Jeremy VanGelder

That is a great idea. I wish there was one closer to me. I will check out one in Portland sometime.

Welcome to The Penny Vote!!!

We want to know your favorite crop to grow on your homestead, so we have created The Penny Vote!  Over the next 5 days, vote for your favorite crop by adjusting your backer amount by pennies.  The winning crop will be featured in a zoom webinar to discuss all the things about the ultimate favorite homestead crop.  Only those who vote can attend!  

To participate, just change your backer amount to reflect your vote!  For example, if your favorite crop is apples, you would change your dollar amount from $100.00 to $100.17.

Cast your vote here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/garden-master?ref=59q7qu


We've created a list of what we think are the top 9 crops for the homestead.  Pick wisely!  


Sunchokes $0.11

(AKA Jerusalem artichokes) The beauty of wild sunflowers combined with massive food production, animal fodder, and some medicinal value -- they are all that and a bag of chips. They really do make great chips! Sunchokes can produce 15 million calories per acre - more than corn or potatoes! You don't even need to store them - they are available for harvest all year, although they are best from October through March. The Jerusalem artichoke tolerates terrible soils, dry climates and will produce a huge perennial crop with zero care.  Is the sunchoke your favorite crop to grow on your homestead?  Let us know.  You can vote by adjusting your backer level to end in .11 (ie: $100.11)

Read More Here:  https://permies.com/t/sunchokes


Wheat $0.12

Wheat is one of the most prolific crops in America and historically important as well.  One acre of wheat produces approximately 4 million calories.  Wheat has a quick turnaround, only after 4 months after planting, your crop is ready to harvest!  A staple in many kitchens, wheat is the main ingredient in bread, and other carb-filled goodies.  If kept in a cool dark place, you can store your wheat for up to 8-12 years!  Is this your favorite homestead crop?  Let us know! You can vote by adjusting your backer level to end in .12 (ie: $100.12)

Read more here: https://permies.com/t/169906/sow-Wheat-fields


Holzer grain $0.13

Sepp Holzer grain is a derivative of ancient Siberian rye that does extremely well in disturbed land.  It makes for a great grazing crop.  Sepp Holzer's son described it as "a variety of Secale cereale", but it is also called Russian corn - a relative of wheatgrass.  It can be sown without tilling and is especially good for food forests and cultivating in mountain regions.   Is this your favorite homestead crop?  Let us know! You can vote by adjusting your backer level to end in .13 (ie: $100.13)

Read More Here: https://permies.com/t/1316/Sepp-Holzer-perennial-grain



Potatoes $0.14

Potatoes can produce 17 million calories per acre.  There are about 100 edible varieties.  Potatoes produce happy chemicals in the brain, making them one of the earth's natural antidepressants.  In 1995, it was the first vegetable grown in space!  When stored properly, whole potatoes can last 4-6 months.  Is this your favorite homestead crop?  Let us know! You can vote by adjusting your backer level to end in .14 (ie: $100.14)

Read more here: https://permies.com/t/145706/Growing-dig-potatoes


Corn $0.15

An acre of corn produces more than 12 million calories and it is affordable to grow!  The crop itself is versatile and is considered to be both a grain and a vegetable.  Another multi-purpose crop,   Corn stalks can be used as animal feed and the silk is medicinal and highly nutritious and is also believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties.  Is this your favorite homestead crop?  Let us know! You can vote by adjusting your backer level to end in .15 (ie: $100.15)

Read More Here: https://permies.com/t/116092/Xenia-Effect-corn



Pumpkins $0.16

The pumpkin, a cultivar of winter squash, produces approximately 1.5 million calories per acre.  Pumpkin patches can serve as an income source in the fall.  People love to pick out their pumpkins and carve them into jack-o-lanterns or use them for both sweet and savory recipes.  Whole pumpkins can be stored for up to 2 months.   If you puree the flesh and can it, you can enjoy your harvest for years to come.  The seeds (pepitas) are edible and extremely beneficial for your health.  Is this your favorite homestead crop?  Let us know! You can vote by adjusting your backer level to end in .16 (ie: $100.16)

