Man Was Created from the Soil

Genesis 1:26-30 King James Version (KJV)

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

Genesis 2:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Every other creature was spoken into existence. Man and woman were actually formed by the hand of God out of the soil of the ground. No mater what your beliefs are, you cannot deny that after our body dies and decays it becomes soil again.

Mankind was God's special creation. We were created to commune with God. God doesn't need us, but he wants us to be his friends and family. I am sure you know what I mean. There are a lot of things that we want but really do not need.

Everything that man needs to survive and to thrive physically is provided by the earth, God's creation. God gave mankind dominion over all the earth. Dominion, not to abuse or rape the earth, but to be a good steward of the bounty the earth can provide. Since the very beginning seed time and harvest were initiated and they shall remain as long as this earth continues.

I believe one of our biggest problems in society today is we are living in a fabricated world. The world we live in would have been a wild fantasy a hundred years ago. There have been barbaric times throughout history, but in all honesty we live in barbaric times now, oh we think we have culture because of all of the stuff we have around us. Think about it the reasons a person is murdered today are the same reasons a person was murdered a thousand years ago, possessions, emotions, and power. 

When a person first truly looks at the soil they are truly amazed. In a single handful of healthy soil there are millions of tiny living creatures. Some of these creatures you can see many you can't. Most of the life in that handful of dirt is so small that only a microscope can bring them into focus. 

The farther we get away from the soil the more difficult it is for us to connect with God. The soil, the garden, in fact all of nature proclaims to me there is a God and he loves us. I know there are scientific reasons for a lot of things that I think are glorious, but a rose does not have to be beautiful to get insects to pollinate them, they do not have to smell so good. I believe the earth was created for our pleasure and for us to experience God.

I have had people ask me why I want to know about all of the edible and medicinal plants that grow wild. To many people that is so strange when there is a grocery store only a few miles away. Verse 29 holds the answer.

29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

I firmly believe that in plants there is a cure for every disease that we will ever come in contact with. I do not believe that God created this earth just for existence and for beauty. I believe he created this place because he knew we would fall, he knew all of the things we would face and he built in the answers to every challenge. I find the fingerprint of God in nature quite often, if you look close you might too.

Man was created from the soil, sustained by the soil, and our body will return to the soil, all for the glory of God.

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Sportstek Xplorer 10 in 1 Survival Shovel: a review

There are so many companies out there trying to talk you into spending money on their products. Some of these products are great, some not so much , and everything in between. Form time to time I find a product I like, when I do I share it with you. If you have been following along for any amount of time you already know I am going to be honest. I received this product specifically to review. There are several good points and some bad ones as well we will cover them all. Ready?

Overall Design of the Xplorer 10 in 1 Survival Shovel

When I received my Xplorer 10 in 1 survival shovel my children were just as excited as I was. It is a cool looking design and it has a very durable feel to it. The shovel is a good bit heavier than I expected, but not too heavy. It feels just right for me.

I like the way the tool is designed and I like the way that it folds.

Durability

So far the only thing I have broken is the flint in the handle. Flint is fragile anyway and I have been really rough on the shovel so I am not going to take points away from the overall performance.

The Xplorer shovel is a two piece design. It is easily folded and helps with carry space a little. This shovel is simple to configure and can be set at different angles.

The edges of the shovel and the teeth of the saw are still in good condition and show no sign of wear. So far the durability score is a solid 5 acorns.

Primary Function

Xplorer as a Shovel

The primary function of this tool is as a shovel. As a shovel it functions well. The edges are in good condition. The tools arrived sharp with no burrs or rough edges. This is a small tool and really has no area to place your foot to help push the blade in the soil. I compare it to the old three piece GI shovel that I have had for years.

I have no complaints with the performance of the Xplorer shovel in mellow or slightly compacted soil. When dealing with compacted soil the Xplorer out performs my old gi shovel by a long shot because of its ability to be used as a pickax or a hoe. This allows for the loosening of the soil before removal.

Xplorer as an Ax or Machete

As a hacking tool the Xplorer functions really well. I have put it to the test pretty vigorously. I would put its hacking ability up against my Gladius by Cold Steel any day. The weight of the tool gives you a little extra leverage and the padded handle reduces shock. I gave it a 4 1/2 simple because a little more length or a little more weight would make a big difference in the hacking area, but that also might make it more difficult to carry. 

