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For self-reliant folks, obtaining and keeping access to off-grid utilities is critical if you want to be prepared for the worst situations possible.

Luckily, one of the most critical resources, water, is also the easiest to obtain totally off-grid by the use of rain-catching systems.

These systems can supply hundreds of gallons of water from just a passing storm. But, as hard as it is to believe, collecting rainwater is not always legal, and in some states it is heavily regulated.

How about Minnesota? Is it illegal to collect rainwater in Minnesota?

No, it isn’t illegal to collect rainwater in Minnesota though setting up your own system will require you to get permitted and adhere to Minnesota board plumbing codes. Minnesota has its own plumbing code which is not uniform with international standards, making this trickier than it has to be.

The good news is that you can harvest rainwater for non-potable purposes in Minnesota, but the bad news is you’ll have to go through a proper dog and pony show trying to check all of the boxes required for the Minnesota plumbing board to get your permit.

It’s not great, but at least it’s possible. I’ll tell you everything else you need to know about Minnesota’s rainwater collection laws below…

Is Collection of Rainwater Illegal at the State Level in Minnesota?

No, collecting rainwater is not illegal at the state level in Minnesota as explained in Minnesota Administrative Rules 4714.1602.

However, as previously mentioned, the implementation of any rainwater harvesting systems requires obtaining permits and compliance with the Minnesota Plumbing Board, or MPB.

The MBP regulates the design, installation, and maintenance of plumbing systems including those for rainwater harvesting through the Minnesota Plumbing Code.

Minnesota law requires that harvested rainwater is used only for non-potable purposes and must be properly stored to prevent contamination.

Rainwater must also be used in a way that doesn’t cause harm to public health or the environment.

Is Collection of Rainwater Illegal at the County Level in Minnesota?

No, at least in no county I found. But, do keep in mind that county or local laws and guidelines may have additional regulations or restrictions on the collection and use of rainwater beyond what the state law imposes.

Some counties may have sharply limited or totally prohibited the installation of rainwater harvesting systems due to water shortage or contamination concerns.

You must check with your county and city or town for guidelines before buying equipment and implementing a rainwater harvesting practice.

You may also need additional local permits beyond what the state demands: failing to do so may entail fines and charges.

Under What Conditions Can Citizens Collect Rainwater in Minnesota?

Citizens can generally collect rainwater whenever they want in Minnesota so long as they have an inspected and permitted system for the purpose.

Something to bear in mind is that, despite the state allowing “at will” collection for approved…

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Rainwater is a valuable resource for people living in any areas where water is scarce or expensive. It is also a godsend, if you can collect it, anytime the usual supplies are offline or contaminated.

the flag of Illinois

Naturally, many preppers are keen to invest in rainwater catching and storage systems so they can ensure they have a supply of safe water no matter what is going on in the world.

But, believe it or not the legality of rainwater harvesting is somewhat ambiguous in various states, and rules and regs abound. How about Illinois? Is it illegal to collect rainwater in Illinois?

No, it is not illegal to collect rainwater in Illinois. However, the state does have some rules about how it can be used and stored for later use, and local governments can force system owners to comply with state plumbing laws and codes.

Hardly a surprise considering how litigious and out of control government, at all levels, is in Illinois.

But, that’s just the way it goes, and depending on where you live in the state you might have an easy time getting a system installed and using your rainwater, or you might have a very, very hard time.

Keep reading and I will tell you more about some of the current laws and issues related to rainwater collection in Illinois.

Is Collection of Rainwater Illegal at the State Level in Illinois?

No, collecting rainwater isn’t illegal at the state level in Illinois. However, there are specific regulations that individuals must follow to ensure that their systems meet certain criteria.

Plus, the state government has empowered all local governments to force adherence to state plumbing laws and codes for private rainwater collection systems.

Even smaller, residential-scale systems are not exempt from permit and inspection requirements as long as local governments dictate.

For example, the systems must be proven to not pose a public health risk, must not negatively impact the environment or neighboring properties, and must not impact the water quality of any civic systems, streams, rivers, or groundwater.

Is Collection of Rainwater Illegal at the County Level?

No, technically, but in some areas the practice will be so odiously overregulated that it might as well be illegal.

While collecting rainwater is not illegal at the state level in Illinois, counties and municipalities have their own guidelines, codes, and regulations, and these are bolstered by the state government allowing them to enforce state plumbing laws and codes on local users. See SB0032, SB0038 and SB2549.

For example, Cook County has provisions and guidelines that only commercial and industrial properties must follow if they are considering a rainwater harvesting system.

Other counties, such as McHenry County, have no specific regulations on rainwater harvesting per se, but may require a building permit for any rain barrels or cisterns depending on the location and purpose of the system.

