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Across the Fence:  i need a few ideas for a homesteading speech...  |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 15 2012 : 09:15:42 AM
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Hi Ladies. I am speaking on the topic of homesteading at a homeschooling conference this weekend. I'm speaking mostly to urban people who don't necessarily have a ton of space who want to bring elements of "homesteading" into their life WITH their kids. So I'm looking for ideas of homesteady type things (which I view as anything that is self-sufficient for the sake of my speech) that families can do together or that kids can do. :) Do you have any favorites?? I've got a lot but I'm looking for other ideas in case I missed something obvious. :)
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com
www.amydingmann.com |
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knittingmom
True Blue Farmgirl
665 Posts
AnneMarie
Edmonton
Alberta
Canada
665 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2012 : 12:50:55 PM
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How about something as simple as baking bread, making freezer jam, blanching and freezing veggies, starting small raised bed gardens, small sewing and building projects, etc. Small steps that aren't too intimidating and are easy to envision doing with kids. (hey even bread baking can be tied into a science lesson).
Farmgirl Sister #3759
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world"
"The things that matter most are not really things after all" |
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Emily Anna
True Blue Farmgirl
863 Posts
Emily
Fort Atkinson
WI
USA
863 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2012 : 1:39:07 PM
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What about whipping up a batch of homemade laundry soap? I don't know if it would constitute as being "homesteading" but it's cheaper than store boughten, it lasts longer, and it's supposed to be better for the environment......top me that's part of it. Some people have to start "homesteading" type things off easy, otherwise it seems overwhelming if you're used to modern conveniences and buying everything already made. Laundry soap is is quick and easy and something they will be able to see as making a difference.
Let us know what you come up with. I'm very interested in hearing how this goes!
Emily |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2012 : 1:46:39 PM
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Amy, I can't even think of a thing right now. I hope your speech turns out great and you have fun! Can't wait to hear about it. And hear the speech too.
Kris
Happiness is simple.
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2012 : 3:04:50 PM
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Discuss all the ways we, as farmgirls, can use vinegar and save a lot of money by doing so.
Or, discuss growing herbs.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2012 : 4:32:18 PM
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Amy - how about candlemaking/dipping and simple cheesemaking (like mozzarella) or yogurt-making (shared that with friends, they all went crazy over it!)? Or how great it is to line- or rack-dry one's laundry... And since the holidays are coming, what about handmade gifts like embroidered towels, clove-spiked oranges tied with red ribbons, homemade spring gardening starter kids (a la MaryJane, of course!) or gift jars of bean soup mix? Starting and saving seeds is a big one, I think... as well as starting a small garden in something as simple as buckets or old, recycled boots on the deck. And composting - that's HUGE! And also I'd definitely cover the whole water conservation thing - rain barrels, saving gray water for your garden, etc. Oh, and I have always loved the story about Grandma's apron... Aprons are a must! I'm with Kris - I think this is awesome that you're doing this, and really can't wait to hear all about it!!! How exciting! You GO girl! Go! Go! GO!!! :) Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Sep 15 2012 4:33:32 PM |
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AlyssaMarie
True Blue Farmgirl
287 Posts
AlyssaMarie
Palouse
Washington
USA
287 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2012 : 5:25:34 PM
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How about container gardening. There are plenty of veggies to be grown in small spaces. Or even just shopping in season and preserving utilizing urban farmers markets.
AlyssaMarie @ Link'd Hearts Ranch
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2012 : 09:52:56 AM
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| I like the idea of talking about all the uses of white vinegar. Also, maybe you could include some beauty ideas, like using a squished blueberry for lipstick -- kids would love that. And baking soda, of course. There's the deodorant recipe a lot of us use. Also, I started using a small amount of baking soda with my liquid face soap (I've been using Cetaphil) as a mild exfoliant when I wash up in the morning. It's refreshing, cheap and smells nice. I'll bet you'll get LOADS of questions! |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2012 : 4:38:39 PM
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Thanks so much everyone for these great ideas! You know how when homesteading is something you're doing, and someone asks you to talk about it, and you're kind of like "Um..." because its hard to pick things out when they are your everyday normal? That's kind of what I felt like when they asked me to speak on this topic. But I'm having fun creating the workshop and I think it will be very informative! Thanks so much, and keep the ideas coming if you think of anything else!
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com
www.amydingmann.com |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2012 : 11:05:31 AM
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Be sure to mention how you can dry herbs in the hang-upside-down-in-the-bag method. And you might mention makin jerky or even huntin for deer meat. Those are a few things my then-city-now-country hubby knew about and liked when we got married.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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Bonnie Ellis
True Blue Farmgirl
2474 Posts
Bonnie
Minneapolis
Minnesota
USA
2474 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2012 : 7:54:49 PM
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Maybe you could also mention the peaceful feeling of using candles only (as if the power were out). Also how much fun it is to pull taffy or have a sing along. You'd probably have to teach the kids some old songs. Maybe you could tell them uses of newspaper such as for insulation or keeping their store bought apples. Good luck Amy.
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
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Across the Fence: i need a few ideas for a homesteading speech... |
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i need a few ideas for a homesteading speech...
