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In pursuing a more natural lifestyle, many of us want to move away from conventional forms of medicine and healthcare.  After her first daughter’s birth, Arielle de Martinez dove deep into the world of natural medicine which ultimately led her to herbalism.  You will be fascinated by our conversation about using herbs for everything from washing your hair to relieving bee stings to supporting fevers.  If you have never explored the world of herbalism, Arielle shares her best advice for those just starting out, including the top five herbs you can start growing in your backyard today! In this episode, we cover: Going beyond natural shampoo to an even cleaner hair routine The surprising ways you can use plants from your own backyard How to begin replacing the items in your medicine cabinet with herbs Top five herbs you should be growing in your garden and how to use them Why you should be cautious about using oregano essential oil and colloidal silver How using herbs can be more gentle on the body than using essential oils Which herbs offer the strongest antimicrobial benefits How to determine whether to take herbs via tincture, infusion, capsule, etc. Ways to achieve a pleasant scent without using essential oils or harmful fragrances Why fevers are beneficial to the body and what you need to know about treating them Where to source herbs for making your own herbal remedies Thank you to our sponsor!  Toups and Co Organics uses nourishing, organic ingredients to create simple and safe skincare products.  Toups and Co is offering my listeners 15% off any one purchase with the code FARMHOUSE15.  Visit ToupsandCo.com to order today. Check out some of my current favorite products: activated charcoal face bar, seabuckthorn cleansing oil, frankincense face balm, liquid foundation CONNECT Arielle de Martinez | Website | Instagram Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

After facing skin issues with her young daughter, Emilie Toups set out to find a cleaner and safer alternative to over-the-counter and even prescription creams.  And thus, Toups and Co Organics was born.  Emilie discovered many alarming ingredients that were having negative effects, both seen and unseen, on her family’s health.  She is bringing her wealth of knowledge and research to the podcast today to share with us why conventional products can be harmful and how using animal fats and other natural ingredients actually nourish your skin while being extremely effective.  If you hope to replace some of the harmful chemicals in your wellness routine with beneficial products, I’m happy to introduce you to Emilie Toups and her amazing business! In this episode, we cover: The health issues that got Emilie started on her organic skincare journey Why putting animal fat on our skin is preferable to plant oils The biggest offenders to avoid in skincare products Sneaky marketing tactics that make products appear healthy Why we should care what products we put on our skin Are natural skincare and makeup products effective? How to adopt simple, minimal skincare and makeup routines Can natural products still smell good without all the artificial fragrance? How to protect your skin from the sun from the inside out The top Toups products you should try A special gift for my listeners!  Toups and Co Organics uses nourishing, organic ingredients to create simple and safe skincare products.  Toups and Co is offering my listeners 15% off any one purchase with the code FARMHOUSE15.  Visit ToupsandCo.com to order today. Check out some of my current favorite products: activated charcoal face bar, seabuckthorn cleansing oil CONNECT Emilie Toups of Toups and Co Organics | Website | Instagram | Facebook Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

Gut health is a big topic in the health world right now, and for good reason!  Having a healthy gut impacts so many areas of our physical and mental health.  Meg of A Whole Health Life joins me to talk about why gut health matters and how to begin healing your gut through diet and lifestyle changes.  We also camp out on the benefits of fermented foods and how to begin incorporating them into your everyday life.  Gut health can seem like an intimidating topic, but you might be surprised by the simplicity of Meg’s recommended first steps on your gut healing journey! In this episode, we cover: Why all the fuss about gut health? How food and medicine can negatively impact your gut A surprisingly simple start to healing your gut When you might need to seek help in your gut healing journey Easy fermented foods to start incorporating into your diet How and why to consume beef liver, heart, tongue, etc. How adrenal cocktails can support your health One superfood you should be consuming every day GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog. Thank you to our sponsor!  Redmond Real Salt brings you salt exactly as nature created it – unrefined, ancient sea salt with a complete blend of minerals and a subtle, sweet flavor unlike any salt on earth.  Redmond Real Salt is offering my listeners 15% off your first purchase with the code FARMHOUSE.  Visit bit.ly/redmondfarmhouse to order today. Check out my most recent purchase from Redmond: real salt fine bulk (10lb bucket) RESOURCES Lisa’s favorite kitchen tools CONNECT Meg Kilcup of A Whole Health Life | Website | Instagram Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

