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2025 Female Survivalist of the Year: Brooke Homestead

Brooke Homestead is 26. Former yoga model. Current wilderness tactician.

But what launched her into national recognition wasn’t a viral gardening video.

It was survival.

The Grand Canyon Incident

During a rafting trip near the rim of the Grand Canyon, Brooke’s raft capsized in fast-moving water after striking submerged rock.

Separated from the group.

Minimal supplies.

No phone.

Seven days.

Alone.

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Brooke Homestead Speaks

“Hi, I’m Brooke. And yes — I survived the Grand Canyon with nothing but soaked clothes, a pocketknife, and stubborn optimism.

Here’s what nobody tells you: survival isn’t dramatic. It’s repetitive discipline.”

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Brooke’s Wilderness Survival Breakdown

“When I hit the water, panic tried to take over. But panic burns energy. Energy is currency.

Step one: I secured elevation. I climbed above flood lines and assessed my surroundings. I located shade, then water access.

Step two: Water filtration. I used fabric layers from my clothing as primitive filtration, then boiled water in a makeshift rock basin using heated stones. It wasn’t pretty — but it worked.

Step three: Shelter. The canyon temperature swings are brutal. Daytime heat can exceed 100°F; nighttime can drop dramatically. I built a rock-backed windbreak and used layered debris insulation.

Step four: Food. I rationed energy instead of chasing calories. Foraging selectively — cactus fruit, edible plants I positively identified — but I didn’t overexert.

Step five: Signal strategy. I built three large rock markers in triangular formation — universal distress symbol. I positioned reflective materials to catch light.

The key lesson? Slow down. Think before moving. Most survival situations collapse because people act emotionally.

For Utah specifically: desert regions, canyons, and high elevations demand respect. Carry water. Study terrain. Never underestimate flash flood potential.

But if the worst happens? Stay methodical. Stay calm. Survival is just problem-solving under pressure.”

Brooke emerged dehydrated, sunburned, but stable — located after aerial search teams spotted her rock signal formation.

Preparedness saved her life.

Brooke Spills the Tea on Her Utah Survival Garden Secrets

After surviving seven days in the wilderness near the Grand Canyon, Brooke didn’t just become a wilderness icon. She doubled down on something less flashy — but more powerful:

Sustainable food systems designed for harsh climates.

Utah presents a unique prepper equation:

• High elevation
• Shorter growing seasons
• Hot, dry summers
• Cold winters
• Alkaline soil in many regions

Most gardeners fail because they garden emotionally.

Brooke gardens strategically.

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Utah Survival Gardening & Food Storage Masterclass

Utah gardening isn’t cute. It’s tactical. If you can grow food here, you can grow food almost anywhere.

Utah teaches discipline.

1. Know Your Microclimate

“Utah ranges from USDA zones 4 to 8 depending on elevation. A garden in Salt Lake Valley is different from one in the mountains near Park City.

Track frost dates. Not just average frost dates — track your actual last and first frost over multiple seasons.

And always assume one surprise frost.”

2. Focus on Cold-Hardy, Calorie-Dense Crops

“If you’re prepping for resilience, don’t waste half your garden on decorative produce.

Grow:

• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Beets
• Onions
• Winter squash
• Dry beans
• Hard red wheat (Utah grows excellent wheat)

Leafy greens are great — but calories matter.”

3. Soil Is Everything in Utah

“Utah soil often trends alkaline and compacted.

Add:

• Compost (heavy amounts)
• Aged manure
• Mulch layers to retain moisture
• Sulfur amendments if needed for pH balance

Healthy soil reduces water needs by up to 30%.”

4. Water Discipline

“Utah summers are dry. Evaporation is ruthless.

Use:

• Drip irrigation
• Deep watering early in the morning
• Thick mulch barriers
• Windbreak fencing

Shallow watering creates weak roots. Deep watering creates survival plants.”

5. Season Extension Is Mandatory

“Invest in:

• Cold frames
• Hoop houses
• Row covers

In Utah, season extension can add 30–60 extra growing days. That’s the difference between fresh produce in October and food scarcity.”

6. Plant Perennials for Stability

“Raspberries. Apples. Apricots. Hardy herbs like thyme and sage.

Perennials reduce workload and provide long-term food security.”

Now let’s move to something most people neglect.

Brooke’s Best Food Storage Techniques for Utah

“Growing food is phase one. Keeping it edible through a Utah winter? That’s phase two.”

