How to Grow and Raise 100% of Your Food

Gaye Levy, Contributing Writer
Activist Post

At one time or another, every prepper will ask him or herself: could I become 100% self-reliant in terms of proving food for myself and my family? And most of us will say, no, that is not possible.

Today I would like you to re-think that proposition because, with time, planning, and a bit of luck, it is possible if not always practical. But let me start at the beginning.

Food Production Systems for A Backyard or Small Farm

A few weeks ago I invited some like-minded friends over for a survival meal made from my items in my food storage and a viewing of the DVD: Food Production Systems for a Backyard or Small Farm The four of us watched the DVD from start to finish with many pauses for discussion points and to take notes. So what did we think?

Well first of all, let me say that this is a pretty amazing DVD in that it covers so much in just a couple of hours. And while the DVD itself does not go in to extensive detail about the various topics, the included resource DVD does. Perhaps it is best to start with an outline of the DVD itself plus a 3-minute trailer.


Section 1: Overview

• Why we began this journey
• Soil types and climate of the site

Section 2: Water

• Water sources and qualities of water
• How much water do you need?
• Rain water collection systems
• Wells
• Ponds

Section 3: Garden

• Garden location
• Size – how much area do you need?
• Bio-Intensive gardening overview
• Fertility
• Watering the garden
• Wind
• Sun and shade
• Bugs and insects
• Vegetable varieties and seed saving
• Getting started

Section 4: Rabbits

• Housing and protection
• Watering systems
• Feeding
• Breeds
• Reproduction
• Other resources

Section 5: Home Butchering

• Tools
• Butchering a rabbit
• Tanning hides
• Butchering poultry
• Other animals

Section 6: Poultry

• Chicken breeds
• Feeding
• Watering
• Housing and egg collecting
• Predator protection
• Getting started

Section 7: Dogs

• Why dogs?
• Dog training
• Feeding
• Housing
• Size and breeds
• Final thoughts

Section 8: Perennials: Orchards, Food Forests, and Edible Landscaping

• Locations and micro climates
• Watering
• Fertility
• Using geese for fertility
• Tree varieties
• Planting and care of trees
• Getting started

Section 9: Other Essentials

• Calorie crops
• Solar food dehydration
• Home made herbicide test
• Fire ants
• Injuries
• Hog panels and tee posts
• Water levels and mapping contours
• Rocket stove and hay box cooker
• In The Wake; a manual for outliving civilization
• Propagating leuceana

As you look through these topics, you will see that almost every aspect of food production is covered. From figuring our your water needs, to selecting chickens and your coop, to determining the correct type of fruit trees for your orchard, there are practical tips that every one can embrace. (Personally, though, I did fast forward through the butchering section.)



...MORE HERE...