A successful homestead typically has multiple income streams, and that means many things to attend to, especially in the spring. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and feel as though there are not enough hours in the day to take care of everything that needs attention. This is especially true for me this time of year. […]

I’m very fortunate to live on a beautiful property that has been farmed continuously since just after the Revolutionary War. We tend 50 acres and have a barn that dates to 1894 as well as numerous outbuildings. For those trying to homestead on just a few acres (or less!), this may seem like plenty of […]

The weather here was unseasonably warm through much of February. We’re used to having a foot or more of snow on the ground this time of year but found ourselves wading through mud and teased by warm temperatures that felt like we should be doing productive things outside. While it’s too early to begin much […]

I’m getting excited for spring, as we’re about to start hatching season here at Pleasant Valley Farm! Each spring, the poultry help to provide a boost to our income at a time when there are plenty of expenses on the farm. And while I’ve been making a modest income for quite a few years now, […]

Let’s face it, many of us can only dream of working from the comfort of our own home. In my case, working from home has been an ongoing process of trying to turn “nothing” into “something”. From writing to marketing and selling products I either make or grow, this is how I would like to […]

It’s hard to see with a flashlight when the batteries are running low. It’s frustrating to tackle a project with a cordless drill that stops working halfway through. Keeping your batteries charged makes life easier because your tools work correctly when you need them. The most important tool on a farm or homestead is…you! It’s […]

We are coming into our third harvest season in a couple of months. Hard to believe. I am sitting outside in one of my spots, watching the leaves fall around me. It’s one of those days where I can close my eyes and hear them falling onto the forest floor. It is unseasonably warm today. As […]

We plant rows of sunflowers every year here in the gardens at Pleasant Valley Farm. These beautiful flowers provide a surprising number of benefits! Our garden field is roadside, next to our farm stand. Each spring it’s exciting to see tidy rows of vegetable plants. But as the season progresses, it seems each year the […]

Living on a homestead or farm means you’re probably self-sufficient or working toward that end. Making sure you have the space and capability to achieve everything on your property that you want to achieve might mean you have to clear some trees or other vegetation to make more room. Clearing land can create more space […]

This is always a busy time on our farm. The garden is at peak production and I try to preserve any produce left over at the end of our market days. On days the stand isn’t open, I’m usually found in our processing kitchen making jams, salsas, pickles, and more. There are also plenty of […]