With supply and demand issues being so commonplace right now, it’s a smart move to have your reserves stocked up and ready to go so you feel more confident and secure as the colder weather approaches. 

In this episode of the Pantry Chat, Josh and Carolyn talk through the three main areas you need to focus on, as well as how to maximize your storage space when prepping your pantry for winter.  

In this Episode

• Carolyn is getting ready for her “semi-annual clothing switch” which means getting out the kid’s winter clothes from storage and boxing up their summer wardrobe.  
• Carolyn is working on a beef stew canning video that will be coming out soon and is also prioritizing canning their own convenience meals for the winter.  
• Josh is in full-on winter prep finishing up with the root crops and has also created a video on how to plant garlic. 
• Carolyn talks about the three main areas you need to focus on when stocking your pantry and the four top questions you need to answer.  
• The pros and cons of organizing your pantry by type (fruits, vegetables, etc) 
• Josh also has a video on how to build shelving so you can maximize your space (link in Resources). 
• Why it’s important to clean as you go and hand wash your jars if you encounter any issues when stocking.  
• What are those things in your pantry that will need continual maintenance? 
• How to take inventory of what you have so you know what you’re missing.   
• Why it’s important now to determine what needs your family will have for the upcoming holiday season. 
• Why it’s beneficial to buy directly from local producers and what you can negotiate with them.
• Why going to the big box chain stores should be your last option.  
• Making sure you stock up on medicines, herbs, supplements, and toiletries. 
• Question of the day from Denise - As your root cellar stored food starts nearing the end of its shelf life, do you need to cook them right away or can you process them through canning?

Resources: 

• MadeOn skin care products (use code “homesteadingfamily” for 15% off your purchase)
• How to Design Your Own Custom Pantry Shelving 
• How to Plant Garlic
• Azure Standard Food Supply
• Follow Homesteading Family on Instagram
• Follow Homesteading Family on Facebook

And hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice. 

Frigid temperatures, along with ice, and snow can present a ton of challenges for homesteaders and it’s even worse when you haven’t planned ahead to be ready when mother nature strikes.  

In this episode of Pantry Chat, Josh and Carolyn talk through the 7 basic areas you need to focus on in order to get prepared for winter on the homestead.  

In this Episode

• Carolyn has been making a lot of cheddar cheese while Josh has been getting stores of firewood ready and prepping the garden for winter. (Tutorial on garden prepping available in the resources section.) 
• Why it’s important for you to slowly build your skillset over time and try not to add too many skills at once. 
• If you have animals, why you need to have windbreaks, trees, or something to make sure they are protected. 
• What do you need to look for when designing your pump system so you can continue to supply water to your house and animals in the event of bad weather?  
• What are the alternatives and backup options you can use for heat in the event of a power outage and why a wood-burning stove is a must-have? 
• The importance of stocking up on bulk food, toiletries, and essentials now. 
• Why having a couple of “grab and go” meals are good options to have on hand and what foods should they be. 
• What backup sources do you need in the event of power outages and how do you hook them up? 
• What are your backup power options if you live in the city? 
• How to ensure you can still have adequate lighting in your house using battery backup power, rechargeable batteries, and LED options.   
• What are the basic medical supplies you should have on hand? 
• What are the communication items you should have in case phone lines go down or there are satellite interruptions due to inclement weather?  
• Question of the day: Amanda W. asks Carolyn how do you keep your patience when your brain has to keep track of everything, especially when it comes to managing all your preserved food? 

Resources: 

• BCS Two Wheel Tractors 
• Prepping Your Garden for Winter Tutorial 
• Follow Homesteading Family on Instagram
• Follow Homesteading Family on Facebook

And hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice. 

Root cellaring is one of the easiest and most energy-efficient ways to store your fruits and vegetables by using the earth’s natural temperatures. But what do you do if you don’t have the infrastructure to support a traditional root cellar? You get creative! 

In this episode of the Pantry Chat, Josh and Carolyn continue their series on preservation methods with an introduction to root cellaring. They cover all the basics as well as the alternatives for homesteaders who want to get started with root cellaring, but don’t have the dedicated space for it.   

In this Episode: 

• Grandma Jeanie is doing much better and appreciates all of the support and well-wishes. 
• The family is getting ready to go on a trip and is wrapping up all the loose ends for harvest season and their prep for winter.     
• What is root cellaring and what are the pros and cons? 
• Which foods are ideal for root cellaring and which foods should not be stored together?
• What are the right conditions (temp and humidity levels) you need to keep for specific foods and how do you maintain them?  
• What are some creative alternatives for homesteaders who don’t have the means to have a traditional root cellar?  
• What are the top 3 priorities you need to know when it comes to root cellaring?
• Learn the 3 maintenance tips you should follow when inventorying your root cellar.  
• Josh and Carolyn talk about their future plans for creating their first official root cellar.
• Question of the day: Do you freeze most of your meat and what is your backup plan if there is a power failure?

