13 Brutal Tips,Tricks, And Myths from a Filipino Knife Fighter

I’ve been practicing knife fighting for over a year now. While my dreams of being a professional knife fighter like The Winter Soldier have crumbled away (*tears*) it has brought me some serious and lethal realizations about using knives for combat. Here just a taste of what I’ve learned:

13 Lessons from a Filipino Knife Fighter

1. The Knife is Lethal

Once you’ve become involved in an altercation that has caused you to expose your knife, you need to remember that you are holding a lethal weapon. There is no other way to use a knife in a fight than to strike with fierce lethality. If you intend to use it simply to scare an opponent, you are an idiot. Once a skilled opponent has seen you pull out your knife, the first thing he does is study its length and build. Then he will strategize how to kill you.

Tip: Don’t give your opponent that chance. Pull out your knife only when you’re in a position to lethally strike your opponent.

2. It’s ‘Always On’

Strictly speaking, there is no ‘on and off’ button with a knife. Sure you can argue that an automatic folding knife has a safety lock, but once the blade is out, it’s out. There’s no reloading time, there’s no concept of ammunition with a knife. It’s always ready to draw blood.

Tip: Bring a knife that is easy to deploy in times-of-need. A folding knife is great but a fixed blade is even better. Make sure that you carry it in such a way that it’s easy to pull out if you’re carrying it inside waistband (IWB) style.

3. The Biggest Myth About A Knife Fight…

Disarming a person with a knife is deadly – for the one doing the disarming. We regularly spar with dull wooden blades here and 100% of the time, disarms don’t work. If you are about to try to lock the hand or arm of an attacker, you can expect to get stabbed 5 – 10 times before actually being able to do so.

On top of that, the only reason that you are able to lock your opponent’s hand or arm is your opponent’s fatigue. If your opponent is well conditioned, you will never be able to disarm your opponent through locks.

Tip: Hitting the face of your attacker with a blunt weapon or a head-butt or your fist or your palm for disorientation is a much better way to approach a disarm. Even so, prepare to get stabbed before being able to disarm your opponent.

4. The 21′ Rule

If you are educated in the way of the knife, you have a 21 feet allowance from anyone wielding a gun to be able to close the gap and turn the fight to a hand-to-hand combat.

Tip: The trick is to keep your eyes open and always be alert to your surroundings.

5. Don’t Overestimate Your Knife

I’ve had some organic medium training in the past and I found that there were some times where my knife would not cut the flesh deep enough or would not puncture the flesh easy enough. During those sobering moments, I realized that it was hard enough to stab, puncture and cut where you want to, it was even harder to make sure that the damage is deep enough.

Tip: Always make sure that the knife is razor sharp. A dull knife can set you up for missed opportunities in damaging or critically wounding your opponent.

6. Cuts are Overrated

While slashing moves are instinctive and natural for us – especially for those who aren’t so used to wielding a knife for combat, it’s the stabbing that does the real damage. Slitting someone’s throat records a higher survival rate than we are set to believe. That’s because usually the damage is not deep enough.

Tip: Stabbing someone in the femoral artery, brachial area, neck, lungs, groin or anus, however – that ensures death for your opponent. Plus it’s easier to stab someone than to cut someone deep enough to kill.

7. Human Anatomy Is The Key To Victory

There are only a handful of places where you can stab someone and make sure that the person ends up dead or permanently incapacitated. The brain stem and other areas I mentioned in the previous tip is a good example. Femoral artery, for one, ensures immediate excessive bleeding. Stabbing someone in the stomach can mean a long way off from death and he or she has a high chance of stabbing you back.

Tip: Better to strike once and strike lethally than to do ten stabs in non-critical areas and risk the person fighting back and wounding you.

8. Hitting Them Between The Eyes Is Almost Never An Option

That said, the eyes are extremely hard to hit. Even if hitting the eyes will cause the fight to immediately end, it’s not worth trying to hit the eyes and risk getting stabbed yourself. Human beings have the ultimate instinct to defend the eyes ferociously.

Tip: If you can make your opponent blink by faking an eye attack, that is a thousand times better than actually trying to hit the eyes.

9. Deception is Everything

But you can only use it once. In my opinion, the best way to use deception is to try to make an exit. Whether you drop lines about not knowing the problem, not knowing the person or not wanting to fight – use whatever means necessary for you to get out of the situation.

Tip: Some people even go so far as to say that they are blood related in some way with the opponent. While it may sound funny, in a dire situation, it may just give you a few critical seconds to land a lethal blow or to run away.

10. You’re Going To Get Cut…Deal With It

The sooner you accept this fact, the better. There is almost no way for you to walk away from a knife fight without a scratch. If you condition yourself to take in damage, the more you will be able to handle it. That said, make sure that you have the skills and ability to manage and treat your wounds immediately after  a fight.

Tip: Learn about wound management even as you’re learning about knife fighting.

