My Most Practical Prep Of The Year So Far

The speaker discusses their recent practical preparation activity, which involved planting 100 American plum trees on their property with the help of a neighbor. They emphasize the challenges and investments required for self-sustaining food production, including finances, property, and labor. The speaker also shares their strategy for sourcing affordable trees from North Dakota State University and the use of a Predator Earth auger for efficient planting. The video serves as a reminder that prepping is a long-term endeavor, not an overnight solution, and highlights the importance of community support and resourcefulness.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The speaker has completed a practical prep project by planting 100 American plum trees to produce their own food.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 It was a family effort, with help from neighbors and resources like a tractor to prepare the land for planting.
• 💰 The project required an investment of time, effort, and finances, including purchasing an earth auger and the trees themselves.
• 📦 The speaker emphasizes that becoming self-sustaining in food production is challenging and not something that can be achieved quickly.
• 🚜 The use of agricultural equipment like a skid steer was mentioned, but the speaker does not own such equipment and relied on help.
• 🎥 The video is sponsored by Midway USA, which allows the speaker to create content not directly related to their usual topics.
• 🛒 The trees were purchased from North Dakota State University's nursery at a cost of $1 each with a minimum order of 100 trees.
• 🔨 The speaker bought an affordable earth auger from Harbor Freight to dig holes for the trees, which was efficient and cost-effective.
• 💧 The newly planted trees were watered and provided with plant food to ensure their growth and survival.
• 🏡 The project is part of a long-term goal for the speaker to make their property productive and sustainable.
• 👷‍♂️ The speaker acknowledges the importance of community and neighborly help, as well as the practicality of the project over quick results.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video?

The main topic discussed in the video is the practical preparation the speaker has undertaken to produce their own food, specifically planting 100 American plum trees.

Why does the speaker consider this project practical despite it not being exciting?

The speaker considers this project practical because it represents a long-term investment in self-sustainability and food production, even though it may not provide immediate results.

Who is the biggest supporter of the channel mentioned in the video?

Midway USA is mentioned as the biggest supporter of the channel, allowing the speaker to create content that may not be directly related to their usual topics.

What was the speaker's approach to planting the American plum trees?

The speaker's approach involved asking for help from a neighbor, using a Predator Earth auger to dig holes, and ensuring the trees had water and plant food after being planted.

What type of equipment did the speaker use to dig the holes for the trees?

The speaker used a Predator Earth auger from Harbor Freight to dig the holes for the trees.

How much did the speaker spend on the earth auger and the American plum trees combined?

The speaker spent $185 on the earth auger and $100 on the American plum trees, totaling $285.

Where did the speaker purchase the American plum trees from?

The speaker purchased the American plum trees from North Dakota State University's nursery.

What was the minimum order requirement for the delivery of the trees from North Dakota State University's nursery?

The minimum order requirement for the delivery of the trees was 100 trees.

How long does the speaker expect it to take for the American plum trees to start producing fruit?

The speaker expects the American plum trees to start producing fruit within 2 to 3 years.

What is the speaker's overall strategy for food production on their property?

The speaker's overall strategy is to plant fruit-bearing trees as a long-term investment in food production, acknowledging that it's a marathon, not a sprint.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the process of planting trees and preparing the land?

The speaker advises to ask for help, use the right tools like an earth auger, and to consult with neighbors or experts for advice on where to plant and how to care for the trees.

Outlines

00:00

🌳 Preparing for Self-Sustainability: Planting American Plum Trees

The speaker discusses their recent practical preparation for self-sustainability by planting 100 American plum trees on their property. They emphasize the difficulty and investment required to become self-sustaining in food production, acknowledging that it's not a quick process and requires resources such as land, finances, and equipment. With support from Midway USA, the speaker shares their experience of planting trees with the help of a neighbor, who provided valuable assistance with tilling the land. They also mention purchasing an affordable earth auger from Harbor Freight to dig holes for the trees. The speaker sourced the fruit-bearing trees from North Dakota State University's nursery, which offered a minimum order of 100 trees for a dollar each, including delivery. The focus is on long-term planning and investment in food production, rather than immediate results.

