Self-Sufficiency

Whether you want to raise chickens, preserve food or make some home brew, the library has a book for you!  Below are selected titles.  Ask us if you want more information and we will probably be able to ask another library for the books that you want.

Success with Chickens by J.C. Jeremy Hobson

The interest in raising chickens is growing as people are looking for ways to live a more self-reliant lifestyle. Success with Chickens is a great book to get you on your way to successful chicken-keeping.   This book contains information about chicken breeds, the costs of raising chickens, housing, and caring for your chickens. There is also a section on showing off your beautiful birds! The information presented in this book is suited for beginners as well as experienced chicken-keepers.

The Beginner’s Guide to Beekeeping by Daniel Johnson and Samantha Johnson

This book contains everything you need to know about beekeeping as a hobby.   The book is colorfully illustrated and contains interesting facts about bees. Also, within this book you will find information about bees and their behavior, equipment, routine care, pests and diseases, and honey. Looking for some recipes beyond using honey in your tea? There are several delicious recipes in the book you can try using honey as an ingredient.

 

Backyard Farming on an Acre (More or Less): A Living Free Guide by Angela England

You can save money and live an earth-friendly and sustainable lifestyle by growing your own food in your backyard. This book will show you how to plan your garden and cultivate crops. After the harvest, the book offers instruction on how to manage your harvest by preserving, canning, freezing, dehydrating, and smoking your food. Do you have an interest in raising animals? Readers can learn about keeping bees, chickens, sheep, goats, and rabbits. There is also a section on crafting items from your backyard farm. Learn how to make butter, yogurt, and cheese. You can learn about dyeing fiber, spinning yarn, home brewing, and crafting goat’s milk soap.

The Weekend Homesteader: A Twelve-Month Guide to Self-Sufficiency by Anna Hess

The Weekend Homesteader by Anna Hess is a twelve-month guide to self-sufficiency. Each month features a different project to introduce you to homesteading. Learn about seed saving in August. Discover how to stay warm without electricity in December. The projects included in this book are fun and easy to learn in just a few hours each weekend.

 

 

 

The Modern-Day Pioneer: Simple Living in the 21st Century by Charlotte Denholtz

“Sew, cook, quilt, farm, and craft your way to sustainable living!” Looking to get away from modern day conveniences and try to live a more simple and sustainable lifestyle? In the book, The Modern-Day Pioneer: Simple Living in the 21st Century, you will learn about how to grow, harvest and preserve vegetables from your own back yard. This book will also introduce you to crafts that are fun to make but practical for use in your home such as; soap-making, candle-making, quilting and sewing. There is also a chapter on prairie remedies to contend with everyday ailments and illnesses.

The Gentle Art of Preserving by Katie & Giancarlo Caldesi

With a shift from creating less waste and living more sustainable and frugal lifestyle, The Gentle Art of Preserving by Katie and Giancarlo Caldes, provides readers with information needed to preserve foods. Readers can learn about food preservation through instructions and practical tips on drying, curing, smoking, fermenting, heat processing, and freezing food. Many delicious recipes and colorful photos are also included in this book. A list of suppliers and other resources are included to further guide you in your quest in food preserving.

Craft Beer for the Homebrewer: Recipes from America’s Top Brewmasters by Michael Agnew with Billy Broas, Denny Conn, Matthew Schaefer & Jordan Wiklund.

For the homebrew enthusiast, Craft Beer for the Home Brewer contains a collection of 38 homebrew recipes provided by craft brewmasters from around the country. Try a Wiley’s Rye Ale from Stone Cellar Brewpub in Appleton, Wisconsin. Prefer an IPA? Try Spiral Jetty, by Epic Brewing in Salt Lake City, Utah.   Vibrant illustrations and color photography are included with each recipe.

Birdhouses & More: Easy-to-Build Houses & Feeders for Birds, Bats, Butterflies and Other Backyard Creatures by A. J. Hamler

Birdhouses & More contains colorful photos with step-by-step instructions for over 25 projects to build for wildlife or your domestic pets. This book contains the plans needed to build bird feeders and houses, a scratch post for your cat, and a pet bed for your dog. The book also contains an introduction to woodworking.