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What's in your homestead library?

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T O P I C R E V I E W
Annika	Posted - Oct 19 2011 : 2:06:55 PM The first book I ever got on the subject, was this one, many years ago now! "Country Women: A Handbook for the New Farmer [Paperback] Jeanne Tetrault (Author), Sherry Thomas (Author)" Then there is the life/cook/idea book by our own MaryJane Butters Small-Scale Livestock Farming: A Grass-Based Approach for Health, Sustainability, and Profit by Carol Ekarius Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life Barbara Kingsolver The Encyclopedia of Country Living: An Old Fashioned Recipe Book Carla Emery I have many older and now rare books on homesteading and farming, many from the 1970's that still have valid information in them, as well as a lot of books on gardening and all that goes with that. a few on chickens and poultry and one on goats. I'm hoping to add many more books to my collection! Happy Autumn!! Annika Farmgirl & sister #13 http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/ http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/ Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
23 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Lorie.Vance	Posted - Jul 31 2012 : 09:59:21 AM Oh my goodness I just love books. I have hundreds on so many topics. It helps that I live in a bungelow that has ceiling to floor built-in book shelves in more than one room (this contributes to my habit). I have books on gardening, home decorating, cookbooks, travel, homesteading, chickens, poetry, world history, biography's, crafts, etc. plus magazines of Victoria, and Teatime magazine. http://thevintagegardengirl@blogspot.com
SandraM	Posted - Jul 30 2012 : 05:39:02 AM I had a blog post with favorite things on the bookshelf. I just copied and pasted... On the Bookshelf I love to read. When we were contemplating moving to the country I read everything I could find about homesteading. I decided very quickly that I liked sheep and that if I had a farm I just had to have some. Since I knew absolutely nothing about raising sheep, or any livestock for that matter, I read as many books and periodicals as I could. "Shepherdess: Notes from the Field" by Joan Jarvis Ellison First book I read about raising sheep. Very fun informative book that I read several times. "Raising Sheep the Modern Way" by Paula Simmons was the first book I found at our small, local library that was dedicated to raising sheep. The only book they had. Reading Paula Simmons heightened my interest. I knew that sheep had wool, but after reading Paula Simmons I discovered that wool was a lot more interesting that I had ever realized. With that in mind I read many other books from Paula Simmons. Among my favorites, "Turning Wool into a Cottage Industry". After moving to our farm I continued to read. One of the books that changed my outlook on raising livestock was "Quality Pasture" by Allan Nation. I am so glad that I found this book. It changed the direction that we decided to go with farming. Encouraged us to put up good quality fence before buying livestock as well as raising our livestock on pasture and not the barn. Other favorites... "More Sheep, More Grass, More Money" by Peter Schroedter "Small-Scale Livestock Farming A Grass-Based Approach for Health, Sustainability and Profit" by Carol Ekarius "Teach Yourself Visual Handspinning" by Judith MacKenzie McCuin "Goats Produce Too! The Udder Real Thing Volume 11" by Mary Jane Toth Milk Soap Making: The Smart and Simple Guide to Making Lovely Milk Soap From Cow Milk, Goat Milk, Buttermilk, Cream, Coconut Milk or Any Other Animal by Anne L. Watson Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery Sandra www.mittenstatesheepandwool.com
Suellen5	Posted - Jul 27 2012 : 5:25:01 PM Susan, You are so right about the Foxfire series. It has everything in one set of books. The new additions to the series are good as well. I am enjoying looking at and for the other books mentioned. Sue
Room To Grow	Posted - Jan 12 2012 : 10:36:55 AM The encyclopedia of Country Living The Self-sufficient life Just in Case 3-Back To Basics The Backyard Homestead The Independent Home Country Wisdom Almanac Making the Most of Your Own Back Yard Five Acres and Independence Self Sufficiency for the 21st Century And about 10 books on growing herbs and veggies. And how to make herbal remedies. 3 Books on making cloths, 4 books on home repair, and a slew of cookbooks of all kinds. we have moved to our farm...and love it
oregonatural	Posted - Jan 12 2012 : 09:31:37 AM Hi gals! I'm new the forums and living off-grid in Oregon. Looks like this is a smallish forum for us hearty types, so I'm happy to meet you all and hope we can share our lives and passions! I have many of the same books and publications listed. And I'm making notes about many you all mentioned that I don't have. One I didn't see on anyone's list (unless I missed it) are some old copies of the Foxfire series from the 70's. If you don't know about them, they were based on interviews with living old timers, who of course now, more than 30 years later are all gone. Some amazing wisdom and tips. Really worth finding if you can. Sample chapters: midwifing, spinning, burial customs, wagon making and "more affairs of plain living." I've cherished these books for decades! Off-grid living in a small solar-powered cabin. Please subscribe to my blog: http://oregonnatural.blogspot.com/ and visit my ETSY shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/OregonNatural?ref=si_shop THANK YOU from the bottom of my mountain girl heart!
