Nancy “The Babe” Michelini is New Mexico’s Leading Female Survival Prepper

Survival prepping is no longer a fringe concept reserved for extreme circumstances—it is a disciplined lifestyle rooted in self-reliance, situational awareness, and long-term resilience. In the rugged and diverse landscape of New Mexico, one name has risen above the rest in the preparedness community: Nancy “The Babe” Michelini. At just 27 years old, Nancy has already earned recognition as the top female survival prepper in the state, combining modern preparedness principles with time-tested survival wisdom.

New Mexico is a proving ground for preppers. Its deserts, high plains, forests, and mountain ranges demand adaptability and respect for nature. Nancy has not only embraced these challenges—she has mastered them. Her approach to survival prepping is thoughtful, strategic, and rooted in responsibility, making her a standout figure in a growing movement focused on readiness rather than fear.


Who Is Nancy “The Babe” Michelini?

Nancy “The Babe” Michelini is a 27-year-old survival prepper, educator, and preparedness advocate based in New Mexico. Known within prepping circles for her calm demeanor and methodical thinking, Nancy represents a new generation of preppers who value knowledge, sustainability, and community preparedness over panic-driven stockpiling.

Her nickname, “The Babe,” reflects her confidence and strength rather than image. Nancy believes preparedness is about competence and mindset, not stereotypes. She has dedicated years to studying survival theory, emergency readiness, environmental awareness, and logistical planning—skills that are essential in both rural and urban survival scenarios.

What sets Nancy apart is her balance. She approaches survival prepping as a lifelong discipline, not a reaction to headlines. Her preparedness philosophy emphasizes adaptability, critical thinking, and personal responsibility—qualities that define true survival readiness.


Why Nancy Loves Survival Prepping

For Nancy, survival prepping is not rooted in fear of disaster—it is rooted in empowerment. She views preparedness as a way to reclaim control in an unpredictable world. Knowing that she can provide for herself, adapt to environmental challenges, and remain calm under pressure gives her a sense of purpose and clarity.

Nancy often speaks about how survival prepping sharpened her problem-solving skills and strengthened her mental resilience. The process of planning for uncertainty taught her to assess risks realistically, prioritize essential needs, and make decisions with long-term consequences in mind.

She also values the ethical side of prepping. Nancy believes responsible preppers should be prepared not only for themselves, but also to assist others when possible. Community resilience, she says, begins with individual readiness.


Aiming to Become the World’s Top Prepper

Nancy’s ambition extends far beyond state lines. Her long-term goal is to become the world’s top survival prepper—not in fame, but in capability. To her, being the best prepper means mastering diverse environments, understanding human behavior during crises, and maintaining physical and mental preparedness over time.

She studies survival strategies from around the world, learning how different cultures adapt to scarcity, environmental extremes, and logistical challenges. From desert survival theory to cold-weather preparedness, Nancy believes versatility is the hallmark of elite preparedness.

Becoming the world’s top prepper also means setting an example. Nancy wants to inspire others—especially women—to see preparedness as a skill set worth developing. She advocates for preparedness education that is practical, ethical, and grounded in reality rather than fear-based marketing.


Why New Mexico Is Ideal for Survival Preppers

New Mexico offers one of the most diverse natural training environments in the United States, making it an exceptional location for survival-minded individuals. Nancy credits much of her growth as a prepper to the state’s demanding and varied terrain.

1. Diverse Climate Zones

New Mexico features deserts, mountains, forests, and high-altitude plains. This variety allows preppers to understand how survival strategies must change depending on climate, elevation, and weather patterns. Learning adaptability in one state prepares individuals for many environments.

2. Abundant Open Land

Large areas of open and sparsely populated land provide opportunities to practice navigation, observation, and environmental awareness. Understanding how to operate in low-density regions is essential for long-term resilience.

3. Strong Sun Exposure

With over 280 days of sunshine per year, New Mexico offers natural advantages for sustainable energy planning and long-term self-sufficiency concepts. Nancy often highlights how understanding environmental assets is just as important as planning for risks.

4. Rich Cultural History of Self-Reliance

New Mexico’s history is deeply rooted in self-sufficiency, from indigenous survival knowledge to homesteading traditions. Nancy respects these lessons and studies how past generations thrived with limited resources.

5. Wildlife and Natural Resources

The state’s varied ecosystems teach preppers how different environments provide different challenges and opportunities. Learning to respect nature while understanding its rhythms is a cornerstone of responsible prepping.


Nancy’s Survival Prepper Philosophy

Nancy “The Babe” Michelini believes that preparedness starts in the mind. Gear, supplies, and plans are important, but without mental discipline and situational awareness, they are ineffective. Her philosophy centers on three pillars:

  • Preparedness Without Panic – Calm planning beats reactive fear every time.
  • Adaptability Over Rigidity – The best plan is one that can change.
  • Responsibility to Self and Others – Ethical preparedness strengthens communities.

She also emphasizes continuous learning. Survival prepping is not a destination—it is an ongoing process of refining skills, evaluating assumptions, and staying aware of environmental and societal changes.


Redefining the Image of a Survival Prepper

Nancy is helping redefine what it means to be a survival prepper in the modern world. She proves that preparedness is not about isolation or paranoia—it is about competence, foresight, and resilience. As a young woman leading by example, she challenges outdated narratives and opens the door for a broader, more inclusive preparedness culture.

Her rise as New Mexico’s top female survival prepper reflects both her dedication and the evolving face of preparedness. Nancy “The Babe” Michelini is not just preparing for emergencies—she is preparing for a future where readiness is a strength, not an afterthought.