Xplorer as a Saw

The saw does work. I expected it to work better than it does when I first examined the tool. But after trying it I realized the teeth of the tool are really not deep enough and are not at the best angle for the saw to function very efficiently. Having said that, I would much rather use the saw on this tool than to try and use the little wire saws that you can pick up at the local department stores. I am tough on this area, if something is supposed to be a saw I want it to work and work well.

Secondary Functions and Accecories of Xplorer 10 in 1 Shovel

The Sheath 

I honestly think the sheath was an afterthought. The sheath does cover the blade and keeps it from being damaged or damaging anything while it is being carried, but that is all it does. There is no way to strap the tool onto a belt or backpack. Unless you put it in your pack you will have to get creative on how you will carry the thing.

Emergency Auto Hammer

It will function well as an emergency auto hammer. Just place the blade in the hoe position and smash away. I did not try this, I couldn't get anyone who was willing to let me smash a car window, but trust me it will work.

As a Hammer

I really hate that I didn't get this on the video, but with the equipment I have some shots and angles are a challenge. I recorded it 3 times and I didn't like a single one of them. It does work. Am I going to throw away my Estwing and use this full time? Heck no! But if you are in a situation where you need a hammer and don't have one, the Xplorer 10 in 1 is a lot better than trying to find a rock.

Wire Cutters

Once again, it does work. In a pinch if you have nothing else they would be great. If you have a good multi tool they would be better.

Flint and Waterproof Storage

As I stated above, I have broken the flint. I have been incredibly rough on this tool. I am sure that if I were just using this tool as most everyone would the flint would still be intact.

The waterproof storage in the handle is a big plus. You could store matches (especially if you are like me and break the flint), tinder, I can even see a survival fishing kit made to fit in the handle.  You could also stash a little cash in the handle. Even with the flint breakage I give it a 4.

Final Thoughts

I am sure there are other uses for this handy tool, but I have covered all of the basics. The warranty is incredible for this type of item. The company offers a full 1 year money back guarantee. That means they really believe in this product. Even with the issues I have listed above this tool has earned a place in my automobile readiness kit. I think it is worth the price. Over all score. 4 acorns and I am not being generous. If you are interested in this tool you can purchase it 

Survival Shovel | SporstsTek Xplorer 10in1 Folding Shovel | FREE Sheath/Sleeve Cover | Multi-function Capabilities | For Camping, Gardening, Hiking, Auto Emergency, Military, Self-Defense & More | High-Carbon Steel

If you would like to watch the video review you can do so below.

I received this product free to review, no other compensation was accepted.

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Self Reliance Gifts for Graduates

Our youngest son is graduating from high school this year. Does that make me old? I guess that depends on your definition. As I have gotten older my desire for self reliance has increased. With that my need to make sure my family has a basic level of readiness has become critically important.

Our son is focusing on two opportunities after graduation. He has decided that he wants to pursue a career as an electrician. This is a very good field and barring a total collapse or major EMP event will never go away.

One of the opportunities he has is technical college. It has a good program and is not too far way. He would be able to live at home while he studies and work part-time during the program.

The second opportunity is an apprenticeship program. This is the one he is most excited about. If he is accepted, he will be attending classes a couple of nights a week and will be working with a master electrician a full-time schedule.

There are actually several benefits to the second opportunity. First is there is a lower cost of training. The only things that our son will have to buy are tools and books, there is no tuition costs. Second benefit is he will be earning money, in his chosen field while he learns. 

No matter if he goes to the technical college or if he is accepted into the apprenticeship program, he will have things that he needs and it is not very long before friends and family members will be asking for ideas on what to get him for graduation. We are going to first talk about common gifts for graduates.

 

Common Graduation Gifts

Me just being who I am, I decided to do a little research and see what the most common gifts for graduates are. Some I knew would be on the list and some I was quite surprised to see.

Cash

Honestly, this is the easiest for everyone, almost to the point that some consider a cash gifting to be the lazy way out. A cash gifting does have some major benefits. If a graduate is going off to school or moving out on their own, having a little extra money is a great benefit. Deposits for utilities or even just furnishing a dorm room can get expensive quickly. I can see the good for everyone involved.

