First, Will spotted a deer running across the pond. Shortly after, came a wolf. He wasn’t running but kind of snooping along here and there. He was on the pond long enough for Drew to get some photos with his phone. Phooey, I missed all the excitement, as I was in town buying chicken feed.
I’d like to take this time to give out a warning. You folks know I’m not a gloom and doom type of person, so read this carefully. First off, due to spotty, nationwide drought, coupled with the chemical fertilizer crisis due to the closing of the Gulf of Hormuz and the lack of migrant workers in the ag field, vegetables and fruits will most likely both take a big hike in price and become harder to find (sort of like eggs during the bird flu). Add the tariffs on Mexico and Canada, where we get much produce, hold on to your hats!
With this said, I would strongly advise everyone who has the ability, to both stock up on these products while available and put in as big a garden as you possibly can. Hey, already, produce prices have risen a whole lot. Just go to the grocery store. Even Walmart’s prices would choke a goat!
Now, more bad news. Due to the same drought, nationwide, ranchers and farmers who raise cattle have had to cut their herds significantly. Some even quit. Now this drought has been going on for a few years, so often, each year, more cattle have been sold off, making the supply and demand scenario kind of tough. Yep, folks want to eat beef. But each year there’s less and less available and prices have gone up and up. Now, the wildfires in Oklahoma and Nebraska, to name a few, have even further decimated herds and ranchers’ lives. Yes, the price is going to climb even more. And, because folks can’t afford beef like they used to, they’re turning to chicken and pork, which has their prices rising also.
What the heck to do? I’d sure advise using meat more as a seasoning than the main course, as we’ve done, even though we raise beef. Spaghetti instead of steak and potatoes, stew instead of a big roast, pot pie instead of fried chicken. I’m not saying to eliminate it or severely reduce it at all meals, just many of them, to save money. If you find a good, on-sale price, buy what you can and then can it up. Are you still afraid of pressure canning? Don’t be. It is easy and safe as can be. (Pick up my book Growing and Canning Your Own Food, right through BHM.)
If you can, try to grow at least some of your own food. We have 200 acres, so we grow beef. We also have chickens to supply both eggs and meat if we need it. Chickens are easy to house, feed, and raise. By incubating your own eggs, you can quickly raise a batch of chickens to butcher as they grow so quickly.
Instead of worrying about “what if” start some steps to relieve this worry. Even folks in town can sock away some on-sale vegetables and canned fruit. Don’t worry about the “best-by” date. It does not mean the food will be bad days, months or even years after that date. I promise! It’s just a marketing ploy to sell more cans. Prepare, don’t fret. This will all even out one day and we’ll all say “remember when…”
We will be featured on PBS North again. We will be talking about the history of some of our seeds and our Seed Treasures business, as well as how we manage some of our crops and other things. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/@PBSNorth/videos The video will air at noon on April 8th, Central time. — Jackie
Loved your video on PBS North! I have all your self help books and the books you wrote also! Do you still have the yellow PawPaw tomato seeds? Need to order if you do. God Bless you, Will and your whole family!
I have been starting to follow some of the shortages and such there is little I can do in some garden areas because of my infirmities. I’m trying to maximize the yields from two twelve by twenty four hoop houses (6 beds about 3 feet wide) and a twelve by twenty four green house with pots and tubs. I can work these from a movable garden stool and hopefully a cane which PT is trying to help me back up to as the hoop house aisle are too narrow for the walker. We have been talking about potato boxes as over the last five years I couldn’t weed or till and we lost our seed in crop failures and the ground is so weedy it would take someone who had the strength and balance to do lots of hoe work plus new seed. Unless the bottom went out of the entire economy and some of my far flung children, grand children and great grand children need a refuge or I receive a healing miracle it isn’t going to happen. So I do the best I can and my daughter and some helpful from a son and neighbor are working on filling the wood shed and I do the best I can! We do get two senior boxes from the local outlet of Alaska FoodBank and can store some canned items for later use and anything we don’t eat goes to a family with nine kids and who pass on anything they don’t use to their home school network.