Read More Here: https://permies.com/t/59646/kitchen/Winter-Squashes-flavor-profiles



Apple $0.17

Apples are reliable and prolific and there are endless varieties, including early season, mid-season, and late season. Apples produce about 11 million calories per acre.  Apples are a versatile food and easy to prepare and popular for making pies.  The apple is prebiotic, nutrient-dense, and is used medicinally for tummy issues, minor wound care, and reducing fevers.  Depending on the variety, they can be a lucrative crop.  Any apples that don't make it to market are great for animal feed.  Is this your favorite homestead crop?  Let us know! You can vote by adjusting your backer level to end in .17 (ie: $100.17)

Apples are so great they have their own forum!  https://permies.com/f/432/apples



Sunflower Seeds $0.18

The seeds are considered the fruit of the sunflower and can produce 4.4 million calories per acre.  Seeds can be pressed to extract their oils or packed as a snack - either dehulled or not.  They are packed with loads of vitamins and minerals.  Protect your crop at the first sign of wilting to ensure that you get your harvest, rather than crafty critters.  Sunflower stalks can also be used the next year in your garden as a stake or to create a trellis of sorts.  Is this your favorite homestead crop?  Let us know! You can vote by adjusting your backer level to end in .18 (ie: $100.18)

Read More Here: https://permies.com/t/189663/harvest-Sunflower-seeds



Hazelnut $0.19

Hazelnuts bring in about 5 million calories per acre.  They are beneficial for wildlife providing them with habitat and a good food source. Another crop with multiple purposes, hazelnuts are used medicinally as well.  You will see your hazelnut tree bear fruit (the nuts) within the first 4 years.  They grow as high as 18 feet and 12 feet wide and make an attractive hedgerow.   Only 2 hazelnut trees are needed to pollinate each other.  They can flourish in zones 4-9 making them a hardy crop.  .  Is this your favorite homestead crop?  Let us know! You can vote by adjusting your backer level to end in .19 (ie: $100.19)

Read More Here: https://permies.com/t/121713/American-Hazelnut-ready-harvest

We made a spiffy infographic all about these homestead crops!


Cast your vote here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/garden-master?ref=59q7qu

This reminds me of the photoshops from 20 years ago.

Those are some great questions, Kathy. I hope someone has some advice for you.

Judson Carrol says that the  flowers of the Mimosa tree can help reduce mast cell production. I made a tincture of mimosa flowers once and it helped with my sinus allergy.

Tony Panoochi wrote:
Thus far for a week + I have gone through about 2 wagon loads of wood.  Normally this time of year about 1 wagon load a day. The past few days as the mass has warmed we have cut down significantly, but we are running it twice a day to keep the space within a 3 degree range.

Infrared thermometer shows the mass getting down to about 80 between burns (approx 10 hrs) - but due to high ceilings it is heating over 9,000 cubic feet (plus a spoiled goat's butt).  If I close off the feed tube after burning the thermal fan on the barrel top will easily run 8 hours.

So after all that rambling based on what I am seeing, probably 1/8 to 1/10 the firewood.

Hi Tony, have you found that it just keeps chugging along at the same rate?

Eric Rothoff wrote:Thank you. No, I had not heard of Walker stoves before. watched the video. has anyone tried one of his boilers (or stoves?

Thomas Rubino here on the forums has worked closely with Matt and builds doors that work with his designs. I know that Tom built an outdoor oven using Matt's riserless core. There are several other cookstove builds on here under names like "Continental Stove."

Have you seen Matt Walker's boiler? He built it in 2020.

Coydon Wallham wrote:
Apologies if this is in the narrative, but audio on this machine is out- what is the purpose of rounding off the shingles vs. simply leaving them square? Pure aesthetics?

Yes, I believe it is for aesthetics. You can have very decorative shingles when you are done if you scallop them.