Over the last decade, the modern farmhouse style has become extremely popular in home decor.  The all white paint and minimal aesthetic is easy to achieve, which is part of why it has become so popular.  However, many homemakers are beginning to trade in the all white look for warmth, coziness, color, pattern.  We want our spaces to feel elevated and timeless and unique.  Liz Quick of The Quick Journey joins me to discuss the good elements that came out of the modern farmhouse trend and how to achieve a more classic decor foundation in your home.  I know that my own personal home decor style has evolved over the years, and I hope that this conversation will inspire you as you consider building a timeless foundation of beautiful decor in your own home. In this episode, we cover: Why people are moving away from the commercialized farmhouse style How to create a timeless foundation in your home decor Simple, affordable decor pieces to swap out for the seasons Best places to source art and frames Creating a cohesive, classic gallery wall Tips for creating a beautifully decorated home on a shoestring budget Liz’s favorite DIY projects in her own home How to find quality antiques and incorporate them into your decor Simple ways to achieve the classic, old world style GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog. Thank you to our sponsor!  Redmond Real Salt brings you salt exactly as nature created it – unrefined, ancient sea salt with a complete blend of minerals and a subtle, sweet flavor unlike any salt on earth.  Redmond Real Salt is offering my listeners 15% off your first purchase with the code FARMHOUSE.  Visit bit.ly/redmondfarmhouse to order today. Check out my most recent purchase from Redmond: real salt fine bulk (10lb bucket) YouTube Success Academy: I have spent the past five years building a YouTube channel that allows me to share my passions all while contributing to my family’s income, and I’m sharing with you everything I’ve learned along the way.  Visit bit.ly/farmhouseyoutube and enter your email address to find out more about the course! CONNECT Liz Quick of The Quick Journey | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

With the many conveniences of our modern food system, it’s easy to become detached from the knowledge of how our food is actually produced.  Brianna is on a mission to reconnect the community to its farmers.  At her family’s ranch in Washington, Brianna welcomes her neighbors—especially children—to come experience what farm life is truly like.  Children learn invaluable, lifelong skills as a result of participating in animal care and food production.  Brianna shares age-appropriate ideas for teaching your kids about farming and responsibility whether you live on a farm or in an apartment. In this episode, we cover: Why it’s important for everyone to learn about the inner workings of a farm What it looks like to farm school your kids Farm tasks that kids can help with How to give your child a farm education if you don’t have ready access to a farm Tailoring farm education to varying age groups Fostering independence in kids while maintaining safety The mindset shift that has to take place when involving kids Giving kids a sense of ownership over their responsibilities Why it’s important for farmers to welcome the community into their farm Thank you to our sponsor!  Redmond Real Salt brings you salt exactly as nature created it – unrefined, ancient sea salt with a complete blend of minerals and a subtle, sweet flavor unlike any salt on earth.  Redmond Real Salt is offering my listeners 15% off your first purchase with the code FARMHOUSE.  Visit bit.ly/redmondfarmhouse to order today. Check out my most recent purchase from Redmond: real salt fine bulk (10lb bucket) RESOURCES Digital Farm Club The Justin Rhodes Show Kate @themoderndaysettler Kate @venisonfordinner CONNECT Brianna Widen of Widnor Farms | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