A New Car

This one is a double edged sword. I can see the reasoning behind this gifts, but there are problems as well. Unless you have the money to buy a car out right I am not sure this is a good idea.

The added cost of payments and insurance can put a strain on a young adult just starting their life. I do know some parents that cover the cost of both the payments and insurance, but this is not helping teach the responsibility of budgeting.

Plastic Surgery

I was shocked to find out that plastic surgery is growing in popularity as a graduation gifts. Over the past several years there have been several news reports on the increase of plastic surgery as a graduation gift. The most popular procedures given as gifts are nose jobs and breast implants. There are so many concerns with this trend that I don't even know where to start.

Other Common Gifts

Other gifts that are common include: furniture, luggage, travel, briefcase, and things like that.

Self Reliance Gift Ideas

What is the difference between a gift and a self reliance gift? A gift meets a social requirement. A gift doesn't really have to require thought. Anything can be used as a gift. A self reliance gift does require thought and imparts a help or sometimes a guide. Take time and think about what the graduate will be stepping into. Here are some ideas of gifts that might be of help. 

First Aid Kit

I am a firm believer that everyone should have a first aid kit. This kit can be purchased or you can assemble one yourself. The size and complexity of the kit should be determined by the one who will receive the gift. 

Here is a video that might help you assemble a good kit. I have also included a couple of links to different sized kits.

Laundry Essentials

This one is more important for the graduate who is going away for college. A laundry basket filled with detergent, fabric softener, and the like will really come in handy for Amy student who is having to live either in the dorms or off campus. Oh, don't forget to include several rolls of quarters. The student will most likely be using a laundromat.

Tools

I am not necessarily talking about tools for a trade, but if the young adult in question is working toward a trade these will really help them save money. The tools I am actually talking about are basic repair tools and basic mechanics tools. Hopefully by the time a young adult is ready to leave for college or start their own home they know how to change a tire, a car battery, replace a belt, and check and change the oil in their car. A young adult should also know how to unclog a toilet, fix a leaking sink, and do very basic carpentry work. A good starter set of tools is an excellent gift.

Skills

This one should be started long before graduation, but it is really never too late to begin. The skills listed above are just the beginning. Balancing a checkbook and making a budget (even an informal one) are very important skills to learn.

Critical Thinking Skills

This one should also be taught as early as possible. As we get older learning critical thinking skills are more difficult to learn. College has turned into an indoctrination camp. A young person must be firmly grounded in their beliefs of they wish to survive.

A study Bible written for college students is an excellent gift as well as a copy of the Constitution and The Federalist Papers should be included in any liberty loving young person's possessions.

Small Appliances

This is very important for those who are going off to college. A compact refrigerator, microwave, and a hot plate or electric skillet will enable the student to save money on meals. These can be found at your local appliance or home improvement store.

Laptop and Printer

I know when I was in school a computer was extremely important. If I had not had a computer my work would have been much more difficult. Today a computer is a necessity. For those who are college bound, this could be the best gift. There are so many variations on computers that I wouldn't dare even suggest one.

A Bike

Again this is for those.who are going off to school. Many college campuses are simply not set up for someone to drive to all of their classes. At every college I have ever been to parking is a nightmare. A good bike can mean the difference between getting to class in a reasonable amount of time and struggling not to be late.

A Backpack

This is one area where I deviate from the average preparedness mindset. I do not carry a tricked out tactical bag. If something major were to happen, I am of the opinion that you should try to blend in as much as possible. Of you have a tactical look to you or your gear you will be a primary target. Having said that, I do want my son's backpack to do the job. The backpack that I am talking about would be separate from their school backpack.

Giving your student a backpack with the basic necessities for survival is a thoughtful gift. It can be used for hiking and camping as well as getting home in a bad situation. I like the backpacks that have a small solar panel in them so cell phones can be recharged.

Self-defense Gifts

I know that firearms are prohibited on most college campuses, but that doesn't mean that you have to send your student unprotected. You will have to check your state laws and campuses rules, but here are some ideas. Stunning gun, truncheon, or a slap cap.

Gas Cards

Gas Cards are especially nice if the young adult is going to need to travel for any distance. This will take a little financial stress off of the student. It is a thoughtful gift.