Resources: 

• MadeOn skincare products (use code “homesteadingfamily” for 15% off your purchase)
• Follow Homesteading Family on Instagram
• Follow Homesteading Family on Facebook

And hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice. 

Dehydration is another great option for getting food on your shelf, plus it’s also super convenient, lightweight, and really takes the bulk down on your food to help maximize your space. 

In this episode of the Pantry Chat, Josh and Carolyn continue their series on preservation methods with an introduction to dehydration. They cover the pros and cons of dehydration, what foods it really works best on, the different types of dehydration, and the basic steps you need to follow in order to get started. 

In this Episode: 

• Grandma Jeanie is recovering after having to go to the ER for pelvic pain caused by pneumonia. 
• Harvest season is still in full swing as Josh and Carolyn continue to make plans to prep for winter. 
• Why would somebody dehydrate and what are the benefits of doing it over other preservation methods? 
• What are the types of food you can dehydrate and what are the nutritional benefits? 
• What foods should not be dehydrated at home and why?
• What are the grades of different electric dehydrators and what features should you look for when buying one? 
• Josh and Carolyn discuss the different types of dehydration methods (electric, solar, and oven). 
• What are the basic steps you need to know before you start dehydrating food? 
• Carolyn provides some tips on how to reconstitute tomatoes and use them to make a great sauce. 
• Carolyn explains her technique for perfecting fruit leather that won’t overdry and is perfect for snacks. 
• Question of the week: a new homesteader tried to water bath can some guava pineapple jam and some jars grew mold and popped open. What went wrong?   

Resources: 

• BCS Two Wheel Tractors 
• Mary Bell’s Complete Dehydrator Cookbook 
• Carolyn's Favorite Dehydrator

And hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice. 

Lacto Fermentation...It’s one of the safest and easiest preservation methods, plus it’s also a great way to boost your immune system and can take your veggies to a whole new level! 

In this episode of the Pantry Chat, Josh and Carolyn continue with their series on preservation methods with an introduction to fermentation. They cover the different types of fermentation, its numerous health benefits, the six steps you need to follow to get started, as well as other helpful tips you can use to make sure you’re getting the most long-term value from your preservation efforts.   

In this Episode: 

• Why fermentation is one of the safest preservation methods and can be a great alternative to canning.  
• What are the 4 different types of fermentation? 
• What is “lacto-fermentation” and what are the six steps in the process?  
• What are the pros and cons of lacto-fermentation and how does it benefit your immune system?  
• Why batches can go bad and what are the warning signs?  
• What is that white mold that covers the top and is it safe?  
• Carolyn shares her master brine recipe. 
• How do you know when the fermentation process is complete before you can move it to cold storage and what are the acceptable cold temperatures?   
• What’s the best way to introduce fermented vegetables to your family?
• What is Carolyn’s #1 tip when it comes to fermentation? 
• Why there could be shortages on some fall produce like canned pumpkin due to COVID.  
• Question of the week: Should you ask about mineral rights when buying homestead property? 

Resources: 

• MadeOn skincare products (use code “homesteadingfamily” for 15% off your purchase) 
• Homesteading Family How-To Videos
• Fearless Fermenting Mini Course 
• Follow Homesteading Family on Instagram
• Follow Homesteading Family on Facebook
• Year of Plenty (for fermentation products) 

And hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice. 

You’ve grown and sourced some amazing food. Now you want to get it on your shelves and store it. One of the best ways to do that is with canning. Canning is becoming more popular than ever, thanks to its many benefits. So, how do you get started the right way? 

In this episode of Pantry Chat, Josh and Carolyn kick-off a brand-new series on preservation techniques with an introduction to canning. They cover the different types of canning and what foods they are good for, what equipment you should be using and why it’s so important to follow the rules and practice the right safety measures, especially when it comes to canning.   

In this Episode:

• For the weekly update, Carolyn has done a bit of harvest scrambling due to the freezes this past week and they butchered about 135 birds (mostly chickens), netting almost 600 lbs of meat in their freezer. She explains how being more efficient as a family has helped them get this done even quicker this year. 
• How did canning originate? Carolyn and Josh trace its history all the way back to Napoleon during the war, to the evolution of the Mason jar in the 1850s, to the development of the standard two-part lid in the 1950s that is used today.  
• What are the different methods of canning and why is each most effective for different types of food? 
• Since canning is not a “natural” preservation method, there is a specific set of rules you need to follow and not just trust your intuition. 
• Why is canning not called “jarring” or “bottling?”
• What are the two biggest fears that people have when it comes to canning and why they don’t need to worry. 
• Can you use an Instant Pot electric pressure cooker for pressure canning? 
• What are the differences between the types of canners and is one better than the other? 
• Why it’s important to be practical and determine what foods you really need to be canning ahead of time.  
• Question of the week: what kind of backup generator do they own and what brand(s) do they recommend?  

Resources: 

• Canning Tutorial Video 
• BCS Two Wheel Tractors 
• Follow Homesteading Family on Instagram
• Follow Homesteading Family on Facebook

And hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice. 