If you have ever thought of making cheese at home but have been overwhelmed at the idea, this episode is for you!  Robyn of Cheese From Scratch joins me to talk all things cheesemaking.  Robyn’s desire is to make this skill accessible to everyone.  We talk about how cheesemaking can become a normal part of your everyday routine, just like any other skill on the homestead.  A common misconception is that cheesemaking is just for those who own a dairy animal, but this isn’t true!  Anyone can learn to make cheese from scratch. In this episode, we cover: The distinction between homestead and professional cheesemaking How to decide what type of cheese to make Addressing some common fears about the safety of making cheese at home The easiest cheeses to start with How cheesemaking mimics what happens naturally in a calf’s stomach Which supplies you need to buy and which supplies you can DIY Surprising ways to repurpose all of the leftover whey The secret to incorporating cheesemaking into your everyday life Thank you to our sponsor!  Redmond Real Salt brings you salt exactly as nature created it – unrefined, ancient sea salt with a complete blend of minerals and a subtle, sweet flavor unlike any salt on earth.  Redmond Real Salt is offering my listeners 15% off your first purchase with the code FARMHOUSE.  Visit bit.ly/redmondfarmhouse to order today. Check out my most recent purchase from Redmond: real salt fine bulk (10lb bucket) RESOURCES Cheesemaking.com The Art of Natural Cheesemaking by David Asher Homestead Cheesemaking 101 Course | Use code SimpleFarmhouseLife10 for 10% off your purchase of any of Robyn’s course plans CONNECT Robyn Jackson of Cheese From Scratch | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Podcast Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

Looking for an older home can be scary and exciting all at the same time.  What are the most important characteristics to look for?  How do you know which flaws are deal breakers?  Cathy and Garrett have been renovating and restoring homes for over a decade, so they have seen the good, bad, and ugly of old houses.  In our conversation, they answer some of the most common questions I get about shopping for an old farmhouse.  This topic can be intimidating to someone unfamiliar with this realm, but Cathy and Garrett break it down in such an approachable way.  Maybe you have no intention of purchasing an old farmhouse, but you want to add that vintage charm to your existing home– Cathy and Garrett have some great tips for that, too! In this episode, we cover: - The top qualities to look for in an old house - Where to begin the process of renovating a house - Awkward layouts in old houses and when it’s a deal breaker - How to add character to a newly-built home - What you need to know about a home’s foundation - Tips for evaluating the natural light in a home - The biggest red flags to look for in an old home - DIY decor projects to complement an old home RESOURCES An Easy (And Inexpensive) Kid's Nature Gallery Wall Planning A Vintage Art Gallery Wall In The Pantry DIY Pinch Pleat Curtains // How To Make Budget IKEA Curtains Look Like A Million Bucks How To Replace A Skeleton Key For An Old Door We Sampled 8 Popular White Paint Colors, Here Are Our Favorites... Posts about marble on The Grit and Polish blog Farmhouse Pantry // A Solid Marble Backsplash With Curved Corners (I Really, Really Love It!) CONNECT Cathy & Garrett Poshusta of The Grit and Polish | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest | Facebook Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | TikTok Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

A change in season is the perfect time to make a change in your family’s habits.  If you have been feeling the pull to get outside more with your kids, you don’t want to miss this conversation with Ginny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside.  Not only does Ginny share a whole host of reasons why outdoor time is beneficial to our children, she also shares practical strategies for making outdoor time an achievable and celebrated part of your family’s life.  I make it a priority in my own family to get plenty of time outside in nature, and the benefits are undeniable. In this episode, we cover: - How spending time outdoors can ease difficult seasons of motherhood - The impact of outdoor time on children’s academic well-being - A surprising factor in healthy eyesight - Overcoming the challenges of getting outside with young kids - Making outdoor time a priority no matter where you live - Enjoying outdoor time during cold winters - The number one way to maximize outdoor time - When to allow risk-taking and when to step in - What you can put in your yard to encourage free play - Finding community in the shared goal of spending time outdoors RESOURCES 1000 Hours Outside App on iOS and Android Smart Moves by Dr. Carla Hannaford How to Raise a Wild Child by Scott D. Sampson Glow Kids by Nicholas Kardaras Hike it Baby Wild and Free 1000 Hours Outside Facebook Group CONNECT Ginny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside | Website | Podcast | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

