Month: November 2022

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Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

The economy sucks. Period. And we all know it isn’t getting any better anytime soon. But that doesn’t mean you stop prepping.

Yes, your food stockpiles might become a necessity sooner rather than later, but the longer you can hold off on digging into the cases of soup and bags of rice, the better. Your grocery bill is up, and it might be hard to find the pennies to pinch to keep growing your stockpile of necessities.

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If you’re unable to get a second full-time job, there are other ways you can make some cash on the side. A side hustle is a great way to add a little extra cash to the family coffers. Use the money to purchase one of those big-ticket items you know you’re going to need but can’t quite afford just yet.

Preppers tend to have skills the average Joe doesn’t possess. Preppers and homesteaders live a lifestyle that involves a little more ingenuity and elbow grease. What comes naturally to you may not come so easily to another person. Use that to your advantage.

The following list includes some side hustles that are right up a prepper’s alley.

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Candle Making

Candle-making is a very easy skill to learn. You can make a lot for a little. People love to pay extra for handcrafted items. Making candles with lovely scents or in pretty colors is pretty easy. The startup cost to make candles is very minimal.

If you are a prepper who is already familiar with making candles, this is going to be an easy transition. And your unsold inventory isn’t going to go to waste. It’s just more stuff to add to your stockpile.

Selling your homemade candles at a craft fair or on an online site like Etsy or eBay is a way to generate income. Create a cool name for your side hustle so your customers can come back over and over.

Soap Making

Soap making is in the same vein as candle making. It’s pretty basic. There are plenty of articles and videos to get you started. Get creative. Use fun shapes and try to incorporate natural healing herbs into your product to give yourself another angle. Follow the same tips for selling candles to maximize profits.

Lotion Making

Lotion is another product that is easy to make. People love to buy handcrafted items that leave out all the chemicals and icky stuff in the things you get at the drugstore. If you’ve got goat milk or a way to trade or buy it, goat milk soaps and lotions are pretty popular and very desirable.

Cheese Making

Speaking of goats, which are smaller and easier to keep than…

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By the author of The Complete Ham Radio Technician License Cartoon Study Guide

Germany has just created a maintenance hub within the nation of Slovakia to perform work on weapons coming out of the Ukrainian War. These weapons are predominantly going to be howitzers and anti-aircraft systems that have been supplied to Ukraine via the West.

According to German Defense Minister, Christine Lambrecht, a member of the Social Democratic Party, “We have reached [an] agreement, and work can start immediately so that all the equipment which has been supplied can be repaired after coming out of battle.”

Christine Lambrecht. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

She also added that Germany is planning to train 5000 Ukrainian soldiers within Germany’s borders by the end of June as part of a European Union training exercise.

Back in March 2022, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned the world that anybody transporting weapons to Ukraine would be viewed as a legitimate military target. He stated, “We clearly said that any cargo moving into the Ukrainian territory which we would believe is carrying weapons would be fair game.”

Sergei Lavrov on the right.

Keeping Sergei Lavrov’s threat/warning in mind, this means that Russia could most certainly view an attack against German soil or buildings as being a valid military action. The German weapon maintenance hub would most certainly be viewed as cargo in transit, and there is a very good possibility that a facility that was explicitly training Ukrainian soldiers with the view of returning to fight Russians could be viewed in the same manner.

We do know that Ukrainian infrastructure is currently being targeted.

Power and water supplies throughout the nation are being destroyed via air strikes, and it’s been stated these are suicide drones that are accomplishing this. This leaves Ukrainians without a form of light or heat as winter sets in.

This is relevant in that Germany is already facing a similar problem. If actively targeting civilian infrastructure is now fair play, the same could be used to devastating effect in Germany, a nation that already has a history of heavy reliance on Russia for fuel. Last year, Germany received 55% of its gas from Russia. As of July 2022, the Nord Stream 1 pipeline from Russia to Germany was strangled to 20% of its capacity due to alleged equipment repairs.

Germany has since mandated that public buildings not exceed…

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“We are working to change the way communities eat and learn through garden education,” says Jenny Angius, executive director of operations and development at nonprofit Urban Roots Teaching Farm in Reno, Nevada. “We think there are many ways to use the garden in a way that cultivates a healthier community, in far more ways than just growing things.”

In practice, the venture’s efforts include encouraging children to develop healthy eating habits and take a curious interest in where their food comes from. Urban Roots also highlights cost-effective growing techniques and creative ways to farm in smaller urban spaces.

We spoke to Anguis about repurposing spaces for gardening and the joys of plucking carrots from out of the dirt. We also touched on how to use farming as a way to improve academic achievement.

Learning Lessons Through Gardening

“Gardening teaches myriad lessons,” says Angius. “From children who are discovering how their food is grown for the first time and exploring new flavors and establishing healthy habits they will carry with them to maturity, to adults who are rediscovering that gardening produces bounty and can be a cost-effective method to supplementing their nutrition and easing pocketbook concerns.”