Dear jackie, I love all your posts and like many I’ve watched the video of you and Will. I read all the replies and enjoy those as well. I’m so far away here in Australia but I feel like a kindred spirit. I’m sure others have noted the kindness and warmth which shows in your face, that beaut is more than skin deep. I have a few of your books but over the last few year’s postage costs are double the price of the book. That is, if, I’m even able to purchase them at all. Fondest regards sue
The video was wonderful to watch! Thank you for posting the link. Your home, gardens, and words of wisdom are a inspiration. It’s so true, a simple life of caring for the earth and for each other is what makes for a good and satisfying life. Peace and good weather to all!
Failure to prepare is preparation for failure. One can never be completely prepared but even small efforts can level out some the “shocks” of life. Having an emergency fund, stocked pantry, woodpile, livestock and personal skills can ameliorate some of the stress. Your warning should be heeded. Even if no problems occur you will have a greater since of security. I look forward to seeing your video. I still have the wood stove going-the latest time for me. Temps in am 24-35. I did till up some of the garden today. All seedlings growing well under lights. Thanks for the “heads up” advice.
Jackie,
You are a national treasure! Thanks for inspiring generations of gardeners.
Enjoyed the video! I’m in Eastern Washington here and we are finally feeling and looking like spring. Four seasons are so wonderful to experience through the garden perspective; Perhaps we all should see the world as a garden that needs tending and cultivation and is dynamic and always changing. It can be beautiful and create awe or it can be exhausting and create work. But what a world we live in! I just keep on planting your seeds that have deep historical roots to the past and look forward to the future and all that yummy produce:)
I’m happy you enjoyed visiting us via video. We, too, are eagerly waiting for spring and all the garden work, not to mention planting. We are so blessed to be able to live like we do!
Jackie and Will, I have to gush on you guys. Your video was beyond wonderful. I was a little teary watching my two favorite farmers, I’ve been following you for years. I finally got to meet you and I’m overjoyed. Your homestead is beautiful.
Aww, I’m so glad you got to visit us via video. We love our homestead and keep working toward making it perfect, which it never will be. But, like self-reliance, it’s a path, not destination.
You say think like me. I use less meat, but I am still enjoying satisfying and healthy meals. I have a decent pantry and I cook from scratch. I recently purchased seeds from you (thank you!) I always try to be prepared for a natural disaster or a tough economy.
Yep, it’s pretty easy to use less meat and still enjoy your meals. We are far from vegetarians. After all, we raise beef cattle and chickens. But to make even home-raised meat go further, I’ve cut back on the meat and potatoes kind of meals. You’re so wise to try to be prepared for forthcoming emergency situations.
Great job on the video. I enjoyed it!
Ah, I’m so glad! We watched it too and were happy to see all the gardens in production and GREEN. : )
I watched the video and loved it. I’m in the Texas hill country where it’s very rocky and we are over four years into drought but I’m still planting. I’m 78, a widow and have bad knees so I’m slow but I still manage. I have peach, plum, and pear trees and elderberry too. I have a small garden but it produces enough for me to eat and can. I got a number of seeds from you last year and enjoyed them all but especially the Hopi squash. I only have 25 acres but I raise Nubian dairy goats that provide plenty of milk to drink, make cheese and yogurt plus enough for me to make goats milk soaps and lotions which I sell at farmers market every week. You and Will are amazing and an inspiration. I’m not doom and gloom but I do believe in being prepared. Thanks for keeping these precious seeds going.
I’m so glad you saw the video. We have our share of rocks too, in 4 of our 5 gardens. In fact, both son, David, and husband, Will, helped me haul out, literally tons of big rocks, which we used in big holes on the driveway. It had just been a logging/4 wheeler trail and was barely drivable with a four-wheel drive.
Yep, I’ll see 80 this summer and have bad knees and arthritis in my back. I’ve slowed down a lot, but still manage to get things done. Just a lot slower! I love Nubians and hope to get back into goats this spring after Johnes Disease decimated our beloved herd.
Greetings from Western Pennsylvania!