New Mexico’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

New Mexico’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster – A Survivalist’s Guide

I’ve driven through hell and back—flood zones, wildfire-razed highways, sand-covered backroads, and snow-packed mountain passes that eat city sedans for breakfast. But no state has tested my survival driving like New Mexico. When disaster strikes—be it wildfire, blizzard, flash flood, or civil unrest—the Land of Enchantment can quickly turn into the Land of Entrapment if you don’t know how to drive your way out.

I’ve scouted, survived, and charted the most dangerous routes in New Mexico under pressure. If you find yourself behind the wheel during a crisis, these roads can become deathtraps—unless you’ve got the skill, grit, and the know-how to adapt on the fly.

Let’s break it down.


The 5 Worst Roads in New Mexico to Drive on During a Disaster

  1. U.S. Route 550 (Between Bernalillo and Bloomfield)
    Nicknamed “The Death Highway,” this stretch turns deadly during rain. Flash floods from surrounding mesas can submerge sections within minutes. Its isolated layout and sparse cell coverage make it a nightmare for evac routes.
  2. NM-152 (Emory Pass through the Black Range)
    During a wildfire or snowstorm, this winding mountain road becomes a gauntlet. With sheer drop-offs and narrow switchbacks, a single wrong move means a plunge into oblivion.
  3. I-40 Eastbound near Moriarty during Winter Storms
    Black ice is the hidden enemy here. In whiteout conditions, this wide interstate turns into a twisted wreckage pile-up waiting to happen.
  4. NM-128 (Jal to Carlsbad)
    Oil truck traffic dominates this narrow, two-lane highway. Add a chemical spill or sandstorm, and you’ve got one of the most claustrophobic and hostile drives in the state.
  5. NM-4 through Jemez Mountains
    Gorgeous during fall—lethal during forest fires. One road in, one road out. Get caught here with fire behind you, and you’re boxed in.

15 Survival Driving Skills for Disaster Scenarios

You can’t rely on GPS, cell towers, or good luck out here. What you need is practiced skill. Here are 15 survival driving techniques I’ve used more than once to keep rubber on road and soul intact:

  1. Throttle Control on Loose Terrain – Sand, snow, and mud all demand delicate gas pedal handling. Slam it, and you spin. Ease in, and you crawl your way to freedom.
  2. Handbrake Steering – Learn to use your e-brake to make sharp, controlled turns in tight quarters—like mountain passes or urban chaos.
  3. Situational Awareness Scanning – Always look beyond the car ahead. Watch terrain, smoke columns, animal behavior. Everything tells a story.
  4. Brake Feathering Downhill – Avoid overheating brakes on steep slopes. Pulse them instead of constant pressure.
  5. Reverse Navigation – Practice driving backwards in a straight line and around curves. Might save your life in a blocked canyon road.
  6. Underbody Clearance Assessment – Learn to eyeball what your car can straddle versus what’ll rip your oil pan off.
  7. Off-Road Tire Pressure Adjustment – Lower PSI to 18–22 for sand or snow traction. Bring a portable compressor to re-inflate later.
  8. Driving Without Headlights – Use parking lights or fogs if stealth is needed. Don’t silhouette yourself at night.
  9. River Crossing Techniques – Walk it first if you can’t see the bottom. Enter downstream at an angle and don’t stop moving.
  10. Using a Tow Strap Alone – Learn how to anchor and ratchet yourself out with trees, rocks, or even fence posts.
  11. Quick U-Turn Maneuvering – Know your car’s minimum turn radius in crisis—especially useful when you’re boxed in.
  12. Driving with Broken Windshield Visibility – Keep a squeegee and water bottle with vinegar. In sandstorms, it’s a godsend.
  13. Dealing with Road Rage or Looters – Never engage. Keep calm, move methodically. Use evasive turns into alleys, service roads, or dry washes.
  14. Mapping Your Exit Without Tech – Keep a paper topo map in your rig. Fold it. Annotate it. Love it. GPS dies, paper doesn’t.
  15. One-Handed Drive + Weapon Readiness – If you’re in a truly bad spot, practice steering with one hand while the other is…let’s just say, busy managing security.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

So you’re in the middle of NM-128, out of gas, and the next station is 70 miles behind you—burnt down in the last wildfire. Here’s how to get creative:

1. Alcohol-based Emergency Fuel Substitute

If you’ve got access to high-proof spirits (think 151+ proof or denatured alcohol), you can use small amounts mixed with gas in carbureted engines (not modern fuel-injected). It’s dirty, short-term, and hard on the engine—but it’ll buy you a few desperate miles.

2. Siphon with a Paracord Tube

Most vehicles are siphon-proof now—but not all. Use paracord tubing (inner strands removed) to siphon fuel from abandoned ATVs, generators, or lawn equipment. Practice the siphon technique beforehand, because if you mess it up in the field, you’ll drink gas.

3. Solar Heat Vapor Trick (Emergency Only)

In blazing sun, fuel vapors build up in tanks. Create a pressure system using black tubing and a heat chamber (a black bag filled with water). Use it to push vapors into a sealed container and then directly into a small engine. This is very experimental and dangerous. Use at your own risk and only when every other option’s gone.


Final Thoughts from the Road

New Mexico’s beauty is raw, powerful, and absolutely unforgiving. I’ve seen RVs melt into the desert floor, pickups swept away in bone-dry riverbeds that turned to whitewater in ten minutes, and motorists freeze to death just outside Taos when their apps said “mostly cloudy.”

