Are you Prepared?

[rebelcowboysnb]

Get a really good muffler an keep the lights off.

 

[Slinkytoys]

Isn't it a shame that what we need fear most is our fellow man?!

Sadly, no matter how well prepared one is, roving gangs/groups of survivors could make all of this planning be for naught. Kinda shows where our species is headed.
Slinky

 

[domino7]

Quote:
Nothing new really. That's been the reality since the beginning of time.

 

[Scoop]

Quote:
I just got done reading a good book called The Backyard Homestead by Carleen Mdigan and on the front it claims that you only need a quarter of an acre. That may be a bit misleading since the book then goes into raising sheep, goats, cows, etc. Otherwise I think you could actually do it with chickens, rabbits, and veggies.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
part of my preps is being prepared to repel any gangs and marauding bands of folks

Prepped? Check
Powder dry and prepped? Check
Bug out location & vehicle ready to roll at a moments notice? Check
Being prepared when you need it next month, next year, or in 20 years? Priceless

 

[CedarRidgeChicks]

Yep Boyd!...first two on the list..check......working on the other two!!

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
I have one I own and one that is on state land. There is literally a 5 square mile block of land that the front is heavily hunted, where I go is about smack dab in the middle in the deepest parts of the swamp. I have twice as far to drag deer than others, but I usually have one to drag while they fight for a shot. There are no other signs of humans in the area where I hunt besides my father, grand father and my uncle before he passed. If you didn't know the paths to take, you'd get lost in the bog, swamp and never find the little island in the middle of the rot and decay. And the funny thing about northern michigan.... compasses don't quite work right

Those who live up this way know what I mean

Now this is an example of a bug out location that I could easily cache supplies of any sort that would be perfectly safe but cost me absolutely nothing. Years of scouting accidentally lead me to the island. There is only 1 (easier) way in, and the rest of it is through quicksand, bog and swamp. Most folks wouldn't bother. Easily dependable, and folks think nothing of a hiker with a military pack n ruck gear trudging off into the woods with a gun in hand.

But a bug out vehicle is something that can get you to your location with enough fuel to spare if you have to have a diversion. For many folks its a full size van, jeep cherokee, land rover, pick up truck etc... anything that can make a detour through ditches and over "broken" down fences and survive.

 

[saddina]

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If space and time are tight, look into square foot gardening. During spring >fall I can do 90% of our fruit veggie needs on about 160 sqft for 4 of us (this includes melons and squashes) During winters about 50% (in CA you can garden 4 seasons). For best volume in limited space it works well. Currently we freeze a bit and dehydrate abit, but I know how to save seeds, and how to dry/can as needed.

If you'd like I can send the excel file of this year's garden, so you can get an idea.

 

[Whispering Winds]

OK, here is a question about food storage. I saw the commercial this morning about the space age bags. Could flour, noodles, perishable staples be stored in zip loc bags and then space aged? It guarantees nothing will get in them . . . and the Deals store has a set for $5 right now. It would probably crunch the pasta, if you have the fancy kind, but wouldn't mess with the flavor. Just wanted to know what some of you veteran long term storage experts think.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

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The consumer reviews on those bags are not very good.
They lose their seal far to easily.
We have vacuum packed for freezer foods, and have not found them to be the wonderful product they claim either.

If you truly want to seal up against all odds, purchase a metal can sealer.

No matter how much you keep on hand though, you rotate stock every month.
For example, lets say you are stocked for a full year.
In January 2010, you purchase another months supply of foods ( lots of variety is best), and pull forward the December 2010 foods, placing the new food in its place.
You then eat the December foods, along with whatever fresh foods you purchase for the month.
Store what you eat, and eat what you store.

That said though, the Meylar (sp) storage bags are the very best in terms of bags for longterm storage like you are reffering to.
I would not use alot of plastic to store things
I use food grade buckets, lined with pillow cases to prevent the food from sitting on the plastic, and glass gallon jars.
I even have one of those 3 gallon Ball jars. Although that is being used to make current wine right now, lol!
Azure standard sells a case of 4, 1 gallon jars with lids, for $20.