It is recommended that residents…

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There is a tremendous variety of snake species to be found all around the world, and though most of them are harmless or at least non-venomous, some serpents do indeed have a deadly bite. Worse, some harmless snakes are lookalikes with their much deadlier cousins.

Learning to identify and tell one species of snake from another can help to prevent misidentification and danger. How about the black racer? Is it poisonous?

No, the black racer, also known as the southern black racer, is completely non-venomous, and mostly harmless to people.

These impressive snakes, though possessed of a slender build, are often impressively long and frighteningly fast.

This, and their similarity to other venomous snakes like the dreaded cottonmouth often leads to them being dispatched out of hand with no judge and no jury.

You don’t need to worry about them, however, as they are almost totally harmless. You can learn more about these snakes below.

Black Racer Appearance

The black racer is a striking snake, with a slender, athletic build and narrow head. The average specimen is around 3 ft in length, with record-breaking specimens topping out at 6 ft or longer.

As the name suggests, they are typically a solid black or mottled blue gray color all along their back, while the belly ranges from a similarly solid black or blue gray color to a creamy white.

The all over appearance of the scales is glossy or shiny. Be sure to look out for their chin and throat area, as this is invariably that creamy white color.

Is the Black Racer Poisonous?

No. The black racer is completely non-venomous, and though it is classified as a constrictor its usual method of dispatching prey is by smothering it or crushing it into the ground.

Range of the Black Racer

The black racer is found all throughout the southern United States, and particularly through the Deep South and Eastern seaboard.

They’re invariably found in abundance throughout pasture land, overgrown areas, near wetlands, streams and rivers and near the edges of forest, or inside sparsely grown forest habitat.

Also, keep in mind these snakes are prolific and very excellent climbers, and you’re just as likely to happen upon them hanging out in a tree, or taking to a tree in escape, as you are to find them on the ground.

Don’t be alarmed, but if you have never encountered one of these snakes it is only a matter of time; they are quite plentiful!

Will a Black Racer Bite You?

Yes, they will! The black racer, as the name suggests, depends upon speed to make its escape whenever it feels threatened, but anytime they are trapped, cornered or handled in any way they tend to thrash around madly, biting the whole time.

One interesting defensive strategy that is utilized is to imitate a rattlesnake by rapidly vibrating or buzzing the tip of their tail along the ground or in leaf litter to simulate…

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For so many folks, one of the overriding goals of their life is to live off-grid. A lifestyle of true self-sufficiency is difficult, but it also provides a freedom from certain concerns that living as a component in society simply never can.

Plus, when you’re already used to taking care of literally everything yourself, even the biggest disasters seem a lot more manageable.

But of course, no matter how prepared you might be to make your dream a reality, the laws of the land tend to get in the way.

Each and every state in the Union has differing laws on the subject that can affect you at the local and county level. It might make setting up your ideal off-grid homestead expensive, difficult or even impossible.

To help you zero in on the ideal location of your ideal off-grid property, we are bringing you guides to the off-grid laws of various states. Today, we are looking at Montana.

Can You Legally Live Off-Grid in Montana?

It’s indeed legal to live off-grid in the state of Montana. And more than that, beyond being technically legal many of the laws in the state do seem designed to make it more feasible than other places.

For those who truly want to get away from it all, or just live life on their own terms, Montana has a lot going for it.

However, it is not a completely laissez-faire place that some proponents would have you believe it is…

You’ll find state and local laws affecting virtually every decision you make when it comes to installing utilities and building your home.

However, there’s a lot to like about Montana’s off-grid laws.

Where is it Best to Live Off-Grid in Montana?

Pretty much everywhere in Montana is amicable to off-grid living except perhaps in the most densely populated areas.

Some areas don’t even have zoning laws! However, for maximum flexibility you might want to seek out a place that doesn’t have a requirement for construction permits.

Gallatin County is one such place in Montana, and there are many others besides.

Something to keep in mind is that, as appealing as this is, it’s also a double-edged sword for people who want to live life in quiet solitude.

Anybody, to include major corporations, could swoop in, buy up a lot of land and then put in anything they want to.

You might find yourself living next to an airstrip, a burgeoning retirement community or rapidly expanding urban sprawl and bedroom communities in the future.

In other places, sometimes even in the same counties, you might find isolated municipalities that do have zoning laws. This might serve as a useful buffer against unexpected major developments.

What are the Off-Grid Electricity Laws in Montana?

Pretty much all kinds of off-grid electrical systems are legal in Montana, and generally the worst speed bump you’ll encounter is a requirement for permitting to install and hook up…

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There are countless species of snake the spread across North America and the rest of the globe, and though most of these snakes are harmless or nearly so, some snakes possess a deadly, poisonous bite.

