Production, Preservation, and Animal Care

This unit develops practical homesteading skills for converting garden and animal outputs into safe, storable foods and dependable daily systems. Students learn and practice food preservation methods, animal husbandry basics (poultry, goats, bees), and garden production and protection techniques while applying safety and storage principles to prepare for integrated homestead projects in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze and choose appropriate preservation methods (water-bath canning, pressure canning, freezing, drying, fermentation, and cold storage) for specific foods using pH, water activity, and storage-life criteria
• Demonstrate safe, step-by-step procedures for water-bath and pressure canning, freezing, drying, and cold storage preparation following established food safety protocols
• Apply small-scale animal husbandry and beekeeping practices by selecting breeds and equipment, developing care plans for chicks, goats, and hives, and performing basic honey-harvesting and hive-protection tasks
• Evaluate garden production techniques—including soil preparation, seeding methods, fertilization, pest management, greenhouse use, and support structures—and design a plan to maximize yield and protect crops