Prior to my current situation, I had no skills at gardening, or with livestock. Heck, the only time I have seen anykind of livestock was at the county fair.
I bought some books, read them, re-read them and then went out and got chickens, rabbits, cows, ducks, goats, and hogs. Tried to do everything to the pre-industrial model, or big Ag model. If I can do it now, the hard way, without the use or minimal use of modern methodologies, then I know I can do it if SHTF.
One thing a old farmer said, “Get the book. Read it. But if what the book does not match your observations or experience, annotate that in the book and put it on the shelf. The book is not always right.”
I have discovered a number of books rely on the local feed or tractor supply store in order to be successful. Those storey books are awful from a self-sustainment perspective.
