Land is often known by the names of past owners. "Emma's Land", "Gina's quarter", and "the Ingeborg Land" are reminders of the many women who homesteaded across North Dakota in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Land in Her Own Name records these homesteaders' experiences as revealed in interviews with surviving homesteaders and their families and friends, land records, letters, and diaries. These women's fascinating accounts tell of locating a claim, erecting a shelter, and living on the prairie. Their ethnic backgrounds include Yankee, Scandinavian, German, and German-Russian, as well as African-American, Jewish, and Lebanese. Some were barely twenty-one, while others had reached their sixties. A few lived on their land for life and "never borrowed a cent against it"; others sold or rented the land to start a small business or to provide money for education.

## Homesteaders of the North Dakota Prairie Your Definitive Guide to Sustainable Living Embark on a life-transforming journey with "Homesteaders of the North Dakota Prairie," the ultimate eBook for those yearning to embrace a self-sufficient, sustainable lifestyle. Whether you're a novice or an experienced homesteader, this comprehensive guide is your passport to mastering the art of living off the land in one of America's most rugged and rewarding landscapes. ### Inside This Masterful Guide #### *Introduction to Sustainable Homesteading* Discover the magnetic allure of the North Dakota Prairie and delve into the principles of self-sufficiency and sustainability. Understand the rich history of homesteading in the Great Plains and how it can inspire your modern-day efforts. #### *Planning Your Homestead* From selecting the perfect plot of land to designing a sustainable layout and navigating zoning laws, this chapter provides all the tools you need to bring your homestead dream to life, including crucial budgeting advice. #### *Building Your Sustainable Home* Learn about eco-friendly building materials, passive solar design, energy-efficient systems, and water conservation methods that ensure your home is both environmentally sustainable and comfortable. #### *Creating a Self-Sustaining Garden* Unlock the secrets to maintaining soil health, choosing climate-resilient crops, and employing organic gardening techniques for year-round vegetable production. #### *Raising Livestock for Sustainability* Select the right livestock, manage pasture and resources efficiently, and implement sustainable fencing and shelter solutions to create a harmonious farmstead. #### *Renewable Energy Solutions* Harness the power of solar, wind, and alternative energy storage options to make your homestead energy-independent and resilient. #### *Water Management* Master the techniques of well maintenance, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and efficient irrigation practices essential for prairie living. #### *Food Preservation Techniques* Ensure your bounty lasts through root cellaring, canning, drying, fermentation, and more, turning your harvest into a year-round feast. #### *Sustainable Foraging and Hunting* Ethically gather and preserve wild game and edible plants, enriching your diet and deepening your connection to the land. #### *Home-Based Businesses for Homesteaders* Explore diverse opportunities to monetize your homestead, from crafting to agritourism and leveraging online marketplaces. #### *Building Community in Isolation* Network with fellow homesteaders, engage in bartering, skill-sharing, and community events to foster a supportive environment even in remote settings. #### *Preparing for Extreme Weather* Equip yourself with robust structures, winterizing techniques, and emergency preparedness strategies to withstand North Dakota’s harshest conditions. #### *Maintaining Mental and Physical Health* Balance solitude with social interaction, integrate physical activity, and adopt mindfulness practices to sustain health and well-being. #### *Homestead Education and Resources* Find an array of educational resources, from books and online courses to local extension offices and mentorship programs that support your homesteading journey. #### *Long-Term Sustainability and Legacy Planning* Pass down your hard-earned knowledge and plan for a sustainable future, ensuring that your homestead thrives for generations to come. "Homesteaders of the North Dakota Prairie" is more than a guide; it's a blueprint for living a fulfilling, self-reliant life. Embrace the prairie, and let your homesteading adventure begin!

Land of the Burnt Thigh tells the story of two sisters from a comfortable family in the Eastern United States, braving great perils to settle in the West. This book tells a simple yet inspiring tale of the hardships and adversity encountered by women in the pioneer culture of the 19th century. South Dakota was one of the States newly populated by adventurous peoples wishing to settle the great Western expanse. At the time, the federal government allowed settlers to keep a parcel of land for their own on the condition that they remained resident for eight consecutive months. The adverse weather, of snowstorms and blowing sands, tests the ability of the women who must endure these months in a spartan wooden shack. This edition of Land of the Burnt Thigh contains the original illustrations by Stephen J. Voorhies. "Interesting in its spirit and atmosphere, and it is told simply and well. . . This is an unusual record, well worth reading." - New York Times Book Review "Mrs. Kohl has told this story of South Dakota with a simplicity, a directness, and an understanding of its quietly heroic element which make her book an appealing as well as a significant contribution to the latter-day history of the pioneers." - Saturday Review

An award-winning novel with incredible heart, about life on the prairie as it's rarely been seen When Rachel, hired help in a Chicago boardinghouse, falls in love with Isaac, the boardinghouse owner's son, he makes her a bargain: he'll marry her, but only if she gives up her 160 acres from the Homestead Act so he can double his share. She agrees, and together they stake their claim in the forebodingly beautiful South Dakota Badlands. Fourteen years later, in the summer of 1917, the cattle are bellowing with thirst. It hasn't rained in months, and supplies have dwindled. Pregnant, and struggling to feed her family, Rachel is isolated by more than just geography. She is determined to give her surviving children the life they deserve, but she knows that her husband, a fiercely proud former Buffalo Soldier, will never leave his ranch: black families are rare in the West, and land means a measure of equality with the white man. Somehow Rachel must find the strength to do what is right-for herself, and for her children. Reminiscent of The Color Purple as well as the frontier novels of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Willa Cather, The Personal History of Rachel DuPree opens a window on the little-known history of African American homesteaders and gives voice to an extraordinary heroine who embodies the spirit that built America.

Wow!Great job of bringing this man [Tom] and his times to lifeDefinitely a winner! Megan Smolenyak, chief genealogist for Ancestry.com, author of Who Do You Think You Are?, and consultant to the TV series of the same name. Millions of settlers flocked westward for homesteads, taking advantage of the free land opened to settlement by the expanding railroads. Few remained there, but author Judy Cooks family never lost faith in the land. Cooks Dakota roots inspire this compelling story of her grandparents homesteading experiences in North Dakota. If This Land Could Talk provides a riveting look at three generations of life on the northern plains, where Cook spent her formative years. Her candid portrayal brings to life her four grandparents, who carved a living from the inhospitable prairie, and her parents, who continued to farm on the same land. She offers a poignant yet entertaining glimpse into her ancestors daily lives. The author recounts growing up on the same land in the 1950s, shaped by a way of life long since vanished. Based on meticulous research, personal experiences, and stories passed from family to family, If This Land Could Talk resonates with a powerful sense of place, an enduring love of the land, and reverence for the family.

U.S. History is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of most introductory courses. The text provides a balanced approach to U.S. history, considering the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the United States from both the top down (politics, economics, diplomacy) and bottom up (eyewitness accounts, lived experience). U.S. History covers key forces that form the American experience, with particular attention to issues of race, class, and gender.