Megan	Posted - Dec 30 2011 : 08:41:17 AM country living encyclopedia back to the basics barnyard in your backyard the backyard homestead mj mags and does my dad count hes like asking an encyclopedia of farm and living advice, its amazing how hard times used to be and all that he has done to get by. I see books that are on my wish list www.rockriverexoticsandkennel.net
FieldsofThyme	Posted - Dec 30 2011 : 05:45:49 AM I just found this book at the library: Ultimate Guide to Wilderness Living, Surviving with nothing but your bare hands and what you find in the woods, by John McPherson and Geri McPherson. I love the basket weaving section. I need to plant some willow trees here - ha ha ha! Farmgirl #800 http://pioneerwomanatheart.blogspot.com/ http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/ From my hands: http://pioneerpatchworkhomespun.blogspot.com/ From my Camera: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pioneerwomanatheart/
naturemaiden	Posted - Nov 03 2011 : 08:00:05 AM Gayle, one of the books i have on fixing things is 'the family handyman, helpful hints' from readers digest. It's a good book. connie http://www.naturemaiden.com/ - Soap & Candle http://modern-day-laura.blogspot.com/ -My Personal Blog http://www.prairiefarmherbs.com/ -Herb Plants for the Home Garden http://www.thriftyfarmgirl.com/ -My Online Thrift Shop
naturemaiden	Posted - Nov 03 2011 : 07:56:45 AM goodness where do i start..... stocking up MJ Mags MJ Life Book MJ Sewing Room MJ Outpost Raising Ducks Mother Earth news Back to basics country living mag soap and candle making hobby farm mag the little house cookbook the art of cookery made plain & simple encyclopedia of fishing greenhouse gardeners companion four season harvest root cellaring seed starting feasting free on wild edibles the cherokee herbal encyclopedia of natural medicine home remedies canning and preserving book of essential oils and aromatherapy traditional home crafts ...i have over 100 gardening books (went to college for horticulture) and countless other craft and cookbooks. connie http://www.naturemaiden.com/ - Soap & Candle http://modern-day-laura.blogspot.com/ -My Personal Blog http://www.prairiefarmherbs.com/ -Herb Plants for the Home Garden http://www.thriftyfarmgirl.com/ -My Online Thrift Shop
GayleLorraine	Posted - Nov 03 2011 : 07:24:43 AM I guess I should have clarified my question. I am looking for a book on home repairs. Thanks kindly.
Acelady02	Posted - Nov 02 2011 : 5:23:14 PM The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn Love my Mother Earth News MaryJane Farm Mags Ball Canning Book Grit mag Grandmother's Critter Ridder great book on natural ways to rid critter's and many other books (((((Hugs All)))))Penny Farmgirl Sister #3343 God gives Miracles to those who Believe, Courage to those with Faith, Hope to those who Dream, Love to those who Accept, & Forgiveness to those who Ask...
GayleLorraine	Posted - Nov 02 2011 : 08:17:46 AM Hello, My name is Gayle and I am a brand new "sister". I am in need of a book on how to fix things since I am not very handy - yet. Does anyone know if the book Dare to Repair: A Do-it-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home is the book I should get. Thanks kindly!
