How we pick gear: Used here, Researched, and paid links

Our Shop is meant to become a homesteader’s dream: the best gear in every category, all in one calm, easy-to-browse place. That only works if you can trust every pick. So here are the rules we hold ourselves to.

Two labels, and only two

Every pick in the Shop wears one of two badges.

• Used here. We own it and use it on the homestead. We’ll tell you what we paid, how long we’ve used it, what’s good about it, and what isn’t.
• Researched. We haven’t used it ourselves. We think it’s worth a look, and we link the sources that convinced us. We won’t describe an experience we haven’t had.

If something doesn’t fit one of those two labels, it doesn’t go in the Shop.

Paid links, marked where you see them

Some links in the Shop are affiliate links. If you buy through one, the store may pay us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Every one of those links is labeled (paid link) right beside it, not tucked away in a footer. Pages with paid links also have a short disclosure at the top.

A commission never decides what goes on the shelf. The full disclosure explains the details.

Fewer picks, better picks

It would be easy to fill every category on day one. We’d rather open a category when there’s something real to say about it. That’s why most categories are marked Shelf in progress, and the gear we’re weighing is marked On our shortlist, with no link until it has earned one through real chores and real seasons, or careful research with sources.

Our own goods, labeled as ours

If we ever offer things we’ve made ourselves, they’ll be marked Made by us, so the relationship is always clear.

Tell us what you’d like to see

If there’s a category or a piece of gear you’d like us to look at, we’d love to hear it. You’ll find how to reach us on the About page.