Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those –or excerpts thereof — in the Odds ‘n Sods Column or in the Snippets column. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

Jim Reports:

Two more calves were born last week, with no assistance. We are so thankful that our cows have all been “easy-calvers.” The first calf born this week is a quite vigorous little heifer. On Thursday, we rodeoed her into the milking parlor and dehorned her.  As usual, we used the “dehorning paste and duck tape” 5-hour method that was taught to us by our friend Patrice Lewis of the great Rural Revolution blog. The full round-the-head wraps of duct tape keep the cows from licking off the paste from their calves. Next week, we’ll be dehorning the other calf.

Earlier in the week, with the help of our #2 Son, we dug 450 feet of trenches with a rented Ditch Witch. So, now we will finally have underground-piped water to our orchard (no more cobbled-together hoses!), and an underground powerline to our remodeled shop.

I was a bit shocked (pardon the pun) at the present-day price of 10-gauge underground-rated 3-conductor power cable.  A 250-foot roll cost $349. Ouch. This shows how much copper has gone up  — or should I say how much the Dollar has gone down, in recent years.

As long as the trench to the shop is there, I’m also laying two underground-rated Cat 6  Ethernet cables.  That could come in handy, if we ever add a security system, or need Internet for some future office or other accommodation out in the shop. By the way, I plan to lay down at least six inches of soil between the power cable and the Ethernet cable, to minimize inductive power coupling or 60-cycle hum on the smaller cable.

Now, Lily’s report…Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday — June 16, 2023

On June 16, 1903, the Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford and 11 associate investors.

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Today is the birthday of pioneering economist Adam Smith, in 1723. He was born in Kirkaldy, County Fife, Scotland. He died July 17, 1790.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  4. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $825,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 107 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

An Honest Look at My Farm – Year 2, by SaraSue

We are coming up on the second-year mark of developing this small five-acre farm.  I share my experiences in hopes it will help others.  I’ve had some great successes and some disappointing failures.  I am in the process of reviewing my own work to see where I can change processes for more success in year three.  I’ve learned so much I can’t even write it all down.  I’ve worked too hard, of course.  I’ve spent too much money, guaranteed.  I’ve often had to do things over, trying to save money, only to spend two to three times what I could have originally spent to do it right the first time.  But, not in all cases.  I have had to learn the hard way on many things, even though I do research a lot before I start on something.  It’s just that you don’t know what you don’t know, and even if you read about it, or listen to someone tell you about it, you don’t always “get it” until you try it.  I’ve had to hire help, and that was expected. Finding the right help has been a challenge. All in all, I’m ready for year 3 come what may.

The Failures

The biggest failure was to not have a well inspection prior to purchase.  Water is life on a homestead.  And that wasn’t entirely my fault.  The water issues were not disclosed and even when I had requested a well inspection, I was put off.  Only later to find out that the homeowner called the well company and told them “not to worry” about it – he had it handled.  Yes, it was fraud.  I’ve written often about the lack of and poor quality of the water.  Those problems have been solved, but at great expense.  The new well produces more than I’ll ever need, and only due to prayer and the grace of God does that well produce more than any well in this area.  My other failures pale in comparison.

The garden failed the first year with the exception of growing potatoes and a few squash.  Mostly due to lack of water, a very dry Spring, and my falling ill at the same time.  I’m having the very same problems this year – time to rethink my entire garden strategy.  I have located neighboring farmers who grow amazing produce though!

Predators killed off half my Cornish Cross meat bird flock and I ended up taking the remaining birds to a local processor which negated any cost savings in growing my own.  Cornish Cross birds “stink” to high heavens and who flies in the heavens?  Hawks and turkey vultures.  Those chickens didn’t stand a chance.  The failure was not having them secured properly.

I bought animals before I was ready for them, namely goats and meat rabbits.  I ended up giving them all away.  I didn’t build proper housing for the rabbits, and I knew nothing about goats.  Goats, by the way, are “browsers” not “grazers”.  They will eat every bush, and the tree leaves they can reach, before they will ever “mow the lawn”.Continue reading“An Honest Look at My Farm – Year 2, by SaraSue”

Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the Federal Reserve’s decision to pause raising interest rates.

Precious and Base Metals:

What Changed? Even BlackRock Is Now Advising Its Clients to Look At Investing In Gold.

o  o  o

At Kitco.com: Gold weakens after FOMC pause, as statement still leans hawkish.

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Podcast: The Brics Growing Influence on Silver.

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California family finds 1 million copper pennies in old home. JWR’s Comments:  That equates to $10,000, face value. Their copper bullion melt value is now $25,162.28. Note that in 1982, both copper and zinc pennies were minted. Folks should keep their copper pennies, as a hedge against further inflation. It is wise to hang on to your pre-1982 pennies, and any nickels of any mint date.

