18 photos of families across America prepping for the apocalypse

self-reliance is a philosophy for everyday life. They grow their own food, fortify their homes against attack, and learn firearm safety. It's about providing their families with a level of assurance that they can withstand whatever catastrophe comes their way, whether it's nuclear war, a viral epidemic, or a zombie apocalypse.

In 2012, Reuters photographers set out to capture the daily lives of several US families who consider themselves doomsday preppers. Take a look inside their homes.

Jeff Nice, a former government contractor, left behind the world of computers to work on his 13-acre farm in North Carolina. Most days, he's chipping away at chores.

These aren't ordinary chores, however. On a typical day, Nice can be found planting grass, tending the livestock, or doing maintenance on his tractor to keep it in working order.

He lives with his wife, Jeanie, and their animals — cows, chickens, and turkeys.

Oh, and bees. They help the vegetables, flower, and other garden plants thrive.

The Nice family is well-stocked in the event a catastrophe strikes.

Shelving in the barn and two extra refrigerators provide plenty of space to store provisions. The farm also includes a 200-yard rifle range, where Jeff teaches gun safety.

Software engineer Phil Burns grew up in a self-reliant, or survivalist, family. The father of eight has carried on that tradition in his home in rural American Fork, Utah.

They live on a 35-acre farm at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, where the family has livestock and gardens. Their inventory includes handguns and "bug-out bags," or portable kits that contain the items they would need to survive when evacuating from a disaster.

Burns — seen sporting an air purifying mask — is also co-owner and chief technology officer of The American Preppers Network, a national organization that promotes self-reliance.

Hugh Vail, an entrepreneur and co-owner of the American Preppers Network, keeps a meticulous inventory of his food storage at his family's home in Bountiful, Utah.

Vail occasionally blogs for the organization, writing on topics as varied as the advantages of storing freeze-dried foods and how to make an "emergency sanitation facility," or toilet.

Source: American Preppers Network

In Warrenton, North Carolina, Mike Holland (right) oversees a sort of preppers commune. He lives on the 13-acre property with his wife, four children, and three other men.

The residents work together to ensure they can stand up to an apocalyptic event. In addition to livestock, they also have a greenhouse and trailers to hold food supplies.

Holland also keeps ammunition and firearms in stock. There's a safe room where the family can flee in case of an emergency and a military-grade generator for power.

Surveillance cameras placed around the property add another layer of security. They send a live feed to a TV display mounted in the living room.

Not all preppers can agree on what the end of the world looks like. Many more don't care to speculate. But one thing is certain ...

There's no such thing as being overprepared.

18 photos of families across America prepping for the apocalypse

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