Homestead Living: July/August 2026

Description

What’s Inside?

From Anna Sakawsky, Editor-in-Chief:

“In this issue of Homestead Living, we explore what sustainability really means. Inside, you’ll learn how to grow more food with fewer inputs, produce livestock feed at home, keep your garden productive through succession planting, preserve the harvest, navigate the legal side of bartering within your community, and even build a farm or homestead that can be passed on to the next generation.”

From surviving the coming jobs apocalypse to the basics of bartering, the July/August  2026 issue of Homestead Living will inspire you to build a life that can endure through changing seasons, uncertain times, and even generations.

Here are the articles waiting for you inside this stunning issue …

Survival Gardening by David the Good

Grow a garden that feeds your family with less stress and fewer inputs. David The Good shares why simple, local, and calorie-dense gardens are best for resilience. He recommends basic tools, in-ground beds, and crops suited to your climate over complicated systems. Focus on roots, grains, and perennials that keep you full … and garden with joy rather than stress.

Building a Farm Worth Passing On by Joel Salatin

How to succeed at farm succession, from one generation to the next. Joel Salatin shares practical wisdom for successful generational farm transfer. He emphasizes starting entrepreneurship young, creating viable businesses, being willing to compromise and share control, and actively seeking good matches. A thriving legacy requires patience, trust, and intentional planning from both older and younger generations.

Surviving the Jobs Apocalypse by Rory Groves

Advice for easing the blow when your job is on the chopping block. Rory Groves warns of the coming “Jobs Apocalypse” as AI displaces millions of workers. He encourages families to build resilience by growing food, starting side businesses, storing supplies, and embracing change as opportunity. Practical, faith-filled steps can turn disruption into a stronger, more self-reliant future for the next generation.

Feed Store Independence by Shawn and Beth Dougherty

Growing winter feed for pigs and chickens. Shawn and Beth Dougherty show how to grow your own winter livestock feed using simple, productive crops like mangelwurzel beets, Jerusalem artichokes, pumpkins, sorghum, and sunflowers. These easy-to-grow, long-storing feeds reduce dependence on the feed store while providing excellent nutrition for pigs and chickens. Start small and build your system gradually.

Sustainable Beekeeping by Kaylee Richardson

A thoughtful, regenerative approach to honey harvesting. Kaylee Richardson offers a gentle, regenerative approach to beekeeping and honey harvesting. She encourages careful observation, taking only what the colony can spare, leaving ample stores for winter, and working with gratitude. The process becomes a meaningful, family-centered ritual that honors the bees and teaches us to take only what we truly need.

Leaving the Homestead in Good Hands by Jill Akins

A guide to finding and preparing for a farm sitter. Jill Akins shares a practical guide for homesteaders who need to temporarily leave their property. She explains where to find reliable farm sitters, how to prepare clear chore lists and emergency protocols, determine fair pay, and build trust through walkthroughs and communication. A good sitter makes travel possible while keeping your homestead thriving.

The Art and Science of Natural Dyeing by Janet Garman

Creating one-of-a-kind colors with plants and flowers. Janet Garman explores the timeless art of natural dyeing with common plants like goldenrod, hibiscus, black walnut, and madder. She shares simple techniques, mordants, and how to create vibrant, unique colors on wool … turning everyday foraging and gardening into a rewarding, sustainable craft.

The Healing Powers of Yarrow by Bevin Cohen

How to harvest, use, and preserve this versatile medicinal plant. Bevin Cohen highlights yarrow’s remarkable medicinal value for wound healing, fever reduction, digestion, and insect repellent. He shares practical ways to harvest, dry, and preserve the herb, plus simple recipes for yarrow salve and a natural bug spray … making this powerful plant an essential in every homesteader’s apothecary.

Succession Planting for a Fall Garden by Melissa K. Norris

How to keep the harvest going long after summer ends. Melissa K. Norris shares how succession planting extends your garden’s harvest into fall and winter. By staggering sowing dates and focusing on cold-hardy crops like broccoli, kale, carrots, beets, spinach, and lettuce, you can enjoy fresh produce long after summer ends … with less waste and more abundance.

Bartering Basics by Jacob Lauser

Understanding bartering, trade, and taxes on the homestead. Jacob Lauser explores bartering as a practical, time-honored way for homesteaders to trade goods and services. He clarifies when bartering is taxable, highlights low-risk everyday exchanges, and offers guidance on staying compliant while building local resilience and community through direct trade. Always consult a tax expert for your situation.

Sweet Corn for Every Season by Victoria Pruett

Three ways to prepare and preserve this quintessential summer staple. Victoria Pruett offers three simple, practical ways to enjoy and preserve sweet corn: flavorful Mexican Street Corn, pressure-canned corn, and a bright small-batch corn relish. These recipes help capture summer’s abundance and bring it to the table long after the harvest ends.

Preserving Zucchini by Carolyn Thomas

How to freeze, can, and freeze-dry zucchini and summer squash for the months ahead. Carolyn Thomas shares practical ways to preserve abundant zucchini and summer squash: freezing shredded for baking, freeze-drying for lightweight long-term storage, and pressure-canning with tomatoes for easy meal starters. These simple methods turn a summer glut into versatile, nourishing food for the months ahead.

The Benefits of Fermentation by Jill Ragan

A simple, quick, and healthy way to use your fresh vegetables. Jill Ragan shows how easy and rewarding fermentation can be for preserving garden vegetables. With staples like cabbage, carrots, radishes, and cucumbers, she shares simple recipes for fermented carrots, harvest crunch kraut, and giardiniera. Fermentation turns abundance into nutritious, flavorful foods that support gut health and reduce waste.

Made For Gathering by Nicole Russo

A crowd-pleasing summer salad perfect for al fresco dining and effortless entertaining. Nicole Russo presents a generous antipasto salad that blends peak-season garden tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, cucumbers, cured meats, olives, and artichokes. Flexible, beautiful, and made for sharing, this family-style dish celebrates summer abundance and turns simple ingredients into a memorable centerpiece for outdoor gatherings.

Simple Summer Suppers by Shaye Elliott

No-fuss, flavorful dishes for busy days and leisurely summer nights. Shaye Elliott offers three easy, crowd-pleasing summer suppers: party wings with homemade blue cheese dressing, a colorful black rice and chickpea salad with tahini yogurt, and turmeric-garlic charbroiled chicken. These flexible recipes use fresh garden ingredients and require minimal effort, making them ideal for busy homestead days and relaxed summer evenings.

Meat-Based by Abey Scaglione

Rediscovering real food through animal-based eating. Abey Scaglione recounts her journey from veganism and disordered eating to embracing nutrient-dense animal foods. She critiques the flawed low-fat dietary guidelines and highlights the superior bioavailability of vitamins, minerals, and complete proteins found in meat, eggs, and dairy … helping restore health, satiety, and a peaceful relationship with food.

Burned By Manure by David the Good

The garden disaster that taught me everything happens for a reason. David The Good recounts how a load of seemingly perfect composted cow manure, contaminated with a persistent herbicide, destroyed his garden beds, blackberries, and young pecan trees. The painful setback taught him valuable lessons about soil amendments and ultimately inspired his bestselling book Compost Everything.

*NOTE: Purchase of this single issue will NOT start a monthly subscription to Homestead Living. You can do that right here 😉