As grocery prices rise and supply chains face increasing scrutiny, a new book by homestead farmers Staci and Jeremy Hill offers a practical approach to food self-sufficiency. "The Preserver's Garden" integrates garden planning with food preservation techniques, aiming to restore knowledge that has largely disappeared in recent decades.
The book addresses a growing disconnect where many people garden without a plan for abundance or rely on expensive, processed products. The Hills' approach treats gardening and preserving as interconnected skills, showing readers how to grow food specifically for fermenting, canning, pickling, dehydrating, and freeze drying. This integrated method makes the process more intentional and efficient, according to the authors.
Based on nearly a decade of experience at their Gooseberry Bridge Farm in rural Missouri, the Hills provide practical steps that work at various scales. Their message emphasizes that successful food preservation doesn't require acreage, expensive equipment, or a full homestead lifestyle. The book is designed to meet readers where they are, particularly those who feel overwhelmed or short on time.
"The Preserver's Garden" speaks directly to contemporary concerns about food affordability, food allergies, food waste, and food deserts. It also addresses a deeper desire many families share: to know exactly what's in their pantry and where it came from. The book reframes food preservation as a modern solution to these challenges, moving away from all-or-nothing thinking toward flexibility and progress over perfection.
The Hills' philosophy centers on the idea that anyone can preserve food successfully, with every small step counting toward greater food independence. Their work demonstrates how growing and preserving food builds more than a stocked pantry—it builds confidence, resilience, and connection to food, family, and seasonal rhythms. Readers can learn more about their approach at https://ThePreserversGarden.com.
This publication arrives at a critical moment when families are questioning food sources and seeking alternatives to unreliable supply chains. By making preservation knowledge accessible and practical, "The Preserver's Garden" offers a pathway toward greater food security that aligns with modern lifestyles rather than requiring radical change.