Economy & Finance:

From CNBC: Fed holds off on rate hike, but says two more are coming later this year.

o  o  o

Stocks wobble as Fed skips a rate hike but forecasts more: Stock market news today.

o  o  o

A primer from PragerU: The Bankrupting of America — describes the National Debt.

o  o  o

From the left-leaning Bloomberg: Rural Voters Seek Economic Plans From Democrats They Gave Up On.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Many of the greatest tyrants on the records of history have begun their reigns in the fairest manner. But the truth is, this unnatural power corrupts both the heart and the understanding.” –  Edmund Burke

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — June 15, 2023

On June 15, 1864, Arlington National Cemetery was established when 200 acres (81 hectares) of Confederate General Robert E. Lee‘s estate in Virginia—which had been seized by the U.S. government—was authorized for a national cemetery.

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Following a revolt by the English nobility against his rule, King John put his royal seal on the Magna Carta, or “Great Charter” on this day in 1215AD. This document, essentially a peace treaty between John and his barons, guaranteed that the king would respect feudal rights and privileges, uphold the freedom of the church, and maintain the nation’s laws. Although it was more a reactionary than a progressive document, the Magna Carta was seen as a cornerstone in the development of democratic England by later generations.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  4. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $800,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 107 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

Useful Tools For The Homestead, by Hollyberry

I love reading about homesteading back in the late 1800s thru the 1940s. I also like to study photos from earlier times, especially kitchens to see what they used. Back then there was no microwave, Kitchenaids or food processors. What you had was what you had and it better be durable as there was no Walmart around the corner to replace what you just broke. Most household kitchen countertops today are cluttered with all kinds of machines designed to make our lives easier. Today’s homesteader can spend a lot of money on “essential” tools only to sell them off for pennies at the next yard sale. Having been a homesteader for over 15 years, I will go over some of tools, appliances, and gear that have worked well for us.

Let me state right at the beginning here that I have not received any money or anything of value from the companies or products that I will be speaking about. My evaluations and opinions are based on my personal experience. Your mileage may vary! My goal is just to help out others. If I can save you time and money all the better. There are a lot of gadgets out there designed to save us time and money but some do not live up to their expectations and can be quite costly. Please learn from my mistakes!

IN THE KITCHEN

Let’s face it, this is where all the action happens. This is where everyone gathers around the table and visits. It’s the heart of the home and homestead. There are many gadgets out there that are designed to “help” us out and shortcut time and effort. Some of these gadgets require more time assembling, disassembling and cleaning that it would take for me to take a knife and cutting board and just get the job done. Good cutlery is absolutely necessary in our home. Years ago when mom asked what I wanted for Christmas, my reply was a set of Henckels knives. Mom did some research and got us the Henckels set with the 2 -Man logo on it. The two man logo represented the Zwilling line of knives. Zwilling is made by Henckels and is the higher end of their products. I was impressed by mom’s research as I was not even aware of this. I gave one of the knives a “test run” on a turnip. I have had turnips I could have used a chainsaw on they were so hard. The Henckel knife cut through that turnip like it was butter. I stopped, counted my fingers, no blood (a good sign) and was stunned at the difference a good quality knife versus a Walmart special can do! A good fillet knife is also essential in our kitchen. Rich saw a YouTube video about building a rotary sharpener from an old grinder motor. Our knives are surgically sharp now.Continue reading“Useful Tools For The Homestead, by Hollyberry”

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, news of another El Niño weather pattern.

It’s Official: World Enters El Niño Climate Pattern

SurvivalBlog reader Tracy M. spotted this, over at FoxNews: It’s Official: World Enters El Niño Climate Pattern. The article begins:

“Sea surface temperature anomalies in critical parts of the Pacific Ocean have warmed enough for NOAA to declare an El Niño event to be underway.

An El Niño is one of three possible phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and forms when sea surface temperature anomalies reach 0.5 °C or warmer than normal values. NOAA says their latest measurements recorded the anomaly at 0.8°C above average.

It is the first time the world has plunged into El Niño territory since 2019, and if past events are a telltale sign of what the future has in store, the global climate pattern will significantly impact the weather.

Some experts have dubbed El Niño to be the world’s ultimate “master weather-maker” as its influences impact everything from animal migrations to the amount of billion-dollar disasters reported around the globe.”

Gentle Cleansers Kill Viruses as Effectively as Harsh Soaps

Reader C.B. found this, at MedicalXPress: Gentle cleansers kill viruses as effectively as harsh soaps, study finds.

A 13-Year-Old Kept Her Siblings Alive for 40 Days in the Jungle

Michael R. sent this: How hero Lesly, 13, kept her siblings aged 9, 4 and just 12 months alive for 40 days lost in the jungle: Brave teen secured camps with hair ribbons, knew the safe fruits and even ground flour to eat.

