The problem with all of these lists that I see is the short term emphasis. All of the stuff on that list sounds like the typical weekend rambo stuff.
Here is what people actually need: tools, skills and some raw materials. For example, that list has seeds on it. Ok, what are you going to do with these seeds? Dig them in with a stick? Harvest everything by hand?
Then the list says “pesticides.” That’s nice. Which pesticides? What do these pesticides treat? How do the author(s) intend to apply these pesticides? Most people reading this stuff couldn’t tell the difference between an insecticide and a herbicide, much less know that the most pernicious pest is often some form of mite.
The best investment most people could make is to find and download the USA Field Survival manual, then start efforts to find the Firefox series of books.
>>The best investment most people could make is to find and download the USA Field Survival manual, then start efforts to find the Firefox series of books.
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The Boy Scout handbook is probably one of the best sources of long term survival.
But why plan for a scenario that is so improbable? I just volunteered at a food bank this weekend. There was enough food to feed an army for years. On one day’s donations.
So we hit 15% unemployment (improbable, even with this administration). The infrastructure continues to exist, people continue to buy, donate, transport, etc. The world as we know it is NOT going away, unless “Mars Attacks” or “War of the Worlds” happens.
For most garden produce, the prevalent disease where I live is usually fungal. It may be different in an arid climate.
Last week, I had a few tomato plants that hadn’t been planted. They had been through a week of rainy weather, crowded into a small area. They developed leaf spot. I went here: http://www.ghorganics.com/page15.html and tried the vinegar/water spray they suggested. It worked.
If we get a week of rain at the wrong time, blossom end rot will attack the tomatoes. So, I keep a large spray bottle of Rot Stop around. I don’t always have time to run into town to get what I might need.
I think most gardeners are not planting row crops. Likely everyone has a roto-tiller or a cultivator. I have a antique cultivator that is good for going between sweet corn rows, but most gardens are weeded by hand, especially if they are mulched. And of course our gardens are harvested by hand. Even the commercial medium-sized($1.5M) organic vegetable operations hand harvest. I am pretty certain the really large vegetable farms do, as well. We have migrant labor around here and the fields are contracted to Libby or Green Giant, et al. Corn and beans are mechanically harvested, of course.
As for mites and other insects, I haven’t tried these, but I will if I have to: http://www.ghorganics.com/page9.html
I do keep pyrethrins (sp?) around, though. I have taken out aphids on indoor plants with soapy water and a forceful spray, but the little buggers can fly, so insecticide is useful if you don’t have Chinese Lady Beetles, which we do, at least outside.
We have the Foxfire books. They are interesting and helpful.
Thomas Sherry, a disaster emergency specialist, has written a couple of fascinating books positing an earthquake in the Spokane area. He covers a lot of organizing and improvising in the context of the novel that is very educational.
I think preppers should be encouraged. It takes years of trial and error and study to become even minimally self-sufficient, so the sooner people begin, the better. In my area, people are beginning to collate lists of people with skills. It helps everyone and the local economy. It also makes everyone become aware that they will need _something_ with which to trade. If some folks have money or precious metals, that’s great for the skilled people who will need that for taxes and medicine and energy.
People are frightened. I am hearing this fear from wealthy professionals who are beginning to doubt if money will help them survive. I know successful business people who are learning how to can. Every anecdotal tale of hardship and collapse I have read included someone saying they should have stored twice the amount of food that they did, as well as diversify into other currencies or precious metals. An extra pair of good boots or a warm coat or some propane stashed away against the time when every penny is needed to keep warm or buy gas to get to work is simply prudent in a collapsing economy. No one is confident in anything and none of us can control anything except ourselves.
Good points. I decided that the “stockpile” in a PA world is only to allow me to get long term solution(s) in place. Long term water, shelter, privacy and such take a great deal of time and energy. If I can get that up and running in six months without having to spend energy feeding the clan every day I am that much further ahead.
Best asset is your noggin. I can supply any practical service needed after the SHTF - for a price.
Oh, no! That's exactly how I do it in my garden. Am I doing it wrong?!?!?!