11. The Best Fight Is The One You Avoid

Only fight when you really have to. When that situation is, you have to be discerning enough to know. If you ask me, if you’re being held up for valuables or possessions, just give it up. It’s not worth risking a stab in the kidney or gut for. However, if your life or a family member is threatened, it’s high-time to pull out that knife and act quickly.

Tip: Run. Running away is the best thing to do in most unfortunate situations. Condition your body in such a way that you can run fast, run quickly and run for miles.

12. Always Carry A Knife…Always

Considering all the things I’ve mentioned here, I will always advise you to bring a knife – whether it’s for work purposes, for utility purposes or for self-defense purposes. A knife is a useful tool to always bring with you. As to how many you prefer to bring, that’s up to you. Make sure that you comply with the laws of your state or country in terms of knife carry length, style, etc.

Tip: Make sure your knives are well-maintained, preferably oiled, razor sharp and always ready to pull out in times of need.

13. Myth: Taking a cut is okay

Unless you are wearing an iron man suit, never ever try to take a cut – even one cut – with your arm. Once you do that, your chances of winning a fight essentially drops to zero. No one can fight with blood gushing out from a cut or a chunk of flesh dangling from their arm. Once you think of taking a cut with your arm, the fight is essentially over.

Tip: put a lot of practice and thought in your footwork. If you hold the knife on your right, your right foot should always be forward. Know how to dodge and check the knife hand of your opponent.

Are You A Trained Knife Fighter? Do have any vital tips to share? Let us know in the comments below.

Up Next: How to Find Edible Plants in the Wild

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from SurvivalLife https://survivallife.com/tips-filipino-knife-fighter/

11 Shade Loving Plants For Your Survival Garden

Most of you, by now, have planted your survival garden. You are now counting down the days until you can harvest these vegetables that you have been caring for all season long. Some of you, however, may have left the partially shaded areas of the garden empty thinking that your vegetables may not have successful growth in those areas.

The truth is, there are vegetables that can and will grow in these partially shaded areas. All plants, however, do require some sunlight throughout the day so be sure that these shaded areas also receive a little sunlight as well.

I’m going to share with you a list of vegetables that can have total success in these shaded areas. Your garden will be complete and you will have more vegetables to harvest at the end of the season. Sound good to you? Great! Let’s get started!

11 Shade Loving Plants & Vegetables For Your At Home Garden

Because it is later in the gardening season, in my opinion, I suggest planting vegetables that are already established such as a decent sized starter plant, for example.

1. Beets

Beets are extremely easy to grow and are quite hardy! They require about 4 hours of sunlight a day, preferably in the afternoon.

2. Asparagus

This delicious vegetable takes it’s time in the growing process. In fact, it can take 2-3 years for it to produce any asparagus. Planting a well established asparagus plant is key if you want to harvest this plant sooner, rather than later. The asparagus plant is well worth the wait!

This vegetable can be grown in partially shaded areas but, does require about 6-8 hours of sunlight a day.

3. Broccoli

Broccoli is the perfect shade loving plant for your garden. It thrives in cooler temperatures so, naturally, it does quite well in the shade. Broccoli needs only about  4 hours of sun a day, preferably in the afternoon.

4. Summer Squash

Summer squash is another vegetable that loves shaded areas and is easy to grow. They do, however, require about 3-4 hours of sunlight a day.

5. Brussel Sprouts

This tasty little cruciferous vegetable can also be grown in partially shaded areas. They only require about 5 hours of sun a day, preferably in the afternoon. (be sure to try them roasted!)

6. Spinach

This nutritious plant loves partial shade. In fact, the shade helps the plant from bolting. Spinach requires about 3-4 hours of sun a day, preferably in the afternoon.

7. Cauliflower

Cauliflower plants love the shade and cooler temperatures and would make a perfect addition to those partially shaded areas of your garden. This vegetable requires about 3-4 hours of sun a day, preferably in the afternoon.

8. Radishes

This fast growing root vegetable does well in partial shade. They only require about 4 hours of sun a day, preferably in the afternoon.

9. Celery

This plant loves cooler temperatures so, in my opinion, would do quite well in the shaded areas of your garden. Celery only requires about 3 hours of sunlight a day, preferably in the afternoon.

10. Potatoes

Since this vegetable is grown underground, it would make a good candidate for those partially shady spots. Even though potatoes grow underneath the soil, they still need sunlight to be nice and healthy. I would say about 5-6 hours of sunlight a day would be perfect.

11. Kale

Like spinach, kale is also a shade loving plant. Also like spinach, the shade helps the plant from bolting. Kale requires about 3-4 hours of sun a day, preferably in the afternoon.

Do you have success growing vegetables in the shaded areas of your garden? Do you have any other suggestions for shade loving plants that should be kept in your garden? Share your success with us in the comments below.

Check out my previous articles on survival gardening. Happy gardening everyone!

How To Grow The Perfect Peppers: Survival Gardening

Companion Plants To Benefit Your Survival Garden

4 Organic DIY Insect Sprays For Your Survival Garden

Composting For Beginners | The Building Blocks To A Better Harvest

Looking for more multi-tools for your EDC kit? Here’s a review about the Spark Multi-tool Lighter!

