I have lived a prepping/survivalist lifestyle for a lifetime. I was born and raised in the Midwest to parents, who even by mid-20th century standards grew a huge garden every summer. A garden large enough to feed 6-8 large families, either selling or giving the excess to others. They canned and otherwise preserved more produce than anyone I knew at that time. In addition, we milked about 150 head of Holsteins. We were the largest dairy farm in about seven counties. Of course, all of the milk used in the household came out of the bulk milk tank. Prepping was a family affair and my paternal grandmother always willing to do her part would take my brother and I on outings in the woods at least a couple of times a year to harvest mushrooms and pick herbs. We were typically able to return from such forays each with a brown paper grocery bag full of these delicacies. Upon return, my mother and grandmother would meticulously clean, sort and cut up these mushroom and wild greens treasures in preparation for canning. For my brother and I we knew the trip would result in a large platter of fried mushrooms along with the wild greens added to the evening meal.
We typically had one of our steers butchered annually. If for instance, on rare occasions a cow or yearling became injured and was not savable we would butcher a second time. In instances like these, however, we did the butchering rather than take it to someone else to process. In like manner fall deer season meant further opportunities to test one’s butchering skills. As a youth, when pelts were still worth something, raccoon season meant further opportunities to practice one’s skinning skills.
Due to the size of the farm, and the fact that we double-cropped many of the fields, equipment repairs were often needed. As a result, I learned to weld before I completed the 8th grade. By my junior year I was demonstrating to the ag instructor how to weld things that he said were impossible to weld. My brother and I learned early to work with our hands. To build barns and sheds, to build fences, and repair equipment. We likewise learned responsibility early. The hours on a farm such as this were often quite long, sometimes hard, but I always have fond memories of them.
Then came adulthood. Military service, college, nursing boards …and working while doing so. For the next 32 years, I worked as a registered nurse in very diverse settings. Along the way, I would pick up additional medical schooling, obtain first my technician and then my general amateur radio operator license. During the last few years in my nursing career I would also attend law enforcement academy working first as a reserve officer for our local police department and that of an adjoining county. This was followed for a short time as a full-time officer before returning to the medical field. I say all this to make a point. As I reflect back, it seemed everything in life has prepared me for the events unfolding today.
Today, my wife and I live on a small farm and only a few miles from where I grew up. We keep two or three Jerseys, for fresh milk and cream. I only hand-milk them. I strongly feel that machine milking only increases the instances of mastitis. Besides, if there were no electricity tomorrow they would have to be hand milked. With their milk, my wife makes her own butter and flavored butters. She makes us cheeses and sour cream, some of which we give to others. We also have milk goats which subsidizes our milk supply during lean times and supplies milk to feed any calves. We have found that feeding calves goat milk we have zero losses. Especially with recent difficulty obtaining antibiotics, this can be very important. The occasional bull calf provides extra beef and in similar manner young male goats — wethers (castrated males) — adds to our meat supply here. The latter will provide meat for sausage and the like.
Our chickens supply us both eggs and meat. We keep to distinct breeds here in separate chicken tractors; both the old Delaware breed and Buckeye. The Delawares were one of the early broiler breeds used before the Cornish cross came into favor. By simply switching the roosters in the spring we have a cross, although not as heavy as the Cornish they do not exhibit the problems associated with overfeeding of the Cornish cross. In addition, they are fantastic grazers. We keep 4 or 5 Colombian Wyandotte hens housed with the Delawares to use just as sitting hens. They are used to supplement hatching chicks raised in the incubators. Each day we alternate letting each group of chickens out to graze.
In addition to the above livestock we always keep Khaki Campbell ducks, although we have a few other breeds that have been given to us by neighbors. We have found the ducks seem to forage even better than our chickens. They seem to get by with minimal supplemental feed. Their eggs are used in my wife’s baking. My wife is progressively shifting to making all of our bread needs here rather than being purchased.