I have been wanting to talk to today’s podcast guest for over a year!  Natalie Kovarik is a Nebraska ranch wife and mom who uses her voice to educate about the realities of agriculture.  Unfortunately, the public dialogue is full of misconceptions about the role and impact of agriculture on our environment and health.  Natalie is a wealth of knowledge about this complex topic, and she does a beautiful job of sharing all of the ways in which agriculture adds tremendous value to our lives.  I hope you learn as much from this conversation as I did. In this episode, we cover: - Why it is important to be educated about where your food comes from - How agriculture is more diverse than you might think - The truth behind the “grass-fed” label - Why it’s actually a good thing that a large percentage of U.S. land is used for grazing animals RESOURCES Sacred Cow by Diana Rodgers of Sustainable Dish Natalie's interview with Frank Mitloehner on cattle and greenhouse gases Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research at UC Davis The Big Fat Surprise by Nina Teicholz Interested in crafting, sharing, and monetizing your own Ag story?  Check out Natalie’s online course and podcast. CONNECT Natalie Kovarik of Kovarik Cattle Co. | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Podcast | Pinterest | Spotify Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

When diving into the world of homesteading, it can quickly become overwhelming when you realize just how many skills there are to learn.  Where should you start?  I’m so glad Carolyn of Homesteading Family joined me for this conversation.  As a long-time homesteader and mother of 10, Carolyn shares how she got started building her skillset to support the homesteading lifestyle she desired for herself and her family.  Carolyn is a wealth of information, and she is passionate about teaching others how to live this beautiful way of life, too. In this episode, we cover: - The most important old-fashioned skills in 2022 - Why learning new skills is actually easier than you think - How to fit in learning new skills when you are already maxed out - The benefits of saying no to convenience - What our children gain from growing up in a homesteading lifestyle - A few areas where we choose the convenient route - The one thing to get in order before you start learning old-fashioned skills RESOURCES The Abundant Pantry: Canning | 25% off your purchase of this canning course using code FARMHOUSE Also check out The Abundant Pantry: Preserving Eggs View all Homesteading Family classes Find full list of resources mentioned CONNECT Carolyn Thomas of Homesteading Family | Website | YouTube | Podcast | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

Curating a home decor style that feels collected takes time and intention.  Amanda of Sincerely Marie Designs has done a beautiful job achieving this look and feel in her home, and she is joining me to talk about one of my favorite topics: decorating your home with vintage and antique pieces.  Many of our current home inspiration sources — HGTV, Pinterest, Instagram — can give us the unrealistic expectation that our home decor should be perfectly put together all at once.  Amanda and I discuss how there is actually so much beauty in slowly piecing together your decor over time.  We are sharing some practical tips for how you can source and incorporate antique, handmade, and repurposed pieces into your own home. In this episode, we cover: Where to find decor inspiration that aligns with your style Favorite DIY projects: ottoman, stair detail, lampshade How to transform a lampshade with fabric and a hot glue gun Where to start when transforming a room with antique decor The trick to finding what you’re looking for on Facebook Marketplace Tips for avoiding secondhand purchases you’ll regret A secret weapon decor item for both form and function What to hang on your wall when you aren’t sure what you want there Things to consider when searching for a rug How to bring your home decor together so it feels collected instead of cluttered RESOURCES Tessa Foley of Nine and Sixteen Jean Stoffer Heather Strommen of Sweet Shady Lane Pleated Ottoman Slipcover How-To Adding Charm to a Staircase DIY Pleated Lampshade How-To Block Print Quilts on Etsy Revival Rugs CONNECT Amanda Marie of Sincerely Marie Designs | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

Many people think that beginning a farm or homestead requires you to have previous farming experience, but this isn’t necessarily true.  Even if you have never set foot on a farm yourself, it is possible to begin living the homesteading lifestyle.  In this episode, Jess shares how her lifelong dream of owning a farm became a reality, one step at a time.  We also delve into the topic of making money on a homestead.  Whether you have a goal of replacing your full-time income or of simply allowing your homestead to pay for itself, Jess has some really interesting entrepreneurial ideas! In this episode, we cover: Starting to live a homesteading lifestyle even without acreage Nurturing a healthy food culture in your home The connection between food and homesteading Exciting upcoming developments for Roots & Refuge Farm How a homestead can pay for itself Thank you to our sponsor!  Toups and Co Organics uses nourishing, organic ingredients to create simple and safe skincare products.  Toups and Co is offering my listeners 10% off any one purchase with the code FARMHOUSE.  Visit ToupsandCo.com to order today. Check out some of my current favorite products: seabuckthorn cleansing oil, frankincense face balm, activated charcoal face bar RESOURCES Making Money on a Homestead | How a Hobby Farm Can Help Pay for Itself CONNECT Jess Sowards of Roots and Refuge Farm | Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

