Texas · Universal in Principle · Free Forever
Deep Roots
A complete curriculum for self-sufficient living — from soil science and plant ecology to blacksmithing, celestial navigation, and end of life on the land.
92 Curricula
13 Sections
680+ Chapters
Texas Focused
Age Guide:
Ages 8+
Ages 10+
Ages 12+
Ages 14+
Adult
Adult · Supervised
Section I — Foundation 3 of 3 complete · 30 chapters · questions included
01✓ Complete
Botany Basics
Plant cells, tissues, roots, stems, leaves, flowers, seeds, photosynthesis, hormones
Ages 12+
02✓ Complete
Plant Taxonomy and Field Identification
Scientific naming, plant families, field ID, dichotomous keys, Texas lookalikes
Ages 12+
03✓ Complete
Soil Science
Texture, structure, pH, macronutrients, biology, mycorrhizae, water movement, Texas soils
Ages 12+
Section II — Ecology 3 curricula · questions coming
04
Plant Ecology
Ecosystems, succession, disturbance, invasives, Texas ecoregions
Ages 12+Coming soon
05
Entomology for the Land Steward
Pollinators, beneficials, 800+ Texas native bees, pest management
Ages 10+Coming soon
06
Tree and Forest Ecology
Tree anatomy, identification, wood wide web, agroforestry
Ages 10+Coming soon
Section III — Land and Water 3 curricula · questions coming
07
Water Harvesting and Hydrology
Swales, ponds, rainwater, wells, Texas drought resilience
Ages 12+Coming soon
08
Land Assessment and Management
Observation, mapping, soil testing, carrying capacity, land plans
Ages 14+Coming soon
09
Surveying and Land Measurement
Distances, elevations, compass, topo maps, site plans
Ages 14+Coming soon
Section IV — Growing 6 curricula · questions coming
10
Horticulture and Companion Planting
Six factors, propagation, Texas calendar, cover crops
Ages 10+Coming soon
11
Native Plant Horticulture
Provenance, ecoregion palettes, establishment, maintenance
Ages 10+Coming soon
12
Natural Farming and Permaculture
Three ethics, twelve principles, food forests
Ages 14+Coming soon
13
Regenerative Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
Five principles, holistic grazing, chickens, goats
Ages 12+Coming soon
14
Orcharding and Fruit Production
Texas chill hours, grafting, training, harvest
Ages 12+Coming soon
15
Market Gardening and Intensive Production
CSA, farmers markets, bed system, economics
AdultComing soon
Section V — Specialized Growing and Harvest 11 curricula
16
Beekeeping
Colony structure, Texas beekeeping, honey production
Ages 12+Coming soon
17
Aquaculture and Pond Management
Pond ecology, fish species, aquaponics
Ages 12+Coming soon
18
Fish and Game Identification
Texas game fish, big game, birds, regulations
Ages 10+Coming soon
19
Hunting, Foraging, and Wild Foods
Ethics, Texas game, edible plants, wild mushrooms
Ages 12+Coming soon
20
Hunting and Trapping Skills
Tracking, snares, primitive methods, small game
Ages 14+Coming soon
21
Medicinal Plants and Ethnobotany
Texas medicinal natives, adaptogens, safety
Ages 14+Coming soon
22
Restoration Ecology
Site assessment, invasive removal, seeding, prescribed fire
Ages 14+Coming soon
23
Seed Science
Dormancy, stratification, saving, cleaning, seed library
Ages 10+Coming soon
24
Landscape and Habitat Design
Bloom succession, nesting habitat, water features
Ages 12+Coming soon
25
Mushroom Cultivation
Oyster, shiitake, lion's mane on logs and straw
Ages 10+Coming soon
26
Sprouting, Microgreens, and Indoor Growing
Year-round food production indoors
Ages 8+Coming soon
Section VI — Food and Medicine 16 curricula
27
Food Preservation and Processing
