Start Living Homegrown and Handmade
Join our thriving community of 1,600+ modern homesteaders—growing, preserving, and creating a healthier, more self-reliant life together, no matter where you’re starting from.
JOIN THE ACADEMY—NOW INCLUDES THE PRINT QUARTERLY PLATED BY SEASON MAGAZINE FREE WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP! 👇
Live From Scratch. Change Your Life—One Season at a Time.
If you’re tired of artificial, processed food and want to take back control—without having to quit your job or live off-grid—the Pioneering Today Academy is your path forward.
Here, we bring together the wisdom of generations and real-world, step-by-step support so you can grow, preserve, and prepare real food—no matter how busy you are.
No More Homesteading Overwhelm
No more endless YouTubing or wondering if you’re “doing it right.”
Get the confidence, clarity, and community to serve your family real, nourishing food—without the preservatives, pesticides, and GMOs.
Grow
Build your garden, raise your own organic food, and save your seeds to use next year.
Preserve
Cook and preserve delicious and healthy meals your entire family will enjoy (all from scratch!) without slaving away for hours.
Belong
Ask questions, share ideas, get support and inspiration with thousands of other homesteaders and simple living folks just like you.
Wow, my February bill was only $300, down from $643. I’m in such a routine of adjusting the budget at the end of the month that I didn’t pay attention to where we didn’t spend.
— Ann, PTA member, Stretch Your Dollar Challenge
Homesteading Made Simple
Membership Features
The Plated by Season Print Magazine—FREE, Delivered to You Every Quarter
A beautiful, kitchen-sturdy, full-color magazine packed with seasonal recipes, step-by-step preservation guides, and fresh inspiration you’ll actually use—all included in your membership.
The Plated by Season Print Magazine—FREE, Delivered Quarterly
A beautiful, kitchen-sturdy, full-color magazine packed with seasonal recipes, step-by-step preservation guides, and kitchen inspiration you’ll use all year. Delivered straight to your door (US only), exclusively for members.
Harvest to Table Digital Magazine—Every Month
Fresh recipes, kitchen skills, and seasonal guides right in your library—so you always know what to cook, preserve, or try next.
Full Video Library—15+ E-courses & 130+ Step-by-Step Tutorials
Hands-on, beginner-friendly lessons for growing, preserving, cooking, and more. Go at your own pace—master every skill you need, whenever you need it..
Printable Guides
& Recipes
Save time and energy with printable guides, proven recipes, and helpful charts, like my planting and planning charts.
Live Q&A’s
Get personal support from me so you never get stuck or fall behind with our live group coaching calls.
Active Community
Join an active, growing community of thousands of homesteaders just like you. With members from around the world, you’ll get support, encouragement, and help when you need it most.
Guided Member Challenges
Jump into focused, high-impact challenges designed to help you achieve a clear end goal in just weeks. Each challenge includes weekly group accountability, step-by-step guidance, and the momentum you need to see real results—alongside fellow members working toward the same win.
Coupons & Discounts
Save money on gardening supplies, seeds, and more with members-only coupons and discounts on some of my favorite brands (not to mention some discounts of my own!)
I used my last jars of canned & frozen tomatoes & sauces last week and miss them! But upside is that now I know I need to plant about 15 more tomatoes than I grew last year to take us through next spring. (Thanks to our various Challenges, my record-keeping from last year is proving to be super-useful!!)
— Cheryl, PTA member
Hi there, I’m Melissa!
Hi there, I’m Melissa—full-time working mom of two, fifth-generation homesteader, and passionate teacher.
A cancer scare pushed me to reclaim my family’s health, and now we raise 100% of our own meat, 75% of our fruit, and half our veggies—all while balancing real life, work, and a busy schedule.
You don’t have to go off-grid or do it all at once. You just need the right skills, support, and shortcuts—and that’s exactly what you’ll find here.
Become a Master Homesteader
As a PTA member, you get instant, on-demand access to my entire library of 15+ expert-led digital courses—covering every core skill of homegrown, handmade living. These in-depth courses are valued at over $5,000 if purchased individually, but as a member, they’re all included for one simple membership price.
Grow Your Own
Fruits & Vegetables
Raise your own organic vegetables and fruits no matter where you live for better health & flavor from seed to jar!
Home Food Preservation
Discover safe, step-by-step ways to preserve your harvest with my complete courses on canning, fermenting, dehydrating, and freeze drying.
From-Scratch Baking
Master the art of homemade baking with step-by-step courses on sourdough, fresh-ground flour, artisan breads, and wholesome treats.
Herbs & Natural Remedies
Grow your own herbs & safely create a natural medicine cabinet from custom blended teas, tinctures, herbal salves & soaps.
Kitchen Mastery
Make everything at home—from condensed soups and gravies to casseroles, meats, bone broth, mixes, and sauces.
