Homesteading Library....

Whether you’re an experienced survivalist or budding urban homesteader, having a library full of reference books is key to homesteading. There are plenty out there, but here is the best of the best (in my opinion). Order them from your local bookstore or online.

 “The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre!” by Carleen Madigan. This book is one of the best out there for beginners as it covers the basics when it comes to food production and animal husbandry. It also contains recipes for everything from bread to cheese, beer to ice cream. If you’re looking for an easy, pleasurable read, this is it.

“Country Wisdom & Know-How” by The Editors of Storey Publishing’s Country Wisdom Boards is an encyclopedia of everything you can think of when it comes to country living, even in the city. In it you’ll find hundreds of recipes, age old crafts and more. This is a compilation of Storey Publishing’s Country-Wisdom bulletins all rolled into one mega book. There are also versions focused on gardening, survival and medical care.

“The Homesteading Handbook: A Back to Basics Guide to Growing Your Own Food, Canning, Keeping Chickens, Generating Your Own Energy, Crafting, Herbal Medicine, and More” by Abigail R. Gehring includes everything you could want to know from buying a plot of land to identifying medicinal plants. It’s a no nonsense approach for those really wanting to live out their dream in the country. There’s plenty for those who live in suburbia as well.

“Making It: Radical Home Ec for a Post-Consumer World” by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen  is a practical guide for those wanting to live more sustainably. From making your own laundry soap to explanations of greywater, this book is for the modern homesteader living anywhere.

“The Ultimate Guide to Homesteading: An Encyclopedia of Independent Living (The Ultimate Guides)” by Nicole Faires is an all inclusive book detailing country living and homesteading skills. Like the “Homesteading Handbook” it will cover everything from building your own home to medical care, recreation to food preparation. If you really want to take homesteading to the next level then this is one book you should add to your library.

“Back to Basics: A Complete Guide to Traditional Skills,” Third Edition by Abigail R. Gehring. Another gem from Abigail Gehring, “Back to Basics” is one of the best loved homesteading books for a reason. It touches on almost every aspect of homesteading you can think of. It also provides background or historical information alongside recipes and advice. Don’t leave the bookstore without this one.

“The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It” by John Seymour is the only book on the list that doesn’t sit on our bookshelf at home. But since it is a very well-known homesteading book it made the list. It covers everything from renewable energy to making beer and wine.

This list is just the beginning of what is out there, so search out more homesteading reads to add to your library. And please share your favorite homesteading book via a comment!