Visit the Mt Hood Emergency Preparedness Fair 2014 this afternoon and catch a number of fantastic free classes! I will be there  teaching: Saving Seeds, Saving $$$ @ 2pm Growing Organic Vegetables from A-Z @ 4pm Skip Seeds and Grow Anything From Cuttings @ 6pm   Friday, May 2nd 11:30 am – 7:00 pm    Saturday, […]

In working to become more self-reliant, it becomes more and more clear every day (and especially every time we lose power) that I need back-ups for everything. Nowadays we have it all, and when we lose even one part of our regular utilities, we are at a loss and go into super-shock.  But, I can […]

food and water # cost each Mainstay 2400 Food Ration – USCG 2 $      4.50 Mainstay Survival Water Ration – USCG 4 $      2.00 food gathering Katadyn Water Purification Tabs – EzPA (30) 1 $    15.00 Camelback All Clear Water Purifier Bottle 1 $      99.00 Brass Snare Wire (50 Ft Length) 1 $      5.95 2 […]

This super-light, small kit costs me only $50 to make and has everything you would need to survive minus food.  It is a great simple kit and due to it’s small size can be tucked away almost anywhere and easily carried. Most kits you buy online or at the store consist mostly of water and first […]

When you think about it, it’s easy to imagine a number of circumstances that would leave your child in need of an emergency kit at school. As we have seen recently, School lock-downs, Local Weather Emergencies, Regional Weather Emergencies, and even a situation as simple as you don’t show up (or their ride), can leave […]

“Thank You” to all the students who attended my class on Gardening for the Emergency Prepper this last Saturday.  We had a fantastic turn-out and were able to go over a tremendous amount of material.  I hope it leaves you inspired and eager to get your gardens started!

These are just a few to begin with, but they all have tremendous uses during an emergency when resources are scarce.   Medicinal: Plus many of these are great for seasoning food Garlic:   Antibiotic, cold/cough Lady Fern:   Stings, Stingy Nettle Willow:   Pain Relief Mint:   Antiviral Catnip:  Cold Symptoms, Break Fever Sage:  Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antifungal, And […]

Here are some of the items I have identified as important for gardening and preserving your harvest.  Check to see what you already have, then start to add the others into your supply.   Tools: Pitchfork (for turning compost) Hoe Angle grinder or Metal File (for sharpening tools) Metal Rake Shovel (multiple) Hand Rake Hand […]

These handouts are full of great tips for understanding how to amend your soil and add nutrients back in. Reading a Fertilizer Label Soil Ammendments     For more informtion check out: http://gardening.about.com/od/gardenprimer/ht/fertilizerlabel.htm http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/altsoil.html

This handout also includes a great list of heirloom plants to start with! Why Grow Heirloom Plants   Check out: http://hgic.clemson.edu  for more!