As we head toward self sufficiency we might just stumble through the forest of government entanglement, shadows and obstacles to find ourselves finally reaching the edge, staring into the field that is freedom. Having lived most of our lives in the shelter of the forest, held back, yes, but also hidden from the burden that is total responsibility for self, is there any doubt that we should at the very least be wary of the field?

Sometimes the grip that is holding a struggling person back is temporarily loosed and all of the sudden the struggle that has become the mission is now gone, and in it’s place is freedom and a new mission of progress. Will you know where to go if the opportunity comes to be free of someone else’s care. Are you willing to risk having nothing for the opportunity to have everything by your own accord. Are we really being held back or are we just using the forest as cover because the field seems so risky?

Is life like permaculture where the “edge” between the government corporate  system and self sufficiency is the safest most fertile place to exist? Can we ease ourselves into freedom by building up self reliance using the fertile nature of the edge much the way a forest encroaches into the field? Sometimes such slow movement doesn’t create a new and different forest though, it just expands the same old system. Sometimes it might be warranted to just break free of the restraints of self doubt and the repression of servitude to a way of life that allows you to be a freeman.

God willing we all live long enough to figure it out, and have fun and many adventures on the way!

 ~ Joe Prepper~

 

Join me today as I talk about one of my favorite homesteading activities, keeping backyard quail. I discuss my venture into keep Japanese Coturnix quail, the Texas A&M variety, and why I think anyone who wants to become more self sufficient by producing their own food should consider keeping the ancient birds.

I  give my opinions on everything from incubation to tasty recipes and everything in between. Have you ever wondered how easy it would be to process your own meat? Well I tell you just how easy it is to raise, butcher and cook quail. If you plan on only using the eggs, well, I’m down with that too.

I answer some need-to-know facts about quail keeping such as

* What type of feed?

* how much feed and what are the costs per bird?

* How do you make cages for baby chicks?

* What age to quail mature and start laying eggs?

* What are your feed costs per day for quail?

There is a reason these ancient birds still have a place on the modern homestead. There is also a reason why quail eggs are eaten all over the world from “Kwek Kwek” a street food in the Philippines to your good old standard omelet.

I finish off the podcast giving a few simple southern recipes that are sure to light a fire in your drive to start keep these most awesome, tasty birds.

 

Yes, it’s time for the annual Plantapolooza plant sale. If you listened in to my adventures last year, you know I am passionate about this once a year event. I get mentally and physically prepared for a chance to get my paws on some hard to find trees and shrubs. Listen in as I discuss some of this years finds and talk about how I prepare my soil with seaweed, kelp and mycorrhiza when I relocate them to the homestead.

Many of the trees I picked up were native like the Black cherry, American Persimmon , pawpaw, crabapple, catalpa tree and sassafras. I got a few semi- tropicals as well like:  Kahili Ginger, Henry’s Garnet and banana shrub.

Yes, I did get a citrus , the Kishu Tangerine. Wish me luck!

Spring is on the way and we have been busy on the homestead. Join me as I discuss the day to day happenings around here the 1st week of March. Repotting heirloom tomato seedlings, and started more pepper plants and support species like moringa. We added a side line from the new muscadine trellis and planted some raspberries, Loganberries and Boysenberries.

With the good weather, we got some highbush blueberry cuttings started and a early spring fertilizer application on the fruit trees. I cleared and added some Arbequina Olive trees. A small project to create container planters from old plastive olive barrels has me exited to start new seeds for these 25 gallon pots. Join me for this beginning of spring chat as we get ready for daylight savings time and gain an extra hour of daylight to get stuff done!

 

:Today I talk about the Top 10 things to consider when setting up a homestead. There are so many possibilities and personal needs to think about when designing your property layou that it would take a series of books to discuss them all. Here I settle in on what I think should be the first 10 things everyone could benifit by having in place. .

Join me as I go from discussing home libraries and seed storage to equipment and tool sheds. Where does water storage and composting fall into all this? Well, I’m glad you asked. I have my opinion on that and lots more. Like most of what I discuss, this is meant to get your ole think’in cap warmed up and shift into second gear. You may have a different top 10. Leave your comments below if you do, maybe I can add a few to my list.

For now join in and lets talk about:

* Food, Seed and Info Storage

* Tool Sheds

* Compost Bins

* Water Storage

* Kitchen Garden

* Equipment Shed/Workplace

* Plant Propagation area

* Animal Grow Out/ Compost Factory

* Guard dog/Run

* Outdoor Cooking and Processing Area

Winter is slowin down here in the south and we are getting a few things done on the homestead. Join me as I talk about our winter chores along the Gulf Coast and how we get ready for spring.  Vehicle maintenance, tool cleaning and seed planting join the list alng with winter tree planting and pruning. An update on the onions and heirloom garlic as well as adding some structures such as a another scuppernong vine trellis. ~Joe Prepper~ 

 

Join me as I talk about choosing a vehicle that you might need to use in adverse conditions. I give my thoughts on the pros and cons of larger vs smaller vehicles. New vs modern and daily driver vs specialized vehicles for the hordes. I discuss the basic things I think should be in every vehicle from duck tape to jumper cables (though I think I forgot the cables in my list). Its the time of year I start to do major maintenance on my vehicles so I figured I would get the juices flowing to help motivate me and you to get stuff done. Till next time: Prep Hard- Play Hard. ~Joe Prepper~

It’s has been a while since my last podcast, but I plan to continue recording the happenings around here. In this episode I discuss some of whats been going on around here and how homesteading can be a trial and error affair. I recently invested in some new recording equipment and hope to get better at the podcasting part. Thanks for all those that are still listening, it’s a great way for me to process all that goes on around here and it’s good to know there are a few folks who enjoy my ranting.

~Joe Prepper~

This is part 2 of a three or four part podcast about credit. I give my thoughts on the benefits and dangers of credit and how debt, when managed improperly, can be enslavement. Join me as I answer some of the most commonly asked questions  such as:  What is credit? How do I get a credit score? How do I fix bad credit and more.  Have you ever wanted to know how creditors decide if you get a loan or how they determine your interest rate? Ever ask yourself why you are a numer and if that is a good thing? How do millionaires build credit fast? Did you know you can do the same thing? Join in and I will tell you how, and so much more.

~Joe Prepper~

 I decided to do a 2 part (at least) podcast on my take on debt and credit.In this episode  I begin with my belief that, for the purpose of exchange, all debt can and should be converted into hours of life. The measure of exchange should then be directly proportional or equal to the value we place on those hours of our lives and that of others.

I discuss how our credit score can be used to add advantage and could then be considered a form of social capital.  The way we view debt is usually a big factor in the perceived value of the goods or services we received. This bias toward a system of buying on credit can create a healthy respect for debt, or it can manifest in an unreasonable fear of it. How is growig a garden an example of debt? Listen in as I discuss that very thing.

In the next episode I will go into detail about the current credit system and how the the three credit bureaus determine your level of social capital in the credit world. I will discuss how to increase your score,  and when and where that score matters most. We will get down the the brass tacks that pin those with less than stellar credit to the wall…and tell you how to remove them.  This and much more next time….