Self Reliance

Leadership Business Corner:

Updated list of stake welfare and self-reliance committee members:

Pr. Ted Griffis, Stake Presidency

Br. Steven Sarver, High Councilor, new addition to the committee

Sr. Chiemi Bentley, Stake Relief Society Presidency

Sr. Cynthia Prevatke, Stake Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist

Sr. Debra Goodwin, Co-chair, Stake Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist

Br. Michael Goodwin, Co-chair, Stake Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist

February 2026 Self-Reliance NEWSLETTER – Spring Preparation

HERSHEY Corner: How can you improve in each of these areas? 

Health: 

Education: 

Resource Mgt 

Social Emotional Spiritual 

Home Production and Storage

Seed purchasing information:

Valley Greene Rutgers Tomato seeds

Retail $.59, on sale for 10 cents through 8 Feb at your local Menards

70 seeds in 150 mg package, that’s 70 plants for a dime.

Other limited varieties available too.

Employment 

Year’s Supply

Rockford Stake Disaster Preparedness Document approved for release.

http://rockfordstake.selfrelianceclub.com/StakeDisasterplan%2012-5-2025%20ver%207.pdf

This document explains basics of what the Stake will help with in the event of a disaster.

Units might formulate their own documents supporting the stake document.

See the links included for Church documents which support these plans.

Get ready for spring planting –

As Pr. Oaks said last Conference:

“Family gardens build family relationships.”

“Parents should educate children in the basic skills of living, including working in the yard and home.”

This document may be helpful in planning and executing your garden this year.

http://selfrelianceclub.com/Gardening%20Workshop%20Document.pdf

Let me reiterate to start small if you haven’t gardened before. It’s easy to become overwhelmed.

This document explains when to start seeds for summer/fall harvest.

http://selfrelianceclub.com/Dates%20to%20start%20seed%20-%20Spring%202025.pdf

Delve into Essentials of Home Production and Storage Booklet.

http://rockfordstake.selfrelianceclub.com/Essentials%20of%20Home%20Production%20and%20Stor

age%20Booklet.en.pdf

Home income producing hacks. If you need a little extra income, you might want to try these 

enterprises:

Soap making

Candle making

Both use almost same equipment, scents, colors, …

This might be a good time to review first aid techniques and proper would care.

We went to a preparedness fair in Indianapolis many years ago and procured this audio file on how to 

be your own doctor with herbs.

http://selfrelianceclub.com/Be%20your%20own%20doctor%20with%20herbs.mp3

Herb of the Month: Nettles:

Great compost activator

Use for cordage

In early Spring, the Bulgarians went to the foothills to harvest nettles for fresh greens.

Here are some links on the topic:

http://selfrelianceclub.com/STINGING%20NETTLES.pdf

Cornbread is cornbread is cornbread.

Please try a new recipe which uses masa harina instead of regular cornmeal. You will be surprised 

and delighted at the wonderful flavor.

==================== 

I’m back on my waste free soapbox again.

We have probably all heard the expression “Waste Not, Want Not!!!”

I heard of a new one recently, “Why Waste Waste?”

Try to find a weed this year with a valuable attribute.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael J Goodwin

779-203-0451