Psyon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Learning to identify poisonous snakes can help put your mind at ease and also prevent unfortunate run-ins with the more dangerous variety.

How about the bullsnake that is so common through the Midwest and on the west coast? Are bullsnakes poisonous?

No, bullsnakes are not poisonous at all, though many varieties closely resemble the deadly poisonous rattlesnake (they even hiss and rattle their tails just like one).

Bullsnakes are big, long and powerfully muscle snakes, and their typical coloration can lead to them being easily confused with their deadly cousins.

That being said, if you know you are dealing with a bullsnake you have nothing to fear. Keep reading to learn more about these impressive specimens.

What Do Bullsnakes Look Like?

The most distinctive characteristic of the bullsnake is its immense size, with adults ranging anywhere from 3 ft to upwards of 6 ft, and all are thick heavy bodied snakes.

The base coloration is usually somewhere between off-white or cream and an ocher yellow or tan color, and there are regularly spaced but slightly irregularly shaped Brown to brown black blotches all along its back and flanks.

These are markings are usually described as saddle-shaped, and are what typically results in the bullsnake being misidentified as a rattlesnake.

The belly of the snake is similarly colored, most often appearing ivory or pale yellow with a checkerboard pattern of black or dark brown spots that are square or nearly so along the park closest to the flanks.

Looking closer, the end of the tale may have an alternating pattern of dark and lightly colored bands, while the broad, thick head sometimes features a dark “eyeliner” that stretches between the bottom of the eye and the jaw. The mouth may feature black or dark brown bars alongside the upper jaw.

Most notably, and this will be important later, bullsnakes do not have a rattle on the end of their tail. More on that in just a minute.

Are Bullsnakes Venomous?

No, bullsnakes are alongside the non-venomous snakes‘ category. Bullsnakes are very muscular, and accordingly quite powerful constrictors.

It is through constriction, not venom, that they dispatch prey they cannot simply swallow whole.

Where are Bullsnakes Found?

Bullsnakes are a subspecies of gopher snake, and accordingly are found sporadically to commonly in the Midwest and commonly in the southwest and along the west coast.

Usually considered a prairie species of snake, they can be found commonly in fields, near rivers, in pastures and increasingly in areas with sparse trees. Despite their size, these snakes are adept and fast climbers.

Unlike some other snakes, bullsnakes are typically active in the daytime during the warmer months, either basking in the sun to increase their…

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Have you got a patch of purple dead nettle in the yard?

Instead of mowing it down, consider gathering it up. This marvelous member of the mint family may seem like a weed, but it’s a powerful medicinal plant and a delicious addition to many spring recipes. 

Read on to discover all the creative ways you can use purple dead nettle and learn how it can benefit your everyday life. 

1. Spring Vegetable 

Purple dead nettle is delicious! The leaves taste a bit like spinach but have a slightly bitter, spicier flavor reminiscent of arugula. You can make frittatas, soups, or even a fun wildflower pesto. 

If you’re basing a dish around purple dead nettle, cooking it or blending it up is the way to go. Uncooked leaves are too fuzzy to be eaten alone, but you could add a few as a garnish or salad topper.

2. Earthy Herb

Purple dead nettle is a springtime plant, but what if you want that flavor throughout the year? Just dry your nettle. You can lay out fresh purple dead nettle on napkins and leave it to air-dry for about a week or use a dehydrator to dry it faster. Then, grind it up and use it as a sprinkling herb.

It isn’t as intense as other traditional herbs, like basil and oregano, but it will add a bit of earthy spice. The milder flavor makes it versatile, so you can put it in salads and soups or even bake it in loaves of bread. 

3. Antioxidant Tea

You can use fresh or dried purple dead nettle to make great-tasting medicinal teas. Purple dead nettle and many other members of the mint family have powerful antioxidant properties that can reduce stress, combat the effects of aging, and improve cognitive function. 

Steeping the dead nettle in hot water for five minutes or in cold water for several hours may help increase antioxidant bioavailability. You can add honey, mint, or other herbs to make the mixture more potent and flavorful. 

Read more about foraging for wild tea.

4. Oil Infusion 

Try steeping your purple dead nettle in oil to make a fragrant infusion. This is an easy and simple way to use the plant, giving you a versatile “base method” to enjoy the benefits. 

Much like rosemary oil, purple dead nettle oil can be used therapeutically, medicinally, and culinarily. You can cook with the oil, rub it on your skin, or use it as a starting point for more complex creations, like salves and skin-care products. 

