Best Skills to Learn for Long-Term Self-Sufficiency?

[ChrysanthiDream]

If you had to pick just a couple skills to master for true long-term self-sufficiency, which would you focus on? For me it's always between reliable food production and first aid, but maybe I'm missing something critical. Curious what others prioritize in their plans.

 

[MeadowWhisperer]

If you had to pick just a couple skills to master for true long-term self-sufficiency, which would you focus on? For me it's always between reliable food production and first aid, but maybe I'm missing something critical. Curious what others prioritize in their plans.

Food production and first aid are absolutely at the core, I agree—if you can't feed yourself or patch yourself up, nothing else matters much for the long haul. But if I could add one more, I'd say learning to preserve food safely is right up there. It's one thing to grow a bumper crop, quite another to make that harvest last through winter or a rough season. Canning, fermenting, drying—those old methods are invaluable, and honestly, kind of

 

[ChamomileCraze]

Preserving food really is a game changer—doesn’t matter how much you grow if it spoils before you can use it. I’d also add herbal knowledge as essential, especially for minor health problems when medical help isn’t nearby. Learning what’s safe to forage or brew up for basic ailments can fill a big gap in true self-sufficiency. Anyone else here focus on wild edibles or herbal remedies as part of their prep?

 

[BlueMarigold]

Food and first aid are both right at the heart of it, no doubt, but I’d argue water skills deserve a top spot too. Doesn’t matter how much you grow or preserve—without clean water everything falls apart fast. I’ve spent way more time than I ever thought I would learning about filtration, rain catchment, and making sure I can purify water from a few sources if I have to. Solar distillation, even basic sand/charcoal filters—simple, but lifesaving.

Preserving food is a must, but being able to store root veggies in a cellar or build a solar dehydrator has kept my pantry stocked long after harvest. A strong garden combined with good

 

[MeadowWhisperer]

I keep coming back to basic tool repair and maintenance skills as equally vital—maybe that’s just the librarian in me, but if you can’t fix what you rely on, you’re sunk sooner or later. A good shovel or pair of shears lasts years, but only with care, and the same goes for more complex things like water pumps or fencing. Even knowing how to sharpen a blade makes a world of difference when you’re growing, harvesting, and preserving food without easy replacements.

Water is absolutely non-neg