Angius adds that during the early months of the pandemic, the organization noticed a rise in the appetite for gardening education. Since then, Urban Roots Teaching Farm has been focused on accommodating learners of all ages and spreading word about sustainable and responsible gardening methods.

“Our nonprofit seeks to empower others through workshops, accessible learning opportunities and a place for community that we know will stick with them for years to come,” says Angius.

Read more: DragonSpunk helps community gardens become healing spaces.

Mastering Urban Growing

When it comes to the challenges of growing in urban areas, Angius believes that thinking in a flexible way is key.

“There are simple ways for individuals to harness growing these days,” says Angius. “From small-scale countertop herb gardens to tower gardens to community gardens.”

Angius also adds that the organization has noticed an increase in the desire to repurpose larger spaces into community-based growing spaces.

“Those who can influence change are open to discussing how they can help,” says Angius, referring to local elected and appointed officials, corporate partners and stakeholders.

Using Farming to Encourage Academic Achievement

One of the goals of the Urban Roots Teaching Farm is to use gardening as a way to improve and encourage academic achievement.

“There are endless topics we can integrate into gardening lessons. And we consider our teaching garden an extended tool that helps students retain these lessons with greater adoption,” says Angius.

“Students are invested in outcomes from the start to the finish, say from a carrot seed to carrots they harvested and sliced into their salad. We find this investment to improve retention and assist in forming healthier study and academic habits.”

Read more: “Gardening is something anyone can do,” say…

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In comments to the Department of Transportation, EPIC urged the agency to foreground privacy when designing a new system to alert cars to the presence of pedestrians, bicyclists and other travelers in intersections. The DoT is planning to develop a system that will give assisted-driving equipped and autonomous cars advance notice when pedestrians and other vulnerable road users enter crosswalks. The DoT aims to prevent accidents and improve traffic flow. EPIC urged the agency to (1) consider the privacy impacts of high-tech camera systems on privacy (2) choose the most privacy-protective technologies and implement privacy-by-design principles, and (3) avoid any technology that collects pedestrians’ cell phone data.

EPIC regularly comments, testifies, and submits amicus briefs on the intersection of transportation and privacy. Most recently, EPIC filed comments on emerging transportation technologies and submitted an amicus brief arguing that the Fourth Amendment required police to obtain a warrant before accessing location information from Boston’s mass transit system.

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As the years go by, we hear more about the dangers of eating the food sold at the store. Many products are pushed close to or past their expiration date, there is always a risk of food poisoning, and a potential pest infestation at the grocery store could cause additional issues with the food that we consume. That is why it is so important to add hunting, gathering, and preparedness skills to your list of survival skills. If things continue to go south, you need to know you can find the food that you and your family will need to stay strong and healthy.

Of course, there is more to living off of the land than just shooting a deer here and there. Instead, you need to plan accordingly, learn how you can maximize every kill that you make, and know how to make the most out of your equipment and your time. If you would like to learn more about how to effectively hunt and gather, then follow this guide.

Use The Best Weapons

When it comes to living off of the land, preparation is key, and it starts with understanding how to use the best weapon for the job. To hunt many larger animals, you will need a firearm of some sort. While some guns may feel like they are “one use fits all,” some weapons are better suited for specific types of hunting.

For instance, a rifle is the best for hunting deer because it allows you to shoot a long distance. A shotgun is often the best weapon of choice for bird hunting because it shoots multiple BBs, which gives you a better chance of hitting the target. If you plan to hunt smaller vermin, like rabbits or groundhogs, then go with a .22 LR. Make sure that you purchase the proper gauge and caliber projectile. If you need help, ask an expert at the store.

Since purchasing and maintaining firearms can sometimes be a costly endeavor, it is also a good idea to have at least one good bow and a lot of high-quality arrows. Typically a bow is a much cheaper alternative, and it is easier to transport, especially if you are going to be out in the wilderness for long periods of time. A bow will also be very effective for hunting many animals, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and caribou.

Understand Animal Behavior

Having a weapon is a good first step. Next, you need to learn about animal behaviors and the best time to hunt a particular prey so you can be productive out there in the field and not waste time. Remember, when you are limited on resources, a single missed shot could mean that you or your family could go hungry that day.

As an example, depending on where you live, you may be hunting a lot of deer, so you need to understand their behavior. Deer have an incredible sense of smell from…

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First-rate vegetable storage begins with the soil, as root cellar storability is influenced by growing conditions. Root vegetables grown in soil with an excess of nitrogen will have watery growth and store poorly. Excess watering and watering near harvest time will lead to the same undesirable results. 