Clothing for Interviews

This is a great gift for all graduates. It doesn't matter if they are going to college or not. All of these young adults will most likely be entering the public workforce, many for the first time in their lives. A nice suit of clothes helps with first impressions. First impressions are critical in an interview.

I am sure that there are several other ideas that would be a great addition to this list. Can you think of any? Feel free to add them in the comments section.

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Faith on the Homestead

Faith is a necessary part of our lives. I have found that most people are searching for meaning. I believe that the scriptures are a guide for our lives. Many times people and even congregations will let us down, but the Word of God will never let us down. 

I have decided that we are going to add a devotion to our blog. I have no idea how often these posts will be made.  Most if not all of the posts will fall under a category I will call "Spiritual Lessons From The Garden". I will be as diligent as possible and promise to do my research well. 

As I have studied the scriptures I have always found it interesting that most of Jesus's parables had to do with the farm life. I have heard several preachers and theologians say that he used farm and garden stories because that is what the people understood. While I agree there is some truth to that evaluation, I believe it goes much deeper. I believe that lessons from the garden are directly related to spiritual lessons.

Looking at history I can see that during this period of time there were several trades that were active. There were blacksmiths, carpenters, traders, physicians, and even scholars. There were plenty of trades that could have  been offered as examples, but Jesus chose rural life as his way of explaining heavenly principles.

The Parable of the Sower

Matthew 13: 3-9

3  Then he began to tell them many things in parables. He said, “Listen! A farmer went out to sow. 4  As he was sowing, some seeds fell along the path, and birds came and ate them up.

5  Other seeds fell on stony ground, where they did not have a lot of soil. They sprouted at once because the soil wasn’t deep.

6  But when the sun came up, they were scorched. Since they did not have any roots, they dried up.

7  Other seeds fell among thorn bushes, and the thorn bushes grew higher and choked them out. 8  But other seeds fell on good soil and produced a crop, some 100, some 60, and some 30 times what was sown.

9  Let the person who has ears listen!”

Here is Jesus's explanation of this parable to the disciples.

Matthew 13: 18-23

18  “Listen, then, to the parable about the farmer.

19  When anyone hears the word about the kingdom yet doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.

20  As for what was sown on the stony ground, this is the person who hears the word and accepts it joyfully at once,

21  but since he doesn’t have any root in himself, he lasts for only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes along because of the word, he immediately falls away.

22  As for what was sown among the thorn bushes, this is the person who hears the word, but the worries of life and the deceitful pleasures of wealth choke the word so that it can’t produce a crop.

23  But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the person who hears the word, understands it, and produces a crop that yields 100, 60, or 30 times what was sown.”

Let us bring this to today. I am not foolish or arrogant enough to think that I know better than Christ, but I believe that a bit of elaboration will help.

Every action we take and every word we say are seeds. Every person we come in contact with is our field. On a daily basis we have the opportunity to sow seeds of faith or seeds of contention.

We are the ambassadors of Jesus. Even when we are not so lovely. Every seed we sow lands somewhere and a seed is going to do what a seed does.

If you have ever sown a seed, you will know that not every seed falls in the rows. This seed is left exposed. This seed is easily lost. It never really even had a chance to grow. As long as we are sowing good quality words and actions, we shouldn't be concerned about where the seed falls.

Some words and deeds we do in our lives will be received by those who are shallow. By shallow I mean there are people who honestly don't want to believe in anything. They fight against all belief systems. Anything that takes away their ability to feel blameless. These people may listen and some will even accept your faith, but as soon conviction comes they may leave the faith.

Yet others will see what you do and listen to what you say. But some people trust too much in money or are even too bound by poverty. There are so many things that when we focus on them take away from the power of the scriptures. 

The good ground mentioned in the scriptures represents people who have not been hardened by circumstances and who are at a point in their lives where they know there must be something more. These are the ones that produce fruit. What is the fruit of a Christian? The most obvious answer is another Christian, but there is more to it than that.

The fruit of a  Christian's life is a peace even in the middle of crisis. A faith that no matter what happens it will all be for the best. A desire to keep on going when others have given up. 

Another point I would like to make is that we as Christians are a kind of paradox. We are farmers of God's love, but we are also fields. Words and actions of others can and will have an effect on our joy and by extension our fruit. Every time we allow hurtful words to injure us a seed is planted, a seed of insecurity maybe. We have to work hard at removing these hurtful seeds. 

