I think one of the best things to prepare is simply your brain and prepare it to consider options.

For example, you refer to establishing garden plots in a forest and hunting gathering for sustenance. You may be also considering setting up a cabin someplace remote. These may both be good options. But what is you could also find a group of abandoned homes in a town? Seems to me that would provide better shelter, and you would not need to put in effort to build shelters. Also, you would have areas that were cleared, and did not need to be cleared for a garden. Also, that garden might be hidden from view by structures. I'm not saying the forest may not be a better option for you, but leaving to create your own cummunity from nothing but a few tools and the sweat of your brow may not be the better option.