Self-sufficiency - where do I start?

Producing food to nourish your family can be one of the most rewarding practices. Though self-sufficiency looks and means different things for every person. Are you looking to grow enough vegetables and fruit to supplement through the harvest season, or preserve enough to last through the year? Are you looking to never step foot in a grocery store again, or are you willing to continue purchasing pantry staples or processed dairy products? Self-sufficiency is a wide spectrum and the first step to this is establishing a personal goal. Setting this objective allows a person to prioritize their land, resources, and time. 

When considering growing fruits and vegetables, knowing which hardiness zone you are located in will reveal ideal species and planting times. Jefferson County hosts four different hardiness zones ranging from 4b to 6a. To explore the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map go to planthardiness.ars.usda.gov. Regardless of the amount of space available, starting a garden is possible! Containers such as 5-gallon buckets are a great home for tomatoes, herbs can be grown in a small patio pot or on the counter, and trellising maximizes space available for climbing plants including squash, beans, and peas! Time is of the essence, especially with the North Country’s short growing season. Planning ahead of time with several succession plantings of leafy greens, beets, carrots, and beans will provide a continuous harvest and effectively utilize space. When considering introducing livestock to your operation, there are numerous benefits, but also many challenges. Livestock can provide your family with a reliable source of protein through meat products, eggs or dairy. Recently, raising rabbits as a protein source has become increasingly popular because of their reproduction rate, efficiency in meat production, minimal space needs and noise production. 

 A unique challenge of growing in the North County is the short growing season, with food preservation being more important than ever to have enough home-grown products to get through the winter. If your goal is to produce enough food to last through the winter, how and where is the food going to be stored? Food preservation can be intimidating, but there are several research-based resources available to help beginners! When determining the best methods of food preservation it is important to think about the foods that are being produced. Due to the levels of acidity, some foods need to be pressure canned rather than water bath canned. Information found on social media can be misleading, so it is important to do research, find credible sources, and follow an approved recipe that has been tested for safety.

Regardless of your end goal, getting on the “Fast Track to Farming” is easy! Each quarter Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County offers the Fast Track to Farming Series, an educational opportunity for homesteaders, hobbyists, gardeners, and beginner farmers. This series breaks down the basics of horticulture, livestock, and business. With small group sizes and specialists in each area this is the perfect opportunity to refine your goal, explore best practices, and start your journey to self-sufficiency! To find out about an upcoming series or if for questions contact Taylor at tar234 [at] cornell.edu (tar234[at]cornell[dot]edu).