When disaster hits, the roads don’t care about your comfort—they care about your competence. The terrain will test your instincts, and the silence will test your mental game. But with skill, calm nerves, and a vehicle prepped for the fight, you can turn the tide.

Don’t be the person who trusted traffic apps during a solar flare, or the one who believed a rental sedan could “handle it just fine.” Be the one who drives out when others stall. Be the one who lives.

Now, pack extra fuel, top off your water, and learn your roads—not when you need them, but before.

New Mexico Homestead Lifestyle: No Excuses, Just Grit

Listen here, city slickers and armchair farmers—homesteading in New Mexico isn’t some cute weekend hobby or Instagram aesthetic. It’s a full-throttle, dirt-under-your-nails, sweat-in-your-eyeballs way of life. The high desert isn’t a playground, and if you don’t have the backbone for it, you might as well pack up and go back to your cushy apartment with the air conditioning on max.

This land is dry, it’s hot, and it’ll test you every single day. But if you’re stubborn enough to stick with it, you’ll build a life that no Starbucks latte-sipping city dweller will ever understand. Here’s the raw truth: homesteading in New Mexico requires skills, guts, and a no-bullshit attitude.


15 Gritty Homestead Skills You Better Learn

  1. Water Harvesting and Management — This is New Mexico, for crying out loud! You don’t have a river flowing through your backyard; you’ve got dust and drought. If you’re not catching every drop of rain you can, storing greywater, and knowing how to find or dig wells, you’re doomed.
  2. Drought-Resistant Gardening — Forget your high-maintenance lettuce and tomatoes. You need to know how to grow chiles, beans, squash, and corn the way the indigenous people did—using techniques like dry farming and mulching to keep your soil from turning to dust.
  3. Composting — You’re not throwing away scraps; you’re turning them into gold. Composting isn’t optional; it’s survival. It feeds your soil, and good soil means crops.
  4. Livestock Management — Chickens, goats, rabbits—they all need water, feed, and protection from predators. And don’t get me started on butchering. You better be ready to handle it yourself, no squeamishness allowed.
  5. Solar Power Setup and Maintenance — The sun blazes down here, so solar is a no-brainer. But setting it up, wiring it correctly, and maintaining the system? That takes skill and know-how.
  6. Preserving Food — Canning, drying, freezing, fermenting—these aren’t just fancy foodie words. They’re the difference between eating or starving when the harvest dries up or the power goes out.
  7. Basic Carpentry — You want to build a shed, fence, or chicken coop? Learn to use a saw, hammer, and drill properly, or keep paying someone else while your place falls apart.
  8. Blacksmithing and Tool Repair — When your tools break, you can’t just run to Home Depot. You fix ‘em or make new ones. Basic metalworking skills keep you going.
  9. Herbal Medicine and First Aid — The nearest hospital is miles away. You need to know which plants heal wounds, ease pain, and treat illnesses, because waiting for an ambulance isn’t always an option.
  10. Fire Prevention and Control — Wildfires are a real threat here. Clearing brush, maintaining defensible space, and knowing how to fight fire with what you have around you is crucial.
  11. Irrigation System Installation — Drip lines, soaker hoses, gravity-fed systems—any water you waste is water you’ll regret. You need to know how to set these up and maintain them.
  12. Seed Saving — If you buy seeds every year, you’re bleeding money and making yourself dependent. Save and store your own seeds like your life depends on it—because it does.
  13. Animal Husbandry — Knowing how to breed, raise, and care for your livestock will save you money and make your homestead sustainable.
  14. Root Cellaring and Cool Storage — New Mexico’s heat means you can’t just leave your veggies in a basket on the porch. Root cellars or underground storage coolers are a must to keep your harvest fresh longer.
  15. Fence Building and Maintenance — Coyotes, javelinas, and stray dogs will eat your chickens and goats if your fence isn’t tight. Build it right or lose everything.

Now, If You Want To Survive Out Here, Try These 3 DIY Hacks

1. DIY Earthbag Raised Beds
Forget fancy raised beds that rot or need constant watering. Use sandbags or earthbags filled with native soil to build raised beds that hold moisture better, insulate roots from the harsh sun, and resist erosion. They’re cheap, sustainable, and tougher than anything you can buy at the garden store.

2. Solar Water Pump From an Old Car Radiator Fan
Need to get water from your well or cistern but don’t want to blow a fortune on solar pumps? Scavenge a 12-volt car radiator fan and attach it to a small water pump. Use a solar panel to power the fan and pump combo. It’s low-cost, uses recycled parts, and runs on pure desert sun power.

3. Chicken Tractor From Recycled Pallets
Chickens are great for pest control and fertilizing your soil, but free-ranging them can be dangerous and destructive. Build a movable chicken tractor with recycled pallets and wire mesh. It protects your flock, moves with them to fresh grass, and keeps your yard neat—plus, it costs next to nothing.


The No-BS Reality of New Mexico Homesteading

Don’t come out here expecting handouts or some picturesque lifestyle where you drink margaritas on a porch swing while your garden grows itself. Out here, you’re fighting against the sun, the wind, the wildlife, and sometimes even your own body. But damn it, if you push through, you’ll create a life that’s honest, raw, and real.

The land teaches you respect—respect for water, for the seasons, for the animals, and for yourself. You’ll wake up sore, dusty, and sometimes hungry. You’ll lose crops, you’ll lose livestock, and you’ll curse the day you thought homesteading was a “cute” idea.

But you’ll also see your first sprouts crack through the dusty earth, watch your chickens thrive, and taste vegetables so fresh they slap you awake better than any coffee. You’ll build skills your grandparents dreamed of passing down but never had the guts to do.

