A Little Self Reliant

*DISCLAIMER* Food safety and safe preserving practices are your own personal responsibility, and this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. In this conversation, we point to many trusted resources for further information and research you can do on the subject of pressure canning. Always follow tested recipes, the manufacturer’s directions from your specific pressure canner, and up-to-date canning procedures, and see the links below for further reading and resources related to canning safety. Pressure canning is an valuable way to preserve your harvest, but it can be intimidating at first. This week's guest helps us to understand why we don't have to be afraid. Join me as I talk with Angi Schneider from Schneider Peeps all about the ins and outs of pressure canning for beginners, as well as some very important safety considerations. RESOURCES Schneider Peeps Website Schneider Peeps Instagram Angi's Books (Available wherever books are sold): Pressure Canning for Beginners and Beyond by Angi Schneider The Ultimate Guide to Preserving Vegetables by Angi Schneider Safe Substitutions When Canning National Center for Home Food Preservation Website Altitude Adjustments for Home Canning Learning Resources for Home Canning Sign Up for the Email Newsletter Positively Farming Media Spotify Playlist Support the show

Purchasing a full, half, or even quarter of an animal through the farm-to-table model can be a bit intimidating, but this week's guest is here to help break it all down for you. Join me as I talk with Charlotte Wasylik of Chatsworth Farm in Vermilion, Alberta, all about the process of purchasing meat in bulk direct from a local farm. RESOURCES Chatsworth Farm Website Chatsworth Farm Instagram Sign Up for the Email Newsletter Positively Farming Media Spotify Playlist Support the show

Most people tend to think of canning or root cellaring when they consider food preservation, especially in the homesteading community. In this episode, I'm kicking off a 5-part food preservation series by shining light on the most well-known and convenient modern food preservation method - freezing! Preserving food is a huge part of self-reliance, and in this episode, I share 10 things that we like to freeze as well as best practices and tips for success. RESOURCES Drink and Farm Podcast Episode Sign Up for the Email Newsletter Positively Farming Media Spotify Playlist Support the show

Learning to save your own seeds is one of the most valuable skills you can have as a gardener, and on this week's episode, I'm joined by Erin Colborn of Green Witch Seed Co. and The Northern Grower Podcast to talk all about how to get started. RESOURCES Green Witch Seed Co. Website The Northern Grower Podcast Erin's Instagram Sign Up for the Email Newsletter Positively Farming Media Spotify Playlist Support the show

If you're a gardener, then you already know that home compost is garden gold - but the problem is, we can never seem to make enough of it! Join me while I chat with this week's special guest, Karin Velez, all about home composting for beginners. RESOURCES Chicken Wing Clipping Tutorial Just Grow Something Podcast Website Just Grow Something Instagram Wolf Creek Family Farm Website Wolf Creek Family Farm Instagram Sign Up for the Email Newsletter Living A Little Self Reliant Facebook Group Positively Farming Media Spotify Playlist Support the show Support the show

Bringing new animals home to the homestead or even just your house can be incredibly exciting, but something I don't think we talk about enough is how nerve-wracking and anxiety-inducing it can be, as well. This week, we're talking all about "New Animal Anxiety", plus six tips to help you navigate the stress that comes along with caring for the new livestock or pets in your life. RESOURCES Just Grow Something Interview Sign Up for the Email Newsletter Living A Little Self Reliant Facebook Group Positively Farming Media Spotify Playlist Support the show

Foraging - or Wildcrafting - has exploded in popularity in recent years, but for the absolute beginner, it can seem a bit intimidating. Join me with guest Jessica Mose of Prairie Soap Shack as she shares her tips and tricks for first-time foragers. RESOURCES Jess's Website + Store - prairiesoapshack.com Jess's Instagram Jess's Facebook Page Jess's Facebook Group Living A Little Self Reliant Facebook Group Positively Farming Media Spotify Playlist Support the show

Growing your own herbs to use for tea is so easy and incredibly rewarding! In this episode, we discuss my top 5 must-have tea herbs in my garden, plus helpful tips for harvesting, drying, and storing them. RESOURCES Living A Little Self Reliant Facebook Group Positively Farming Media Spotify Playlist Support the show

Here in Zone 3, we only have around 100 frost-free days to grow the majority of our garden plants. Obviously, this can present some very specific challenges. This week, I'm interviewing Krista Green of Zone 3 Vegetable Gardening all about ways to approach and maximize growing in a short-season climate. Krista has been gardening most of her life along with working at a greenhouse for many years. She lives on 4 acres with her husband and 3 kids where they raise chickens and have a large garden. Krista endeavors to share easy-to-follow tips with those who wish to grow their own vegetable gardens in northern climates through her Zone 3 Vegetable gardening website and social media accounts. RESOURCES Support A Little Self Reliant on Patreon to access exclusive bonus episodes of "The Dirt" Krista's Website Krista's Instagram Positively Farming Media Spotify Playlist Support the show

If you're homestead dreaming, but want to work on building some essential homesteading skills while you're still living in the city, this is the episode for you. Even if you're not planning to move to a farm or homestead, or if you're already living on one, this episode will be full of 90 different ideas for skills that you can begin to build and hone, no matter where you're living. RESOURCES The Rural Woman Podcast Interview Episode - https://wildrosefarmer.com/2022/05/13/139/ Meat Rabbit Facts - http://www.edelweissranch.com/rabbit-meat-facts.html 27 Trees to Tap for Syrup - https://practicalselfreliance.com/trees-species-tap-syrup/ 805 Farms Goat Milk Soap - https://805farms.com and @805farms on Instagram Support the show

