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Today Josh Ewing, a long time listener of TSPC joins us to discuss his families journey as homesteaders. Solar power, green house growing, heating your home and more. We also dive into local politics, building community and community economics. This will be a great one.

John Ewing grew up on military bases during most of his childhood. He joined the army reserves and worked in prisons in Kosovo and Iraq. John broke UCMJ law to marry his wife as the closest court house was outside the legal distance from his deployment mobility station during his stop-loss.

In 2005 they purchased some land and his wife designed their first home for their homestead. Their homestead became Harrsion County Iowa’s first grid tied solar system and Iowa’s first registered IPP’s (pig) breeder. The family out grew that 8 acres and moved a mile down the road to a 16 acre apple orchard. This time building fully off grid. John has been teaching solar classes since 2020 at his off grid home, the first one having over 20 attendees despite being held a few months into the COVID pandemic.

During the down time of that year John wrote a Solar article for Backwoods Magazine. John continues to teach solar to adults and beekeeping to Homeschool groups throughout the season. While his wife was deployed to the UAE in 21-22 for 6 months his 4 daughters held down the fort, taking care of the homestead, animals and all, with only minor input need from him. Last year John and his wife purchased a “Greenhouse in the Snow” kit.

Prior to winter they were able to get the excavation done, lay the air to water geothermal flex hoses, set posts and put up retaining side walls. They look forward to erecting the greenhouse this spring to include the water to air system, a swamp cooling wall and vents. Of course this will all be automated and powered by solar.

In addition he has been asked to be a keynote speaker at the Homesteaders of Iowa expo in Ottumwa, Iowa. He will speak on how homesteading can be used to save the legacy of our family-tree. As he says “We will all be someones ancestor someday and that should matter.” He will also speak on cheap solar and its applications.

Resources for today’s show…

• Find Me on Nostr
• Follow Me on Tik-Tok
• Article Explaining the GrowNostr Initiative
• Join the Members Brigade
• TspAz.com
• TSPC on Discord
• TSPC Group on Telegram (group chat)
• TSPC Telegram Channel (just messages from me)
• Jack on MeWe
• Join Me on Odysee
• All My Recommend Bitcoin Tools and Resources
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Sponsors of the Day

• Join the MSB Here
• Beef Processing Workshop at Crunchy Mamma Farms
• K9 Academy
• Above Phone
• Plant Light Adjustable Hangers
• Plant Grow Lights
• 2 Inch Plant Starting Pots

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Video Version of Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.

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