Header photo of Daniel as a boy with one of his 4-H chickens
by Daniel Stenberg
Growing up on a North Dakota farm and ranch during the 1980s and '90s, our family produced and preserved much of our own food; garden produce, milk, eggs, and meat. I didn’t think too much about it, it’s just what we did. Years later, after college, I moved to Washington, DC, and shared a row house with two housemates. When my parents visited, my dad opened the fridge and commented, "Boy, if there was a supply chain interruption, you would have enough food for about two days.” I hadn’t considered that before, but didn’t think too much beyond that.
Fifteen years later, my dad’s comment resurfaced in my mind as COVID exposed the fragility of our systems. Grocery store shelves emptied, services stalled, and many of us Americans experiencing a level of disruption unprecedented in our lives.
Now married with two kids and living back in North Dakota, my wife and I are considering the values we want to model. We have decided that reconnecting with skills like animal husbandry, gardening, and food preservation – things that I had growing up but let fade – matter to us. Are these skills mandatory for living in today’s world? Probably not, at least for most of us right now. A couple of clicks on our computer can quickly bring us goods from near and far to our doorstep. But convenience doesn’t teach us resilience, responsibility, or connection.
We aren’t looking to reject modern technologies outright, but we don’t want to be wholly dependent on it. We want our children to understand what it means to be producers, not just consumers. To know where food comes from, to experience the results of hard work, even if it doesn’t turn out the way we want. To experience the freedom that comes through health, and to attempt solving problems before outsourcing them.
These values are at the heart of the upcoming Prairie Roots Homesteading Summit. Whether you’re just beginning or refining existing skills, this summit is designed for skill-development, inspiration and meaningful connections. Join us May 15-16, 2026, at the McKenzie County Ag Expo in Watford City, North Dakota, and be a part of a growing community committed to practical knowledge and resilient living.