Favorite Things: Planning & Mindset

Here you’ll find books, courses, and other materials to give you the practical skills and inspiration to make your homesteading dreams come true.


We want you to know if you buy something using the retail links in our posts, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). We will never recommend anything we don’t believe in. Not for all the butter in Sweden. You can read our full policy about these things or contact us if you have questions.

  • Essential Wilderness Survival Course, by Alderleaf Wilderness College

    Whether you want to be comfortable on remote hiking or trails or gain skills to be prepared for emergencies, this course is for you. It’s easy to access and self-paced with 7 modules and tons of bonus materials.

  • Practical Permaculture, by Jessi Bloom & Dave Boehnlein

    This book was co-written by Dave Boehnlein, who is an instructor and advisor at Alderleaf Wilderness College.

  • Living with Wildlife, by Russel Link

    Wether you want to problem-solve coexisting with wildlife or creating a thriving ecosystem, this book is for you.

  • First Time Sewing, by the Editors of Creative Publishing

    This book makes starting to sew very simple. Basic projects introduce you to skills that can be used in all sorts of future accomplishments.

  • 100 Things Every Homeowner Should Know, by Handyman Magazine

    A book like this really helps when you start taking personal responsibility for the physical structure you live in, even if it’s a rental.

  • Gardening When it Counts, by Steve Solomon

    Reading this book is like getting guidance from the wise uncle or grandparent most of us wish we had. It’s full of dry humor and practical advice.

  • The Good Life, by Helen & Scott Nearing

    This couple opted out of the rat race in the 1930s and created an incredible legacy for modern homesteaders. We think this book is a must read.

  • Homestead Construction Projects, by Spike Carlson

    This book has 76 DIY construction projects that are useful for all sorts of homesteaders. He also goes over tools and some building basics, so it’s a handy book for all levels.

  • The Vegetable Butcher, by Cara Magini

    When you start growing your own food or buying from local farms, the world of produce options breaks wide open. But how do you cook all those new vegetables? This book is a great starting to place to help you do just that, with lots of pictures.

  • Wild Remedies, by Rosalee de la Forêt & Emily Han

    Are you interested in learning how to create food and medicine from wild plants? This book is a great place to start on that journey. It introduces you to many common plants that can be found around us and then gives recipes on how to use them.

  • Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Animals, by Gail Damerow

    If you think that you might want to add animals to your homestead, this book is a great place to start your research. It gives an overview on all the common animals including chickens and bees.

  • Modern Mending, by Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald

    Learning to mend clothes or create new items from worn out pieces is an age old skill that is well worth learning. This book provides a modern take on mending with techniques and projects.

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