The The New Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency: The Classic Guide for Realists and Dreamers

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It was written by an MIT Chemistry professor in the 1940s and though it’s not exactly a practical manual, it’s good for gun nerds that want to understand what’s going on behind the scenes. The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Elix Katz ~ A second, much more comprehensive fermentation guide book covering traditional ferments from around the world. This one was written 10 years later, and is an even better resource than the original in my opinion. Covering less common fermentation styles like water kefir, mesophilic yogurts, ginger bugs and other things far beyond fermented veggies. The Wood Gasifier Builder’s Bible: Off Grid Fuel for the Prepared Homestead by Ben Peterson ~ He takes you through the process of building a wood gassifier from start to finish. Unfortunately, while he does show you the one he built, he’s a little spotty on the details of how they work in general. Though it’s not the best manual, it’s the best I’ve found on the topic because it actually does have a practical example.

If you’re looking to build your own home, these resources cover the best techniques for doing it right. Just like charcuterie, cheesemaking can be simple and easy…or it can be incredibly complex and detailed. There are lots of us out there trying to find a better way to live. We all have different ways to go about it. Reading each others’ stories, learning from those who have taken the path before us, and opening our minds to new ideas are great ways to enhance your homesteading skills in a hurry. The Herbal Apothecary: 100 Medicinal Herbs and How to Use Themby JJ Pursell ~ A large herbal apothecary book, covering the preparation and uses of, as the name says, 100 different herbs. Comprehensive, but perhaps overwhelming for a beginner.

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The Vegetable Gardener’s Bibleby Edward Smith ~ The name says it all, this is the perfect beginner vegetable gardening book. Our local librarian handed it to me one day when she saw me in the gardening section, and laughed saying, “This is my favorite…but I’m biased, it was written by my husband.” Biased or not, she got me to open it and it really is a great resource.

Of course, along with growing food, these two single male paradise lot makers also find “sweeties” (as in ladies to spend their lives gardening with) which makes for a bit of a dilemma. I don’t want to give anything away, but this is a great story about growing food in unconventional ways and building community by going bananas. (You’ll understand the going bananas reference once you read the book). Beyond these specific fermentation guide books, I’d also recommend any of the cookbooks by Olia Hercules. She’s a Ukrainian author and though she writes about Ukrainian cooking, that’s something you just can’t do without covering a lot of home fermentation recipes (and other food preservation topics). This aim can also be seen in modern trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or the European Trade Agreements, which seek to create a more self-sufficient economy among its members by eliminating certain tariffs and increasing trade between signatories. Managing Money: Saving and BudgetingBe aware that dehydrating is a bit different than freeze drying food, which requires a different freeze drying appliance. Sadly, there aren’t any good books on freeze drying, but the machines come with good home manuals.