You only have to be doing this lifestyle for just a short while to know that there are a lot of people trying to homestead and return to a more simple lifestyle. In fact, there is an entire retail industry that is centered around the small farm or homestead and to sell you goods, products and services.
And because it's now January and the beginning of a new calendar year, the catalogs are showing up in our mailbox and I'm sure they are showing up in yours as well. Who doesn't like to look at a bunch of pretty pictures and information when it concerns your day to day living? It's kinda fun to check out the latest gadgets and gizmos that might make your homesteading life easier.
BRIEF HISTORY
Ever since the early days of mail delivery by stagecoach or locomotive, homesteaders and farmers have looked forward to the arrival of the next years product catalogs.
And then, we have Benjamin Franklin who is believed to be the first to publish a catalog in the British colonies in North America. But the first mail order catalog in the United States came out from Tiffanys, who today is known as a luxury jeweler. But the most famous American catalog that many are familiar with is the Sears Roebuck. In fact, the saw mill we have on the homestead was originally purchased through the Sears Roebuck catalog back in the 1940's.
CATALOGS ARRIVING TODAY
Even with the information age today making it so easy to shop online, catalogs are still used to reach millions of customers. So what catalogs are we enjoying that arrive in the mail? Let's take a look.
BAKER CREEK
One of the most popular homestead and small farm catalogs is the one published each year from Baker Creek called Rare Seeds.
We have a collection of their catalogs and each one full of great info and wonderful products. And the best part is that they will send you a catalog for free by simply filling out an online form. Or you can download a PDF copy too!
Premier 1 Supplies
As a homesteader who raises livestock, I was quick to discover Premier 1 Supplies catalogs.
What I like best about Premier 1 Supplies is that not only is their catalog full of great photos and well known quality products, they also use their catalog to TEACH! Homestead and small farmer education is very popular as people are hungry for knowledge and Premier 1 uses that to their advantage when reaching customers. You will learn a lot just by reading their catalog.
Growers Supply
This is the top catalog for farmers and homesteaders looking to find and build for themselves a greenhouse.
If you are looking at buying and building a greenhouse, chances are you will get your best deal here. You will simply be amazed at all the options you have. Our homestead has used this company before and they go out of their way to make sure you are happy with the order. You can order the catalog for free online.
Field and Forest Products
This is one of all time favorite catalogs. Mostly because you can learn an awful lot just by reading their catalog. It's full of useful information and not just products.
Choose from a wide variety of amazing mushroom growing kits and learn how to make your own mushroom starter year after year in your garden. Plus, by putting these different spawn in your garden, you're going to help your other plants grow by enhancing your soil. Check out their catalog by clicking here.
Lehmans
Some of our first catalog purchases came from Lehmans before we moved off grid.
Overall it's a fun catalog and you will have a fun time reading through this and referencing back to it from time to time. Go here to get a copy delivered for free.
What catalogs do you wait by the mailbox for? Please leave a recommendation below and if you can, POST THE LINK to order the catalog as well. We will all benefit by sharing the information!
ALSO, we will be attending this years Baker Creek Spring Planting Festival so make plans to attend and visit the An American Homestead Booth!
Visit Us Online: http://AnAmericanHomestead.com
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I really like Lehmans catalog. I wonder when they'll start accepting cryptos. :-) @ironshield
LOL...in the next few years I would guess. I wonder when I will start spending my cryptos. HODL!
I LOVE Lehman's! I ordered their catalog last fall and have so many pages dog-eared.
And the Sears & Roebuck! Oh my GOSH! I remember going with my grandma when she would order and we would stand in line at the catalog pick-up area... SUCH memories!
Yeah, Lehmans is family favorite around here too! And I love looking through old photos online from very early Sears Roebuck catalogs. Amazing!
Thanks for the links, a couple of the seed ones we have been getting for a few years but I didn't know about the others, much appreciated.
You're welcome!
Lots of great info here to get me started with in my research. Thank you.
Yes, these catalogs not only have good usable products but lots of education in them as well. Order them, they are free!
Tweeting out this loaded full of information article to others!
And yup I get all of those as well..
THANKS!
This is awesome! Resteeming so I remember to order all of them when I get time to sit down for a minute. Thanks!
You will really enjoy them. I'm always excited to see new ones in my mailbox.
You are doing awesome bro, I love your posts and this is one of them. Keep it on
THANKS!
Hey Zac, I just posted my 2018 goals on my Steemit page. I'd appreciate your thoughts on my list. You've been there and done that and I'm relatively new to the lifestyle. Thanks in advance. ~Tommy
Thanks! Will check it out!
Thanks for the great resources! I have been considering cultivating mushrooms on our property so appreciated the suggested company.
Yeah, its a little work. But worth it.
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I already received the Baker Creek catalog! Looks like I will have to order some of the other ones in your list!
As for me I also received in a catalog from Michigan Bulb Co. Here is link if you want to request your own copy. https://www.michiganbulb.com/catalog_request
The other one I have is from Townsends. From their website..."Jas. Townsend & Son Inc. is a manufacturer and retailer of quality reproduction 18th and early 19th Century clothing and personal accessories. We service the living history community, historic sites, museums, and theatrical, motion picture, and television production companies." You can request a catalog from them here...http://www.townsends.us/catalog-request/
I like this company because they do their very best to reproduce products that were made for off grid and for homesteading, ok well really for around the 18th century, but HEY back then that is what everyone had to do to survive!
Wow thanks for passing the information along. I'm going to have to check these out. @originalworks
A lot of good mentions here! I really like to get the Baker Creek catalog as they have a great selection of non GMO seeds! The Field and Forest is one I have not heard of, but I am getting one now! Thanks for sharing! God Bless!
Love the information you post.
Thank you for sharing! I have not seen nor heard of the websites you listed other that Baker Creek. I checked them out...wow, I could spend a lot of cash really fast. Growers Supply and Lehmans really spiked an interest. I have a huge hoop house and the plastic is chewed apart by the previous owners putting hogs in the hoop house. I guess they liked the taste of poly! Anyway thank you again Zac for providing valuable info!
Kenny
Pfeiler Family Farm
Great information and resources thanks for the post.
Love catalogues but some reason they never make it through the mail to me here :{
This is great! I was not yet aware of field and forest products and they look like a great resource. Thanks for sharing these excellent catalog sources!
I enjoyed the post and some of those titles are new to me I'll have to look them up online and have catalogs sent to me.
Guess what this guy got in the mail today? And within mere days of requesting it! Thank you again Zac for the links. And I see that Grower's Supply is in Dyersville, Iowa...they are literally 30 minutes from my dad's house!
I did a video the other day asking about what to do with my hoop house and this shows up today too. It is funny the way the good Lord works. Maybe my answer is in Mother Earth News...
Kenny
Pfeiler Family Farm
Thanks for the resources!
Just starting on Steemit and very happy to see your posts! Bookmarked all the catalog links and will be checking them out. Almost your neighbor but will be moving to the KC area by the end of the year. Thanks for the info on catalogs!
If you like the catalog, you'd love the store. We've been tbrough it recently. What a selection of quality.