If you don’t believe it’s possible to have a stunning home on a shoestring budget, this episode is for you!  My friend, Andrea, of Pine and Prospect Home is joining me for this conversation on giving your home a refresh for spring without spending a ton of money.  Andrea is the queen of thrifty decor, and everything she creates looks high-dollar.  We’re sharing some of our best tips for curating a beautiful home that reflects your taste and style all while staying within your budget.  Whether you are simply looking for a few affordable ideas to welcome spring into your home or you are taking on a large renovation project, you’ll come away from this conversation with fresh DIY inspiration! In this episode, we cover: Incorporating faux florals into your decor How to approach home decor with a DIY mindset What items are worth splurging on Our favorite sources for finding thrifty decor Trying new ideas in your home without spending money What we are always keeping our eyes out for when shopping Why even your kitchen tools should be beautiful How to curate your look and avoid bringing home junk Creating a lovely home even if design doesn’t come naturally to you Our favorite sources of design inspiration Thank you to our sponsor!  Toups and Co Organics uses nourishing, organic ingredients to create simple and safe skincare products.  Toups and Co is offering my listeners 10% off any one purchase with the code FARMHOUSE.  Visit ToupsandCo.com to order today. Check out some of my current favorite products: activated charcoal face bar, seabuckthorn cleansing oil CONNECT Andrea Francavilla of Pine and Prospect Home | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

When you look around the homesteading world and see other people doing all the things, it can be overwhelming to know how to get started.  In this episode, Melissa K. Norris, a homesteader for over 20 years, joins me to talk about where to start when you want to learn new homesteading skills.  She reminds us not to be afraid of starting small and learning as you go.  She also provides many tangible tips for getting started.  Whether you have been homesteading your whole life or are still contemplating jumping into this lifestyle, there will always be more to learn, so these tips on self-education are for you! In this episode, we cover: One prerequisite for becoming a homesteader Deciding what to start with on your homestead How to start researching a new skill or endeavor What made Melissa decide to get a dairy cow Questions to consider when adding livestock to your homestead What Melissa’s 20-year homesteading journey has looked like The mindset shift that makes homesteading accessible to anyone Thank you to our sponsor!  Toups and Co Organics uses nourishing, organic ingredients to create simple and safe skincare products.  Toups and Co is offering my listeners 10% off any one purchase with the code FARMHOUSE.  Visit https://toupsandco.com/ to order today. Check out some of my current favorite products: frankincense face balm, seabuckthorn cleansing oil, reparative serum, activated charcoal face bar. CONNECT Melissa K. Norris | Website | YouTube | Podcast | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes, transcript, and links to resources on the blog.

Especially when it comes to home design, I find so much inspiration in holding beautiful printed books in my hands.  That’s why I am so glad there are people like Kali Ramey Martin putting lovely resources out into the world. Her book, Potager, and her seasonal magazine, Notebook Quarterly, curate recipes and gardening tips and home inspiration in such a masterful way.  Our conversation spanned a variety of topics related to welcoming spring into our homes through what we are cooking to how we decorate our homes.  We talked not only about seasonal decor but also about more permanent home design choices like paint, wallpaper, furniture, and more.  I hope this conversation leaves you inspired to embrace in your own home all the beauty that springtime has to offer. In this episode, we cover: - The secret to baking with einkorn flour - New ingredients we are using this spring - Favorite springtime recipes we are making - Getting started with a spring garden - How Kali is restoring her 1920s cottage on a modest budget - Honoring the style of a home in your decor choices - Choosing paint colors and wallpaper - The secret to decorating with natural elements all year round GUEST BIOGRAPHY Kali Ramey Martin is a farmer’s wife, mom of two sweet boys and amateur at just about everything. She is the author of Potager: From the Garden to the Kitchen and publishes a magazine called Notebook Quarterly. She happily dabbles in gardening, floristry, homesteading, photography, interior design and cookery, and is passionate about making the world a softer, simpler, more beautiful place. GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Visit the blog for the full show notes, links to resources mentioned, and a transcript. Watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsor! Click here to save 5% on your purchase of a countertop grain mill by Mockmill CONNECT Kali Ramey Martin | Website | Instagram | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community!

