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ask the expert This is where we host a long list of experts who are ready and willing to answer your questions and help you along the path to self-sufficiency. Click here to find out who our experts are. Here's a list of just a few areas we cover: Gardening and food production If you have questions just submit this simple form and we'll take care of the rest. We'll post the answer here to share the knowldege with the rest of the community. Go ahead, ask us anything: (Just remember to include your first name and your location - it's more interesting that way). *Note: We may not be able to respond to all questions.
recent questions Q: There is so much to learn in this area that I sometimes feel overwhelmed. Any advice on where to start? A: I know exactly what that feels like and I have a few ideas on where and how to start. One of the easiest places to start is to help yourself become clear on what it is you already know. You probably already have a lot of knowledge that you aren't giving yourself credit for. Sit down and make a list of anything related to self-sufficiency that you know how to do. For example, if you've done a lot of hiking or camping, you might know what kind of clothing you need to wear in different kinds of weather or how to start a fire and keep it going. Maybe you were taught to sew or knit as a kid or have done some gardening in the past. If you conducted seed experiments in science class long ago, then you basically know the principles of gardening (that seeds need soil, water and light to grow). On another piece of paper, make a list of a few things you know little or nothing about but that you think you need to learn about in the near future. After you're satisfied with this list, put it away and don't pay too much attention to it, you can even recycle it if you want. For now you want to focus on expanding what you already know something about. Pick one to three items on the list of knowledge that look fun and interesting to you and practice them or learn more about them. An even better idea is to teach these things to someone else - there is no better way to dig your nails into a topic than by teaching it. In addition to these two lists you could make a third on paper or just do this in your mind. Think about the knowledge base of the important people in your life and consider that anything they know how to do is something you don't need to learn. This means you don't have to know how to take apart and reassemble and engine if you're uncle is a mechanic or you don't need to know how to cook from scratch if your partner does. It's important to recognize that there is no way one person could have a competent level of skill in every area of life. This is why we are pack animals, we need the strength of the group. When you've become bored with your list of knowledge, dig out the list of things you don't know anything about an pick one or two to start you on an educational journey. You'd be surprised at what you can learn in one year. - Laurie
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