Meet the Hansons

A new housing development is most literally a stone's throw from the Raney family's Alaska home. Our trio is determined to set up a new homestead far from the grasp of civilization.

Even an experienced logger like Marty finds himself sweating in the shadow of a widow maker.

Marty must give the Millers a heat source. His hard work means nothing if the family ends up frozen.

The Millers have more than 70 animals on their rugged British Columbia homestead. They look to the Raneys to help keep their growing family warm through the winter.

Chantel and Emanuel moved to North Carolina for a simpler life. Homesteading without a lick of carpentry or livestock experience turns out to be much more complicated.

The only option for the Johnson/Hayden homestead is to start from scratch. That means watching their dreams turn to dust, as Emanuel literally pulls down his shack with a pickup truck.

The Crums moved to the mountains of Montana to escape a life-threatening condition triggered by city life; but their lack of homesteading experience puts them at risk.

Jay Crum needs an easy exit from his remote homestead due to his life-threatening condition. Marty risks his own life to ensure the quickest commute from the mountains down to medical facilities.

The Raneys are introduced to the Hanson Homestead's "Bunny Bungalow" and "Quack Shack," though Marty sees through their jokes. Their lack of food is no laughing matter.

Marty simulates a forest fire to check the Hanson family's contingency plans; their options leave them watching the world burn.

Don and Marty work to find a way to power the homestead with solar energy.

Marty must work quickly to fix a corner post on the homestead before the winter storm hits.

Marty wants to drag the Conex to the other side of the homestead, but is this too much for Dan's old tractor?

Marty simulates a wildfire to convince the Deeters that they'll need to cut down some trees to protect their home.

The Zabec's wish to raise their livestock free range, but predators threaten their territory.

Being prepared to protect your home is key to living off-the-grid. Matt Raney investigates the homestead after a large wildcat walked on the Ettingers roof.