P
erhaps that prairie lifestyle appeals to you
more than going all-in on screentime during
our lockdown. We get it! There’s a huge range
of skills and builds you can work on to become
self sufficient in these times. Here are a few that
we’ve focused on over the past few months. You
can find steps and video examples of these and
more at makezine.com/go/home-sufficiency, and
if you’re looking for even more resources, check
out homestead.org.
Kitchen
•
Make sourdough yeast: Tastier than the dry
stuff, and not sold out in stores —you make it
from the air around you.
• Build a proofing box: Keeps the yeast in your
dough active at just the right temperature so
you can pop a perfectly risen loaf into the oven
for best baked-bread results.
• Bake some no-knead bread: Mark Bittman’s
recipe inspired countless variations for a good
reason —it’s dead simple and works great.
• Make vinegar: Some apples, sugar, water, and
a bit of time and you’re ready to go.
• Pickle everything: Add a tangy flavor and
longevity. Try fermentation too.
• Malt grains for beer making and more.
Garden
•
Make newspaper planting pots: Once your
seedlings sprout these go right into the ground.
• Plant some fast-growing veggie seeds: Leafy
greens and root vegetables are good options.
• Build a simple, low-cost greenhouse: You can
make a tabletop version for a few bucks.
• Assemble self-wicking garden tubs: Makes
watering less of a chore.
• Do a hydroponic garden: These grow large
quantities of vegetables quickly.
• Get started on a proper victory garden: A full
setup will give you all the produce you need.
Hygiene
•
Determine your no-toilet-paper options:
Bidets, used dryer sheets, cloth, recycled
newspaper. Yeah... not a fun one.
• Make your own soap: Washing your hands
is considered the best way to combat virus
transmission.
• Build a greywater system: Water shortages
are a separate issue from Covid-19, but you
might as well jump on this while you’re
sheltering in place.
Activities and Education
•
Find and read the Foxfire school books and
Scouting handbooks.
• Obviously, keep making stuff.
Free Land!
The U.S. federal government no longer offers
land for building a home and farm as it did
with programs like the 1862 Homesteading
Act. However, various rural counties and
municipalities looking for new residents to help
provide an economic boost do have free plots for
those willing to construct and occupy a home.
Many of these, like the program in Elwood,
Nebraska (elwoodnebraska.com/freelots.
html), are in the central portion of the U.S.;
if you’re willing to relocate, this is one way to
score yourself a place to get going on your own
personal homestead.
55
makeprojects.com
Brush up on your
self-suciency skills
to overcome staple
shortages
Mike Senese, Adobe Stock - Stokaji