Nature supplies us with an abundance of not only free food and medicine but also a home, furnishings and so much more if we only learn how to use nature’s bounty without exhausting it. We need only five things to survive: air, water, food, shelter and love. Once we realize these things are available to us no matter where we live on earth or how much money we have, we will not be so anxious and worried about how to obtain them. My intention here is to provide you with the information and confidence you need to build or maintain a natural and sustainable future for you and your family.

I live in an area that is blessed to have respect for and interest in preserving the "old ways" and natural homesteading skills. I believe it is essential to pass on these natural living skills to anyone who has a desire to learn them before they become totally lost and forgotten. Since moving to NW Arkansas over twenty years ago I have learned much about the natural vegetation and herbal remedies that were used here. The stories of times past and the way things were done are interesting by themselves but the wealth of information that lives within our elders are a treasure worth keeping. Learning the old and incorporating some of the modern technology of today can be a benefit to us all and I look forward to passing this information on to you.

Living in a natural way not only serves ourselves but reduces our carbon footprint, minimizes the garbage we produce and helps to preserve our planet. Natural living doesn´t always have to change our lives drastically, but if we change our perspective, consume less, produce more for ourselves and vote with our dollars we can all make the earth a better place to live.

I currently grow my own meat, eggs, vegetables and herbs. What I don’t grow I trade with neighbors for items they have that I do not. I harvest from the wild, foraging for many of the medicinal herbs and edible wild plants that grow in abundance where I live. I preserve my bountiful harvests and foraging finds using various preserving methods. The animals co-operate in garden preparation and maintenance techniques providing mutual benefits for us both.

I am currently in the process of establishing a permaculture forest garden including outdoor water features. An aquaponics area is being established in the greenhouse for year round vegetable and fish production. I have hands on experience with all of this and will be glad to trade information with any of you who are interested.

I enjoy using what is available to me in nature as well as recycled materials to create country decor items for my home and to keep costs down. My goal is to create a farm that is totally independent, self-sufficient and sustainable, one that flows with the rhythms of nature and to teach others all or in part how to do the same. It doesn´t matter if you live in the city or suburbs, whether you have a big back yard or a small backyard, everyone can create a permaculture or square foot type garden to help sustain their family. Aquaponics and hydroponics can both be done in a small backyard scale that can produce food in abundance.

Other things I enjoy doing are crocheting, quilting, crafting, traveling, kayaking, hiking, biking, photography and gardening. You can also find me at the South Central USA site here at Bellaonline.



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