Visual Learners & Homesteading

[therunbunch]

How do you visual learners learn homesteading? I need to meet some people who wouldn't mind giving me "hands on" training, I think. The books just confuse me to pieces unless they have step by step instructions with photos.

Do you have someone who showed you how to do things? Do you watch videos? If only my Grandmother were 30-40 years younger.. I know she would love to show me how to do things the right way. She and my Grandfather were just so knowledgeable. They had a large garden, pigs, cows, chickens.... Oh how I wish I could have learned from them.

[Danaus29]

I had someone with me talking me through step by step. First Grandma and Grandpa now Mom and Pop. I have worked with my kids by explaining what to do and having them do it. I've taught other kids by having them do work while I talk them through it. But when it came to skinning a squirrel for the first time in my life I just jumped in and did it. I did call Pop and ask him about a couple rough parts. I found out later that squirrel heart and liver are good to eat.

Unless it's something that you can mess up real bad I suggest just jumping and trying it. I don't think I could ever learn how to do electrical wiring but I have learned plumbing and some simple frame construction on my own with nothing more than basic know how and a few illustrations. It wasn't perfect but it did work. I can lay block because Grandpa had me help him do it.

[beewench]

I LOVE using YouTube videos to get a better sense of how to do something. You'd be amazed at the creative and knowledgable people that put information there...!

-=Sarah
www.beewench.blogspot.com

[bluemoonluck]

I recommend youtube or other video sites....

I'm one who can read the directions 5 times and still about how to do it, but let me watch you do it once and I'm a great copycat LOL!

When I first started processing my rabbits, I watched about a dozen videos on youtube and around the internet. Made all the info I'd read about the process click in my brain.

[sunshinytraci]

There's tons of different skills needed for homesteading. It's great if you can find a teacher and they are out there. Check out different sustainable farms in your area and ask them if you can help them do various things. I finally did this just this spring and boy was it beneficial to my gardens this year. Sometimes your local government or extension service will get grants and sponsor hands on seminars which are great for connecting with people you can learn from. That's how I made my connections. I was always afraid to go to these things by myself but I just jumped in this year and it worked out perfect.

Also, alot of things aren't as difficult as they seem in books. Just jump in and try one or two different projects at a time. Afraid of digging up a garden and ammending the soil yourself? Buy some soil and a bunch of pots and grow some veggies in there. Lettuce always works better in pots for me than in my garden anyways. Experiment and don't be afraid of failure. Failure is a part of life. Forgive yourself, learn from your mistakes and do better next time.

Oh and YouTube videos can be wonderful. I learned how to use the castrator bands by watching a YouTube video and also how to work my canner to can green beans the first time I did them. I've never had a problem castrating my bucklings and the green beans came out perfect. I think the video gave me more confidence than the books did.

[therunbunch]

Originally Posted by bluemoonluck

I'm one who can read the directions 5 times and still about how to do it, but let me watch you do it once and I'm a great copycat LOL!

Yes. This is me. Having written instructions and photo instructions is like speaking two different languages when you are one type of learner or another.