary to popular belief, goats can't eat everything! We'll debunk this myth and discuss common toxic plants. Examples of potentially toxic plants grazed by livestock in Australia include: Paterson's curse, Perennial ryegrass, Pimelea and St John's wort - No Fence is Sufficient? While goats are notorious escape artists, with the right fencing, you can keep them contained. Electric fencing is very effective. Horns and fencing, tangled fencing - Milking Goats and Babies Milking goats need to get pregnant to produce milk, but you don't necessarily need to raise bottle babies. You can co-share milk with the kids, don’t force yourself to have bottle babies unless you have no choice - Other Goat Facts From de-sexing, banding, to de-budding, and even the potential for goats and sheep to interbreed, we'll cover it all! Determination = an in-season goat Kidding - no you don’t always have to help When can they go back to the herd Goats need to be de-sexed, they are early breeders and not all goats should be bred All goats have horns, so you may need to de-bud Goats and sheep interbreeding. Line breeding is a thing

Interview with Lana Salant from the Ethical Omnivore Movement

You can find Lana at 

https://www.ethicalomnivore.org/

or on FB

https://www.facebook.com/Ethicalomnivoremovement

And I'll post links once the book is out.

Food Security As middle-aged women embarking on the journey of homesteading or farming, it's crucial for us to delve into the realm of food security. Many of us envision ourselves producing ample food to sustain our households and perhaps even selling surplus goods at local farmers' markets or setting up roadside stalls. However, what often goes unnoticed is the significant influence of supermarkets, the primary purchasers of farm produce, and their monopolistic practices. Let's consider how supermarkets operate: They have a cunning strategy in negotiating prices with suppliers. For instance, they may approach Supplier A and offer to purchase 100 kilograms of cucumbers at a certain price, say $10 per kilogram, totaling $1000. Then, they approach Supplier B, implying that Supplier A has agreed to the deal but ask if Supplier B can offer cucumbers at a lower price. This prompts Supplier B to negotiate a lower rate, perhaps $9 per kilogram, reducing the supermarket's expenditure to $900 for the same quantity. Some might argue that this is merely supply and demand at work, with farmers not agreeing to sell below their cost of production. However, the cycle continues. The supermarket then returns to Supplier A, claiming they can get cucumbers for $9 per kilogram elsewhere, pressuring Supplier A to lower their price to $8 per kilogram to secure the sale. This push-and-pull continues until suppliers are squeezed to their lowest possible price, often barely covering their costs. This relentless pressure on farmers jeopardizes their livelihoods, as they're forced to accept prices that barely allow them to break even. Meanwhile, the supermarket profits by selling these cucumbers across their stores with hefty markups, all while controlling prices uniformly across locations, eliminating the possibility of consumers seeking cheaper alternatives. In this scenario, the supermarket's priority is maximizing profit margins, often at the expense of farmers' well-being and the sustainability of local food systems. As new homesteaders or farmers, it's vital for us to be aware of these dynamics and explore alternative channels for selling our produce, fostering community-supported agriculture initiatives, or direct-to-consumer sales to ensure fair compensation for our efforts and contribute to a more equitable food system. Currently, farmers worldwide find themselves in disputes with their governments, feeling a lack of support for agriculture. This issue strikes me as particularly perplexing because, without farmers, we'd all be hungry, naked, and considerably sober. I reiterate this sentiment often because it holds true. Many fail to realize the essential role farming plays in our lives, dismissing concerns about environmental impact or questioning the need for farmers' support. It's frustrating to witness such sentiments, as they overlook the indispensable service farming provides. As homesteaders and small-scale farmers, we must reflect on the factors affecting our own food security. While we may aspire to have a steady supply of produce year-round, we face challenges such as seasonal fluctuations and unexpected setbacks. For instance, in the past month alone, nearly all our chickens underwent their annual molt, resulting in a significant decrease in egg production as they rejuvenate their systems for laying again. Additionally, my primary milking goat has fallen ill recently, leading to a reduction in milk production compared to the usual yield for this time of year. Regrettably, despite my efforts, her condition hasn't improved, leaving me with the prospect of relying on just one milking goat for the remainder of the season. These circumstances prompt us to consider several key factors for food security on our homesteads. We must anticipate and plan for seasonal variations in production, diversify our sources of food, and establish contingency plans for unexpected events. Moreover, fostering resilience in our livestock and crops through sustainable practices and prioritizing animal health are critical aspects to ensure a reliable food supply. In essence, while challenges may arise, it's essential for homesteaders and small farmers to remain vigilant and adaptable in safeguarding their food security. By addressing these considerations proactively, we can navigate uncertainties and sustainably meet the needs of our households and communities. So what do we need to think about? 1. Timing our Produce: - Plan breeding schedules to coincide with optimal times for birthing and raising young animals, taking into account seasonal factors such as weather and forage availability. Spring kidding works best, for weather and pasture - Consider the gestation periods and growth rates of different livestock species to ensure a steady supply of meat, milk, or eggs throughout the year. Timing the arrival of new chickens, and meat chickens so that you arent inundated but you have a good rhythm happening. 2. Preservation During Times of Feast: - Explore methods for preserving excess livestock products such as meat, milk, and eggs, including freezing, canning, drying, and fermenting. Smoked meats and salamis, canning, freezing, jerky and limeglassing eggs - Invest in equipment such as chest freezers, canning supplies, dehydrator and vacuum sealers to facilitate long-term storage of preserved products. - Develop recipes and techniques for transforming perishable livestock products into value-added products such as sausages, cheeses, and preserves. 3. Learning to Eat Seasonally: - Adapt livestock management practices to align with seasonal variations in forage quality and availability, adjusting grazing patterns and supplemental feeding as needed. - Educate customers and community members about the benefits of consuming seasonally raised and harvested meat, dairy, and eggs, emphasizing freshness, flavor, and nutritional value. - If you have the opportunity, consider collaborating with local chefs and restaurants to promote seasonal menus featuring locally sourced livestock products. 4. Understanding which Foods are Most Nutritionally Dense: - Focus on raising livestock breeds or species known for their superior meat, milk, or egg quality, prioritizing breeds with high nutritional content and flavor. The human body requires approximately 40 different micronutrients for normal metabolic function. Maximizing nutrient density should be the primary goal of our diet because deficiencies of any of these essential nutrients can contribute to the development of chronic disease and even shorten our lifespan. “Bioavailability” refers to the portion of a nutrient that is absorbed in the digestive tract and released into the bloodstream for the body’s use. The amount of bioavailable nutrients in a food is almost always lower than the amount of nutrients the food contains. For example, the bioavailability of calcium from spinach is only 5 percent. Of the 115 mg of calcium present in a serving of spinach, only 6 mg is absorbed. This means you’d have to consume 16 cups of spinach to get the same amount of bioavailable calcium in one glass of milk. (14) - Implement pasture rotation and forage management strategies to enhance the nutritional profile of grazing livestock, promoting diverse pastures rich in vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds. Conventional grain-fed beef is highly nutritious, but grass-fed beef contains more carotenoids, vitamin E, and other antioxidants.