When you put significant effort into sourcing and growing high quality food for your family, you quickly learn that you need a reliable way to preserve it for future use. Many homemakers are familiar with the tried and true methods of canning, fermenting, and dehydrating, but there is a newer method on the scene that is revolutionizing the way we preserve food. Carolyn started out very skeptical of freeze drying but has since become an expert. She’s joining me to share how freeze drying has transformed her homestead kitchen and how it can improve the way you preserve food! In this episode, we cover: How a freeze-drying skeptic became a believer What is the difference between dehydrating and freeze drying? A brief scientific explanation of why freeze dried food maintains its nutritional value and flavor What to be aware of when you first start freeze drying How to know if your freeze dried food is safe to eat Talking through various short-term and long-term storage options How freeze drying lends itself to from-scratch meals on-the-go A behind-the-scenes look at writing a book about freeze drying What you need to set up a freeze drying station in your own home View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! ABOUT CAROLYN Carolyn Thomas and her husband, Josh, live on a 40 acre homestead in Idaho surrounded by gardens, livestock and children. She spends her days rocking babies, homeschooling her children and preserving food for the coming winter. As part of her passion she also teaches homesteading skills to encourage other families to live simply and focus on the things that really matter... faith, family and really good food! RESOURCES Take my class on fermenting vegetables through School of Traditional Skills Check out Carolyn’s new book: Freeze-Drying the Harvest Listen to my recent conversation all about sourdough myths with Carolyn on her podcast  Join my Simple Sewing course and my Simple Sourdough course today! Explore all of my course offerings including sourdough, sewing, blogging, and YouTube CONNECT Carolyn Thomas of Homesteading Family | Website | Podcast | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you’d like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.