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from SurvivalLife https://survivallife.com/shade-loving-plants-for-gardens/

Is Parkour Training A Survival Skill Or Just A Fad Exercise?

Parkour training is a healthy activity people participate in as a recreational sport. Don’t consider parkour as just another sport, though! This activity could bring about many benefits – especially fit for those who enjoy spending time outdoors!

I need to warn you… Parkour training is an incredibly intense workout! It is definitely a good way to sweat and burn calories but it is not for everyone.

But is it more than just a workout? Is parkour training a valuable survival skill…Or just another fad?  Read on to find out:

Parkour Training: Should You Practice Parkour?

The word parkour originated from the French phrase “parcours du combattant” which is an obstacle course-based method of training used by the French military. Although parkour is known as a recreational sport today, it is actually a tactical skill used to make and keep French soldiers fit and strong. Parkour training is fun and also a great exercise as it includes running, jumping, and climbing. It is a challenge that requires you to push you to your limits both physically and mentally.

 

1. Good Way To Sweat

Parkour requires strength and agility, so first, you need to condition your body and submit yourself in regular gym sessions. It’s important to strengthen your muscles before beginning this type of physical activity. It is said that when you exercise, your body releases happy hormones called endorphins. Once your body has already adapted to strenuous activities, you can then start your parkour training.

 

2. Inner Zen

Parkour isn’t all just jumping on one building to another. It makes you aware of your surroundings and you will have a better understanding of how things work just by looking at them from a distance. You need to have a clear mind in order to jump the highest, it’s basically finding peace from yourself and your surroundings.

Being able to take a few breaths before doing the activity makes you focused, which is very important in parkour training. People who have anxiety can benefit from parkour training since it makes you divert all the negative thoughts into successfully practicing parkour.

 

3. Fight or Flight

How much force or energy will you need to get to a desired destination? Parkour requires mental calculation before deciding to take a leap.

In case of being cornered by one or two persons in a dark alley while going home, you will immediately think of routes and ways to get away from them. Parkour training can also be a form of self-defense.

 

4. Adrenaline Rush

Saying parkour is for adrenaline junkies is true, but parkour training can also help you channel your adrenaline and make use of it properly. For instance, if you suddenly wake up because your house is burning, your instinct is to jump to the nearest exit. Because you are properly trained, you won’t have to worry or doubt yourself in making the jump.

 

5. Parkour Is Fun

In parkour training, the universe is your playground. It’s fun to find creative ways in maneuvering your surroundings, it makes you explore and it challenges your mind like a child on the playground. Build your parkour skills alongside others who enjoy making the most of their time outdoors!

 

Watch this video to learn the 5 beginner parkour moves to jumpstart your parkour training:

Parkour has become incredibly popular on TV and in movies, but is it for you?  While it may be tempting to hop in and get started, you must remember, proper training is essential to avoid injury.  So if  training in parkour sounds like a skill you’d like to add to your collection.  Please seek out a professional before before attempting any of these moves.

What do you know about parkour training?  Do you think its something survivalists should utilize? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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from SurvivalLife https://survivallife.com/parkour-training/

Ultimate Campgrounds Across The U.S. : State By State List Of America’s “Must See” Campgrounds

Top Squirrel Hunting Tips And Tricks For Beginners

As a boy, the very first animal I ever hunted was a squirrel. Naturally, a small caliber rifle like the .22 I used was ideal for a boy. It made little noise and had very little recoil. More importantly, my father and grandfather wanted to teach me the basics of hunting, and there was no better way to do that than with squirrel hunting.

Squirrel Hunting Tips: An Excellent Foundation For Beginners

One of the best aspects of squirrel hunting is the skill required. In my family, we always hunt for food, so with an animal such a squirrel we always went for a head shot. Your aim has to be accurate to hit a squirrel’s head from 20 to 30 yards, especially with the open sights we used. Squirrel hunting also taught me stealth and how to clean an animal after the kill. Overall, it was an excellent foundation for the other animals I would hunt over the years.

That being said, squirrel hunting is not just for boys or those learning to hunt. I still go squirrel hunting several times each year. Unlike hunting other animals, little scouting is required. There are several public hunting areas nearby my home that are fine for squirrel hunting. The season is long, and we are always looking for ways to put more meat in the freezer. Also, remember that in survival situations, hunting small game is more feasible than hunting big game. In this article, we will cover a few strategies that can help you be more successful during your squirrel hunts.

Movement

Squirrels will often hide when they see or hear movement and then emerge when they hear silence. Because staying in one spot all day is not the best strategy, you need to alternate movement with sitting still. Your best strategy is to find a good spot and sit still for 10 to 20 minutes. Keep your eyes open and stay silent. Then slowly walk 20 yards or so and become still again. Continue this until you see a squirrel. If you spook one, stay in the area and remain still while observing the spot in which you last saw the animal.

