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.RESOURCESSchneider Peeps WebsiteSchneider Peeps InstagramAngi's Books (Available wherever books are sold):Pressure Canning for Beginners and Beyond by Angi SchneiderThe Ultimate Guide to Preserving Vegetables by Angi SchneiderSafe Substitutions When CanningNational Center for Home Food Preservation WebsiteAltitude Adjustments for Home CanningLearning Resources for Home CanningSign Up for the Email NewsletterPositively Farming Media Spotify PlaylistSupport 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.RESOURCESChatsworth Farm WebsiteChatsworth Farm InstagramSign Up for the Email NewsletterPositively Farming Media Spotify PlaylistSupport 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.RESOURCESDrink and Farm Podcast EpisodeSign Up for the Email NewsletterPositively Farming Media Spotify PlaylistSupport 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.RESOURCESGreen Witch Seed Co. WebsiteThe Northern Grower PodcastErin's InstagramSign Up for the Email NewsletterPositively Farming Media Spotify PlaylistSupport 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.RESOURCESChicken Wing Clipping TutorialJust Grow Something Podcast WebsiteJust Grow Something InstagramWolf Creek Family Farm WebsiteWolf Creek Family Farm InstagramSign Up for the Email NewsletterLiving A Little Self Reliant Facebook GroupPositively Farming Media Spotify PlaylistSupport the showSupport 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.RESOURCESJust Grow Something InterviewSign Up for the Email NewsletterLiving A Little Self Reliant Facebook GroupPositively Farming Media Spotify PlaylistSupport 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.RESOURCESJess's Website + Store - prairiesoapshack.comJess's InstagramJess's Facebook PageJess's Facebook GroupLiving A Little Self Reliant Facebook GroupPositively Farming Media Spotify PlaylistSupport 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.RESOURCESLiving A Little Self Reliant Facebook GroupPositively Farming Media Spotify PlaylistSupport 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.RESOURCESSupport A Little Self Reliant on Patreon to access exclusive bonus episodes of "The Dirt"Krista's WebsiteKrista's InstagramPositively Farming Media Spotify PlaylistSupport 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.RESOURCESThe Rural Woman Podcast Interview Episode - https://wildrosefarmer.com/2022/05/13/139/Meat Rabbit Facts - http://www.edelweissranch.com/rabbit-meat-facts.html27 Trees to Tap for Syrup - https://practicalselfreliance.com/trees-species-tap-syrup/805 Farms Goat Milk Soap - https://805farms.com and @805farms on InstagramSupport 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/16Crisis Services Canada - https://www.crisisservicescanada.caUnited States Crisis Hotlines + Resources - https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlinesSupport 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=1000559585260For full episode show notes, visit alittleselfreliant.com/shownotes/15Crisis Services Canada - https://www.crisisservicescanada.caUnited States Crisis Hotlines + Resources - https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlinesSupport 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/14Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/alittleselfreliant

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/13Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/alittleselfreliant

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

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/11If 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

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/10If 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

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

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

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 alittleselfreliant.com

Do you want to start your own vegetable seeds this year, but you don't know where to start?  Or maybe you tried starting seeds last year, but it didn't turn out so well?  In this episode, I break down 14 Steps to Seed Starting Success, as well as all of the supplies you'll need to have on hand and a few extra considerations that you may not have thought about.  Whether you're a brand new gardener or a seasoned pro, I'm sure there is something you'll be able to take away from this episode.For full show notes, visit alittleselfreliant.com

Sometimes we can become paralyzed by fear of failure when considering learning new skills, and often times that fear prevents us from even wanting to try in the first place.  Or, maybe when we do try something new, and we don't immediately succeed, our first instinct is to give up altogether.  This week's episode is all about giving yourself permission to suck while learning new things and finding joy and humour along the way.For show notes and more, visit alittleselfreliant.com

There can be a lot of confusing gardening terms and jargon thrown around when you're a beginner, and it can be really overwhelming.  This episode breaks down all of the garden vocabulary you're likely to encounter as a new gardener to help you better understand what others in the gardening community are talking about!For full show notes, visit alittleselfreliant.com

If you're starting your very first vegetable garden this year, or maybe you tried to grow veggies last year and didn't have much success, this episode is for YOU!  In 15 steps, I explain what you need to consider, know, research, and implement to have a successful first season as a beginner gardener.  Even if you're an experienced gardener, we may touch on a few basics that you can revisit to have your best garden season yet.For full show notes, visit alittleselfreliant.com

What even is self-reliance, and why is it important?  In this episode, I discuss the similarities and differences between self-reliance, self-sufficiency and self-sustaining, and also provide several different examples of why self-reliance is such a crucial skill to master no matter how or where you live.For full show notes, visit alittleselfreliant.com

Welcome to the debut episode of A Little Self Reliant!  Learn a little bit more about me, our homestead, and how I plan to help you embrace more self-reliance in your own life no matter where you're at.For full show notes, visit alittleselfreliant.com