We can also sow bad seed into our own heart and mind. Focusing on negative thoughts only erodes faith. A weakened faith is a weakened Christian.

I hope you enjoyed this devotion. I would love to hear your feedback.

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Too Poor: To Be Prepared

We have actually covered being prepared on a budget fairly extensively. We are going to touch on this subject again. I don't know that this subject will ever be exhausted. I am going to do my best to not be redundant. We are going to focus on the essentials- food, water, and shelter. I will provide links for other topics. For the purpose of this discussion, we are going to go with the assumption that you are planning on sheltering in place, but we will cover a few of the basics for bugging out.

Developing a Deep Pantry

Copy Canning

I have mentioned this before but it is well worth repeating. Whenever you go grocery shopping pick up at least one extra item of something that you are buying already. This will keep you from buying things that your family will not eat.

 

When you start unpacking your groceries, the extra item goes into your food storage area. This is a slow, methodical approach to increasing your self reliance. It will work and it won't cost you a lot each time you shop. Store what you eat and eat what you store.

Copy canning is not just for canned food items, it can also be used for dry storage items. Beans, flour, sugar, cornmeal, and the like can be done in similar fashion.

Bent and Dent Stores

 I will be honest here, I do not know how common these stores are throughout the country, around here there are a few. At a bent and dent store you can purchase name brand as well as store brand products at a fraction of what they would normally cost. The selection changes all of the time, but the prices are well worth the effort.

What is a bent and dent store?

Our society has gotten to the point where the majority of us will not purchase something that is not in perfect condition. If you have ever walked through a store and saw a bent can of something that was on your list, odds a really high that you moved that can aside and picked an undamaged can. This is normal and natural. If you are going to have to pay full price for something, you want it to be in as good condition as possible. Many of the large chain grocery stores realize that their customers are not going to buy bent cans or damaged boxes of products. 

This trend has become so wide spread that there is a lot of food that if someone were not to reclaim it would go to waste. Enter the bent and dent store. What a bent and dent store does is contacts the large chain grocery warehouses and purchases all of the damaged cases and sometimes even pallets. They then clean and separate the products that are usable and offer them for sale in their stores at a huge savings to their customers. 

Most of the bent and dent stores offerings are canned goods, but occasionally you will find bagged goods at these stores as well. I have seen sugar, flour, and cornmeal. I know of a store that had an entire room of charcoal for sale.

If you are adventuresome, there are always cans that have lost their labels. There is no way to tell what they are besides opening them. These are very cheap. Be warned though, it is just as likely to be dog or cat food as it is people food.

Bent and dent stores will always hold a special place in my heart. My first public job was at a bent and dent store. Mr. Jones (that really was his name) gave me my first job. I started out washing off condiment jars and jugs. It was  a squishy and sometimes a stinky job, but I really enjoyed working with them. They treated me well.

Buying in Bulk and Group Buys

I know you may be thinking, "this is for people who think they are too poor to be prepared, how on earth am I going to afford to buy anything in bulk?". That is a fair question, but hold on we will get to the answer.

Buying in bulk has been proven as a way to reduce the cost per unit. This method can be used for basically anything not just foodstuffs. If you do not have the funds to pony up for case quantities of say beef stew find some others that are willing to purchase with you. Most grocery stores will give a discount on case quantity purchases. This can be a good way to not only to increase your food storage, but you can also meet like minded people.

Group buys can be used as a way to increase your storage of really anything. This is especially true of first aide supplies or anything. I like group buys whenever I am able to be part of one.

Be Creative

The thing about trying to increase your preparedness on a very strict budget, you have to think outside the box. There are ways to develop a preparedness plan that do not require a lot of money. We know what it is to struggle and it stinks. There is always a way.

You can be more prepared and in this way you can
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Too Poor: To Homestead

I know you have heard someone say they are too poor to do something. This is going to be a multi part series. I will be honest and tell you I don't yet know how many posts there will be in this series. I already know of three, but there could be more. Today we are going to be talking about homesteading and several aspects of the term.

First some definitions

Homestead -  if you look up the definition of homestead in a dictionary it will say something along the lines of a home, lands, and outbuildings that are the residence of a family.

