Homesteading for Hope and Community

In this post, you'll find both my interview with Jason Ross, co-author of the Black Autumn book series and my review of the Homestead movie premiere, which is based on the book series. In podcast episode #451, we’re discussing how homesteading can bring communities together for good and to learn skills that provide hope for the future unknowns, and in episode #453, I'm sharing what I took away from the movie.

A woman in a long dress standing on the red carpet.

Three people standing on the red carpet.

The video below is the episode I recorded just after going to the premiere of the Homestead movie. Then, further down below will be the recording and audio version of my interview with Jason Ross.

Being Prepared

During the premiere of the Homestead movie, the audience was asked how many people could survive for six months if the worst happened and we were cut off from the rest of the world. I was honestly surprised when there were only a handful of people in the room who raised their hands (and three of us were Josh, Carolyn and me).

The other question that was posed was what we would do with our food stores if our family and friends showed up and they had gone days without eating.

It was difficult to sit and think about this scenario, but I was glad to have the exercise of asking these heavy questions and thinking through them.

Beyond that, it made me think about what I'm doing right now about building a network of people in my community who are working together so we'd all be OK incase of a natural disaster (or worse).

Community Sufficiency

I've discussed the importance of community sufficiency before and how it's a much more practical (and sustainable) practice than self-sufficiency.

People in communities who bond together over faith, raising children, homeschooling and living a secure, joy-filled life will always do the best when/if the worst happens. The ones to survive won't be the lone wolf running around waving a gun in the air; they'll be the ones coming together in community to support, teach and love one another.

About Jason Ross

Jason jokes that he's a refugee from the prepper movement. As he's gotten older, he realizes that a zeal for survival isn't as important as acquiring skills that will help build and sustain thriving communities.

He has a passion for entrepreneurialism and has founded or co-founded over sixty start-up companies including one many of us have heard of, Black Rifle Coffee Company. He’s also authored numerous non-fiction works like the Black Autumn series of preparedness fiction.

In 2010, he pivoted to exploring how best to help those in the homeless communities in America, Guatemala, and Eswatini, Africa. Along the way, he developed a passion for sustainable farming and permaculture.

He and his wife, Pamela, and their seven children reside in Bountiful, Utah; Lana’i, Hawaii; and Eswatini, Africa.

Watering Methods in Dry Climates

Jason has watched the communities in Africa use the ancient olla (pronounced oya) method of watering. An olla is an unglazed terra cotta pot buried into the ground and filled with water. The water very slowly sweats into the soil. The plants planted around the capsule surround it and utilize every single drop of water, nothing goes to waste.

Jason has watched how this has helped numerous families because, if someone can walk to a river and fill two 5-gallon buckets with water, they can water a significant size garden for about two weeks before needing to refill the ollas.

I'm excited to implement this strategy in some of my own garden beds that tend to dry out throughout the hottest parts of the summer.

A woman harvesting produce from the garden.

Growing Methods

It's so interesting to look at various growing methods and strategies worldwide. Where I live, I get 70+ inches of annual rainfall, and we're usually adding carbon to help the soil absorb it all. This is quite the contrast to arid areas where rainfall is in short supply.

In Hawaii, where Jason and his family live a few months each year, he mentions that his biggest struggle is with pests. (You can learn my organic pest control methods here.)

Because of the warmer climate in both Hawaii and Eswatini, Jason shares that they get about 3-4 gardens per year. Where I live, we're lucky to get two plantings into our short late spring and summer window.

I just love how homesteading around the globe looks so different depending on where you are and what your climate is like. To say I have it all figured out would be crazy because I'm only used to homesteading in this one small area of the Pacific Northwest.

Screenshot of two military men guarding a mansion from the film Homestead.

The Homestead Movie

As a homesteader and a person of faith, I find it exciting to watch shows or movies without having to screen them before showing them to our children. So when a project like Jason's comes around, I'm on board!

Homestead is set in a post-apocalyptic world. Because these kinds of movies tend to only draw males, Jason's goal was to turn the movie into something that both men and women would enjoy. So, there's a storyline about a mother and her children trying to battle with the choice to share their abundance or to close the gates and keep the world out.

I, for one, can't wait to see the movie, which releases in theaters on December 20th. Immediately after the movie is released, the story continues in a television series that you can watch on the Angel Studios streaming app.

You Could Win a Homestead!

To go along with the Homestead movie premier, Angel Studios is also doing a massive giveaway. You can enter the giveaway simply by buying tickets to see the Homestead movie in theaters.

The grand prize (pictured above) includes so many great products. The earlier you buy the tickets, the more chances you have to win.