Ready Made Resources Homestead Visit

As you might have guessed, I like to combine things and get more than one use out of anything. So when I was out in the Smoky Mountains for a recent training class I decided to stop by at Ready Made Resources and see their store. I have no commercial connection with them, but I have ordered from them in the past, and really like their products. When I drove down I did not anticipate what I would find. I figured they would have a nice little storefront and have a couple clerks I could talk to. Let me tell you, I was very surprised at what I found.These guys are outside of Soddy Daisy, which is a little town in-between Knoxville and Chattanooga, and it is RURAL. As I drove through some very pretty country the directions took me straight to their door, but I was a little concerned that I was not at the right place as their was no sign, just a nice fenced driveway and some very nice looking horses.

When I arrived, I was met by the owner who graciously let me have the run of the place as I looked around the store. He apologized for the lack of space, as the building was jam packed with cases of mountain house food, books, and tons of preparedness supplies. He told me that most everything he had was being shipped out, and that his priority was getting the gear shipped out to the consumer as soon as it was ordered.

Being a book lover, I really spent some time looking at his selection of books, we share a lot of the same books, but he had many that are on my wish list, and a few I had never heard about. I bought a bean recipe book that is the genesis of the tofu project I have planned for this weekend. Until my visit, I never realized you could use bean flour in bread (more on that to come)…

When they weren’t packing and shipping orders the staff was very friendly and even though I had to be in the way, they took the time to converse with me and make me feel welcome.

But besides all of that, what impressed me the most was the fact that this was not a store filled with the typical businessman. They USE the equipment they sell. From the rain barrel attached to the gutters, to the solar on the roof. Ready Made Resources is an actual working homestead. That is really important to me, because before I spend my money I want to make sure that I am getting good equipment because I may one day stake my life on its quality. They can do more than just tell you what shelf something’s on, they can help you find what will work best for you.

I recommend you looking at their website, not only for their professionalism, but because anyone that organically raises Chickens, Geese, Ducks, Goats, and Horses, as well as using solar and wind power on a working homestead is someone you definitely want to support.