Nest Trees

A good place to start looking for squirrels is a nest tree. This is where the squirrels will sleep, so they return to this tree several times a day.  These are typically large, dead trees, and they’ll have several holes in the trunk. Another clue to look for is a tree where the holes have smooth rims. The holes will have been worn down around the edges from squirrels climbing in and out. If you can find a nest tree, you will see squirrels.

Squirrel Calling

I have heard several different types of calls to attract squirrels, but the most effective has been the rock call. For this, you are trying to simulate the sound of a squirrel chewing on a nut. Put two small pebbles in your hand and roll them around. The sound of one stone scraping against another is very similar to the sound of a squirrel’s teeth working on a nutshell. With a little luck, a squirrel will come out of its hiding place.

Red versus Grey

Red squirrels are known as tree squirrels and gray squirrels are known as ground squirrels. If you see a gray squirrel before it sees you, you might have shot. If it starts running, you’ll need a shotgun to put it down. However, red squirrels will likely run to a tree. This will often give you a chance to shoot them out of the tree unless the find a hole in which to hide. Know your squirrels, and you will know how to react to their movement.

TrailCameraExpert.com shows a video of his best squirrel hunting tips:

Squirrel hunting is a great way to put food on the table. Young squirrels are delicious chicken fried with biscuits and gravy. Old squirrels make for a great stew, or you can cook up a pot of squirrel and dumplings. In addition to that, it’s just plain fun hunting. I can head out to the local public hunting spot any morning wearing a t-shirt and jeans and spend a few hours tromping through beautiful forests. Doing just this, I almost always come home with meat. In addition, I’m not weighed down with tree stands, a pack full of gear, or head-to-toe camouflage. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Do you have any more on how to hunt squirrels? Please let us know in the comments below!

Here are American hunting rifles for your 2017 hunting trips you might want to know about!

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from SurvivalLife https://survivallife.com/tips-squirrel-hunting/

Survivalism Meets Homesteading: The To-Do List

In my previous article, Why Every Survivalist Should Be Homesteading, I talked about why it is important that every survivalist should consider starting a homestead. As survivalists, we are prepared with our stocked bug out bags ready to go at a moment’s notice. We have first aid kits and other needed supplies in our homes, our vehicles, and at work. We carry that preparedness attitude and our mindset is “WE ARE READY!”… but, are we? For a 72 hour emergency? Yes, most of us are. But what do you do when an overnight emergency becomes long term?Read on for the to-do list when survivalism meets homesteading.

Read on for the ultimate to-do list that perfectly pairs survivalism with homesteading.

Survivalism Meets Homesteading: The To-Do List

In my previous article, I ran the scenario of being homebound during an emergency. No evacuation but, instead, the exact opposite. Roads shut down, which causes travel to become impossible, and our link to the outside world beyond our front lawns is cut off. You are in an entirely different situation. If you have stored food, water, and other supplies then that’s great! But, do you have enough of those necessities to sustain you and your family for possibly months or even years? What happens when your supplies (your lifeline) are gone?

Now, I realize that this scenario is a little extreme. You may be wondering “Why the heck would roads shut down? We would be evacuated before that happens! Our outside world cut off? Oh come on…that’s overdoing it a little!”.

Maybe. Maybe not…

Whether my scenario will ever become a reality, none of us can be sure. I don’t know about you, but, I want to be prepared just in case. This is where I introduce homesteading as a survival tool…a survival mindset if you will. A homestead is not accomplished overnight. It takes extreme dedication and hard work. The world of homesteading is a lifestyle and can be your biggest reward in life, your biggest ally. Survival begins at home.

“Where do I begin?” If you are now asking yourself this question then you have made that first step. You are considering it or have decided to give homesteading a go to ensure the long-term survival of every person in your household…your family!

Whether you live in an urban area or a rural area, it can be done. To give you an idea of what your homestead has the potential of becoming let’s go over your daily necessities and how those needs can be met based on where you are – a rural area or an urban area. For now, let’s call it your to-do list – a list of needed items and tasks to get you well on your way to having a homesteading lifestyle that can literally be life-saving!

The To-Do List

You’d be surprised how similar urban and rural homesteading can be. Of course, you can’t have cattle in your backyard or a corn crop on your apartment patio but there are ways to have your needs met no matter where you live.

Of course, we will not learn all there is to know about homesteading in this one article but, let’s go over the basic needs and your possible options.

Food

Rural area options: You can raise cattle, chickens (and other fowl), pigs, or goats. You can grow vegetable crops and/or raise honey bees.

Urban area options: As far as raising animals for meat you can raise backyard chickens, quail, and rabbits.

Hunting is another great option for urban (and rural) homesteaders. If you have room for an extra freezer then, by all means, consider taking advantage of this extra space.

You can also have a garden, even if you live in an apartment! Check out my previous article on container gardening. This is the perfect solution if you are limited on space.

Water

Rural area options: For a long-term water supply, a well is the best option. I’m not an expert on this so I would like to share this website. It’s a great resource of information for water well basics.

