TORRINGTON – The Covid-19 Pandemic shook many communities to the core. Between the panic, fear and concern, the pandemic also provided a picture showing society how reliant it has become on others. As small communities began to heal from the devastation of the pandemic, homesteading, survival preparations and self-sufficiency have been brought to the forefront for many. Josh and Audra MacKenzie have recently opened the doors to Pioneer Prep and Rent All, which according to the husband-and-wife team is focused on self-reliance. 

While the mother business, Western Material Handling awaits a new shipment of tractors, the duo hopes to share their wealth of knowledge and provide valuable networking connections for others who desire similar lifestyles. According to the company website, the shop stives to empower individuals and families with the resources to create a more self-reliant lifestyle with a goal to provide materials, tools and knowledge for projects big and small. 

“It’s been really slow while we wait for our next tractor line to come in so we kept talking about doing a rental store, rent all, rental store,” Audra explained. “That was kind of like a vault. We started looking at how much stuff we have at home that we’ve been using on our little farm.” 

The MacKenzie family talked about the new adventure for about three years before deciding to offer tools, equipment and more for rent along with additional reading material and educational classes focused on the do-it-yourselfer and those who desire to be more self-reliant. Audra stresses it’s all about connecting those likeminded people essentially. 

“With the tractors, because we were selling small tractors, we have a different customer base than John Deere does. They are a lot of people from Colorado, people who’ve lived here and are looking to do small farms and little homesteads,” Audra explained. “But they don’t know each other. It was selling the tractors that is actually what helped us find the people. Because there’s only a certain type of folks that buy this line of equipment.”

Audra knows the adventures of “homesteading” aren’t really for everyone but she hopes the new adventure can at least carry itself while the mother business provides the profit. She noted with some of her family’s expertise perhaps they have the opportunity to help the community they have come to love.  

“This won’t appeal to everyone but for those of us who are maybe struggling, it’s just for them. Because it’s a sideline business, it’s not something that needs to do anything really, but hold itself. I guess I see them as supplementing each other. I think it’s a way to give back and then really fill some needs of those of us who just want a little bit of something different,” Audra explained. “Covid really exposed a lot of deficiencies in our culture. I am a Gen Xer, but I was raised in a culture of self-reliance. It did not occur to me that other people were not being raised in that same thing.”

With a large family, the MacKenzie’s often relied on their own knowledge and skills to tackle projects and they weren’t afraid to seek additional input when necessary. With prices of labor and materials continuing to climb, many residents take to their own projects for a more cost-effective approach. Audra further explained some residents are ready to take the plunge and learn more self-reliant techniques while others a fueled by a concerning food supply chain.

“Josh and I, there’s an amount of confidence. If we don’t know how to do it, we can figure it out or we’ll find somebody. We’ve never been able to afford to hire people,” Audra said. “I do think that people want something more for their life. They’re tired of the rat race. They want to feel like they can do more of something. Plus, I think there’s more awareness. We know how poisoned the food has been. We’ve been fighting back in our own ways against it for a long time. But now, other people are recognizing that the food system isn’t good.”

Aside from a large line of construction equipment, the rent all stop also has chicken processing equipment, water canners and pressure canners. They even have a dehydrator, meat grinder, meat processing tools and a freeze dryer they will be adding to the list of items available for rent. They will also be hosting classes on self-reliant hobbies. 

“This month, we will have a beginner gardener class. Then hopefully mid-April, do a chicken keeping [class]. They can come build a small enclosure so they are learning basic carpentry skills,” Audra added. 

The prep store also plans on having classes to promote proper emergency planning. 

“The survival stuff – Josh, that use to be his passion. He used to take kids out and teach them when he was much younger so I think promoting a basic 72-to-96-hour kit for people in their home and do it in an affordable way and providing some resources for that,” Audra said. “I have a large family and I realize how hard it is when you’re looking at a family of five. This isn’t necessarily like apocalyptic doomsday but ask the people in North Carolina. Real disasters do happen that have nothing to do with it.”

As the business continues trial and error, Audra stresses the easiest way to stay up to date on rentals, products and classes available is to connect with Pioneer Prep and Rent All on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pioneerprepandrent. Their first class, Beginning Gardening Class, will be held on Saturday, March 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“We’ll cover soil, seeds, timing, seed starting, microclimates, watering and different gardening techniques, including in-ground, market style, raised bed and container gardening. Whether you have a tiny space or spare acres, we’ll help you get started with growing your own food. Cost is $25, [which] includes some seed-starting supplies. Location to be determined by weather, notice will be given,” the Facebook invite reads. We also offer gardening tools for rent, including rototiller, broad fork, weed whacker, leaf blower/vacuum/mulcher, and various rakes, hoes and shovels.”

“I don’t know exactly where all this is going to end up, I just know I feel strongly, if you have the ability to share, do it,” Audra said.

For more information visit the Facebook page above or stop in for a chat at: 507 W Valley Rd, Torrington, or call (307) 274-4403 or email info@preplikeapioneer.com for more information.