Canning, dehydrating, fermenting, smoking
Ages 12+Coming soon
28
Fermentation
Lacto-fermentation, vinegar, kombucha, beer, wine, mead
Ages 14+Coming soon
29
Cooking from Scratch — Traditional Methods
Cast iron, open fire, wood stove, traditional Texas methods
Ages 10+Coming soon
30
Herbalism and Making Plant Medicine
Tinctures, salves, teas, home apothecary
Ages 14+Coming soon
31
Nutrition and the Self-Sufficient Diet
Complete proteins, seasonal eating
Ages 14+Coming soon
32
Wilderness First Aid and Basic Medicine
Wound care, heat illness, snakebite, first aid kit
Ages 14+Coming soon
33
Human Anatomy and Basic Physiology
How organs work, reading your own health indicators
Ages 12+Coming soon
34
Dental Care Without a Dentist
Pulling teeth, abscesses, herbal treatments
AdultComing soon
35
Mental Health and Psychological Resilience
Isolation, stress, sustaining yourself over decades
AdultComing soon
36
Butchery — Field to Table
Whole animal processing, wild game, aging, organ meats
Adult · SupervisedComing soon
37
Dairy — Milking, Cheese, Butter, and Preservation
Raw milk, cheeses, butter, ghee, yogurt
Ages 12+Coming soon
38
Baking and Grain Processing
Milling, sourdough, tortillas, acorn flour
Ages 10+Coming soon
39
Vinegar, Oils, and Condiments
Making vinegar, pressing oils, fermented condiments
Ages 12+Coming soon
40
Salt — Sourcing, Making, and Preserving
Where to find it, how to make it, how much you need
Ages 12+Coming soon
41
Water Purification and Storage
Field purification, long-term storage, treatment
Ages 12+Coming soon
42
Edible Insects and Alternative Protein
Crickets, mealworms, black soldier fly — raising and eating
Ages 10+Coming soon
Section VII — Building and Energy 12 curricula
43
Natural Building
Cob, adobe, straw bale, limestone, passive solar
Ages 14+Coming soon
44
Carpentry and Basic Construction
Tools, framing, roofing, fencing, outbuildings
Ages 14+Coming soon
45
Masonry and Stonework
Mortared stone, dry stone, lime mortar, Texas limestone
Ages 14+Coming soon
46
Off-Grid Water Systems
Rainwater, well water, filtration, irrigation
AdultComing soon
47
Off-Grid Energy Systems
Solar PV, battery storage, wind, wood heat
AdultComing soon
48
Mechanical Skills and Small Engine Repair
Engine maintenance, plumbing, wiring, pump repair
Ages 14+Coming soon
49
Tractor Operation and Maintenance
Safe operation, implements, PTO, hydraulics
Ages 14+Coming soon
50
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair
Oil changes, tires, brakes, basic diagnostics
Ages 14+Coming soon
51
Human Power and Appropriate Technology
Pedal power, lever and pulley, water wheels
Ages 12+Coming soon
52
Charcoal and Biochar Production
Making charcoal, biochar for soil, earth kiln methods
Ages 14+Coming soon
53
Fire — Making, Managing, and Cooking
Wood selection, fire lay types, managing safely
Ages 12+Coming soon
54
Human Waste, Sanitation, and Hygiene
Humanure, outhouses, field sanitation
Ages 12+Coming soon
Section VIII — Practical Skills 15 curricula
55
Blacksmithing and Tool Repair
The forge, drawing and bending, tool making, sharpening
Ages 14+Coming soon
56
Fiber Arts and Natural Textiles
Spinning, weaving, natural dyeing
Ages 10+Coming soon
57
Sewing and Garment Making
Hand and machine sewing, patterns, garment construction
Ages 10+Coming soon
58
Leatherwork
Brain tan, bark tan, boots, sheaths, saddle repair
Ages 14+Coming soon
59
Natural Cordage, Basketry, and Crafts
Texas cordage plants, reverse wrap, coiled baskets