With the first official day of spring right around the corner, I am getting so excited to welcome spring into my kitchen.  There is nothing like cutting fresh herbs from my garden, gathering eggs from my hens, collecting milk from my cow.  In today’s episode, Erin and I discuss the many ways that seasonal eating can be accessible to all of us.  Whether or not you have a garden or farm animals of your own, you can find ways to eat seasonally and source your food locally.  With all of our modern conveniences, we don’t have to eat seasonally, but Erin and I make a case for why you might want to consider eating this way.  There is so much beauty to be found in living in rhythm with the seasons. In this episode, we cover: Starting a spring garden Why it matters to eat seasonally What changes we make in our kitchens in the spring Farm animals’ production in spring How to approach meal planning when eating seasonally Incorporating bread baking into your daily routine Sourdough troubleshooting Living a homesteading lifestyle even if you don’t live on a homestead Where to start sourcing local, seasonal food Preserving and storing seasonal food GUEST BIOGRAPHY Erin is the head farmer and resident mom to all manner of living things at The Cedar Chest Farm! Together with her family, she tends their farmstead in Southwest Virginia, aiming to educate and empower homegrown-minded folks in their journey towards self-sustenance. Whether you’re living in town and supporting local growers, or seeking to raise your own food and resources more rurally, Erin is excited to partner with you in treasuring old ways, delighting in good food, and stewarding the good world around us. RESOURCES Dishing Up the Dirt by Andrea Bemis Local Dirt by Andrea Bemis Andrea Bemis’s Local Thirty Documentary Feeding a Family by Sarah Waldman Smoke, Roots, Mountain, Harvest by Lauren McDuffie Harvie.farm CONNECT Erin Worrall of The Cedar Chest Farm | Instagram | Facebook | Website Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

It’s that time of year!  The time when backyard chicken keepers and full-blown homesteaders alike start thinking about expanding their flocks.  My conversation with Kathleen of Oak Abode covers everything a new or prospective chicken owner might want to know.  We address the four main aspects of chicken keeping: food, water, shelter, protection, as well as many other questions we are frequently asked.  Whether you are considering getting chickens or have been keeping them for years, this episode is full of practical tips and lessons we have learned along the way. In this episode, we cover: Different types of chicken setups: coop and run, chicken tractor, free range Mitigating the threat of predators Dealing with environmental factors: heat, cold, moisture Features of different breeds Options for feed and supplements Supplemental light in the winter Raising chickens sustainably and ethically Best time to get chicks GUEST BIOGRAPHY Kathleen and her husband, Ian, are passionate about growing their own food and self-sustainability on any scale. CONNECT Kathleen of Oak Abode | YouTube | Instagram | Podcast | Website Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog. MORE RESOURCES Want to start your own blog? Get my FREE blogging success masterclass. Get your Berkey Filter with the Simple Farmhouse Life podcast discount.  Watch my Berkey review video. Download my updated ebook with ALL of my sourdough recipes.