Want to know what happens when you combine people, gardens, animals, and weather? A guarantee that things can and will go wrong when you least expect it!  

During this episode of Pantry Chat Josh and Carolyn talk about a recent incident on their homestead and how it helped them identify problem areas in the preparedness plan and ways you can learn how to be better equipped when those unexpected moments on the homestead throw you a curveball.

In this Episode:

• A major windstorm and two unexpected freezes caused some major problems for Josh and Carolyn this past week and the impacts it had on the harvesting and produce. 
• How unexpected events can help identify gaps in your preparedness plan.
• How to take stock of the situation, pause, look for the positive, and learn to identify problems quickly to find the right solutions. 
• Josh talks about how to create better efficiencies, especially when it comes to fuel reserves and mobile lighting. 
• What was the one success story that came out of this incident? 
• How to involve your kids to work together as a family when you’re faced with unexpected circumstances. 
• Question of the week: Regarding tomato fermentation and vegetable preservation. Do you have to burp your jars? 

Resources: 

• MadeOn skincare products (use code “homesteadingfamily” for 15% off your purchase) 
• Follow Homesteading Family on Instagram
• Follow Homesteading Family on Facebook

And hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice. 

COVID-19, flu season, civil unrest, education disruption, supply and demand issues. There’s a lot of challenges, uncertainty and fear affecting everyone right now, including homesteaders, in real, new and unprecedented ways.

What are the things you can do now to be able to move through this season with confidence and positivity? Josh and Carolyn talk through some of the ways they are dealing with these obstacles and the actions you can start taking today to be more prepared.  

In this episode: 

• Harvesting season is still in full swing for Carolyn and Josh continues to make progress on the new addition. 
• Question of the week: Why don’t Josh and Carolyn keep bees?  
• COVID-19 + Flu season is coming and why it’s important to take care of yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually, now more than ever. 
• The current challenges with supply and demand and what you need to be aware of as you’re planning ahead. 
• Why it’s a good idea to start stocking up on future supplies, bulk items and monetary resources now. 
• How the education disruption is affecting our children and the benefits of homeschooling to give them a consistent routine. 
• The power of prayer and connecting with people in your own circle of influence to build resilience and stability. 
• Remembering to take a break from the news and practice social distancing from fear and negativity.  
• How to create some simple moments with the family to encourage hope and happiness during this time.  

Resources: 

• BCS Two Wheel Tractors 
• Follow Homesteading Family on Instagram
• Follow Homesteading Family on Facebook

And hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice. 

You’ve bought your new homesteading property and you’re ready to move in. But don’t go buy the cow just yet! There are some key things you need to check off your list so you can be better prepared as you start to settle in.  

Josh and Carolyn talk about the mistakes they made when they first moved in and how setting a strategy, learning your environment and taking it slow can set you up for success on your new property. 

In this episode: 

• How creating the right plan, thinking ahead and following these key steps will save you time, money and reduce stress. 
• Why it’s important to spend time observing your property and learn as much as you can to be able to adjust over time. 
• Why being a “prepper” is just as important as being a “homesteader.” 
• What you need to do before you start your garden and bring on animals.
• What is permaculture and why is it important? 
• Question of the week: Is butter made from clabbered milk considered a “fermented butter?” You can check out a butter making video Josh and Carolyn made on their YouTube channel. 
• Harvesting season is in full swing and Carolyn is trying a new canning method called, “low-temperature pasteurization.” 

Resources: 

• MadeOn skincare products (use code “homesteadingfamily” for 15% off your purchase) 
• Follow Homesteading Family on Instagram
• Follow Homesteading Family on Facebook

And hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice. 

There’s a big movement happening right now with people who are looking to leave the city life behind and make the leap to the country but making the move too quickly without the proper planning and due diligence, can spell big problems for first-time homesteaders.  

In this episode, Carolyn and Josh walk through the 8 essential things you need to look for when buying a homestead property. What are the deal-breakers and contingencies you need to consider before you commit to buying and how do you choose a property that will cater to your long-term needs and set you up for success and not regret?

In this episode: 

• Why are so many people making the move from the city to the country and how is this affecting the real estate market? 
• What are the deal-breakers and negotiation points you need to consider when looking at a property?
• How choosing the wrong property can lead to a lot of unexpected costs and time away from actual homesteading. 
• How to slow down and methodically choose the right place that fits your long-term needs, rather than reacting too quickly. 
• How they wrapped up another successful county fair with some first-time wins. 
• What are some of the practical uses for sheep, what types of breeds do they have and how hard are they to actually care for?  
• It’s green bean season and the joys of “snapping.”   

To ask a question, read the transcript, or learn more, visit homesteadingfamily.com. 

Resources:

• MadeOn skincare products 
• Follow Homesteading Family on Instagram
• Follow Homesteading Family on Facebook

And hey, don't forget to download this episode, like and subscribe, then share with your friends so more people can hear reliable homesteading advice.