Top 15 Homesteading Skills for Preppers

Posted by Devin Peterson on 3/1/2013 to Emergency Preparedness

1. Gardening - I can't stress enough how hard growing your own sustainable source of food actually is, especially for those with little or no experience. Even in good conditions, with healthy soil and ideal weather conditions, plant life can be sensitive. In some regards, raising a family of edible plants can be more difficult than raising a pet, but it is absolutely essential to be able to do. Long term food stocks and storage ultimately run out, but Mother Nature is forever fruitful, if we treat her well.



2. Hunting, trapping, and fishing - This is a pretty broad category, but it all fits in the food procurement skill set. The quest for food is the overriding factor of almost all wildlife, so it may be the same for us when the grid collapses and we're on our own. Passive methods such as trapping and fishing is probably more efficient than active hunting, although if you can score big game then the rewards are greater.


3. Raising livestock - There are a lot of great benefits from raising various livestock. Continuous supply of food is the main goal. Chickens can provide eggs regularly and are relatively easy to raise, cows can provide milk and can be butchered eventually, goats can also provide milk but also double as an effective lawnmower.


4. Skinning and gutting animals - If you're going to be hunting, you better learn this skill set. It's a true shame when an inexperienced hunter gets their first kill only to realize they don't have any idea how to prepare the kill.

4.5 *UPDATE!* (3/11/13) - So apparently we didn't mention First-Aid in the original post!.. As several readers have pointed out that having a basic knowledge of a few medical procedures and first aid skills can be extremely beneficial (see comments). We certainly agree. Some essential skills may include stitching, ability to make medications and utilize herbal remedies, CPR, and basic instructions on how to treat common illnesses like cold, flu and rashes.



5. Preserving food - So you learned to grow food, forage, hunt and prepare your foods, but now winter is coming and you have to stock up big time. You can't just stuff things in a tupperware container and hope it keeps. Learn how to properly can and jar foods, as well as utilize salts and acids for preservation purposes.


6. Basic carpentry - The ability to build a quality shelter, even a simple one such as an elaborate brush shelter, is an invaluable skill. You can also make repairs to current structures if they undergo detrimental damages from storms, bad weather conditions or accidents.


7. Sewing - When new supplies of clothing aren't readily available at the click of a button, you will soon realize how valuable good clothing is. Things tear and get thrown out all too often. Simple sewing skills can save years of use from many articles of clothing.


8. Knife sharpening - A knife is one of the most important survival tools, but they don't last forever. When your knife dulls it obviously becomes useless. Get that old whet stone out and start practicing.


9. Building a fire - Sure, anyone can start a fire using some gasoline and a lighter (not recommended) but what about when all you have is some tinder and an old fashioned flint and steel? Get that little fire starter out and start making sparks!


10. Filtering water - There are lots of ways to filter and disinfect water, but you'll want to be able to MASS filter. A big barrel filled with sand and although filter-like substances is a start. And it doesn't hurt to keep a portable filter device available, although they are not a long term solution.


11. Training a dog - I'm a big supporter of the symbiotic relationship between man and dog. We're practically best friends. Dogs can provide a whole lot of benefits for a homesteader. They can assist in hunting and provide a great deal of protection. Perhaps they can assist with #14 as well... Go watch Cesar Milan, dogs don't speak any of our verbal languages, but people don't seem to really get that. Please treat your pet with the respect and honor it deserves by taking the time to understand them better. As I always say, "Dogs are people too!"


12. Making candles - An important skill is to provide light in times of dark. You may not have electricity so get ready to seek alternative sources of luminosity.


13. Negotiating and bartering - People skills and the ability to effectively trade may make the difference between surviving and dying. I can't exactly tell you how to develop this skill... but at least understand that it would sure help to be able to effectively communicate with others in times of need and compromise.


14. Entertaining yourself - Without modern forms of entertainment like TV, computers, phones and so on, life can get pretty dim and boring rather quick. There are LOTS of ways to have fun however. You just have to test yourself, put down all those tech devices and see what you can come up with on your own or with a friend, in just your backyard.


15. Continuing to learn - The pursuit of knowledge and furthering your understanding is what's ultimately going to keep you developing and improving your quality of life and thus further enhancing your survival abilities.

There are of course many other skills that are very important. These are some of the ones we felt were most immediate or very useful in the long run. Feel free to add some in the comments section and we'll be sure to give recognition in the future update article!

Recommended Survival Gear by Skip and Cliff: Snare-vival Trap - Blade Trader - Tub Candles

"So I was trying to survive one day, and I realized something. Holy crap this is hard."