
HOMESTEAD: FAMILY SURVIVAL | EPISODE 4
A “Chili” Future
Across the Atlantic, in the African kingdom of Eswatini, Jason gives viewers a unique inside look at a program teaching homesteading women how to better their lives and those of their families by cultivating a cash crop—and what Jason and Pamela learn in return.
Back on the homefront, learn about rainwater catchment, Protek watches, and hear how homesteading changed one family's perspective and pace of life.
Rainwater catchment is an excellent way to conserve water on the homestead and in your preparedness plans—and it’s nearly free!
Understanding how to calculate your potential water harvest can help you design a system that fits your needs and maximizes the resources available to you. For every 1 inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of impermeable surface, you can collect about 620 gallons of water, or 0.62 gallons per square foot.
To estimate your potential harvest, multiply the width and length of your roof or surface to find the square footage, Google your average rainfall, then multiply by 0.62 to calculate gallons per inch of rainfall.
Consider an inexpensive rainwater diverter kit and a storage container, and you’ll be harvesting rainwater in no time, and with a very small investment.
Even without gutters or downspouts, you can manage rainwater by sloping the soil under your roof to direct water into a catchment area like a dry creek bed or spread it across your landscape. This helps water infiltrate the soil and benefits plants, making it a practical, low-cost solution for any property.
MAKE IT RAIN!
…Or catch it when it does.

“If you don’t own an analog watch, you’re relying on a device that could be anYthing but smart in an emergency.”
“Barry Cohen may not be a name you're familiar with, but you've almost certainly heard of the watch company he created in 1989, Luminox.
Recently, after several decades of producing illuminated watches for the U.S. military with Luminox, Cohen set out on his own to launch his latest creation: the ProTek watch series. ProTek was designed for hard use by those who need a rugged, dependable, and easy-to-read timepiece, such as members of the military, law enforcement, and first responders.
Cohen appears to have accomplished exactly that, since the ProTek collection has been designated an Official Watch of the U.S. Marine Corps. These watches feature tritium built into the face and hands for illumination that lasts consistently for 25 years.” - RECOIL Magazine
Seen in the homestead movie and series, PROTEK isn’t just a brand partner, our actors and crew now swear by them both on and off set.
What’s Your Plan When the Lights (and fridge, and everything else) Go Out?
Power outages are becoming more frequent and severe across the globe, driven by a combination of aging infrastructure, extreme weather events, cyber threats, and increasing energy demands. For those focused on preparedness, understanding these risks and having a plan is essential.
The Impact of Power Outages
The consequences of power outages go far beyond inconvenience. They can jeopardize lives and disrupt critical services:
Health Risks: Loss of heating or cooling during extreme temperatures can be life-threatening. Medical devices and refrigeration for medications are also at risk.
Water Supply: Many water pumps rely on electricity, meaning a prolonged outage can cut off access to clean drinking water.
Communication Breakdown: Without power, cell towers and internet services may fail, leaving communities isolated.
Food Spoilage: Refrigeration and freezing systems can only maintain food safety for a limited time without power, leading to significant waste.
For the prepared homestead, investing in backup power solutions is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Products like the Lion Energy Safari Solar Generator Pack offer a clean, quiet, and reliable way to keep essential devices running during an emergency. Solar generators are especially valuable because they don’t rely on fuel, which can be hard to obtain during a crisis.
How To Decide How Much Power Storage You Need
First, you need to know how many Watts the device you want to power or charge actually needs. You can get this by looking on the label or searching the internet. Then, you need to look at the storage capacity of the units you’re considering. With those two numbers, you can use this simple calculation:
Watt Hours of Storage / # of Watts the Device Uses = Estimated Run Time
For instance, say your Lion Energy product has 100Wh of stored energy. Say your cell phone needs 6W of power to run (or charge). 100Wh / 6W = 16.7hrs of estimated run or charge time. You can use the same process to check on any device and storage option.

COMING CHRISTMAS 2024
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
Homestead is coming to theaters Friday, December 20th. Purchasing an early bird ticket gets you the best price ($10) and guarantees your seat for what will be one of the biggest movies of the year.
Meet the Hosts of
“Homestead: Family Survival”
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Jason Ross
AUTHOR & HOMESTEAD SHOWRUNNER
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Cherie Bolz
MASTER GARDENER
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Sam Sheridan
PRODUCER & AUTHOR