Continue reading“The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Beto’s copy of the Bill of Rights goes from one to three. Mine includes the Second Amendment. But there are a whole host of people here in Washington… they would be happy to confiscate America’s guns. And if you don’t believe that, then you probably also still believe in Bigfoot.”  –  Congressman John Neely Kennedy of Louisiana

Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — June 14, 2023

On June 14, 1645, the parliamentary New Model Army led by Oliver Cromwell defeated the royalists under Prince Rupert in the Battle of Naseby.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  4. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $800,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 107 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

 

Modern Civil Defense – Part 2, by 3AD Scout

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.)

Let’s Assume

Let’s assume that that Washington determines the need for renewing civil defense, when would it happen and what might it entail?  Based on FEMA’s most recent “guidance” found in “NUCLEAR DETONATION RESPONSE GUIDANCE- PLANNING FOR THE FIRST 72 HOURS” released on March 2023, upon a nuclear attack warning being issued, state and local officials should “issue immediate shelter-in-place notifications”.  That is great except for this little thing called “reality”.

In FEMA’s own 2022 National Household Survey, that polls people about their level of disaster preparedness, only 33% have assembled supplies for a disaster.  Based on other past disaster preparedness surveys by others, the poll should read 33% feel that they are prepared.  Having a plan to basically just tell people to seek shelter when the missile are already in the air won’t win any best practices awards.  Before we go on, the old civil defense system was not perfect by any means but at least there was a genuine effort by government to get people to understand the need to be prepared.  The current plan does not take into account a number of limiting factors.  One, FEMA’s planners assume that people have any inkling of how to “shelter” from radiation, let alone the blast effects.  In the analog days we had AM radios with radio stations that were prepared to keep broadcasting emergency information in a post-nuclear attack world.  Not sure how many millennials could even find an AM station.Continue reading“Modern Civil Defense – Part 2, by 3AD Scout”

SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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SurvivalBlog’s Editor-At-Large (and much-published sci-fi author) Michael Z. Williamson has just launched a new series of videos on YouTube, named after his side business, Sharp Pointy Things. The first video is: USAF Air Crew Survival Knife. Note that Mike still does some custom knife and sword making, but he has a  backlog of orders.  Also, note that the videography for the USAF survival knife segment was by the great Oleg Volk.

o  o  o

A quite useful prepping recommendations video from City Prepping: 10 Books To Get While You Still Can. (Actually, he mentions a lot more than just 10 books!)

o  o  o

California Bill Would Charge Any Parent Who Doesn’t Affirm Transgenderism With ‘Child Abuse’.

o  o  o

Reader L.E. wrote:

“Mutual Assistance Group Planning was an excellent article by Survivorman99. I would just like to add a couple things to ponder:

What I did, initially (because you can’t do this after people already know your new location, so don’t excitedly blabber to friends and relatives about your new bugout location) is- I got a post office box in another nearby town, then told “extraneous” friends and relatives IF THEY ASKED, that I lived “near”
 (insert vague location of city park or church in another town). Most folks are not interested enough to search your actual address location out on county property websites, and if you were smart enough to title the property in other than your name, they won’t be able to locate you. Data strip all location info off of any photos you might send them as well. My very close friends/relatives that I have known for years and seen them in all kinds of tense situations and know we could get along and I would share with them regardless of whether they arrived empty-handed but because we are like-minded I know they would not-I would welcome. Whew, long-winded. But, we have all already made assumptions and “sorted” out in our minds who we would help. Every family has those few moochers, leeches, whiners, addicts, and layabouts, and if you are far enough away from them in any kind of situation, most likely they aren’t going to be able to make it to you anyway, and if the weather is bad, the first year will eliminate those not fully prepared. If perchance on of these sort do arrive, you should have prepared a tent and rocket stove and water bucket, and you can hand these out, so you don’t have them actually living in your home and eyeballing your preps and weapons. I have one storage shed set aside for this purpose alone. Harsh I know but these folks have had the same opportunities you had and they chose to spend their money on frivolities. Start now prying them loose from your circle by repeatedly informing them they are on their own and that your store is now closed. Even the ark only took in two of each kind.”

o  o  o

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Since the earliest colonial days, Americans have been busily manufacturing and repairing arms. In the colonies, the ability to defend one’s home and community, hunt, fight wars, and ultimately win American independence depended largely on the ability to produce arms. For the newly independent nation, arms production was critical to repel invasions and insurrections, and eventually, to western expansion. The skill was always valued and in demand, and many Americans made their own arms rather than depend on others.

Americans continued producing their own arms in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, leading to some of the greatest technological breakthroughs in the history of firearms and ammunition. The freedom to build personal arms enabled innovations that allowed Americans to better defend themselves and their country than ever before.” – Joseph Greenlee, in The American Tradition of Self-Made Arms

Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — June 13, 2023

On June 13, 1777, Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette landed in the fledgling United States.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 107 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795.
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  4. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  5. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  6. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. Montana Survival Seed is providing a $225 gift code for any items on its website, including organic non-GMO seeds, fossils, 1812-1964 US silver, jewelry, botany books, and Montana beeswax.
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $800,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. We recently polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 107 ends on July 31st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.