Self-reliance tips, rural living guides, and off-grid skills delivered weekly.
Unsubscribe anytime.
✓ You're in! Check your inbox to confirm.
Three field guides worth bookmarking — canning times, cellar storage, and safe cooking temps.
| Food | Pressure | Pint |
|---|---|---|
| Green beans | 10 lb | 20m |
| Corn | 10 lb | 55m |
| Tomatoes | water bath | 35m |
USDA/NCHFP processing times & pressures for common foods.
View full chart →| Item | Store | Keeps |
|---|---|---|
| Onions | cool, dry | 9 mo |
| Potatoes | cellar | 4–6 mo |
| Apples | cellar | 6 mo |
How long fruit & veg keep in the cellar, fridge and freezer.
View full chart → Network| Doneness | Target |
|---|---|
| Rare | 125–130°F |
| Medium-rare | 130–135°F |
| Well-done | 160°F+ |
Safe pull temps for steak & burgers, from Popular BBQ.
View full chart →Reader Favorites
The holiday season isn’t just for big, store-bought gifts under the tree. One of the most meaningful traditions — especially on a homestead or in a cozy, self-reliant home — is filling stockings with homemade treats and crafts. These little gifts often carry more heart and personality than anything you could buy, and they’re especially…
There’s something about the holiday season that naturally pulls people back into the kitchen — baking, simmering, steeping, preserving. It’s a time defined by ritual and aroma. And for many craft-beer lovers, the tradition extends beyond the stovetop and straight into the brew kettle. Homebrewing during the holidays isn’t just a hobby; it’s a way…
The holiday season brings joy, but also creates a few more opportunities for hazards — burglaries, break-ins, electrical mishaps, or careless fires. Whether you’re traveling for Thanksgiving or hosting holiday guests, a few smart precautions can go a long way toward keeping your home and loved ones safe. ✅ 1. Secure Doors, Windows — and…
As the air chills and twinkle lights begin to glow, kitchens across the country start filling with the warm, caramelized scent of sugar bubbling — a sure-fire sign that holiday candy season is upon us. Few treats capture the spirit of the season better than old-fashioned peanut brittle: crisp, nutty, sweet — a handmade treasure…
One week until Thanksgiving! Follow this daily homestead checklist to thaw the turkey, prep make-ahead sides, bake pies, and stay completely organized.
Homestead Thanksgiving Prep Checklist: What to Do TODAY (2 Weeks Out – November 14, 2026) Published: November 14, 2026 | By: Current Homesteading Team Continue from: 3-Weeks Out Article Two weeks out is when the real execution begins. This checklist prepares your homestead Thanksgiving with detailed timelines for brining your turkey, freezing sides, root-cellar…
Homestead Thanksgiving Prep Checklist: What to Do TODAY (3 Weeks Out – November 7, 2026) Published: November 7, 2026 | Updated: November 7, 2026 | By: Current Homesteading Team Your dream homestead Thanksgiving table – almost everything homegrown and from scratch. Today is November 7, 2026 — exactly 3 weeks until Thanksgiving. If you’re ready…
Embark on the 10 day homestead challenge if you’re affected by the government shutdown — or simply realize how fragile our systems can be — now’s the time to take charge of your own stability. Building a homesteading foundation doesn’t have to take months or thousands of dollars. In just 10 days, you can start…
Surviving government shutdown 2025 is a growing concern for homesteaders as the U.S. federal shutdown stretches into its fourth week since October 1, delaying benefits and straining supply chains. We’re no strangers to self-reliance—whether it’s a late frost in the garden or a spike in feed prices—but this fiscal gridlock could ripple into our daily…
In the world of homesteading, foraging and herbal remedies turn backyard weeds into powerful healers. Learn safe identification, top plants like dandelion and yarrow, and easy DIY recipes for self-sufficient wellness.
As late September homesteading tasks kick into high gear, the calendar flips to late September 2025, with autumn’s golden glow lighting up your homestead amid urgent, rewarding energy. If you’re like the thousands of homesteaders buzzing on social media right now (think epic harvest hauls and frantic winter prep posts), you’re knee-deep in the…
Top 10 Off-Grid Homesteading Skills for Self-Sufficient Living in 2026 Master off-grid homesteading 2026 with 10 essential skills for self-sufficient living, from water management to biogas production. These skills empower you to thrive independently, whether on a rural homestead or in an emergency. Reflecting 2026 trends like sustainable practices and renewable energy, this guide ensures…