Conversely, an abundance of organic matter (and particularly the presence of potassium and calcium in the soil) enhances storability. Potassium sources include seaweed, wood ashes and greensand, as well as most green manures, compost and animal manures (especially pig, horse and sheep).

Calcium is abundant in limestone, bone meal and wood ashes.

Post-Harvest Pointers

While the general post-harvest rule is to cool produce as quickly after harvest as possible and keep it cool (to keep produce respiration and therefore deterioration at a minimum), there are exceptions with some long-term storage produce. 

Curing, or drying, needs to be performed with garlic, onions and shallots by allowing the entire plant to dry before removing the stems and roots. Harvested potatoes should be kept at 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit for several weeks before they are placed in storage conditions. 

For sweet potatoes, pumpkins and winter squash, curing allows excess moisture to evaporate and sets/hardens the skin as well. It requires keeping them for 10 to 14 days at 80 to 85 percent relative humidity and 80 to 85 degrees F in a well-ventilated location where they won’t get wet.

Note: Curing is detrimental to, and shouldn’t be done with, acorn-type winter squash. 

There are others steps that will favorably influence produce storage. Of course, the most sound, unblemished, disease-free specimens should be kept. And all produce intended for storage should be handled delicately to avoid bruising or damage. 

Cabbages should retain their stems, being cut directly above their roots rather than below their head. Potatoes shouldn’t be wetted but rather rubbed to remove excess dirt. Root vegetables should be left as long as possible in cool, though not freezing, soil conditions as this will stimulate the production/storage of sugars and starches in the roots and allow your intended storage areas to achieve cool, even temperatures prior to moving in your produce. 

Also, harvested root vegetables should have their greens removed quickly to prevent moisture loss. They should be dug from dry rather than wet ground when possible, and gently cleaned. And remember that while a frost or two will sweeten the flesh of winter squash, it also results in a much shorter storage life.

Perfect Places

Long-term food storage has long taken place in extra closets, backrooms, spare cupboards, basements, porches, garages and the like. People will even use holes or simple structures in the ground as a means of storage. 

For a location to be a suitable root cellar, a few conditions must be met. Though ideal storage conditions are not identical for all produce, generally the location must be dark and well ventilated. 

The optimum temperature  for a root cellar (on average)…

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On this day in 1777, the Articles of Confederation were submitted to the states for ratification. They differed from the Constitution in that they emphasized the primacy of the states. This brings to mind the dangers of convening a Constitutional Convention, because the last time this happened the Articles of Confederation were thrown out and totally replaced by the Constitution. Do you honestly believe that our politicians today could craft a document that so thoroughly protects the rights of the individual, as they did then?

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 103 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
3. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $750,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 103 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in…

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With visions of year-round food production, many gardeners stumble upon online resources about the walipini, or pit greenhouse, only to discover they are designed for equatorial geographical locations. If, like me, your romantic visions of year-round fresh greens aren’t stifled by this, then you’ll probably keep searching and discover other options: geodesic domes, heated hoop houses to overcome winter chills or gardening indoors.

Each option has pros and cons of course: large footprints, unreliable warmth, weather-dependent energy costs as well as initial investment. 

My solution is what is found here: a winter growing space that is all (and more) of these. It’s part walipini, part traditional greenhouse, with a convertible top for summer growing! Might I add it’s also easy to build, intuitive to use and relatively inexpensive. 

Basic Dimensions

• 9-by-16-foot footprint
• 3-foot flat roof extending from back wall
• 8-foot sloped boards for glazing
• 6-foot, 6-inch height overall (This varies with how deep you dig or how tall the stone foundation.)
• 5-foot-tall doorway

My DIY 

This winter greenhouse is built using a simple 2-by-4 frame, lean-to design. In my case, I took advantage of a privacy fence. This three-sided design makes a world of difference in warmth when compared to a traditional freestanding greenhouse, hoop house or geodesic dome. 

If you don’t have an existing fence as I did, do you have a south-facing wall of your house, shed or barn? Whatever you choose for this back wall, it should be covered with bubble insulation. I used Reflectix. (The white one is more pleasing than the shiny tinfoil version.)

Another item for the back wall: extra field stone, which offers thermal mass to store the sun’s warmth.

Generally speaking, it’s good to build the roof 3 feet out from the back wall. This will give you working headroom. The roof vents are made by not fully attaching the metal roof panels and are held open with a wooden wedge. Make sure they face away from the prevailing wind so they don’t get damaged. 

Other unique features include the following. 

• The 3-foot flat roof is slightly slanted so that water runs towards the back wall. 
• A seam in the metal roofing allows water to leak inside the greenhouse.
• The internal gutter catches rainwater and sends it down a rain chain to fill the rain barrel. 
• The rain barrel provides thermal mass and year-round water, which is especially critical in the winter when spigots and hoses are frozen.
• The 2-by-4 inch frame structure is built on 2-foot center, and the glazing is 4-by-8-foot by 1⁄4-inch-thick poly, double-wall panels. 