The Rural Economist definition of homestead- a place where an individual or family works to improve their self reliance, improve their health, and live a happy, productive life. 

Notice the massive difference in these two definitions. One is about possessions and only possessions. The other is about attitude. 

 Poor- not having the money to purchase basic necessities. i.e. shoes, clothing, food

What does it mean to be too poor to homestead?

I have talked to people who have told me they couldn't afford to grow any of their own food. Yup, I really have. I admit that there are people who do not have the resources to go out and buy a tiller, fertilizer, and plants and grow food in what we now call a traditional manner. There are many that truly do not have the money to afford the basic necessities. I work with a man that struggles to make ends meet. He works hard too. You will never see him in new clothes or a new vehicle, but he still makes a way to plant a small garden. He has told me, "Harvest time is when I eat the best". 

What most people really mean when they say they are too poor to homestead.

I am convinced that what most people mean when they say they are too poor to grow some of their own food is they really don't want to try. But there are some people who honestly believe they cannot afford to take any money away from the pantry today to provide for tomorrow. Others just don't know how to grow any of their own food and are afraid to try or are unwilling to learn.

Ways to be able to afford to produce some of your own food.

No till.

One of the biggest expenses for the first time gardener is acquiring all of the equipment they think they need to produce their own food. A tiller is one of the largest upfront costs for the backyard gardener. What if I told you you didn't need a tiller? In many circumstances a tiller can be counter productive, especially in the long run. Tillers produce an upsurge in fertility in the short term because they kill several things in the soil. The organisms decaying increase available nutrients for a short period of time. Tilling too much can actually impact the soil even more, several inches under the surface, but for "new ground" or heavily compacted soil I will till the first time or two so the ground is capable of being worked. After that I start working toward going no till.

Here is the how. Lots and lots of stores will give you cardboard boxes if you ask or find someone in your area that has livestock and ask for their paper feed sacks (I actually prefer the feed sacks). Plant your plants and place the feed sacks or cardboard around the plant, then cover with mulch, leaves, or straw. This will decrease the amount of weeding you will have to do and will actually increase the health of your soil for next year. Look at your ground as a long term venture.

For a little more information on no till and some information on hugelkultur you can read this previous post. It is a really old post and really isn't up to the visual standards we have now, but the information is still valid.

Compost

Compost is a great at improving the soil. Best of all you can make it with things you throw away. This is your fertilizer. Now I want to make something perfectly clear. If you are looking for instant results, compost will not work in the same way as a chemical fertilizer. A chemical fertilizer has a faster uptake into the plants, but tends to damage the soil in the long term. When possible I advise against chemical fertilizer. There are organic fertilizers available, but they tend to be expensive and we are trying to make food production affordable for the less fortunate here.

For more information on composting you can see another previous post.

What kind of garden to grow?

Seeds are always cheaper than plants. But plants help you get produce sooner or even harvest things that you couldn't due to growing times. If at all possible I suggest starting all of your plants from seed. If you have decided to start your garden and it is a little late in the season, you may want to start a garden or maybe even a container garden to produce at least a little bit of food. You will need to decide how you are going to grow your food. You can learn more about that by reading our post, Garden Design: What Should You Build. You can produce at least some of your own food no matter where you live. You can do this.

How to afford seeds or plants

Even if you are on a very limited budget you can still get either seeds or plants. Many libraries offer seeds to the public. Gardeners are some of the most generous people you will ever meet, if you talk to a few you will find someone who will be willing to give you some seeds.  If you cannot find someone who will give you seeds you can purchase seeds.

I recently found out that EBT cards can be used to purchase vegetable seeds, plants, fruit trees and even canning supplies. This is something I can believe in. I just wish it was more widely publicized. I have been told that this is covered in the information packet that is handed out when someone receives foodstamps. Unless a person reads the information thoroughly they may not know this. Other than the informational packet it is up to individual retailers to make this information know. Anywhere that is set up to accept SNAP can sell you seeds or plants.

All Wal-Mart stores accept SNAP and most sell garden seeds and plants. Sometimes, however, the employees may not know that you can use this benefit for that. If you are told you cannot use your SNAP card for seeds or plants ask for the manager and have them look up the SNAP Gardens site. This can really help improve your self reliance.

So you see, no one is really too poor to begin the homestead journey. One step at a time and person by person, we are
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