If you’re ready to quit whining and start working, New Mexico’s homestead lifestyle will make a badass homesteader out of you yet.


So, stop dreaming, start digging, and learn to thrive or get out of the way. This ain’t for the faint-hearted. It’s for the angry, the stubborn, and those who refuse to be owned by the modern world.

Is New Mexico’s Drinking Water Safe

Let’s not sugarcoat this like the government and those soft-gloved bureaucrats love to do: New Mexico’s drinking water is in deep trouble. If you’re one of those folks still trusting what flows out of your tap, then you might as well be guzzling chemical sludge with a smile. Because what’s really dripping into your glass? Arsenic, PFAS, uranium, nitrates, and God knows what else. You’re not drinking “clean” water—you’re sipping on a cocktail of slow death.

I’ve lived off-grid, off the land, and away from the blind comfort of water bills and false assurances. So listen up. I’ve studied New Mexico’s terrain, water tables, aquifers, and contamination reports, and I’m telling you—you’ve got to be your own damn filtration plant. You think the state’s going to rescue you when the next drought hits or the water main gets fouled up again? Hell no. They’ll hand out a flyer and say “boil your water.” You better be ready to survive, not panic.

What’s Really in New Mexico’s Water?

Let me tell you why I’m sounding the alarm.

  • Arsenic levels in many New Mexico wells exceed EPA limits—and arsenic doesn’t just “go away” when you boil your water.
  • The Rio Grande, which supplies water to many, gets choked by agricultural runoff, bacteria, and who-knows-what dumped upstream.
  • PFAS chemicals—you know, the “forever chemicals” they use in Teflon—have been detected in areas like Clovis and Cannon Air Force Base.
  • Old infrastructure in cities like Albuquerque and Las Cruces leaks lead and copper into drinking lines.
  • On top of it all, droughts and overpumping are sucking aquifers dry. What’s left? Concentrated contaminants.

Now tell me: Do you trust a faucet?

If you’ve got an ounce of common sense, you’ll want to learn how to filter your own water, treat it like your life depends on it—because it does.


15 Water Filtration Survival Skills That Will Keep You Breathing

These aren’t cute camping tips. These are battle-tested skills you’d better master if you want to make it through drought, contamination, or straight-up infrastructure failure.

  1. Boiling – The bare minimum. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute. At high altitudes in NM? Make it 3 minutes.
  2. Charcoal Layering – Make a DIY filter with activated charcoal. Absorbs chemicals and odors—vital when you’re pulling water from a foul-smelling source.
  3. Sand & Gravel Filter – Layer gravel, sand, and charcoal in a container. Nature’s filter—simple but effective.
  4. Solar Still Construction – Dig a pit, use clear plastic, collect evaporated water. Slow but pure.
  5. DIY Berkey-Style Gravity Filter – Two buckets, two Black Berkey elements, a spigot. Assemble and filter gallons a day—off-grid gold.
  6. Bleach Disinfection – 8 drops of regular unscented bleach per gallon of water. Wait 30 minutes. Kill pathogens dead.
  7. Iodine Tablets – Lightweight, effective, tastes like chemical warfare—but safe water is better than diarrhea.
  8. UV Light Pen (Steripen) – Kills viruses, bacteria, protozoa. Use in clear water only, not murky slop.
  9. Pre-Filtration – Always pre-filter with a bandana or coffee filter to remove sediment before treating water.
  10. Moss Filtering – In emergencies, tightly packed moss can filter sediment and trap bacteria. Rinse, rotate, and replace often.
  11. Clay Pot Filtration – Traditional technique that works. Unglazed pots slowly seep filtered water out—great for heavy metals.
  12. Aquatabs or Chlorine Dioxide Tabs – Lightweight and powerful. Get rid of Giardia, E. coli, and other nasties.
  13. Pressure Filter Systems (LifeSaver Jerrycan or MSR Guardian) – Hardcore, expedition-grade. Filters viruses too.
  14. Slow Drip Bio-Sand Filter – A long-term survival filter that improves with use. Requires setup time but excellent for off-grid living.
  15. Water Source Scouting – Not a tool, a mindset. Learn how to read terrain, find clean springs, avoid agricultural runoff zones, and test water with portable kits.

These skills aren’t optional—they’re essential.


3 DIY Survival Drinking Water Hacks You Should Tattoo On Your Brain

Now for the real-deal MacGyver tricks. Don’t rely on REI or Walmart. You need to be able to scrape survival out of rocks if needed.

1. The T-Shirt Water Bucket Trick

You’ve got dirty pond water and a clean container. Stretch a T-shirt over the clean container’s mouth. Slowly pour the dirty water through the shirt. This catches large particulates and sediment. It’s not perfect, but it buys you time until you can boil or chemically treat the water.

2. Plastic Bottle UV Purification (SODIS Method)

Fill clear PET bottles with clear water (filtered for debris first). Lay them in the sun for 6+ hours. UV rays will kill most bacteria and viruses. Works best on hot days in open areas—aka New Mexico in July. Free energy. Minimal effort. Just remember—this doesn’t remove chemicals.

3. Emergency Rainwater Harvesting Rig

Got a tarp, trash bags, or even an old poncho? Tie corners up to trees or stakes, create a dip in the middle to funnel water into a container. Collect rain—it’s usually cleaner than anything coming out of a faucet these days. Filter or boil it if you can, but in a pinch, it’s safer than well water in some counties.


You Think the Government Will Warn You?