This episode is an Interview with Erica Leniczek, all about mental health, not only on the homestead but also in all walks of life. Erica is so knowledgable about the many facets and struggles related to mental health, and she totally gets that "just taking a day off for self care" isn't always an option. Erica is a first-generation rancher on her spouse's 5th-generation commercial black Angus cattle operation. She is an advocate for mental health in agriculture, a public speaker, a proactive mental health specialist, and podcast host who is passionate about educating and bridging the gap between mental health and agriculture. She brings producers “in your pocket” mental health tips, resources, and information to help reduce burnout and the mental health crisis in agriculture the best she can. You can follow Erica at @thebranderica on all major social media platforms, check out her podcast "The Rural Mindset Podcast", or visit thebranderica.com for more information. For full episode show notes, visit alittleselfreliant.com/shownotes/16 Crisis Services Canada - https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca United States Crisis Hotlines + Resources - https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines Support the show

This episode is an Interview with Erica Leniczek, all about mental health, not only on the homestead but also in all walks of life. Erica is so knowledgable about the many facets and struggles related to mental health, and she totally gets that "just taking a day off for self care" isn't always an option. Erica is a first-generation rancher on her spouse's 5th-generation commercial black Angus cattle operation. She is an advocate for mental health in agriculture, a public speaker, a proactive mental health specialist, and podcast host who is passionate about educating and bridging the gap between mental health and agriculture. She brings producers “in your pocket” mental health tips, resources, and information to help reduce burnout and the mental health crisis in agriculture the best she can. You can follow Erica at @thebranderica on all major social media platforms, check out her podcast "The Rural Mindset Podcast", or visit thebranderica.com for more information. My interview on the Pursuit Of Purpose Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-pursuit-of-purpose-podcast/id1597543728?i=1000559585260 For full episode show notes, visit alittleselfreliant.com/shownotes/15 Crisis Services Canada - https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca United States Crisis Hotlines + Resources - https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines Support the show

This episode covers everything you need to consider when hardening off your seedlings and transitioning them into your vegetable garden. For the full schedule, blog post and all resources mentioned, visit the show notes linked below. For full episode show notes, visit alittleselfreliant.com/shownotes/14 Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/alittleselfreliant Support the show

This episode is an Interview with Kimberley Allan, all about supporting local growers through CSAs (Community-Supported Agriculture) and Farmer's Markets. If you're looking to embrace a life of more self-reliance, but you can't grow a large garden, supporting local growers is an excellent option. We discuss the many benefits of CSAs for both producers and consumers, some of the challenges that small growers face, and we even touch on topics like seasonal eating. Kimberley is a female farmer, food producer, educator, and entrepreneur living and working on the unceded traditional territory of the K'omoks First Nation on Vancouver Island, BC. Kimberley recently launched her podcast, A Year on the Farm, where she shares her journey of small-scale farming and interviews women in farming to share knowledge and expertise to inspire new and young farmers. For full episode show notes, visit alittleselfreliant.com/shownotes/13 Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/alittleselfreliant Support the show

Potatoes are the unsung hero of the vegetable garden. They are versatile, calorie-dense and so easy to grow! With a few basic steps and a little extra knowledge, you will be well on your way to growing your best potato crop yet. For full show notes, visit https://alittleselfreliant.com/shownotes/12 Support the show

In part four of the "Before You Get Chickens" series, we are talking all about baby chicks! What they need, how to care for them, how to keep them healthy and happy, and how to transition them to living outside. For complete show notes, visit alittleselfreliant.com/shownotes/11 If you'd like to support the podcast financially and receive exclusive perks like bonus episodes, Q+A calls and more, visit https://www.patreon.com/alittleselfreliant Support the show

In part three of the "Before You Get Chickens" series, talking about essential chicken-keeping supplies, sourcing and transporting your birds, stocking a basic first aid kit, and more. For complete show notes, visit alittleselfreliant.com/shownotes/10 If you'd like to support the podcast financially and receive exclusive perks like bonus episodes, Q+A calls and more, visit https://www.patreon.com/alittleselfreliant Support the show

In part two of the "Before You Get Chickens" series, we are diving into everything you need to consider before you build or buy a chicken coop. For complete show notes, visit alittleselfreliant.com/shownotes/9 If you'd like to support the podcast financially and receive exclusive perks like bonus episodes, Q+A calls and more, visit https://www.patreon.com/alittleselfreliant Support the show

Chickens are a fun and rewarding addition to any backyard or homestead, but jumping in to any kind of livestock can be super intimidating in the beginning. This episode is here to help you make smart considerations before you commit to bringing home your laying hens. For complete show notes, visit alittleselfreliant.com/shownotes/8 If you'd like to support the podcast financially and receive exclusive perks like bonus episodes, Q+A calls and more, visit https://www.patreon.com/alittleselfreliant Support the show

Do you want to start cooking drool-worthy meals from scratch, but have no idea where to begin? Whether you're a beginner cook or a well-seasoned home chef, this week's episode is full of tips for taking the overwhelm out of cooking from scratch. Don't let the fact that you're a newbie scare you - home cooking is a totally attainable and super rewarding self-reliance skill, whether you're on a homestead or in the city. For full show notes, visit https://www.alittleselfreliant.com/shownotes/7 If you'd like to support the podcast financially and receive exclusive perks like bonus episodes, Q+A calls and more, visit https://www.patreon.com/alittleselfreliant Support the show