Thoroughly enjoyed the broadcast! It was almost like meeting you in person. Been a customer for a number of years. Enjoy your newsletter and BHM articles and books. Best of luck in your retirement. Will miss you!
Hi there. We’re turning over the seed business, but I’ll still be writing even more than now. I’m so glad you liked the video.
We are doing exactly what you recommend Jackie! Watched the PBS video today. Excellent! Loved seeing you two and hearing your story again.
Wow, I’m glad you got to visit us again, via video. It was fun doing them. I know Will and I enjoyed watching the gardens in full production during the snow we had today.
Thank you Jackie. I don’t feel’doom n gloom’ is your platform. For those of us who read and study the scriptures- it’s prophecy. 82 Monday, 48 Tuesday today who knows. Sun is shining. Healthy family that’s the best. My tomatoes and peppers Shot up! Not leggy like last few years With th HipPro soil you recommended What a fantastic results! Thank You. Sowed a few melons and cucumbers yesterday as 2 year ago I could have set out mid May! Will do more in a couple weeks in case the frigid May/June last year One reads ‘yesteryear columns’ and see some years were like what we are seeing but not as a rule more like a wow! Occurance. Take care and hope all your setting eggs hatch. Your cows calve with healthy vigorous calf’s! Happy planting! Hopefully you re home next time wolf strolls in
Make that Promix soil! Sorry for any confusion
I’m so glad your plants are doing nicely! I sure missed seeing that wolf. Maybe he’ll be back sometime soon, before the ice is off the pond. The ice makes them easier to spot than when they’re in the edges of the woods or in the tall grass.
Right now, we’re flooded with eggs, which is a nice “problem”. I will be giving them to several elderly friends who don’t raise chickens, from time to time. Then there’s rhubarb and lemon meringue pie, quiches, frittatas and more. Yum!! (Nobody ever turns away from deviled eggs either!) We’re waiting for our first cow to calf right now. Yep, spring is coming!!
For those of us living in an area *not* suffering drought, it can help to find a local farmer and buy in bulk. I like the taste of the beef from a family farm about 45 minutes away. I stop in 3 or 4 times a year. I eat about a pound of burger a week so I will buy it 25+ pounds at a time. They do specials where the price is advertised, but even when it’s not advertised on sale they often give me a discount for buying in bulk. They also have chicken and pork and eggs that I buy from them.
In order to maintain my blood sugar at healthy levels I need to lean on protein and fat, not grains. It’s kind of a “pay me now or pay me later” scenario – I can pay more for meat now and stay healthier and feel better, or I can save money on eating less meat and pay more for health issues later in addition to feeling worse now.
I’m grateful that I have the cash on hand to be able to invest in my health. Not everybody needs to eat this way, but it has helped me avoid becoming diabetic when I was right on the edge 15 years ago.
There are a lot of other things I don’t buy and things I do myself that help me have the money. A lot of people here probably do that, too.
I’m so happy when I go to the store, walking the aisles and thinking “I don’t need that, and that, and that..”. We have our own “store” right in the basement. We are so blessed to be able to live this way.
You’re very wise to buy locally. That way, you know you’re getting beef not laden with chemicals nor radiated to make it last longer. Yuck!! The same with vegetables and fruit. If you either buy locally from a trusted source or raise your own, you are more secure in your health.
I totally understand because I have a relative with the very same issue. After years of diabetes and high, high, high numbers, and being a strict vegetarian who hates meat, two different doctors suggested carnivore. Her pancreas is so worn out making insulin, even 3 different medications didn’t help. That’s pretty sad. She says she will have to eat carnivore the rest of her life. It’s worked beautifully for her. All she has is S.S. to live on. I’m glad she’s a Christian because that’s where her Help comes from at age 65.
Locally (25 miles distant) shopping includes Fareway, HyVee, Target, Walmart and Aldi. Aldi and Walmart have the best prices, Fareway the best meat (not prices). Also, Dollar General and Dollar Tree which sometimes have decent prices but not worth the extra stop for me.