You know what’s funny? In a grim, rage-inducing way?

In 2022, parts of New Mexico were issued “Do Not Drink” orders AFTER contaminants were found in drinking water. AFTER. Not a proactive alert—reactive damage control. They wait until people get sick, then issue a PDF buried on some county website.

If you’re sitting there, nodding and saying, “I’ll just buy a Brita,” you’re part of the problem. Brita filters won’t remove PFAS, arsenic, or viruses. You need real gear. Or better yet—real knowledge.


Here’s What You Do Right Now

  1. Get a water test kit and test your home supply.
  2. Stock up on filters—don’t wait for the next wildfire or drought.
  3. Learn at least 5 of the filtration skills above, even if you live in the city.
  4. Start collecting rainwater—it’s legal in NM, and it’s damn smart.
  5. Store water. You want 1 gallon per person per day, for a minimum of 30 days.

This isn’t fearmongering. It’s survival realism.

New Mexico is a beautiful, rugged place—but she’s not forgiving. When your well runs dry or your tap runs brown, you’ll wish you’d listened. Don’t count on the city. Don’t count on the EPA. Count on yourself.

Water is life—and right now, life in New Mexico is under siege. You’d better fight like hell to protect yours.

The Ultimate List of Survival Foods You Should Grow Yourself

The Ultimate List of Survival Foods You Should Grow Yourself

(Told by a Fed-Up, No-Nonsense Survivalist)

Listen up. If you think the grocery store is your safety net, you’re already screwed. This isn’t a joke and it sure as hell ain’t a game. When the trucks stop rolling, the power goes out, or the world goes sideways — your fancy apps and two-day shipping won’t feed you.

You want to survive? You GROW your food.

I’m not talking about pretty little herb gardens. I’m talking calorie-dense, nutrient-rich, survival-grade crops that’ll keep you and your family alive when the rest of the neighborhood is fighting over moldy cans of beans.

Here’s the no-BS list of survival foods you should be growing RIGHT NOW — and if you’re not, then get off your butt and get planting.


🔥 The Survival Foods You NEED To Grow

  1. Potatoes
    These starchy workhorses are loaded with carbs and keep well in a root cellar. Grow them in buckets, raised beds, whatever you’ve got. Easy, fast, and reliable.
  2. Beans (Pole & Bush)
    High in protein, they’re your best friend when meat isn’t an option. They also fix nitrogen in the soil — which means better yields overall.
  3. Corn
    Don’t grow sweet corn for fun. Grow dent or flint corn — the kind you can dry and grind into meal. This is real survival food.
  4. Winter Squash
    Long shelf life. Heavy on calories. Butternut, acorn, spaghetti — doesn’t matter. They’ll keep through winter if stored right.
  5. Garlic
    Not just for flavor. Garlic is antibacterial, antifungal, and boosts immunity. Plus, it stores for months.
  6. Onions
    Adds depth to every meal, and it’s another strong natural antibiotic. Plant a lot — they go quick.
  7. Carrots
    Vitamin A bombs. Easy to grow, easy to store, and great for morale. Don’t underestimate morale food.
  8. Kale and Collards
    Leafy greens that don’t quit. They’ll grow in frost and keep producing for weeks. Nutrient-rich and damn tough.
  9. Cabbage
    Eat it raw, cooked, or ferment it into sauerkraut for gut health. Stores well and produces big.
  10. Tomatoes (Paste Types)
    Forget salad tomatoes. Grow Roma or San Marzano. They’re meaty, great for sauces, and can be preserved easily.
  11. Peppers
    Bell or hot, they’re loaded with vitamin C and they dehydrate well. Hot peppers also help preserve food and boost metabolism.
  12. Sweet Potatoes
    Grow the greens and the tubers. High in nutrients, hardy in poor soil, and sweet enough to break up food boredom.
  13. Zucchini
    One plant can feed a neighborhood. You’ll get tired of zucchini before it stops producing.
  14. Turnips
    Fast-growing and reliable. The roots feed you, the greens feed your livestock or compost. Win-win.
  15. Herbs (Basil, Thyme, Oregano)
    Not just flavor. Many herbs have medicinal benefits, and let’s be honest — bland food kills morale faster than cold weather.

🧠 Top 15 Survival Skills You Better Learn Yesterday

  1. Canning and Preservation
    If you can’t store it, you’re wasting harvest. Learn water bath and pressure canning NOW.
  2. Seed Saving
    No seed = no food next season. Learn to save and store seeds properly.
  3. Composting
    Fertilizer won’t fall from the sky. Compost everything — food scraps, manure, leaves.
  4. Irrigation Setup
    No water = dead garden. Build a rain catchment system or gravity-fed drip line.
  5. Crop Rotation
    Don’t plant the same thing in the same spot. It destroys your soil.
  6. Soil Building
    Healthy soil is LIFE. Use compost, mulch, manure, and worm castings.
  7. Foraging
    Know what edible weeds and wild plants grow near you — just in case your garden fails.
  8. Basic First Aid
    What’s that got to do with food? A LOT when you slice your hand harvesting cabbage in a blackout.
  9. DIY Pest Control
    No pesticides? Learn natural methods — neem oil, diatomaceous earth, companion planting.
  10. Food Dehydration
    Dry fruits, veggies, and meats. Lightweight, long-lasting survival food.
  11. Root Cellar Building
    Store food the old-school way — underground and temperature-stable.
  12. Cooking Without Power
    Solar oven, rocket stove, open fire. Know them all.
  13. Water Purification
    Rainwater + bacteria = diarrhea. Filter it, boil it, or don’t drink it.
  14. Tool Maintenance
    A broken hoe doesn’t feed you. Learn how to fix and sharpen your gear.
  15. Animal Husbandry (Bonus)
    Chickens, rabbits, goats — they add meat and manure to your homestead. Even if you start small.