Ages 8+Coming soon
60
Soap, Candle, and Household Making
Saponification, lye from ash, cold process soap
Ages 12+Coming soon
61
Paper Making, Natural Inks, and Archival Skills
Mould and deckle, oak gall ink, bookbinding
Ages 10+Coming soon
62
Pottery and Ceramics
Hand-building with local clay, pit firing, kiln building
Ages 8+Coming soon
63
Woodworking and Hand Tool Craft
Bowls, spoons, tool handles, cooperage
Ages 12+Coming soon
64
Natural Glues, Adhesives, and Bonding Materials
Pine pitch, hide glue, fish glue, casein adhesives
Ages 12+Coming soon
65
Knots, Lashing, and Rope Work
Essential knots, lashing structures, net making
Ages 8+Coming soon
66
Natural Material Identification and Sourcing
Iron ore, clay, flint, limestone — reading the land
Ages 12+Coming soon
67
Metallurgy Basics
Iron vs steel, carbon content, hardening, salvaging metal
AdultComing soon
68
Primitive Technology and Stone Tools
Flint knapping, bow drill fire, primitive traps
Ages 12+Coming soon
69
Hide Preparation and Taxidermy Basics
Salting, stretching, basic taxidermy
Ages 14+Coming soon
Section IX — Navigation and Communication 6 curricula
70
Land Navigation — Map, Compass, and Terrain
Topographic maps, compass, triangulation
Ages 12+Coming soon
71
Survival Astronomy and Celestial Navigation
Polaris, solar navigation, watch and shadow methods
Ages 12+Coming soon
72
Map Making and Cartography
Property maps, topographic sketching
Ages 12+Coming soon
73
Weather Reading and Forecasting
Texas weather patterns, storm recognition, tornado safety
Ages 10+Coming soon
74
Signaling and Rescue
Signal mirrors, smoke, ground-to-air, search and rescue
Ages 10+Coming soon
75
Ham Radio and Off-Grid Communication
Technician license, handheld radios, emergency networks
Ages 14+Coming soon
Section X — Animals 3 curricula
76
Veterinary Basics for the Homestead
First aid, wound care, diseases by species, assisted birth
Ages 14+Coming soon
77
Horse, Mule, and Donkey Management
Harnessing, draft work, care, tack repair
Ages 12+Coming soon
78
Animal Training and Working Animals
Livestock dogs, draft training, animals as land partners
Ages 10+Coming soon
Section XI — Systems, Planning, and Community 11 curricula
79
Systems Thinking and Permaculture Design
Design process, zones, sectors, stacking functions
Ages 14+Coming soon
80
Record Keeping and Land Journaling
Weather, plant, animal, harvest, financial records
Ages 12+Coming soon
81
Community, Trade, and Practical Economics
Identifying surplus, barter, farmers markets
AdultComing soon
82
Bartering, Local Currency, and Alternative Economics
Time banking, LETS, gift economies
AdultComing soon
83
Conflict Resolution and Community Governance
Resolving disputes, shared resources, cooperatives
AdultComing soon
84
Legal and Practical Land Ownership
Texas water rights, mineral rights, ag exemptions
AdultComing soon
85
Emergency Preparedness and Resilience
Grid-down planning, 30-day food and water
Ages 12+Coming soon
86
Teaching and Knowledge Transfer
Teaching practical skills, oral tradition, apprenticeship
AdultComing soon
87
Homestead Education and Raising Children on the Land
Integrating children into land work by age
AdultComing soon
88
Philosophy of Self-Sufficient Living
Voluntary simplicity, Stoicism, land ethics
AdultComing soon
89
Library Building and Information Preservation
Building a physical reference library, archiving
Ages 12+Coming soon
Section XII — The Sciences Behind It 2 curricula
Section XIII — Beginning and End 1 curriculum