Homestead Food Systems & Animal Care

This capstone unit synthesizes hands-on homesteading skills in food preservation, small-scale infrastructure, plant and animal health, and seasonal production planning. It builds on prior foundation units to prepare students for advanced pathway training or independent backyard homesteading through applied projects and documented outcomes.

Learning Objectives

• Apply safe food preservation methods by completing and documenting at least three different processes (canning, freezing, drying, fermenting) that meet established safety and quality guidelines
• Demonstrate the ability to plan, construct, and maintain basic homestead infrastructure (fencing, rain barrel stand, compost bin, walk-in hoop house, and tool wall) to meet site-specific needs and safety standards
• Analyze common plant and animal health issues (including varroa mite management and indicators of colony collapse, livestock ailments, and disease prevention) and recommend integrated prevention and treatment strategies
• Evaluate seasonal production and postharvest systems by developing a garden-to-storage plan that includes transplanting/sowing schedules, harvest timing, processing choices (jams, pickles, fermented beverages, dairy basics), and storage outcomes to support year-round food security