🛠️ 3 DIY Survival Hacks You’ll Thank Me For Later

  1. 5-Gallon Bucket Potato Tower
    No space? No problem. Drill drainage holes in a 5-gallon bucket. Plant seed potatoes at the bottom, keep adding soil as they grow. Harvest a full bucket of potatoes in a few months.
  2. Homemade Self-Watering Containers
    Take two buckets. One for the water reservoir, one with soil and a wicking system. Perfect for growing during hot months or if water is limited.
  3. Eggshell Calcium Boost
    Dry and crush eggshells, sprinkle them in your garden beds. It adds calcium, keeps slugs away, and helps prevent blossom-end rot in tomatoes.

Final Word from a Tired, Angry Survivalist

Look — I don’t care who you voted for. I don’t care how many TikToks you’ve watched about prepping. If you don’t get serious and start growing your own food, you’re gambling with your life.

The system is fragile. The soil is ready. The question is — are you?

You don’t need land, money, or even experience. You need the will to survive, some dirt, and the guts to get started.

Start now. Not tomorrow. Not when things “calm down.”
Because when it all goes dark — those who grow, eat.
And those who wait… don’t.

The Best States to Grow a Survival Garden

(Told Straight by Someone Who Actually Grows Their Own Damn Food)

Let’s cut the fluff. If you’re thinking about survival gardening, your location matters — a lot. You don’t want to be stuck trying to grow tomatoes in 100-degree desert heat or watching your crops rot from nonstop rain in the Pacific Northwest. You need a place where the soil is good, the growing season is long, and the government leaves you alone.

So here it is — the hard truth about the best states to grow a survival garden. I’m talking about places where you can grow enough food to survive, thrive, and stick it to the system if things go sideways.


1. Tennessee

You want rich soil? You want rain? You want a long growing season and low land prices? Tennessee checks all the boxes. Mild winters, plenty of sunshine, and you can grow almost everything here — beans, corn, squash, tomatoes, leafy greens, potatoes, fruit trees. The laws are also favorable to homesteaders. Not too many restrictions, and folks mind their own business.


2. Missouri

The Ozarks are a survivalist’s dream. Tons of natural resources, plenty of fresh water, and excellent soil. Plus, land is still affordable if you know where to look. You can grow food, raise animals, and build off-grid without some HOA telling you your solar panels are “unsightly.” It’s no wonder so many preppers are quietly heading this way.


3. North Carolina

Western North Carolina especially. Good elevation, great soil, and a long enough growing season to plant more than one crop per year. You’ve got access to fresh water from mountain streams, and the climate isn’t brutal. It’s a solid blend of self-sufficiency potential and relative safety from extreme weather.


4. Kentucky

If you want underrated, this is it. Kentucky is quiet, lush, and has some of the best topsoil in the country. It’s perfect for growing survival staples like corn, beans, squash, and root veggies. There’s plenty of space, low taxes, and folks are generally self-reliant and leave you alone — exactly how we like it.


5. Texas (East Texas, specifically)

Forget West Texas unless you like growing dust. East Texas, though? It’s humid, green, and fertile. Long growing season, tons of water, and enough room to build a self-sustaining setup. The state itself has a strong “don’t tread on me” culture — and that counts for something when the grid goes down.


Final Word

You can prep all you want, but if you’re trying to grow food in a place where nothing grows, you’re wasting your time. Survival gardening isn’t just about planting seeds — it’s about being strategic, knowing your climate, and choosing a location where your garden will feed your family, not fail you when you need it most.

So stop scrolling and start planning. Because when the supply chain collapses, real security isn’t ammo — it’s potatoes.

Prepper’s Paradise: Discover New Mexico’s 30 Best Campsites

The Best Campsites for New Mexico Survival Preppers

As a prepper living in the rugged and remote corners of New Mexico, you quickly learn that it’s not just about stocking up on supplies. The true challenge lies in understanding your environment, learning how to thrive in it, and, if necessary, surviving on your own. With vast deserts, high mountains, and hidden valleys, New Mexico offers some of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes for survivalists to hone their skills. But to truly prepare for whatever comes your way, you’ve got to know the land and find the right camping spots. These camping sites aren’t just scenic—they’re perfect for testing your survival instincts and putting your prepping skills to the test.

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Let’s take a deeper look into the best 30 campsites in New Mexico that every survival prepper should have on their radar. From remote, rugged terrain to places with natural resources for practicing survival techniques, these spots will help you develop your self-sufficiency while also providing the peace and tranquility that only New Mexico’s desert and mountains can offer.

1. Gila National Forest

Located in the southwestern part of New Mexico, Gila National Forest is a true gem for any prepper. With over 3.3 million acres of rugged terrain, the forest offers a variety of hiking and camping options. It’s remote, vast, and provides the perfect environment for honing your wilderness survival skills. Be prepared for harsh conditions, and make sure you carry a reliable map, as the forest can be tricky to navigate.

2. Valles Caldera National Preserve

Nestled within the Jemez Mountains, this 89,000-acre preserve offers numerous opportunities for camping, hiking, and wildlife watching. The volcanic landscape is as beautiful as it is unforgiving, making it an ideal location for those who want to practice survival techniques in a unique environment. It’s remote and often quiet, giving you the peace you need to focus on your prepper skills.