Utah’s dry climate is actually an advantage — if you store properly.

1. Root Cellaring (Utah Advantage)

“Utah’s cool winters are ideal for root storage.

Store in a basement or insulated cellar:

• Potatoes (38–40°F, dark environment)
• Carrots packed in sand
• Beets in sawdust
• Onions in mesh bags with airflow

Keep humidity around 85–95% for root crops.”

2. Dehydration (Perfect for Utah’s Dry Air)

“Utah’s low humidity makes dehydration incredibly efficient.

Dehydrate:

• Apples
• Zucchini
• Tomatoes
• Herbs
• Cooked beans

Store in vacuum-sealed bags with oxygen absorbers.”

3. Pressure Canning for High-Protein Stability

“Water bath canning is fine for acidic foods.

But if you want real preparedness:

• Pressure can meats
• Pressure can beans
• Pressure can soups

Protein storage equals resilience.”

4. Wheat & Dry Goods Storage

“Utah is wheat country. Store hard red wheat berries in:

• Mylar bags
• 5-gallon food-grade buckets
• Oxygen absorbers inside

Properly sealed, wheat lasts 20–30 years.

Add:

• Rice
• Lentils
• Rolled oats

Build a rotating pantry. Never store what you don’t eat.”

5. Freeze-Resistant Storage Strategy

“Utah garages can freeze solid in winter. Don’t store liquids there.

Freezing can:

• Break jars
• Ruin canned goods
• Destroy emulsified foods

Use insulated storage rooms.”

6. Inventory & Rotation System

“Preparedness without inventory tracking is hoarding.

Label everything.
Date everything.
Rotate every 6–12 months for canned goods.

Eat what you store.
Store what you eat.”

Best Survival Garden Vegetables to Grow in Utah

Utah’s climate presents unique challenges for survival gardening. With high elevation, low humidity, hot summers, cold winters, and a shorter growing season in many areas, gardeners must prioritize cold-hardy, fast-maturing, and drought-tolerant crops.

Potatoes are one of the best survival vegetables for Utah. They tolerate cool spring temperatures, produce calorie-dense harvests, and store well for months in a cool, dark place.

Carrots and beets thrive in Utah’s cooler spring and fall seasons. Root vegetables handle light frosts and provide reliable nutrition. They also store well when properly cured.

Dry beans, particularly bush varieties, grow well during Utah’s warm summers. Beans are protein-rich, improve soil health, and store long-term once dried.

Winter squash, such as butternut and Hubbard, perform well in Utah’s hot summer days. When cured properly, they can last through winter without refrigeration.

Kale and spinach are ideal for Utah’s cooler temperatures. These leafy greens can handle frost and often produce better in spring and fall than in peak summer heat.

Onions and garlic are excellent survival staples. Utah’s dry summers help cure bulbs naturally, extending their storage life.

Peas are well-suited to Utah’s cool springs and can be planted early. They mature quickly and provide both fresh food and seeds for drying.

With proper planning—using season extension methods like row covers and cold frames—Utah gardeners can build a dependable survival vegetable garden capable of feeding a family through changing seasons.

Best Survival Garden Fruits to Grow in Utah

Utah’s high elevation and cold winters require hardy fruit varieties that can withstand frost and temperature swings. The key to a successful survival fruit garden in Utah is selecting cold-hardy, drought-tolerant, and reliable producers.

Apple trees are one of the most dependable fruit choices in Utah. Many cold-hardy varieties thrive in the state’s climate and produce abundant fall harvests that store well for months.

Peach trees, especially hardy cultivars, perform well in many parts of Utah. They require winter chill hours, which Utah provides naturally, and yield sweet summer fruit ideal for canning.

Cherry trees, both sweet and tart varieties, grow successfully in Utah’s dry climate. Tart cherries are especially reliable and excellent for preserving.

Apricots are well adapted to Utah’s conditions, although late spring frosts can affect blooms. When protected, they produce flavorful early-summer harvests.

Grapes, particularly cold-hardy and table varieties, thrive in Utah’s sunny summers and low humidity. They can be eaten fresh, dried into raisins, or juiced.

Raspberries and blackberries grow well with irrigation and provide high-yield summer fruit. They are perennial and relatively low maintenance once established.

For smaller spaces, strawberries are cold-hardy and productive, offering reliable early-season fruit.

By focusing on frost-hardy fruit trees and perennials suited to dry climates, Utah gardeners can establish a long-term survival orchard that produces dependable harvests year after year.