Also, for more tips and ideas, check out this great article on obtaining and storing water.

Urban area options: Unfortunately, for urban homesteaders, there aren’t too many options for an unlimited water supply. My suggestion here is every time you go shopping, just make it a habit of grabbing as many gallon jugs of water as you can. Your water supply will be built up in no time.

Collecting rainwater has been done in the past but, it actually has become prohibited in many states due to ongoing droughts. Click HERE for more detailed information regarding rainwater harvesting laws and legislation in your state.

Cleaning Products

This section is for both rural and urban homesteaders. Handmade products such as soap can be made anywhere.

To make personal soap, check out this article on 23 DIY soap recipes you can make at home.

To make soap for cleaning purposes, check out this article on DIY liquid castile soap. It’s all natural and is easy on your skin.

For your laundry, check out this article on 9 DIY laundry detergent recipes.

Clothing

This section is also for rural and urban homesteaders. Learning how to crochet and how to sew will greatly benefit your whole family. It is also a great way to involve the kids in the whole homesteading lifestyle. When children are involved in this way they feel like they’re a part of something…something important.

It’s a great idea to stock up on crocheting and sewing supplies whenever you can. Another great idea is investing in a decent sewing machine. I just bought one for myself and I love it. It’s a great way to make your own clothes, blankets, etc.

James Yeager shows us a video on what food he has stored for bugging in:

The things I’ve listed thus far are the basics of homesteading. Your basic needs can be met in a homebound situation with the things I’ve listed so far. As I go along with this series, I will go in more detail and do my best to bring you more valuable information on this part of your journey.

Remember, survival starts at home. Being a survivalist is more than bug out bags and first aid kits. Being a survivalist is a mindset that should carry you in every part of your life, especially on your own turf.

Stay tuned for my next article: “Survivalism Meets Homesteading: Money Saving Tips”

Do you have any more to-do-lists you might want to add? Please add them in the comments below!

Here are some easy to grow vegetables for beginner gardeners you might want to learn about!

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from SurvivalLife https://survivallife.com/survivalism-meets-homesteading-the-to-do-list/

25 Top Camping Tips I Learned From My Old Man

10 Best Loans And Grants To Jumpstart Your Off-Grid Lifestyle

Get started with sustainable living by getting the best loans and grants. If money is the only thing holding you back, these options will get you started or give you the money you need to improve your homestead.

Loans and Grants for the Self-Reliant

— This post is courtesy of Homesteading and shared with permission —

You know you want to start or enhance a sustainable homestead or farm on a prepper retreat, maybe you have even found the perfect land at the right price – but you just don’t have enough money on hand to move forward with a loan or expand your existing farm.

Luckily for all of us who want to get back to basics and lead a self-reliant lifestyle, a plethora of grants and low money down agriculture loans and grants exist. Even better, once you actually get your land, additional grants and program participation payments exist for many practices which you will be employing on your homestead anyway – more on those money-making opportunities in a future article.

Agriculture grants are available to not only buy acreage for use as a homestead or prepper retreat, but to develop an agriculture business on the property, build necessary structures, improve the quality of the land, build fencing, and purchase livestock. You just have to know where to look and take the time to apply to help get your self-reliant dream off the ground and closer to becoming a reality.

The United States Department of Agriculture is one of the main sources for very low or no money down residential loans and grants for farmland and agriculture businesses. The federal government has a very vague definition for what exactly qualifies as a valid farm business, basically anything which is grown, raised, harvested from the wild, or made from natural materials found on the land qualifies. Unlike just several years ago, the agriculture business created when applying for a small business commercial grant or loan does not have to show a profit, only the presentation of goods for sale and an attempt to make money from the endeavor. Basically, setting up an “Eggs for sale” or “Horse Boarding” sign at the end of the road, or online, advertising a service or goods qualifies.

Some land grants are specific to state or county. Other funding aide is geared to help female farmers, beginning farmers (less than 10 years of agriculture experience) or minority or organic farmers. Some of the grants and loans have acreage minimums and maximums, so read the full eligibility requirements carefully before printing and filling out the applications downloaded from the internet.

Finding the right grant or loan, or a combination of funding source right for you might take a little digging – but self-reliant folks are used to shoveling and doing the heavy lifting required to get things done!

 

Top 10 Best Grants and Zero or Low Money Down Loans for Homesteading

1. Beginning Farms USDA Loan

The federal low money down with down payment assistance loan does not have any income restrictions. Beginning farmers and ranchers from anywhere in the country can apply for the annually allocated funds – in the tens of millions of dollars range. The property cannot be more than a specified percentage of the average farm in your county and the property not cost more than about $500,000. You must not have owned or worked for pay on a farm for more than 10 verifiable years to qualify for this program.

2. USDA Rural Development

The Rural Development loans are a no or extremely low money down program offered around the country for agriculture land purchase. There are no income maximums but the land being purchased cannot total more than 20 acres – the acreage limits can and have changed during the funding cycles.