FieldsofThyme	Posted - Nov 01 2011 : 08:09:09 AM I also have many cookbooks with old-fashioned recipes. I read a lot from the library also. For example, "The Heritage Sampler" A book of Colonial Arts and Crafts, by Cheryl G. Hoople has recipes in it that I am copying down today. I've love to get more recipes and books with the older crafts etc. Farmgirl #800 http://pioneerwomanatheart.blogspot.com/ http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
Annika	Posted - Nov 01 2011 : 07:22:36 AM I'm copying all of the book titles that I don't already have into a wish list! What wonderful gifts these all would make! Annika Farmgirl & sister #13 http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/ http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/ Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
FieldsofThyme	Posted - Nov 01 2011 : 06:14:44 AM We have: Small Farmer's Journal The Ultimate Guide to Homesteading Putting Food By Root Cellaring Cooking on a Stick and other camping cookbooks Stocking Up RX from the Garden, 101 Food Cures You Can Easily Grow Sugartime, The Hidden Pleasures of Making Maple Syrup How to be Healthy with Natural Foods Country Wisdom and Know How How to Store Your Garden Produce Keeping a Family Coe Several goat/dairy goat books Several raising chickens books Homemade Bread, by the editors of Farm Journal Homeopthaic Remedies Solviva Recipes from the Herbal Kitchen Making Pickles and Relishes at Home Kerr Home Canning Book Blue ball canning book Copies of The Herb Quarterly Copes of MaryJane's Farm Magazine Keeping the Harvest Build Your own Underground Root Cellar The Complete Whole Grains Cookbook The Self-Sufficiency Specialist Many herb and recipe cookbooks The Forager's Harvest Yankee Home Hints .........and many others :) Farmgirl #800 http://pioneerwomanatheart.blogspot.com/ http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
22angel	Posted - Oct 24 2011 : 09:43:17 AM I don't have many, but my list is growing! I have: Country Wisdom & Know-how (Everything You Need To Know To Live Off The Land) Grow Your Own Food by Parragon Books Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver MJF & Mother Earth News & The New Pioneer (although at $14 per magazine...it's a treat!) I also have a book by Mag Ruffman called How Hard Can It Be? : ToolGirl's Favourite Repairs and Projects (http://www.amazon.com/How-Hard-Can-ToolGirls-Favourite/dp/0771078528/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319474457&sr=1-5) She is hilarious! Very helpful too :). Life isn't about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself. "When I grow up, I want to be dirt." seen on a box through construction in Wyoming 2010
Montrose Girl	Posted - Oct 23 2011 : 11:46:56 AM Kristine, Do you like Jackie's canning book? I read that she has recipes in her cooking book that use what you would have in your root cellar or otherwise put up? Have you seen her cookbook? I have been trying to find a way to use all the summer goodies, but most cook books call for some exotic ingredient I don't always have on hand. Laurie http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/
njaw09	Posted - Oct 21 2011 : 06:29:11 AM I have a few homestead books. I also have: The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn & Reader's Digest Back to Basics -natural healing wisdom & know-how compiled by amy rost -the encyclopedia of country living (10th edition) -country wisdom & know-how -Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners -Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Vegetables I have alot more books at the basement.
Lieberkim	Posted - Oct 20 2011 : 9:49:01 PM Country Wisdom & Know How is my main one. But I also have books about raising livestock and herbs and natural medicine etc. I've also borrowed books from the library, that way I know whether or not I actually want to have that book permanently. Excuse the mess & the noise, my children are making happy memories
herbquilter	Posted - Oct 20 2011 : 8:32:24 PM You Can Farm or anything by Joel Salatin Backwoods Home Magazine & their Self Reliance books http://www.backwoodshome.com/store/files/books.html Growing and Canning Your Own Food by Jackie Clay These are some of my favorites in addition to the ones listed above. Blessings, Kristine ~ Mother of Many, Herbalist, Master Energy Intuitive http://herbalmommasda.blogspot.com/
batznthebelfry	Posted - Oct 20 2011 : 06:17:44 AM My favorite has always been Mother Earth News which I have collected & used since around 1982. Back to Basics book Country wisdom & know how Ency of country living Back home mag MJ mags Chickens mag Woodstove cook book Plus a lot more books that I love to go thur each winter. I have a antique 1940's book shelve that has all my simply farming/living mags & books by the wood stove so its perfect for those cold days to review them & see what new things I can do or use that I couldn't before...They are my favorite hobby to do in the winter....Michele' Chickens rule! The Old Batz Farm Hen #2622
msdoolittle	Posted - Oct 19 2011 : 7:25:54 PM Honestly, I have far too many to list, but my favorites are: Carla Emery's book (The Encyclopedia of Country Living) Four Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman (EVERYONE who eats out of their NEEDS this book) The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn Reader's Digest Back to Basics Country Wisdom & Know-How I don't have Mary Jane's books yet (gasp!) but hope to add them to the collection soon. Those are the books I read over and over. FarmGirl #1390 www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com
grammytammy	Posted - Oct 19 2011 : 6:54:52 PM I have Back to Basics, it has been years since I have looked at it. Hmmm maybe tomorrow. FarmGirl 2495 God loved us so much He gave His only son to die in our stead.

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