Do you feel that you are prepped enough to survive a major catastrophe?
Surviving yes, probably, but I would have lots of regrets about all the things I haven't finished preparing/learning yet.
We are still in our first year and we already get tested by a long drought. The task at hand is currently to tap into our small springs and get water tanks for storage.
Could you feed your livestock without feed stores and only outside feed from close neighbors and friends?
The only live stock we have are bees, they are also our livelihood. They overwinter on their own honey, but the Varroa mites could be a problem.
In that case we would have to cut drone brood to control the infestation levels.
We are thinking about getting a few ducks, they can eat anything, so we would simply share our food with them.
Do you own your homestead outright or would you loose it to the bank?
The land is all payed. But homestead is too big of a word for it. It's just movable tiny huts and shipping containers, all very primitive.
House building is too expensive with all those regulations and fees. And any dwelling bigger than 10 square meters is illegal without a consent.
What medical supplies do you have on hand if you can not get to a doctors or vets?
Band-aid, enema bucket, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, epsom salts, benzoin and 30 + essential oils, colloidial silver and some herbs. Haven't got a suturing kit yet.
What would you do when you run out of basic amenities like batteries, toilet paper etc?
Haven't used toilet paper in a while, I prefer washing with water, feels much cleaner anyway, wouldn't want to go back to using paper.
Don't have a toilet because I think humanure is too valuable to waste it.
I made lamps from oil and beeswax with home made wicks for lighting in case the power goes out. We have solar panels as well, but need to replace the deep cycle batteries.
For making lamp oil I've just started growing Moringa trees. They grow fast!
For tooth brushes I'm growing licorice root, which can be chewed to clean the teeth. They are good for gum health as well.
I've planted white mulberry trees to feed silkworms, so I can make yarn for clothes etc. There's so much to learn! How to make a root brush, a broom, sandals, hats, wicker baskets, casting metal, firing clay pots, making cement. So exiting to learn new stuff all the time.
In case electronics won't work anymore I write all kinds of useful information into journals. It's also a good way to memorize things.
Making paper and ink for writing with feathers, it can all be done! Information and skills will be more valuable than things, I believe.
Lastly, what are some of the modern day conundrums that you feel could be a problem that pioneers would not have had to face? What do you feel is the biggest difference between modern homesteading and prepping for survival?
Modern day problems are pollution, excessive government interference/regulations and natural disasters of the kind that happen during a grand solar minimum.
Also the sheer volume of unprepared people who will panic when some unexpected bad situation happens. It could potentially get nasty.
For me that means spiritual preparedness as well. Not to be afraid to die in case things don't work out. I'm not prepared to harm anybody to protect myself. My survival isn't more important than that of others. Just glad I don't have kids to worry about. But I'm concerned for my neighbors kids.