05:01

🏡 The Practicality and Investment of Preparing for the Future

In this paragraph, the speaker continues the discussion on their efforts to make their property productive, focusing on the practical aspects of planting trees for future fruit production. They describe the process of planting the trees, which involved digging holes with an earth auger, placing the trees, and ensuring they were watered and fertilized. The speaker highlights the importance of community and neighborly support, as well as the value of seeking advice from those with experience. They also touch on the long-term nature of their project, acknowledging that while the trees are currently small, they represent a long-term investment in food security. The speaker concludes by stating that prepping is a marathon, not a sprint, and that they are committed to gradually improving their property's ability to produce food.

Keywords

💡practical prep

Practical prep refers to the tangible and realistic preparations one makes to become more self-sufficient, often in the context of emergency preparedness or long-term survival. In the video, the creator discusses the practical steps they have taken towards self-sustainability, specifically focusing on food production through planting fruit trees.

💡self-sustaining

Self-sustaining is the ability to maintain oneself without reliance on external resources. It is a key concept in the video, where the creator aims to produce their own food. The script mentions the difficulty of becoming self-sustaining, emphasizing that it requires significant investment and effort.

💡investment

In the context of the video, investment refers to the resources, time, and effort put into a project with the expectation of future returns. The creator talks about the investment of 'blood, sweat, tears, finances, obviously property' as necessary for growing food and becoming self-sustaining.

💡American plum trees

American plum trees are a type of fruit-bearing tree native to North America. The script details the creator's decision to plant 100 American plum trees as part of their food production strategy. These trees are expected to start producing fruit within 2 to 3 years.

💡Midway USA

Midway USA is mentioned in the video as the channel's biggest supporter. The creator credits them for enabling the production of videos, even those not directly related to their usual content, such as the practical prep discussed in this video.

💡heavy agricultural equipment

Heavy agricultural equipment refers to machinery used in farming and agriculture, such as tractors and skid steers. The script mentions the lack of such equipment as a challenge in planting trees and the creator's reliance on help from neighbors and affordable tools to overcome this obstacle.

💡State University North Dakota State

State University North Dakota State is the institution from which the creator purchased the American plum trees. The script highlights the affordability and accessibility of the trees from the university's nursery, which facilitated the planting project.

💡dirt auger

A dirt auger is a tool used for drilling into the ground, often for planting or post-hole digging. The creator bought a Predator Earth auger from Harbor Freight to dig holes for the trees, emphasizing its efficiency and value for money.

💡prepper

A prepper is an individual who actively prepares for emergencies and disasters by stockpiling supplies and learning survival skills. The video's creator identifies as a prepper, which is why they are focused on planting fruit trees for long-term food security.

💡root systems

Root systems are the underground part of a plant that absorbs water and nutrients. The script mentions the root systems of the baby trees, indicating that despite their small size, they have the potential to grow into full-sized trees capable of fruit production.

Highlights

The speaker discusses their most practical prep of the year, focusing on the challenges and investments involved in producing one's own food.

Growing food to the point of self-sustainability is difficult and requires significant resources, including finances and property.

Midway USA is acknowledged as the channel's biggest supporter, enabling the production of diverse content.

The speaker planted 100 American plum trees with the help of their family and a neighbor.

Lack of heavy agricultural equipment necessitated creative solutions and the use of affordable tools.

A Predator Earth auger from Harbor Freight was used to dig holes for the trees, demonstrating a cost-effective approach.

The trees were sourced from North Dakota State University's nursery at a cost of $1 per tree with a minimum order of 100 trees.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of building rapport with neighbors and the benefits of their assistance.

American plum trees can start producing fruit within 2 to 3 years, making them a long-term investment.

The speaker shares their approach to planting trees for food production, focusing on practicality over aesthetics.

A discussion on the importance of planning and spacing when planting trees to ensure their growth.

The speaker's commitment to prepping and making their property productive despite the time it takes.

The planting of 100 trees is presented as a practical and long-term investment in food security.

The speaker reflects on the process and the involvement of their family in the project.

A humorous moment where the speaker's friend jokes about enjoying plums at the age of 60.

The speaker concludes by emphasizing that prepping is a marathon, not a sprint, and the importance of starting now for future benefits.