Given the difficulty of stockpiling enough food for a really extended time of scarcity, the obvious plan must be set out in advance, and the critical need is to have the tools and organization within a core group of survivors.

Step 1: Commandeer and fortify the nearest grain elevator. Although no single grain provides a balanced diet, the surplus will be useful for barter with those who have other supplies.

Step 2: Recruit or kidnap the editorial staff at MEN. Based on experience with publishing, the editors probably know nothing very useful except the names and locations of the writers who actually may have useful skills and knowledge. Recruiting the best of these skilled people will be critical. The editors may be willing to assist in recruitment, and their contacts should be used and cooperation should be rewarded. The younger editors can be bartered as slaves once you've obtained what you need from them (if you decide not to keep them).

Step 3: Know the location, and if possible the identity of the operator(s), of the nearest illicit still. The ability to produce a continuous and reliable supply (for barter as well as for self-medication) may be extremely important to your survival.

Step 4: Recruit (or capture¹ if necessary) a Native shaman experienced in sweat lodge rituals. These have medicinal value, but inexperienced people can easily kill themselves attempting to apply them.

¹ Use extreme caution in the use of force. These guys/gals can get pretty testy.

Step 5: Recruit or commandeer the most primitive blacksmith/foundry facility and personnel accessible to your area. You're going to wear out your original set of tools in short order, and will need repairs and/or replacements. Be sure to have a ready supply of welding equipment and gases (arc welders will be difficult to use without power). You'll soon run out of gas, but should be able to convert to more primitive forge operations, using local fuels, quickly enough to work through it.

Step 6: Recruit as many older experienced women with knowledge of weaving, pottery, sewing, and gardening as possible. This may, unfortunately, require good manners, pleasant behaviour, and a few gifts and favors, but there's little hope of applying coercion usefully. Recruitment may be a long process so start as soon as possible.

Step 7: Recruit at least a few wise old men. Engineers of course should be favored for their special knowledge; but avoid those with PhDs (you can't live on equations) or with "management" credentials (you can starve in endless meetings). The useful ones can probably be recruited quite willingly through minor attention from a few agreeable younger² ladies. This step is so important the recruiting should be started immediately.

² [Hint] They're all younger than me.

Step 8: Obtain and study one or more respected Animal Husbandry and/or Veterinary texts published before 1890. Old medical books, even of this era, rely strongly on purchased "back east" medicines, but the vet books are rich in home remedies that actually (according to some reports) worked once in a while.

Step 9: Make some serious plans and get organized.

This should be enough for a start.

John