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Soil and Water Testing

hand holding soil
Soil and water are two foundational elements of gardening, farming, homesteading, permaculture…and life on Earth. But soil and water are not homogenous materials. In fact, they’ve got myriad different qualities around the globe and even around one garden or homestead. When you’re starting out, it’s pretty easy to test your ... Read more

Josh and Rachael – Bringing it Back Home

Josh Riley permaculture design course student
After watching lots of video online, Josh had the impression that permaculture was like “gardening on crack.” Then he took the Wild Abundance Permaculture Design Course (PDC) and learned that it’s all that and so much more.  Josh on a field trip during the PDC. Photo credit: Rachael In 2017, ... Read more

3 Tips for Avoiding a Debt Trap when Buying Land

Do you dream of owning your own land and creating an oasis of sustainability, beauty, and productivity? Most of us do who are interested in permaculture, gardening, natural building, and earthskills. Indeed, ownership can provide a sense of security and rootedness, so we can really dive into our dreams and ... Read more

Goumi Berries

Elaeagnus multiflora Goumi berries (not gummy bears) are one of our favorite springtime treats. They’re beautifully bright red with silver speckles and are both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Plus, their seeds have significant amounts essential fatty acids. Not to mention, they’re ripe at the very beginning of fruit and berry season ... Read more

7 Ways to Include Community While Looking for Land

Group of people sitting in a circle forming an intentional community
Building and maintaining community connections are essential parts of permaculture and living off the land. Here are seven ways to incorporate community into a land-search. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. We hope this list will help you to explore what’s right for you. Buy land from friends When ... Read more

How to Make Money Living off the Land

man from the back looking down at barn and field and mountains
There are lots of ways to make money while living off the land. They range from relatively passive, to highly intensive. Some involve bringing people to your land, while others involve bringing the fruits of your land to where people are who want them. As you consider these options, think ... Read more

How to Weed a Garden

Weeding the garden is nobody’s favorite task, but it needs to happen in order to reap an abundant harvest. That’s why learning how to weed a garden efficiently and effectively is especially important. Choosing the right weeding tools in the garden is key. We’ll highlight a few of our favorites ... Read more

5 Tips for Connecting with Farmers and Homesteaders

People who are already farming and homesteading can be some of the best teachers when you begin learning these skills. However, these folks can also be some of the busiest. Here are five tips for gleaning knowledge from experienced folks in ways that are mutually beneficial to both of you. ... Read more

Grow Your Own Mushrooms – Sawdust Spawn vs. Plugs

homegrown shiitake mushroom
Homegrown mushrooms on inoculated logs are a fun and delicious addition to any garden or homestead. We’ve already gone into details about how to grow mushrooms, but here we’re going to focus on the difference between the two main forms of spawn: sawdust spawn and plug spawn.   Want to ... Read more

Herbal-Infused Vinegar

pouring vinegar over herbs in a bottle
Wild greens popping up in the forest and fields are among the first heralds of springtime. One of our favorite things to do with these mineral-rich plants is to make herbal-infused vinegar. It’s easy to do and offers lots of health benefits. What’s more, it’s a tasty way to preserve ... Read more

Should you quit your job and live off the land?

woman standing a field with mountains living off the land
Are you fantasizing about quitting your job to live off the land? This idea can seem very appealing, especially if your work isn’t in line with your values. However, it may not be a great idea to quit your job in order to pursue a land-based life, unless you have ... Read more

10 Perennial Vegetables We Love

native perennial wood nettles
  Perennial vegetable plants come back year after year, without needing to be replanted. No beds to dig, no soil to prepare, just a little weeding and mulching from time to time. Sound too good to be true? They are pretty amazing. Indeed, perennial vegetables can be a wonderful addition ... Read more

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