Essentials for Starting a Homestead

Reader Contribution by Kirsten Lie-Nielsen and Hostile Valley Living
Published on October 6, 2020
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For those thinking of taking the leap into homesteading or farming, there are some tools that can make all the difference.  I have compiled a list of some of the most used and useful objects on our homestead, ones that have a general appeal (not specific to any kind of livestock). 

Canning Supplies

Canning supplies start with a collection of canning jars.  You can add to your abilities to preserve and ferment with funnels and racks and toppers, but just starting with the jars you will find them undeniably useful.  

There are two reasons that canning jars and supplies are at the top of my list.  First of all, canning is the easiest entry into self reliant living.  Grow even one tomato or cucumber plant, can the harvest, enjoy it on a winter day: it’s a start.  Heck, you can buy your vegetables or fruits at the grocery store and can them if you want a quick introduction.  It’s just such an easy way to get started and to enjoy the simple pleasure of making food last.  All you need are the jars and your kitchen and a little bit of time.  The second reason  for a canning jar collection is that the jars are just so very useful.  We ferment cider in them, we milk into them and store milk in them, we make yogurt in them, we use them for bouquets, we can scoop feed with them, we could plant things in them, we store dry goods and seeds in them, there is just no end to the usefulness of a good canning jar.  So go out and get yourself some canning jars, try some fermentation experiments, or just start using glass as your favorite way to store all manner of things.

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