3. Fannie Mae Home Ready

This loan does not have an acreage limit and allows the borrower to have a more than 45 percent DTI – debt to income ration. The HomeReady loan requires just a three percent down payment, very low interest-rates, and permits the down payment money to come from another government or non-profit program, a tax refund, or as a gift from someone not on the loan. Non-borrower household members, adults who are related or unrelated to the borrower but live in the home or are a tenant on the property, regardless of their credit score, can be considered as an income-boosting factor during the loan approval process.

4. Farm Service Agency Operating Loan Program

The FSA low or no money down loan program offers up to $35,000 to farmers for necessary startup expenses such as the purchase of livestock, fertilizer, seeds, crop plants, fencing, and agricultural machinery.

5. National Sustainable Agriculture Commission

The organization offers down payment assistance to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The government program defines socially disadvantaged loan applicants as: Native Americans, women, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans, African Americans, Native Hawaiians or any other Pacific Islander. A minimum of three years of farming or comparable experience is one of the requirements for the down payment assistance which can be used to cover the five percent down mandated by most government farm loans.

6. Minority and Women Farmers and Ranchers

The USDA low or no money down program offers funding for the purchase of farmland specifically to female and minority farmers. The applicants must still meet the 640 credit score required for all farm loans to qualify for the purchase and farm startup loan funds.

7. Agricultural Reinvestment Fund

North Carolina farmers can request the $8,000 grants to invest in agricultural enhancement of their existing operation on an annual basis.

8. Missouri Beef Grants

Farmers and ranchers in the state can apply for a $20,000 grant to be used for enhancements to an existing agriculture endeavor to expand their business or to modernize an operation with new equipment or related and necessary farm materials.

9. Farmers Market Promotion

The program was launched to create an affordable route for farmers to market their goods and to support local and regional agricultural production. The money can be used to enhance existing or create new, farm products sales opportunities, for training, to build a roadside farm stand, to host farm events to showcase the goods and services on the homestead, and for agri-tourism events: community event, camping, trail riding, etc.

10. Organic Farming Research Foundation Grants

Small grants to aide organic farmers to enhance their operations, land, barns, fencing, and other production-related needs are available to citizens in all 50 states regardless of the size of their homestead or their income.

 

If you’re curious on how poor people can buy a land with no money, then click play on this video from Becky’s Homestead:

 

Knowing your options is half the battle. Your next step should be researching which one will fit your needs. As with everything, preparation is key. You wouldn’t want to start your application only to find out in the middle that you’re not qualified for it. Find out what you’re getting into!

Ever applied for a loan or grant? Share your eperiences and any advice you have in the comments below! Any additional tips will surely help.

If you’re concerned about your finances, best to read up on how to prep for financial collapse too!

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from SurvivalLife https://survivallife.com/loans-grants-preppers-homesteaders/

Terror Attack in Michigan Airport: Man Stabs Cop at Airport, shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’

The Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan has been evacuated after a man screaming ‘Allahu Akbar’ brutally stabbed a police officer. NBC News: The Canadian born suspect shouted “Allahu Akbar” before stabbing the officer multiple law [...]

The post Terror Attack in Michigan Airport: Man Stabs Cop at Airport, shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ appeared first on Off Grid Survival - Wilderness & Urban Survival Skills.

from Off Grid Survival – Wilderness & Urban Survival Skills https://offgridsurvival.com/terror-attack-michigan-airport-man-stabs-cop-airport-shouted-allahu-akbar/

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Survival Gear Review: The Fallkniven S1 Pro Knife

The quest for a Goldilocks Knife, or one that’s just right, is less a journey and more of a marriage. To trust one’s fate to one single blade especially for survival situations, there must be a commitment to making the best of the situation regardless of the challenges. Thick and thin, sickness and health, and all that.

By Doc Montana, a Contributing Author to SHTFBlog and SurvivalCache.com

In additional to personal preferences, there is a small handful of knife characteristics that can be adjusted by blade makers including those addressing the grip such as size, thickness, materials, guard options, and shape. And for the blade there is steel type, length, thickness, grind, shape, and overall size. Of those eleven characteristics, even if each one only had two options, that would be 2 to the 11th or over 2000 combinations. But of course each option has many more than two possibilities, with some nearing an infinite number of choices.

Quest for Perfection

Goldilocks might be a fairy tale, but the Fallkniven S1 Pro Survival Knife is very real and very sharp. Even in its own lineup of Pro Knives, puts it right down the middle. Not too much. Not too little. Flanking the S1 are the larger A1 Pro and the smaller F1 Pro. With the A1 being noted for its large size and the F1 a designed for smaller cockpit carry, something in between should be just about right. But “just about” is not enough to be “right” when looking for the perfect knife.

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Looking at the features of the Fallkniven S1 Pro, it is clear that while this particular knife is smaller in some aspects, but no less potent. For instance, the blade thickness of the S1 is an amazing six millimeters or just shy of a quarter inch. And that’s on a blade only 5.1 inches long.