Many prospective preppers would look at our various livestock and say, I can’t do that. Many of those objecting would fall into one of two categories; 1) I just don’t have enough grazing land or 2) I don’t have the infrastructure built yet. In response, I would point out that we didn’t get here overnight. You will have setbacks. There is a learning curve! If you are just starting, or considering moving to the country, talk to long-time farmers in your area. Speak with your local University Extension specialists. Just as in our gardening, there is a learning curve. If your plan is to start…one of these days, it may not work out. One can simply not learn this on the fly. As to considering grazing land keep in might that cattle to an extent do not have the same grazing patterns as goats. To that end, I have found there is only a minimal increase in pasture needs to mix the two species in our grazing pastures. I always keep in mind that my grandparents mixed different livestock for similar reasons. The chickens and ducks followed the cattle and hogs finishing up undigested grains, particularly corn from the waste of the later.
We don’t feed anything beyond 12% grains and try to provide that sparingly. The primary reason is that if all commerce stopped tomorrow we will have to get by with what we have here. I also use a commodity mix rather than the usual goat or bovine dairy feeds. Always keep in mind that at some point there may not be a local farm feed store to obtain grains. We store the various grains, salt, minerals, and diatomaceous earth in 55-gallon barrels in our rodent-proof grain room. Here I would point out that generally speaking, we have found that such grain storage may only last a year to a year and a half. Too frequently they will become moldy. Such grain storage could be stretched further if you obtained all your grains whole [not ground or cracked]. Again, this is an area you should “practice” on now, learning what works and what doesn’t work for you.
Some might wish to point out that adding hogs would be beneficial…and normally I agree that they are correct. We however to not eat any pork or lard feeling we are to follow all of the Bible and that the teachings of the Mosaic books are intended for all believers. No, we are not Jewish. We simply believe that we are to follow all of The Bible. Certainly, our Lord and Savior is Yeshua, but at least for us…the Bible is not a “suggestion”. It is true that our excess milk that we have at times would really fatten up hogs that we might sell to others. Our belief however, is that in so doing we would be facilitating others transgressions. Please understand, I do love pork! I love ham, sausage, pork chops…well, you get the point. We follow those teachings of Leviticus out of our love for Christ, and what he did for us.
Very rarely does anything go to waste here. If my wife is making cheese the whey is used in other cooking, or given to the chickens…which simply gets turned into more eggs. Table scraps can all go to something. We rarely eat out, but if we do any leftovers are put in a box for the various livestock or to give to our German Shepards. Yes, they have a job here also. Certainly, they are companions, but I expect them to give their life to protect us if they must, and to defend our “redoubt” or inner fencing around the house, various outbuildings, gardens, orchard, high tunnels and barn. The parameter fence for that area is seven feet high consisting first of 4 foot high 2×4 inch woven wire which prevents vermin like groundhogs and armadillos from getting inside Note that raccoons and possums can and will dig under or climb over but the groundhogs are less likely. The remaining 3 feet is barbed wire spaced about every 8 inches. Gates into this area are likewise taller and custom-made to be stronger than the typical tubing gates.
Regarding the gardens, there is total of 12,000 sq. ft. in our main garden areas and this is divided into two separate plots. Additionally, there is another 4000 sq. ft. in smaller garden beds allowing us to separate genus species as we collect seed for future use. The high tunnel is 32×70 and in winter doubles as protection for some of the ducks, chickens or even an occasional calf or goat kids. This allows us to add organic fertilizer without added work. The gardens themselves produce enough to sustain us year-round if we had to. Keep in mind, you must grow enough to feed your family [or group] and have enough for seed. If you try to keep seed from everything you grow it may become unmanageable. To that end we try to collect enough new seed for two years, but only on half of the garden vegetables that we would plant. The other half can be collected the following year. It has been said many times before, but stick with the open-pollinated or heirloom varieties. Still, remember that seed from a hybrid pepper, if that is all you have will still produce a pepper,. It may however revert to something more similar to one of its parent stock. If there is a deficit in our plan it is a lack of an area, or the grain drill to grow our own grain.