I have tomatoes and peppers started and transplanted to larger containers today. Tomorrow, I plan to go through my seeds again and make my garden plan. I struggled last year keeping the grass and creeping charlie out of the garden and anticipate it will be worse this year. I have a huge rabbit problem so have to fence them out and deer who step over my fence. And then there all the bugs who like to ruin crops and I refuse to use poisons. Surprisingly, I usually do have a modest harvest!!
Yep, critters can sure wreck your garden. Here, it’s the deer and ground squirrels. In Montana, it was elk and bear. In New Mexico, it was cottontails and Jack rabbits. Fencing and a good dog helped in all cases. We, too, managed a good crop, despite challenges, including weather. I’ve found a thick mulch is the only thing that keeps grass and weeds at bay. Believe me, we have plenty in and around 5 acres of gardens! Happy spring!!
Walmart has been found to *not* have the best groceries prices but some folks are held hostage as it is their only choice. Better half said lettuce and half-n-half jumped $.25 since he bought it last week. One of the local chain grocery stores (*not* Walmart) was closed on Easter. Better half made it a priority to be there Monday morning and scored marked down steaks. Angus NY strip for $8 is a good deal and will provide more than one meal. I suspect those who post/read this blog have near zero food waste.
And with the price of fuel, everything will rise in price.
The seed potatoes that were pretty much our only option mostly have an eye per potato. I’m hoping this is just a one off. We have other local options to purchase potatoes (farmers’ markets).
The (hopefully not long term but I’m not holding my breath) mess has me pushing back when I only work 3 days a week. My job is not physically demanding and I work from home.
Yep, you can sure bet everything is going to jump in price. Our local gas went from $3.39 to $3.69 overnight! Just like the grocery store prices. And I feel strongly that it’s not going to get better. Stock up folks when you can. Beans and rice only will sure get stale after a while!!
Yep, we eat both. BUT we also mix in fresh and canned vegetables and meats, plus condiments so we ENJOY our meals, not just choke them down to “survive”.
You can bet here in California with fuel at 5.59 unleaded and diesel 7.00/gallon, roast at 8.00/lb and rib eye 18.00/lb, people are going to cry “uncle” and run to God for Help faster than in other states! My husband’s still working full-time at 70 yr old because of costs. Glad He’s already our Help.
Thanks for all the good advise Miss Jackie. I use your canning book every summer and at this point you can sure tell which pages I turn to most! I’m drooling over your pantry. So wonderful to have a grocery store of your own. Let’s pray this summer is better than last! Pyro
Yep, last summer was our toughest gardening year, with too much rain, then heat and drought. It sure kept us hopping. But all in all, we sure can’t complain one bit. I’ve already gone through two of my canning books, as I use them every single time I can, no matter how much I’ve canned foods. I don’t want to mistake the time, just because I “think” such and so is correct.
I agree with your words of wisdom, Jackie. Add to that the vulnerability of our electric grid and other potential issues, and there’s plenty to work out ahead of time. So, we keep on keepin’ on! It’s too bad that people like us are in the minority of population.
Glad to hear you’ll be broadcast again; you have such a great story and history to tell.
We had 5.5″ rainfall over 5 days in central Iowa, with more predicted. Garden too wet to be tilled yet.
Yes, we surely worry about the electric grid, even though we’re far off grid ourselves. It is ancient and not kept up like it should have been. It wouldn’t take much to disable it for years, which would plunge the country into chaos. Yep, we just keep on keeping on. Personally, I feel secure, but pray for those folks who think we’re crazy, trying to become more independent. Like that’s a bad thing???
Any problem with the wolves raiding your beef or chickens…??
We’ve never had trouble with wolves with our livestock. We have a mule with the cows that would simply eat wolves that came close. Seriously. She’s vicious with canines! We keep the chickens in a 6′ fence on about 1/2 an acre of orchard, free roaming in there until night, when we lock them up. We have coyotes get in over plowed snow and kill some and a fox get a couple that flew over the fence and thought free ranging on their own was a nice idea. But no wolves have gotten goats, cows nor poultry.