Speaking of the blade on the Fallkniven S1 Pro, it’s a cobalt steel convex edged masterpiece. The steel is amazing from both the standpoint of overall sharpness and durability. In the never ending search for the perfect steel, blade steel makers have been dabbling at the atomic level with chemistry, crystal structure and the optimum blend of edge shape and cutting performance. The best steel can be neutered by a poor choice of grind, and a marginal steel can be given superpowers with the right shape and grind. But ultimately, one wants the the best of all worlds; the best steel with the best grind, and the best performance characteristics. And it seems the Fallkniven S1 Pro has come as close to this Goldilocks formula as anyone ever has.

Convex Grind

Fallkniven uses an enhanced convex grind on the Fallkniven S1 Pro as well as its other Pro blades. The convex grind is an advanced grind with no simple characteristics or ease of manufacturing which is why the convex grind is not a common option among knifemakers. The convex grind is a graceful arc from blade side to blade edge. Most designs transition the blade from flat side tapering linearly to a point where a sharper angle dives towards the absolute edge. It’s an effective strategy for 99% of the uses, but what about the 1% that really matter when it matters? That’s where the convex edge shines.

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The heavy blade chops like a dream. A small dream, but one nonetheless. And the S1 Pro can slice all day long without a sharpener in sight. For a perfect sized knife, the Fallkniven S1 Pro as close to perfect as perfect can get.

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from SurvivalCache http://survivalcache.com/survival-gear-review-the-fallkniven-s1-pro-knife/

How to Get Prepared When Time Is NOT On Your Side

There are a lot of factors that make preparing for a crisis difficult. While some have issues with budgeting for gear and products, others tend to forgo their physical preparedness. But if I were to pick the main culprit that prohibits readiness for those striving to be prepared, it would be time. The question that I get asked the most by my NTC Members goes something like this: How can I find time to get prepared when I barely have time to eat?

Multitasking: The True Secret of Emergency Preparedness

Time management is crucial in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world. Our jobs take up a big chunk of our day, and that doesn’t even count the commute. If you have children, there are continual tasks that need to be accounted for. When you add in a pet or two… Finding time for anything is at a premium.

We both realize the importance of preparing for ourselves and our families. If we choose to wait, it truly may be too late to get prepared. The stress in trying to find the time can be overwhelming. We all want to do the right thing, but there are only so many hours in a day. Alleviating something from your packed schedule may not be an option.

I have witnessed many would-be survivalists give up on their preparedness needs because they no longer had the time. Anytime they spoke about it, I could always tell that it ate them up inside. I began to think of how to multi-task in order to get prepared with other must-do’s still on the list. There’s always going to be a caveat or two, depending on your current situation. As with most things, what will work well for some may not work at all for others. But there are a few ideas that seem to work across the board.

Here Are a Few Tips for Getting Prepared When Time Is Not on Your Side:

Go Camping:

Vacation time is factored into most hectic schedules. For your next holiday getaway….Go camping! Camping is a great way to de-stress and spend some quality time bonding with loved ones. It’s also an ideal environment to get some emergency preparedness training in. You can cook over an open fire. That way, you can practice your fire building skills. In addition, you can build a shelter and spend a night in there. When choosing a campsite, go with primitive. Avoid campgrounds that provide electrical and water hookups at the sites, which will help you get prepared subconsciously for longer survival situations.

On extended stays, you can test the requirements needed by your family for a 72 to 96 hour emergency. This will help you address your water needs, as well as food consumption. This is also a great opportunity to get familiar with the items in your go-bags. Live out there as if there were a crisis going on back in “civilization.” Perfect practice always makes perfect.

Watch Video Tutorials:

Family time is usually scheduled into most agendas. Instead of watching your favorite movie for the 10th time, put on some skill-building tutorials. You want to try and keep it fun and entertaining, especially for those group members that may not be as interested in preparedness. So break out the popcorn and play the tutorials on your home entertainment center! The more that it still feels like “family night,” the more enjoyable that it will be. This will go a long way in getting the family to retain the knowledge being conveyed.

Along the same lines, you can also watch a movie that is focussed on survival. Brief your family before the movie and have them reflect on how they would react if this crisis were to happen to them. Would they know how to get prepared? You can pause the movie after any major focal point and make it a quick lesson. The more engaging that the experience becomes, the more that everyone involved will gain.

Go Off-Grid In Your Home:

In many SHTF scenarios, bugging-in or hunkering down at home is your best bet. Getting as much real practice as possible is imperative for testing and even making your plan, so that you can get prepared. Since you don’t even have to leave your location, you save precious time. Once again, you can make this a fun, family event. Gather your supplies and make a weekend out of it.

Make all of your “on-grid” areas off limits. You can even go as far as shutting off the electrical breakers to the main area that you will be occupying in your home. Even bathrooms – and of course, the refrigerator -are off limits.

OK, maybe not the bathrooms…

The water coming from the home cannot be trusted, so it needs to be boiled. Do you have a propane stove that you can use? Is using a fire pit in your backyard an option? These are answers that need to be addressed. Going off-grid in your home for a weekend will give you valuable insight about your plan.

