"If our goal is a peaceful, just society, self-reliance at the home and community levels must be a central focus of our lives." ~ Ben Falk, The Resilient Farm and Homestead

By Pete Kennedy

In the next Solari Report, John Moody returns to the Food Series for Part II of Homesteading. In our interview, John shares his advice on how to raise livestock, including the recommended infrastructure and feed for poultry, goats, sheep, hogs, and cattle. He discusses how rebuilding the homestead ecosystem can increase the amount of livestock feed you get from the natural environment, and how perennial permaculture can improve nutrient density.

John also covers beekeeping and discusses how to maximize water availability and use through ponds, swales, and cisterns. Finally, he offers his minimalist approach to owning equipment for his farm and describes sources of fuel for the homestead.

Again, John has generously offered to answer questions homesteaders might have. You can submit questions to foodseries@solari.com.

Seeds for Generations, a heirloom seed company, is also offering a discount to Solari subscribers. See details below. You will need to login to access this information.

Timemark Segments

Starts with benefits and drawbacks of livestock

00:17 Poultry

22:57 Goats

31:02 Sheep

36:51 Pigs

43:57 Cows

55:27 Beekeeping

59:07 Water

1:10:04 Tools & equipment

1:23:08 Fuel for the homestead

1:31:22 Close

For Let's Go to the Movies, I recommend the documentary Great American Farm Tour. Homesteader and filmmaker Justin Rhodes and his family leave their farm near Asheville, North Carolina to drive around America in a converted school bus in search of the country’s greatest farms.

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This is the last week of the month, so there is no Money & Markets. Please email your questions for Ask Catherine or post them at the Money & Markets commentary for the first week of June here.

Talk to you Thursday!

Related Reading:

Books by John Moody available on his website:

  • The Frugal Homesteader
  • Winning the War on Weeds

Other books:

  • The Have More Plan by Ed and Carolyn Robinson
  • The Good Life by Scott and Helen Nearing
  • You Can Farm by Joel Salatin
  • The Resilient Farm and Homestead by Ben Falk
  • The Nourishing Homestead: One Back-to-the-Land Family’s Plan for Cultivating Soil, Skills and Spirit by Ben Hewitt

Related Links:

Rogue Food Conference

Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund

The Weston A. Price Foundation

Source for heirloom seeds:

Seeds for Generations is a family business devoted to sharing their love of heirloom seeds and gardening, seeking to inspire and equip more people to grow their own food. Jason and Shannon, and their seven children, grow most of their own food on their homestead in the mountains of Virginia and want to help you and your loved ones be able to do the same. In a modern economy that’s coming apart at the seams, they want to help you grow a better future and are sharing a special discount offer just for Solari subscribers! Please log in to access the code.

Related Solari Reports:

Homesteading (Part I) with John Moody

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