Check out this video to learn how to make a basic oil infusion.

5. Wound Poultice

Purple dead nettle is an astringent and antimicrobial agent with impressive antibacterial, antibiotic, and antifungal effects. This makes it a powerful bush medicine that can help stop bleeding and prevent infection in…

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Everyone knows a farm needs a tractor (or maybe an ATV). And it doesn’t take a tool expert to know that basic hand tools (shovels, rakes, etc.) are practically a prerequisite for living on a farm.

But the list of tools needed to thoroughly flesh out a farm toolbox goes on and on, encompassing many obscure (but no less useful) tools you’re bound to need at one time or another. Sometimes you don’t even realize you need them until you read about them and think, “Oh, that would be useful.”

With this in mind, let me introduce you to three tools that are less obvious than shovels and rakes, but nevertheless abundantly useful in their own underrated ways.

1. Snap Ring Pliers

Snap ring pliers might be the handiest tool you’ve never heard of, at least in very specific circumstances. Snap ring pliers aren’t as versatile as regular pliers, but for two jobs—installing and removing snap rings—they’re lifesavers.

Snap rings are finicky little rings that snap into position and hold things together. For example, the front wheels on my garden tractor are held in place with snap rings. Removing a snap ring requires inserting a pair of small prongs into two small holes, and then widening or narrowing the distance between the prongs to expand or contract the snap ring.

This is where the snap ring pliers come into play, providing and controlling the necessary prongs.

Installing or removing a snap ring is almost impossible without snap ring pliers. Believe me, I’ve tried. It’s possible you’ve encountered snap rings without realizing there’s a special tool for handling them. So if I’ve opened your mind to the possibilities … you’re welcome.

Enjoy the time you’ll save by handling snap rings with the right tool.

Read more: Snap ring pliers prove the need for the right tool for a job.

2. Bungee Cords

Bungee cords are versatile. And awesome. And I have dozens in various lengths around my farm, because there are so many ways to put these essential farm tools to use.

A typical bungee cord is an elastic band or rope with a hook on either end. Depending on their length, they can hold down tarps, or tie down wagonloads of brush, or keep hay bales from falling off a sled in winter, or bind an elevated garden bed to a fence so it won’t blow over in the wind. I’ve used bungee cords in all these ways and more.

You never know when bungee cords might come in handy, so buy a mixed set of various lengths and keep them around. You might be surprised how often you find yourself using them.

Read more: Consider these 4 features when buying bungee cords.

3. Digging Bar

The definition of a digging bar can be a bit vague, but it’s basically a heavy steel bar measuring 5 to 6 feet long…

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When stepping foot on an Amish farm for the first time, feeling like you have been instantly transported back to 1800s era America is the most obvious initial impression everyone feels.

If you hail from a rural area, the differences between Amish life and life on your own farm or homestead are a lot less stark.

City folks who have only seen livestock in a petting zoo and have never touched a cow teat with their bare hands are typically in for a far more eye-opening experience.

Wholesome and busy. Those are the first two words that come to mind when describing what you see and feel when spending some time on an Amish farm, no matter where you are from.

The Amish are surely prepper, survival, and homesteading all-starts. Their way of life avidly wreaks of self-reliance and sustainability. They do not need to watch YouTube videos or read blog posts to learn how to do any of the farm chores they accomplish with vigor each day. Instead, those skills are passed down from generation to generation with hands-on training literally beginning around age two.

Related: 7 Amish “Powers” You Should Master Before The Next Crisis

A local Amish boy named David was hefting 50-pound bags of horse feed into my truck from his father’s farm business.

He was about 9 at the time and I felt a little bad watching him do all of the heavy lifting. I told him to make sure his dad paid him well for doing such hard work and doing it so quickly.

“This is like his college. David should be paying me for teaching him how to run the business,” his dad yelled out from his farm office while chuckling. Yes, the Amish do have a sense of humor.

Technology

The Amish, just like any other group of folks, are not a monolithic community. The “rules” of Amish life when it comes to technology in both simple and advanced forms, are agreed upon by each community and are not a rigid set of rules all Amish in America must follow. The rules can change over time by agreement by the community members.

For example, I once asked Ezra, my Amish farrier, if he knew if the Amish greenhouse in a neighboring village just across our county line was open for the season yet.

“I have no idea. Those are wild Amish, we do not associate with them at all.” Ezra replied.

I was of course curious and simply had to know what constituted “wild Amish.”

By and large, Amish are open to questions about their way of life when asked respectfully and out of genuine curiosity and not judgment.

So I asked.

“They ride bicycles. Even the women,” was Ezra’s response.

Yes, I laughed at his answer. I simply could not help myself. Doing…

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