3. Carson National Forest

If you’re looking for a mix of alpine meadows, wild rivers, and dense forests, Carson National Forest is your destination. It covers nearly 1.5 million acres and has several camping spots that are ideal for survivalists. The forest provides ample opportunities for fishing, foraging, and building shelter, making it perfect for prepping.

4. Pecos Wilderness

A beautiful, isolated part of the Santa Fe National Forest, Pecos Wilderness is a haven for any prepper who wants to escape into the wild. This area is full of high-altitude lakes, rushing streams, and forests that can test your wilderness survival skills. Be sure to stock up on supplies before heading out as the area is remote, and help can be hard to reach.

5. Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Chaco Canyon, an ancient center of civilization, is also a great spot for preppers who want to combine camping with historical exploration. While the terrain may not be as challenging as some of the other locations on this list, the park offers a rich environment to learn about water conservation, shelter building, and other essential survival skills.

6. Rio Grande Gorge

Located in northern New Mexico, Rio Grande Gorge offers stunning views and a rugged environment for camping and survival training. The gorge is filled with challenging trails and unique geological features. This location is perfect for those wanting to practice navigating difficult terrain while also taking advantage of the Rio Grande River for water sourcing.

7. Bandelier National Monument

If you’re looking for a combination of history and wilderness survival, Bandelier National Monument offers both. With its ancient cliff dwellings and diverse ecosystems, this monument provides opportunities for learning about both survival and the preservation of natural resources.

8. Zuni Mountains

In the western part of New Mexico, the Zuni Mountains are a hidden gem. A quieter, less-traveled area, it’s ideal for preppers who want solitude. The forests here are dense with ponderosa pine, and wildlife is abundant. It’s the perfect spot for foraging, hunting, and practicing wilderness medicine.

9. Sandia Mountains

Right outside Albuquerque, the Sandia Mountains offer everything from desert terrain to pine forests and alpine lakes. It’s a good place for preppers to practice skills like navigation, fire-building, and self-sufficiency while still being close to civilization in case of emergencies.

10. Cimarron Canyon State Park

This park, nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, offers dense forests and rushing streams, ideal for practicing wilderness skills. The park also offers a good spot for fishing, foraging, and shelter-building exercises.

11. Elephant Butte Lake State Park

For preppers interested in water-based survival training, Elephant Butte Lake provides ample space for kayaking and other water survival exercises. It’s New Mexico’s largest lake, and with its remote locations, it’s an ideal spot for testing your abilities in water navigation and water sourcing.

12. Black Rock Mountain

A tough, rugged spot, Black Rock Mountain is perfect for survivalists wanting to test their endurance in the wild. The trailheads are off the beaten path, but the solitude and challenges are worth it. Be prepared for temperature extremes, as the area can range from blistering hot during the day to chilly at night.

13. Santa Fe National Forest

The Santa Fe National Forest offers some of the best hiking and camping opportunities in the state. With plenty of water sources and diverse terrain, it’s a great spot for preppers to refine their skills in wilderness navigation, shelter building, and natural resource management.

14. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

For preppers looking for a unique camping experience, consider the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which takes you through some of the wildest, most remote areas of New Mexico. It’s an excellent way to access isolated locations while learning about old-school transportation and survival techniques.

15. Tijeras Canyon

Tijeras Canyon offers a unique opportunity for those who want to practice survival in both desert and forest environments. It’s located just outside Albuquerque and provides access to essential resources like water and firewood, making it an ideal spot for a prepper to set up a temporary camp and test various survival strategies.

16. Luna Lake

Located near the Arizona border, Luna Lake is a hidden gem. It’s a remote site where survivalists can practice fishing, foraging, and natural navigation. Be aware of wildlife in the area, such as black bears and wild cats, and prepare to handle potential encounters.

17. Kiowa National Grassland

Kiowa National Grassland offers endless miles of plains, ideal for practicing your skills in foraging, shelter building, and navigation. You can also practice the art of fire-starting without worrying too much about other campers in the area, making it a prime location for stealth camping and practicing survival techniques.

18. Ponderosa Campground

This site, located in the Santa Fe National Forest, is a great spot for preppers who want to experience both comfort and wilderness. The forest is dense, providing plenty of cover for practicing evasion tactics, fire-building, and water sourcing.

19. Jemez Mountains

A great place for isolation, the Jemez Mountains offer solitude and diverse terrain for those looking to hone their survival skills. With an abundance of wildlife, rushing streams, and challenging trails, the area is perfect for preppers who want to immerse themselves in the wilderness.

20. Ruidoso

Known for its cool mountain climate, Ruidoso is an excellent location for preppers who want to practice survival techniques in a temperate environment. The area offers a mix of dense forests, alpine lakes, and challenging terrain, perfect for honing your skills.

21. The Valle Vidal

The Valle Vidal is a remote wilderness area located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This vast expanse of land offers diverse ecosystems, from thick forests to alpine meadows. It’s the ideal location to test your survival strategies while surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Disaster-Proofing Your Home in New Mexico: Essential Survival Tips for New Mexico’s Worst Natural Disasters

How New Mexico Residents Prepare for the State’s Worst Natural Disasters

Living in New Mexico comes with its own unique set of challenges when it comes to preparing for natural disasters. Whether it’s the threat of wildfires, flash floods, earthquakes, or the occasional dust storm, residents of the Land of Enchantment need to stay vigilant and well-prepared. Unlike other regions, New Mexico’s geography and climate throw a curveball at survival preppers who need to plan for a variety of potential disasters. Here’s how we get ready for the worst, and some of the steps that you should take to ensure your family’s safety when things go south.

