

Pioneering Today Podcast - Homesteading in a Modern World
Melissa K Norris
Pioneering Today is all about getting back to basics, simple living, and self-sufficiency with old-fashioned skills and wisdom in a modern world. With heirloom gardening, canning, preserving the harvest, from scratch cooking, raising your own food, including livestock (backyard chickens, pigs, and cattle), natural medicine, herbs, DIY like soap making along with living a simple self-sufficient life, no matter where you live. Hosted by 5th generation homesteader, Melissa K. Norris, author of The Made-from-Scratch Life. This podcast brings you the conversation from MelissaKNorris.com and The Pioneering Today Academy, with Q&A's, teaching, tutorials, and always giving you practical ways and tips to live the simple and self-sufficient life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 13, 2019 • 51min
Urban Farming: 80 Fruit Trees on 1/3 Acre with Vegetables
Think you can't grow much on just 1/3 of an acre in the middle of the city? We talk about how Greg from Urban Farm U is growing 80 fruit trees, vegetables and herbs on 1/3 acre in the middle of Phoenix and how you can use the same 3 easy steps to become an urban farmer and growing food not only for your family but your community as well. And if you have more space or acreage, you're definitely want to listen in on some of the techniques he uses as well. Grab the links & resources at https://melissaknorirs.com/223 Grow a Year's Worth of Food with The Family Garden Plan & bonuses at http://familygardenplan.com

Dec 11, 2019 • 28min
My Top 9 Homestead Gifts to Make Life Easier & Fun
Over the past 20 years of homesteading I've compiled my top favorite homestead related gifts I've received as a gift. Some of these are surprisingly small but will give you ideas for either your own gift giving, sharing with your "santa", or perhaps to save up for or be on the lookout for in the upcoming year. Plus get a behind the scenes look at my newest book and what it involved (and why I never want to be a model) For links and resources go to https://melissaknorris.com/222

Dec 6, 2019 • 1h
Living Like it's the 1800's - Wood Stove Cooking & Frugal Living Tips
Living like it's the 1800's in a modern world, seems like a contradiction doesn't it, but even if you do have electricity and running water, there are some valuable tips to be learned that can help you save money now and if you do decide to go off-grid, help you make the transition. One of my favorite tips in this chat with Jacquie is how to bake pies and bread on top of a wood stove without any special equipment or using coals but she also shares some great ideas and inspiration for your garden. Get resources and links at https://melissaknorris.com/221 Want to raise a year's worth of food for your family without being overwhelmed? Get your copy of The Family Garden Plan and bonuses here http://familygardenplan.com

Dec 4, 2019 • 22min
A Week in the Life - Tips for Freezing Temps & Winter Storms on the Homestead
A week in the life on the homestead, what it looks like on our homestead in a week, especially when freezing temps and storms are rolling in. How we prep the garden, livestock and house when temps are supposed to be in the low teens with high winds, and how you can use the same checklist. Get links and resources at https://melissaknorris.com/220 and grow a year's worth of your own food with my new book & get FREE charts here http://familygardenplan.com

Nov 29, 2019 • 49min
Does Homesteading Really Save Money? An honest discussion about money
Does homesteading really save money when you take into account the items you need to buy, livestock, supplies, and the time required? Today we dive into this not often talked about subject with Amy Dingham on when you may or may not actually save money homesteading, what to expect, up front costs, evaluating ways to save money (and if they do) in this honest conversation about still an often taboo subject, money. For resources and links go to https://melissaknorris.com/219

Nov 22, 2019 • 25min
How to Use Homesteading Skills to Make Money ESPECIALLY during the holidays
Your homesteading skills will not only save you money but they can help you MAKE money. I share how I'm using our homesteading skills during this holiday season to raise money fast for a fundraiser and how you can do the same thing, for yourself or a fundraiser. Snag my recipes in today's blog post at https://melissaknorris.com/218 get my special Holiday Family Bundle right now at 65% to learn how to bake like Ma Ingalls & make your own homemade products https://melissaknorris.com/familybundle

Nov 20, 2019 • 19min
Sheet Mulching: the Easy Way to Compost with Layers
This is my favorite "lazy" way to compost and build up our vegetable garden soil. If you didn't get to cover crops or a traditional compost pile, you're going to love my sheet mulching method. Learn which manures are best and what materials I prefer for the top layer and why it isn't too late to do this. Get links to all the resources at https://melissaknorris.com/217 Increase your harvest and maximize the space you have using organic and natural methods to raise a year's worth of the fruits and vegetables your family enjoys & get all the pre-order bonuses with my new book The Family Garden Plan at http://familygardenplan.com

Nov 15, 2019 • 43min
When Butchering a Cow the Best Cuts of Meat to Get
What you need to know to get the best cuts of meat on your cut and wrap order, what to tell the butcher, and the cuts you MUST ask for that the butcher won't offer unless you do. Learn how to make sure you get the most out of your beef and choose the best cuts for you and your family in Part 2 of our Grass Feed Beef Series! For resources, recipes, and links go to https://melissaknorris.com/216

Nov 13, 2019 • 25min
Baking Hacks & Tips for Busy Nights: How to Freeze Dough
These baking hacks and tips show you how to freeze dough for delicious and easy homemade baked goods during busy nights and times without sacrificing any time or flavor! It can be a struggle to always get homemade food served, but these tips come in handy year round but especially during the holidays. I share how I prep pie crust, cookies, bread, rolls and cinnamon rolls ahead of time and what you need to know make it easier and successful. Get my recipes in today's blog post https://melissaknorris.com/215 For over 100+ from scratch recipes get my book Hand Made: the Modern Guide to Made-from-Scratch Living Need simplified steps and you're a visual learner, then check out the Homemade Bread & Baking System here

Nov 8, 2019 • 22min
Grass Fed Beef - What You Need to Know on Butcher Day
When raising grass fed beef there are key things you need to know on butcher day to get the most out of your cow. What to do before the butcher arrives and what cuts to ask for, and some are going to surprise you. How to get the best flavor on your meat and our favorite ways to prepare these lesser heard of cuts. Get the show notes and resources at https://melissaknoris.com/214 including our Freezer Space for Meat Guide, so you know exactly how many feet of freezer space you need per animal. Get Melissa's newest book with bonuses at http://Familygardenplan.com


