A self-sufficient lifestyle is fulfilling, but not as simple as it first appears. Someone who visits your homestead might see your garden, chickens and compost pile and think to themselves, “This doesn’t seem so complicated,” but as you know, it takes a lot of work. Especially when you’re on a budget and still need to […]

Tapping our Sugar Maple trees is the first sign of spring here on our Michigan farm. It’s always one of those sunny days where everything is dripping. And even though it’s only 45 degrees, it feels like t-shirt weather.   One of these years we will sell our maple syrup. We usually end up with […]

Geese are some of my favorite animals to have on the homestead. They have this regal-stoic quality as they waltz around the property. Head held high, lower beak up, like they are over-looking their lowly subjects.   Despite their looks, our geese were incredibly friendly and would let you feed them out of your hand. […]

We all saw the scary reality of a winter freeze last week in the Midwest. When a cold front rolls through your area, your homestead, livestock and equipment are all at risk. As temperatures drop and snow piles up, you might feel powerless — but luckily, some preventive maintenance for winter can go a long way. A […]

I went to Goodwill yesterday to drop off a trunk full of items to donate. The line was so long that I decided to go to lunch first and try again later. Evidently, everyone is thinking the same thing. It’s a new year and time to start fresh. I’ve seen more organizational ads and commercials […]

Expanding Your Home Outdoors Homesteading requires creativity and ingenuity. In the depths of winter, I often find myself dreaming of days and evenings enjoyed outside. On our homestead, we have discovered opportunities to expand our living spaces by creating private areas outdoors as well as creatively using outbuildings. Wintertime is the perfect time to plan […]

When temperatures drop and snow begins to fall, you take great care to protect your crops and livestock from the cold. You might use row covers, wrappings, and shelters, and these solutions are relatively simple. You don’t have to give them much thought when the weather begins to turn. Your own comfort is a more complicated […]

One of the best ways to save money on a farm is to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Facebook has given us all an outlet to teach others how they can help their local farmers. People are amazing and when you inform them that there is a way for them to help, they often step up […]

Creating homestead goals can quickly turn into an overwhelming list of projects! But there’s a better way to set goals that will be realistic and achievable! Use this three-step process and free planning worksheet to plan your homestead goals for the new year!   Raise your hand if you set yearly goals for your homestead. […]

The companies you choose to link your business to can either make your life easier or more difficult. Honestly, one company that works great for you may not work as well for me and vice-versa. It takes a lot of trial and error to find a great setup when you have multiple needs. Here are […]