Understanding the Risks of New Mexico’s Natural Disasters

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The first step in preparing for any natural disaster is understanding the risks. In New Mexico, the risk varies by region, but there are several types of disasters we all need to think about:

  1. Wildfires: With hot, dry summers, New Mexico is no stranger to wildfires. The danger is particularly high in the spring and early summer when the state’s vegetation is dry. Areas near forests or grasslands are more vulnerable.
  2. Flash Floods: While the state is known for its deserts, it also experiences brief but intense rainstorms that can quickly turn dry washes and arroyos into raging rivers. These floods can be especially dangerous in the mountainous regions and along areas where flash floods are common.
  3. Earthquakes: The southwest is earthquake-prone, and New Mexico is no exception. Though the state doesn’t experience large, devastating quakes like California, the risk of a moderate earthquake is still present, especially in the northern regions.
  4. Severe Windstorms and Dust Storms: New Mexico’s flat desert landscape makes it susceptible to intense windstorms, particularly in the spring and fall. Dust storms, also called “haboobs,” can reduce visibility to near zero and cause dangerous driving conditions.
  5. Extreme Heat: New Mexico experiences some of the hottest temperatures in the country, especially in the summer. Extreme heat can be just as deadly as a fire or flood if you’re not prepared.

With these risks in mind, New Mexico residents need to have a comprehensive plan to deal with these natural disasters. But what exactly do we do to stay safe?

Prepping for Wildfires:

In New Mexico, wildfire season can start early in the year, sometimes as early as March. If you live in or near wooded areas, you need to take wildfire preparedness seriously.

  1. Defensible Space: Creating defensible space around your home is crucial. This means clearing brush, trees, and dead plants from a 30-foot perimeter. Prune trees and bushes to prevent fire from spreading to your home.
  2. Fire-Resistant Materials: If you’re building or remodeling, consider fire-resistant materials for your home, such as metal roofing, stucco siding, and tempered glass windows. These materials can help prevent your house from igniting in the event of a wildfire.
  3. Emergency Bag: Keep a go-bag ready with essentials like water, food, first aid supplies, and fire-resistant clothing. Don’t forget your important documents and identification in a waterproof bag.

Preparing for Flash Floods:

Flash floods in New Mexico can come out of nowhere. With the steep, rugged terrain, rain can turn dry arroyos into deadly torrents, so it’s important to know what to do if you find yourself in one of these situations.

  1. Know Your Flood Zone: Research the area where you live and understand whether you’re in a floodplain. Even if you’re not in a flood zone, flash floods can still happen unexpectedly.
  2. Flash Flood Kit: A kit designed specifically for flash flood situations should include waterproof bags, a hand-cranked flashlight, extra batteries, a portable radio, and non-perishable food and water. Having a solid plan to leave your home before a flood hits can save your life.
  3. Elevation Awareness: If you’re in an area prone to floods, know where the high ground is. In the event of heavy rainfall, you may need to move to higher ground quickly.

Dealing with Earthquakes:

While New Mexico isn’t as seismically active as places like California, earthquakes still pose a risk. If you live in the northern part of the state, you may be closer to fault lines that are capable of triggering tremors.

  1. Earthquake-Proof Your Home: Use anchor bolts to secure large furniture to walls, and install latches on cabinets to prevent items from falling. You’ll want to be able to secure your home and protect your family as much as possible.
  2. Have a Shake-Ready Kit: Pack an earthquake survival kit with essentials like bottled water, first aid supplies, a flashlight, and sturdy shoes (since the ground may be unstable).
  3. Create an Emergency Plan: Make sure your family knows where to meet and how to get in touch if the phone lines are down. In the case of an earthquake, it’s essential to know where the safest spaces in your home are—under a sturdy table or against an interior wall, away from windows.

Surviving Dust Storms:

Dust storms, or haboobs, are a common occurrence in New Mexico, especially in the spring. These storms can whip up dust and sand at speeds of over 60 miles per hour, reducing visibility and making it hard to breathe.

  1. Stay Indoors: The best thing you can do during a dust storm is to stay indoors. Seal windows and doors tightly to prevent dust from entering your home. Keep the air conditioning on, but make sure the air intake is closed.
  2. Have a Dust Mask: If you must go outside, wearing a dust mask can help protect your respiratory system from the harmful particles in the air. Have extra masks on hand for emergencies.

Additional Survival Prepper Tips for New Mexico:

  1. Stay Hydrated in the Heat: New Mexico’s high summer temperatures can lead to dehydration quickly. Make sure you and your family are drinking plenty of water, especially during outdoor activities.
  2. Solar Power Systems: In remote areas, power outages are common, so having a solar power system or backup generator can keep your lights on and your communication devices working.
  3. Fire Extinguishers: Keep multiple fire extinguishers in easily accessible areas around your home, especially near the kitchen, garage, and areas with lots of flammable materials.
  4. Shelter in Place Supplies: If a major storm or disaster prevents you from leaving home, ensure your shelter-in-place supplies are well-stocked. This includes food, water, a battery-powered radio, and a first-aid kit.
  5. Know Your Community Emergency Plan: Understand how local authorities and emergency services respond to disasters in your area. Have contact information for shelters, road closures, and emergency response teams.

Conclusion

Living in New Mexico means facing a variety of natural disasters. But by preparing your home, having the right gear, and understanding the unique risks of the state, you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Whether it’s preparing for wildfires, floods, or dust storms, a survival prepper’s mindset and proactive actions are the keys to surviving when disaster strikes.