We keep about a ton of seed on hand at any time. In addition to the usual garden varieties we also keep several varieties of sorghum and grain seed. There is redundancy in that should there be a climate shift…for what ever reason, we can adjust what we grow. For example, some bean varieties like cooler temperatures. Those would be ideal if for instance due to a significant nuclear exchange we likely would experience cooler temperatures. The same situation could occur if there was a significant volcanic eruption. To that end the 1,500-year-old Cave Bean which struggled until late August in the heat produced a fantastic crop of beans when the weather became cooler, which were dried on the vine for seed. Something like the Rattlesnake bean would have been better for the climate this summer for our area. Now for the disclaimer-your results and climate may vary in your location. Again, speak with people in your area regarding what works. Then start experimenting. All of this brings us back to; start today because their won’t be time to learn it later.
Regarding fencing, whenever we add or replace old fencing we only use heavy steel corner and brace posts with heavy welded brace bars. You don’t want to be trying to replace fencing in a full grid-down situation. Likewise, we are replacing the old barbed wire with either goat woven wire [4”x4”x48] or non-climb woven wire [2”x4”x48”] to add to the versatility of the pastures. On two corners of the inner yard/garden/orchard/house we further placed taller brace and corner posts allowing 10′ of pipe above ground. This with one additional post to support the fourth corner allows for elevated guard houses. These are to be supplemented with in-ground LP/OPs not unlike those described in the Rawles novel Patriots.
Having alternative water will be critical, and although we have plenty of rope, well pulleys and well buckets it will be difficult to pull all the necessary water from a well for your household and livestock needs. We presently have one pond, but plan to add another to add flexibility in our grazing if the electricity stops flowing tomorrow. Further, next summer I hope to add guttering with water collection barrels from all structures. Ideally– we should replace our submersible well pump with a 24-volt DC pump and a solar array to supply it. If you look there are articles here on SurvivalBlog to help with this.
Fortunately for us, we have enough area for a 300-yard shooting range, and a protected draw with steep sides to set up a tactical shooting area. We do pistol, shotgun, and building entry training. Like the various farming issues this is something you should not delay on. It also is an opportunity to invite neighbors over to screen prospects for your group. Our is a somewhat obscure location which means we can avoid prying eyes, and we live in a very “red” state that provides for both open or concealed carry. Remember to work on the night fire courses also. If you have access to night vision and/or thermal they should be incorporated. A few years ago we lost a yearling heifer to a dog pack. After alerting all the neighbors it also necessitated going out at night with the night vision to try to alleviate the problem. Even this was a learning experience. I had forgotten from those years long ago that night vision without a light source really limits you. Moral of the story: train even in the use of night vision and thermal!
Earlier, I mentioned that I am a general class amateur operator. Although you can set up a system to use without becoming getting a license, I believe you will be far better off investing in the time to obtain your ticket. No, I am not one of these “hams” who look down on the FRS/GMRS folks. Quite the contrary actually. For our situation, what I am setting up is a group of handheld handi-talkie (HT) radios in the VHF/UHF spectrum. Note that MURS, FRS, and GMRS are within the VHF/UHF spectrum. One HT for each group member, along with couple of CB handhelds, to make contact with local families. Also, get a 25-watt VHF/UHF radio for the designated radio operator.
Keep in mind that manpack set-ups can also double as vehicle radios by simply connecting to a power source in the vehicle and a mobile antenna. These are supplemented by my “shack” or base radios here at the home. Although I have not done so yet, I would suggest you consider building a portable repeater to extend the range of your patrol groups. There are two persons with frequent YouTube videos that I would recommend. Rather than provide links I will simply suggest you go there and look up Ghostnet and Military-Style Radio Manpacks for Civilians. These two fellows have been a wealth of information, along with several people here who have submitted fantastic ideas of their own. Use these resources rather than reinventing the wheel.
Hopefully, this will be of value to some of you. Besides I have rambled long enough. Today, although still very active, I am retired and can fortunately focus on just these issues…and, it appears I will yet be able to utilize these varied skills acquired over a lifetime. Others have expressed it better than I have. The time for each of you to start is today!