My greenhouse is 16 feet long, which required four full 4-foot-wide panels along the front. From the photos, you’ll notice that my fence runs uphill and changes direction in the middle. Thus, this flexible design can be adapted to many different spaces, shorter or longer. 

The sloped boards are 8-foot long, 2-by-4-inch treated lumber….

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You want a home surveillance system that guarantees every corner of your property is under 24/7 watch. You don’t want a system that’s going to give you false alerts or that’s going to miss something important.

With many surveillance systems in the market, it can be challenging to settle on a reliable system. So it’s essential to research to find a system that offers quality features at a reasonable price.

We’ve analyzed the fundamental features you should look for and the resources you need for a quality system. Here are the main things to look for in a home surveillance system:

1. Design and Durability

Your surveillance system should be such that it monitors intruders from all angles and provides you with peace of mind. Further, you should see it’s durable enough to resist the elements and any potential break-ins.

A camera’s design tells you what it’s intended to achieve. For example, a Ring Indoor Camera is small with a standard lens; hence it’s meant to capture a small area. You also need to position it where there is protection from harsh weather for durability.

By considering both the design and the durability, you can narrow down your options and choose the best system for your needs.

2. Fast Motion Activation

The best home surveillance systems are those that you can quickly activate during a break-in or other emergency. Fast motion activation is a feature that allows the system to turn it on quickly so that it can begin recording any activity in the home.

That is a valuable feature for any home surveillance system, as it can help to provide evidence in the event of a crime.

3. Two-Way Audio

Two-Way Audio is integral to protecting your property and loved ones in a home surveillance system. This system allows you to hear and speak to anyone within your property.

With this feature, you can detect any suspicious tone of the speaker on the other end. That can be a valuable tool in deterring crime and keeping your family safe.

4. Flexible Video Resolution

Flexible Video Resolution is an exciting new technology that allows you to change the resolution of your video footage on the fly. That means you can have the same high-quality video footage at a fraction of the file size, making it perfect for home surveillance systems.

This technology is very crucial if you want to manipulate video footage for analysis. It does help not only you but also the police in case of criminal activity.

5. Night Vision

Night vision is an essential component of any home surveillance system. It allows you to see in the dark, which is vital for security purposes.

Night vision has two main types:

Thermal imaging detects heat, while infrared sees the invisible light to the human eye. Each has good and bad sides so choosing the right type for your needs is essential.

Conclusion

When choosing a home surveillance system, there are many factors to consider. With so many options available, deciding which system is right for you can be difficult. However, considering the above features, you can…

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Managing a farm can be a challenging task. Apart from sowing and harvesting crops in the right season, farmers also have to take care of many other requirements. Whether it is maintaining equipment, saving crops from pests or ensuring an uninterrupted water supply, farmers need to handle everything to ensure the quality of their harvest.

As water plays an important role in farming, not having continuous access to water can be a big problem for crops. Lack of water can also affect animals living on the farm and disturb the farming schedule. Although rainfall is fairly distributed throughout the year in the UK, due to changing weather conditions, farmers have been struggling with dry spells and droughts during the summer months in recent years. For this reason, many farmers prefer to install water tanks on their farms.

Good quality, large volume water tanks can be a valuable investment for a farm. It not only helps farmers with storing clean water but also ensures the smooth functioning of the farm throughout the summer. However, as there are many different water tanks on the market, choosing the right tank can be difficult. To help you make a decision, this guide that will assist you in selecting the right water tank for your farm.

1. Know your requirements

Water is an essential element for the survival of all living things. Whether you have a large farm, a small barn or just a shed, having a water tank is a must to store clean water for everyday use. As water storage tanks are available in different shapes, sizes, colours and materials, it is important to understand your requirements before purchasing a tank. While many people can estimate their requirements, others may need help with their decision. The experts at Tanks For Everything can help you understand the different factors that need to be considered before buying a water tank for your farm, and help guide you to the best options.

2. Location of the water storage tank

The location of the water tank can be an essential determining factor in your purchase. If you want to install a tank above ground, you will have to check for water tanks that are impact-resistant, rust-proof, UV resistant and easy to clean. On the other hand, if you want a below-the-ground water storage tank, then it must be corrosion-proof and impermeable.

3. Check the number of layers

Water storage tanks often have multiple layers. These layers protect the tank from the sun and climatic changes. To check the number of layers of a tank, you can simply lift the lid and count the number of edges inside it. Most of the time, you will find tanks with 3, 4 or 5 layers. The more layers, the better tank’s ability to resist cracks and withstand environmental stress will be.

4. Decide the size of the water tank

Based on the customer’s requirements, water tank manufacturers offer storage tanks in different sizes. From a few hundred litres to several thousand of litres, you will find a number of…

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