Ditch the cans and boxes—learn simple, step-by-step methods for real, wholesome meals from scratch.
Seed Saving
Save your own garden seeds using methods like cross-pollination guide, hand-pollinating, storing, and more!
I’m estimating $85-$130 saved per week since last month. I lost some receipts so some of my weekly numbers were lost but at least now I have an idea. Last week I only spent $45 on groceries. Family of 3.
— Britnay, PTA member, Stretch Your Dollar Challenge
Bonuses—Yours FREE When You Join
Bonus #1
Plated by Season Print Magazine
(A $120/year Value—Included FREE with Membership)
Get a beautiful, kitchen-sturdy print magazine delivered to your door every quarter—packed with:
- Seasonal from-scratch recipes (including gluten-free options)
- Herb spotlights and easy how-to recipes
- 3-month harvest guides with ripening tips and generational wisdom
- In-depth seasonal produce features with history and storage tips
- Creative ways to use your home-canned & preserved foods
- Melissa’s homestead & faith devotionals for every season
- Guest columns from seasoned homesteaders
- Practical, timely guides for home, kitchen, and garden
There’s nothing like opening your mailbox to find the latest Plated by Season—your inspiration, roadmap, and encouragement for a truly homegrown year.
Bonus #2
Monthly Seasonal Harvest Guide
(A $228 Annual Value—Yours Free with Membership)
Never wonder what to cook, can, or grow again. As a member, you’ll get a brand-new, beautifully designed Seasonal Harvest Guide delivered to you every single month. Each guide is packed with:
- Fruits & veggies in peak season—plus expert harvest tips, so you always know what’s fresh and how to use it.
- From-scratch recipes for every meal—breakfast, dinner, sides, desserts, and snacks—all using what’s in season now.
- Step-by-step preserving tutorials—tips, recipes, and easy methods to fill your pantry and freezer without stress.
- Seasonal herb and remedy guides—harvest, dry, and use herbs for cooking and natural wellness all year.
- DIY crafts & natural remedies—fun, practical projects based on the bounty of each month.
You get a fresh guide every month—making it simple to nourish your family, save money, and build your homegrown confidence all year long!
Total Bonus Value: $348/year—Included FREE with your membership.
Join now and get instant access to all core courses, resources, live Q&As, and our supportive community—starting at just $39/month or $390/year.
Generations of Homesteading Knowledge for An Affordable Price
Monthly
Pioneering Today Academy Membership
$39
FREE print quarterly Plated by Season magazine (US shipping only)
(Best value! Save 2 months instantly)!
Annual
Pioneering Today Academy Membership
$390
FREE print quarterly Plated by Season magazine (US shipping only)
Lifetime
Pioneering Today Academy Membership
$1,497
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When does registration close?
In order to get your first copy of Plated by Season, you must join the Academy by December 4th, 2025.
Do I need any special equipment?
There is some equipment you’ll need for certain activities like canning and gardening, but it isn’t as much as you think. I’ve included buying guides in each course outlining exactly what essentials you need to get, why they’re important, and how to use them.
How much time will all this take?
You can do as much or as little as you’re able. I know you’re busy. That was one of my main concerns when I got serious about homesteading. As a full-time working mom, I had to learn to optimize my time and find creative ways to get the same amount done in less time.
And I did! My entire approach to homesteading is designed to be efficient and organized so you know exactly what you need to do and when.
I promise that no matter how busy you are, if you truly want to start homesteading and living a more wholesome, healthy life for yourself and your family, the Academy members and I can help you make it work.
Who Should Join Pioneering Today Academy
There are all kinds of people in the Academy from all over the world, but I think they’re all one of these four people:
Simple Life Enthusiasts
Feel like the world is moving way too fast and away from the things that really matter? Get back to the basics with others who feel the same way you do, where homegrown and homemade isn’t a dream, but a way of life.
Busy Folks
If you’re strapped for time, you can’t afford to make costly mistakes or spend hours searching all over the internet for reliable information. In PTA, you have me and many others to show you, step-by-step, exactly how to do things in your home
Parents and Grandparents
Pass down these valuable skills and traditions to your children by practicing them together as a family.
Modern Homesteaders
Create a self-sufficient home and food system that’s not dependent on stores and big agriculture. This is modern homesteading using the traditions and skill sets of our ancestors.
Does one of those sound like you? Then I’m happy to say you’ve found your people on this small corner of the internet and we’d love to meet you.
What is your return policy?
The Pioneering Today Academy is backed by a 100% 15-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t love how easy it becomes to fill your pantry, cook from scratch, and create a more self-sufficient home, just email us and we’ll refund every penny—minus the cost of your physical Plated by Season magazine if it’s already been shipped. No questions asked.
Your homesteading future is waiting.
Join the Pioneering Today Academy now and start living more homegrown and handmade—plus, get your first Plated by Season print magazine FREE with your membership!
