Homesteading Checklist

I've been thinking the past few days about how I should probably have a sort of checklist going for things I've learned and need to learn for when we obtain our homestead and mini farm.  Of course the art of homesteading is an ever learning process and I don't believe one can know ALL there is to know.  But I'm referring to the basics... There are certain skills that cannot be attained just by reading articles and books and need more of a hands on approach such as learning about raising chickens and alpacas, so although I will continue to read about raising farm animals, there will come a time when my family and I will seek out farms to volunteer at to get hands on experience.  For now though, I want to focus on things I can do right here in my rental home.

I came across a DVD collection named Homestead Blessings.  Each DVD teaches you about different skills necessary to have a sustainable homestead.  The DVD's I currently have on hold at my local library are; The Art of Bread Making, The Art of Canning, The Art of Gardening, The Art of Candle Making and The Art of Herbs.  I think these are great subjects for me to study and learn right now so I won't be completely clueless when our front porch dreams come true.  I also have to be as frugal as possible while learning these trades so canning, and candle making may be a bit postponed till I can find some great deals on necessary equipment. 

So the following is my Homesteading 101 checklist... listed in no particular order:

• Bread making
• Gardening/Herbs
• Sewing
• Canning
• Candle making
• Soap making 
• Dairy (making yogurts, cheeses, and butters)
• Spinning                                                                                                                                    (Sewing, Soap Making and Dairy are also DVD's included in the Homestead Blessings series.)

I want to mention that although I talk about learning these things so I can be prepared for when we buy our homestead and mini farm, I'm also choosing to learn these things now so that my family and I can begin benefiting from them now as well.  One doesn't need acres and farmland to acquire the above listed skills in order to be self sustainable.

~ Be Magical!