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Made of ancient diatom skeletons, diatomaceous earth is edible to mammals but deadly to insects. De scratches through a bug's waxy exoskeleton coating turning their innards to teeny tiny bug jerky.

SKIP, which stands for Skills to Inherit Property, is a permaculture-based program designed to connect aspiring homesteaders with aging landowners seeking successors for their properties. The program consists of over a thousand practical projects, referred to as "Badge Bits" (BBs), encompassing various aspects of sustainable living, such as gardening, natural building, animal care, and food preservation. Participants, known as "Skippers," complete these BBs, documenting their progress with pictures and videos to demonstrate their skills and dedication. As Skippers gain experience, they progress through levels of certification, starting with PEP1 (Permaculture Experience according to Paul) and culminating in PEP4, representing a significant level of expertise. "Otis," a fictional character in the SKIP program, represents the numerous landowners seeking worthy individuals to inherit their properties. The program aims to create a bridge between these Otises and Skippers, offering a pathway for Skippers to "skip the rat race" and acquire land while providing Otises with peace of mind knowing their homesteads will be in capable hands. SKIP emphasizes practical skills and real-world experience, fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-sufficiency among participants.

The SKIP (Skills to Inherit Property) program, hosted on permies.com, utilizes a badge system based on the completion of practical projects called "Badge Bits" (BBs). These BBs, categorized under 22 different aspects, encompass a diverse array of skills crucial for sustainable living and homesteading, aligning with the principles of permaculture. To earn a badge, Skippers must complete a predetermined set of BBs within a specific aspect, demonstrating their competency in that area. Badges are tiered, starting with the Sand badge, which signifies basic proficiency and requires approximately 5 hours of work. The next levels are Straw, Wood, and Iron badges, representing increasingly advanced skill levels and significantly greater time commitments. Examples of BBs include carving a wooden spoon (Roundwood Woodworking), building a hugelkultur garden bed (Gardening), installing a light fixture (Electricity), and mending a hole in clothing (Textiles). By completing BBs and earning badges, Skippers showcase their practical skills and dedication to sustainable living to potential "Otisies" (landowners) looking for suitable successors for their properties. Moreover, the completion of BBs contributes to the overall goal of "skipping the rat race," empowering individuals to acquire the skills and experience needed for self-sufficient living.

"Pooless," a term frequently used within the permaculture community, refers to the practice of eliminating commercial shampoos and soaps in favor of natural alternatives or simply water. While the concept might seem daunting at first, user feedback and shared tips highlight its practical usability and positive outcomes. The transition to "poolessness" often involves an adjustment period, during which the scalp rebalances its sebum production, leading to potential temporary waxiness or static. However, this phase is manageable with practical tips shared within the community. Sources suggest using readily available ingredients like baking soda and apple cider vinegar as a gentle cleansing and conditioning routine. Additionally, regular brushing helps distribute natural oils and maintain a clean and healthy scalp. For those with longer hair, a flea comb and soapy water can be utilized for more thorough cleaning. The sources emphasize the importance of patience during the initial transition, reassuring that hair eventually reaches a natural balance, becoming less oily and requiring less frequent washing. With readily available ingredients, simple techniques, and supportive online communities, "poolessness" proves to be a user-friendly and sustainable approach to personal care, aligning with permaculture's principles of simplicity and self-sufficiency.

Cast iron cookware can last hundreds of years while some other cookware needs to be replaced every 6 months. Cast iron is the true non-stick pan. When the surface is coated with a dab of oil or fat of your choice, eggs will slide freely.