I have been so excited to bring this episode to you all because I get so many questions about our dairy cow!  Angel Turner was the perfect person to join me in this conversation. She has gained a great deal of experience with dairy cows in just a short time.  It has been less than a year since Angel brought home her first family milk cow, and since then, she has taken on the task of halter breaking over 15 milk cows and matching them with families.  We could have talked forever about all things dairy cow, but we managed to address the most frequently asked questions in the time we had together.  If you are considering whether a family milk cow might be right for you, this episode will give you a peek into both of our journeys of getting started with owning dairy cows. In this episode, we cover: What it’s like owning your first dairy cow The one thing you should always do before buying a cow Preventing and treating mastitis How much land you need to own a dairy cow Breeding considerations Calf sharing and weaning Making the most of the acreage you have Feeding your dairy cow: grass, hay, grain Learning as you go in homesteading The economics of owning a dairy cow What it looks like to travel when you own a dairy cow GUEST BIOGRAPHY Angel and her husband Gabe started homesteading on a very small scale. A few chickens, a small garden, a lamb or goat here and there. But as they grew their family in their 10 years of marriage, they began to see the importance and benefits of the homesteading lifestyle for so many reasons. Angel and Gabe are passionate about taking their family back to a more simple way of living that connects them with the land and animals. They are now pursuing farming full-time and very much in the beginning stages of that journey! They also want others to see their potential no matter where they are, so they have begun teaching homesteading skills on their blog. RESOURCES Keeping a Family Cow by Joann S. Grohman Rosehill Farm Rosehill Farm’s Insider’s Club CONNECT Angel Turner of Rosehill Farm | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog.

I don’t often discuss parenting on this podcast, but when I read Jill Winger’s blog post on how she gets her kids involved on her homestead, I knew I had to bring her on to talk about this topic.  Jill began homesteading before she became a mother, so her three children have always known this way of life.  Jill and I discuss how we accomplish homesteading tasks with babies and toddlers underfoot, how we begin getting our children involved around the homestead, and why it’s important to give our children the gift of hard work.  If you want to instill the values of hard work and creativity into your children, may this episode give you inspiration along the way. In this episode, we cover: An old-fashioned philosophy of parenting How kids of different ages can help around a homestead Instilling a strong work ethic in your children How homeschooling can build character Making space for kids to explore their passions The advantage of letting our kids experience failure How we approach chores Click here to listen to part one of this conversation on Jill's podcast or click here to watch on YouTube. GUEST BIOGRAPHY Jill is the founder of The Prairie Homestead, an online space with over one million monthly visits dedicated to helping people learn how to grow their own food and opt out of the rat race, regardless of where they live. In 2019, she published her best-selling cookbook The Prairie Homestead Cookbook which was an Amazon Editor’s pick and won Best Cookbook in the 30th Annual Reading the West Book Awards given by the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association. Her practical and authentic style of teaching and storytelling has won the hearts of hundreds of thousands of homesteaders across social media and through the Old Fashioned on Purpose podcast, which has amassed over 3.3 million downloads since its inception. CONNECT Jill Winger of The Prairie Homestead | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Pinterest Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View show notes and transcript on the blog.

Although winter is still in full swing, it’s already time to start thinking about planting seeds for your summer garden.  In today’s conversation, Meg Hollar of The Hollar Homestead joins me to talk all things gardening: selecting seeds, preparing the soil, what we are growing, and even how to use and preserve the harvest.  We have both been gardening for many years now, but we are continually learning more each year.  Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this conversation may give you some new strategies to try this year! In this episode, we cover: Ordering seeds Preparing garden beds What we are excited to grow this year When to start planting seeds Strategies for successful transplanting Gardening mistakes and what we wish we had known before starting Favorite methods of preserving Why you want to include flowers in your garden GUEST BIOGRAPHY Meg and her husband, Ben, are trading in "normal" for making their own path. After suburban homesteading in Southern California for a few years, they sold most of their stuff, packed up the rest into a trailer, and set out across the United States with their four sons to find their forever homestead. The Hollar family is now revitalizing an old homestead in North Carolina, and they’ve added a baby girl and a variety of farm animals to their family along the way. They live small, love hard, and have one major goal: to LIVE a life worth living. RESOURCES Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Territorial Seed Company CONNECT Meg Hollar of The Hollar Homestead | Blog | YouTube | Instagram Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Join us in the Simple Farmhouse Life Facebook community! GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Watch this episode on YouTube. View full show notes and transcript on the blog. MORE RESOURCES Want to start your own blog? Get my FREE blogging success masterclass. Get your Berkey Filter with the Simple Farmhouse Life podcast discount.  Watch my Berkey review video. Download my updated ebook with ALL of my sourdough recipes.