“The Little Engine That Could,” a story published for the first time in 1902, has enabled many, including my father Warren Gleason, to go on to accomplish things that others thought too difficult. The belief that one can accomplish something is a foundation for achievement. I have learned over the years that if you believe you can, you are probably right. If you believe you cannot, you are probably right. Interestingly enough, belief is a choice. My younger brother Adam shared this story with me.

Back in high school he and a friend decided to swim across the Twin Lakes in Southern Idaho in the early spring. It was only a little over a quarter of a mile, but the water was very cold. With enthusiasm, they both jumped in and began the swim. The cold was extreme and debilitating. About a third of the way across Adam wasn’t sure he could make it, yet when he looked at his friend who was swimming without hesitation, he determined that if his friend could do it, so could he. Each time when he was about to give up and turn back, he would look up and see his friend steadily swimming on and so he continued.

When they made it to the other side, his friend rolled over and exclaimed that he hadn’t been sure he was going to make it. He told Adam that each time he was about to give up he would look up and see Adam steadily swimming on and determined that if Adam could make it, so could he.

Another example of the power of belief is found in the story of Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile in 1954. Men for hundreds of years had tried to break that barrier. Yet, when Roger did it, others believed that if he could, so could they. Over the next ten years, more than 200 other individuals broke that same barrier.

Belief sets the foundation for the planning, preparation, gathering of resources and hard work required to obtain self-reliance. OSR provides a pathway to enable individuals and families to become self-reliant with like-minded neighbors while remaining debt-free. Believing this pathway is feasible is the first step in acquiring your own homestead with a house, a barn, a garden/orchard, your own well, power source, and approved sanitation. You are invited to join with us in this,  “The Next Great Frontier.”

God speed,
Philip J. Gleason
Director of the Academy of Self-Reliance

WORM FARMING

Why on (or in?) earth would I need worms?

Are there really different types of worms?

What would I need to get started?

You've got questions, and we've got answers! So, come join us!

*Please note that after you register, you will receive an email invitation with a website link and info with instructions on how to view the live webinar.

Here's what we've got going on!

Want to learn how to achieve greater self-reliance in our 250-family modern homesteading community? Then check out our Intro Meetings where we discuss what you can do, and where to start!

Would you like a personal tour of the site of a 250-family homestead community being built on the Utah OSR Land Co-op's 1,245-acre Riverbed Ranch in Juab County, Utah? Then join us for our Munch & Mingle Tour! We'll show you what we're doing now, and what we have planned for the future!

For more details on each event, click the button to learn more about the date and location you're interested in.

Have you heard? We're building a ropes course!

The Academy OSR Ropes Course will offer a unique series of team-building exercises that will have a variety of activities and programs that will challenge you, your friends, family, coworkers, and teammates to master challenges and conquer fears.

This state-of-the-art facility incorporates a continuous belay system that provides for maximum safety as participants learn and internalize concepts such as:

• problem-solving   • leadership skills   • communication   • self-confidence

. . . and so much more! We truly believe this will bless the lives of the young, and the not-so-young. 

Are you on social media? Then let's connect!

We'd love to have you join our Facebook Group, where we post about upcoming events and meetings where you and your friends can learn more about what we're doing! It's a great and easy way to help spread the word!

We are in the process of providing a discount for solar-energy equipment.  We have selected Sol-Ark as a supplier.

To increase our discounts, we are needing to combine our purchases.  We can get improved discounts if we place an order for 10 or more units.  And at 20 or more units, we receive an even larger discount.

If you are thinking of purchasing solar-energy equipment, whether for your new home, existing home, friend’s home, camping, etc…, please fill out our online questionnaire so that we can combine our orders and get big savings.

This is not a commitment to purchase at this time.  We are only getting a list of potential buyers.