Thursday, March 19, 2015

Homesteader University

I found a list of 101 Homesteader Skills on Mother Earth News a few years ago, and decided to start checking them off. Homesteading has come on me progressively. I started sewing and drawing at age 5, moved to woodworking and embroidery at 11, FINALLY got crochet to click at 19, taught myself to cook from scratch and garden at 20, and it's moved on to framing a basement, butchering chickens, canning, freezing, dehydrating, you name it. Since Granny Miller DID name it with this list, I can see how far I have to go.

Let's see, I think it will be easiest to start with what I already know:

  1. Firearm safety
  2. Grow a vegetable garden
  3. Read the weather (thanks to Girl's Camp!)
  4. Learn to use a shovel, spade or hoe without hurting your back
  5. Learn to light a fire indoors or outdoors
  6. Learn to crochet
  7. Learn to hang clothes on a clothesline
  8. Learn to cook 10 meals from scratch
  9. Learn to distinguish healthy plants and animals from unhealthy
  10. Learn basic sewing skills
  11. Learn how and when to use hybrid seeds
  12. Learn to live within your financial means
  13. Learn to clean and fillet a fish
  14. Learn to can and preserve
  15. Learn to use a washtub and washboard
  16. Learn leatherworking
  17. Learn to plan an orchard
  18. Learn to jerry-rig anything with baling twine, duct tape and whatever is on hand (Thanks MacGyver!)
  19. Learn to refinish furniture
  20. Learn to mentally deal with life, death, and failure
  21. Learn to use non-electric lighting
  22. Learn how to give an injection
  23. Learn to use basic carpentry tools
  24. Learn how to use a wood stove and bank a fire
  25. Learn to make butter
  26. Learn to use a hot bed or cold frame
  27. Learn how to plant a tree
  28.  Learn how to bake bread
  29. Learn to use a garden sprayer
  30. Learn to grow herbs
  31. Learn to grind wheat
  32. Learn to make paper and ink
  33. Learn the idea of false economy and when to buy for quality or make it oneself
  34. Learn to choose a location for a garden
  35. Learn to weave a basket
  36.  Learn to make firestarters
  37. Learn to sew your own underwear/clothes
  38. Learn basic plumbing

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