Add One Piece Of Gear Per Month:

We both want to build up our go-bags with all of the coolest and most functional gear available. We also realize that there is a lot of equipment that will be required for our family or group. Finding time to not only gather but also research the right products can be impossible.

Hasty decisions get made and…

More often than not, This leads to either inferior gear being implemented or just the wrong gear. Period. Gathering all of your gear at once can also break your budget much quicker than you think.

Add one piece of gear, personal or group, to your supplies each month. This will give you ample time to research the item. You may even have a friend that has the item that you have been eyeing. Ask if you can test it out and go from there. You can then find the best price on that same item or find something better for your needs. With the remainder of your time, try and get as much practice as possible in with your new item, so that you can truly get prepared. A new piece of gear is useless if you don’t know how to use it!

The following month, you can move on to the next item on your list and repeat the process. In a few months you will have some quality gear that you know how to use. You will be ahead of most that have stuffed go-bags. They have the gadgets…but are genuinely clueless on what half of their packed gear list is even for.

Throw On A Pack For Family Walks:

Another great way to utilize family time is to go for walks together. If you’re lucky enough to live in a neighborhood where it is feasible, great! If not, head to the local city, county or state park. On these walks, put on a pack or your go bag as you continue your hike. If possible, get your family members to do the same. During an emergency, you may have to leave your home and head out on foot. This is giving you and your family members good practice. The best part is that it’s disguised as a regular walk.

If you have a dog, you can follow the same idea. Our dogs need daily walks; I will argue that so do we. Throw on your pack or go bag during these walks with your best friend. If you have a pack for your dog, this is the time that you want to get them used to it. This gives both of you experience with your pack. And let’s not forget the valuable physical preparedness that you’re building.

Whether it’s with your family, dog or both… It easily fits into your schedule.

Volunteer At A Boy Scout Outing:

I’m sure that you know someone who has a child who’s a boy scout. You may even have a boy scout in your own family. Most active boy scout troops go camping on a regular basis. If you speak to the scout’s guardian, they will tell you that they can always use some extra help at these outings. As long as they know and can vouch for you, you will be more than welcomed by the other adult leaders.

You will be wonderfully surprised by the proficiency of these scouts. They operate as one unit when needed and also break down into smaller patrols or groups. Their outdoor skill-sets rival many of the so-called experts that we see on reality TV. When you volunteer for an event, not only are you helping young scouts, but you’ll also gain some valuable knowledge.

If you do take my advice on this one, don’t be intimidated to ask the scouts to teach you. Not only will you be helping them to become leaders and teachers, but you’ll also make their day. On top of all that, you’ll get some real deal preparedness training under your belt in a relatively short period of time.

Get Involved With C.E.R.T. Events:

Getting involved in our community gets factored into many of our schedules. After all, these may be the people that you need to work with in a crisis situation. You need to get some face-time with them even if it’s extremely limited. One way to achieve this while aiding your preparedness is to attend a local C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Teams) event.

C.E.R.T. offers many opportunities to learn and even test your preparedness skills. It’s pretty much their mission. This is FEMA’s statement from their website:

“C.E.R.T. educates individuals about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.”

Getting involved with C.E.R.T. allows you the opportunity to meet people that will be in charge during a local disaster. Being familiar with those in charge and their plan can enhance your chances of boding well during a crisis.

Practice Fire Building In Your Backyard:

Many of us live in cities and aren’t able to build a fire ring on our property. But at the very least, if you have the ability to put a small fire pit in your backyard, take advantage of the opportunity and do it! Fire building is a crucial skill to possess in most emergency situations. Being able to start a fire, by various means, is not only advised….It’s a must! In order to develop as well as to maintain this skill-set, there needs to be practice.

With a busy schedule, getting away to the local camping ground isn’t going to be sustainable. Having access to a place in your home where you can practice fire building is ideal. You can cook a weekly dinner in your fire pit as an example. Feeding yourself and the family is a necessity, so you may as well get your fire building skill-building in.

It just doesn’t get any better than sitting around an open flame with your family toasting marshmallows. Use your scheduled family time sitting around your fire pit instead of on the couch. You can hone your fire building skills while the family enjoys some sweet, tasty treats!

Bottom Line:

There will always be an excuse for not having enough time to prepare. Just like many facets in life, we need to actually want it in order to make time to achieve it. I gave a few simple tips for fitting-in the much needed time for preparedness. Hopefully these can get you started as you develop your own multi-tasking methods for preparedness.

The more fun that you can make the learning experience for both you and your family, the easier that all of you will adapt to an emergency scenario.

Up Next: 10 Must Have Items You Need When Hiking With Your Dog

If you’re looking for useful survival gear that you can’t make at home, check out the Survival Life Store!

Have these tips inspired you to try and get prepared? Let us know in the comment section below! And be sure to leave any tips on how to get prepared too!

from SurvivalLife https://survivallife.com/get-prepared-no-time/