Homestead Shop Talk

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 79 The Last One of the Year Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

Jason, Al, and Ben reflect on their experiences over the past year, share holiday greetings, and discuss the challenges and joys of homesteading during the winter months. They delve into the guilt associated with downtime in content creation, the difficulties posed by cold weather, and the progress made on various building projects. The conversation also touches on animal behavior in winter, egg production, and personal projects, culminating in a sense of community and shared experiences among homesteaders. In this conversation, the hosts explore various topics ranging from their fascination with ostriches and the challenges of dealing with invasive plants, to the practicalities of purchasing a tractor and the experience of butchering pigs. They also touch on personal milestones like birthdays and discuss humane slaughtering practices for ostriches, providing insights into both farming and community life. In this engaging conversation, the hosts explore various themes related to homesteading, including the curiosity surrounding raising exotic animals, reflections on aging, and the practicalities of pig farming. They share personal anecdotes about their experiences with chainsaws, processing pigs, and the challenges of keeping piglets warm during cold weather. The discussion also touches on health challenges faced by family members, the art of butchering, and the importance of planning in breeding decisions. As the year comes to a close, they reflect on New Year's resolutions and express gratitude for their listeners.

Sow the Land: https://www.youtube.com/@SowtheLand

Lumnah Acres: https://www.youtube.com/@LumnahAcres

Hollar Homestead: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHollarHomestead

Homestead Shop Talk is a weekly audio podcast hosted by Jason Contreras (@sowtheland), Ben Hollar (@thehollarhomestead) and Al Lumnah (@lumnahacres). Three dudes with different homesteads talking about homestead life, content creation, growing a homestead and building a life worth living for. Thanks for listening!

Ep. 78 Holiday Christmas & Wild Chickens Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

Jason, Ben and Al discuss their Christmas traditions, the challenges of content creation during rainy weather, and a humorous story about a surprise delivery of wood chips. They also share wildlife encounters, health tips for winter, and insights into managing solar power systems during the colder months. In this conversation, the speakers delve into various topics including the intricacies of battery systems, the unpredictable nature of weather, the growth and care of a livestock dog named Brutus, unique coffee traditions from New England, and the challenges of fencing projects. Each theme is explored in depth, providing insights into the practicalities of rural living and the joys of animal husbandry. In this conversation, the hosts discuss various topics related to farming, particularly focusing on the maintenance of a high tunnel and the behavior of chickens within it. They share insights on egg production influenced by lighting conditions and reminisce about wild chickens. The discussion then shifts to their favorite Christmas movies and traditions, highlighting personal preferences and family celebrations during the holiday season.

Sow the Land: https://www.youtube.com/@SowtheLand

Lumnah Acres: https://www.youtube.com/@LumnahAcres

Hollar Homestead: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHollarHomestead

Ep. 77 Tools, Learning and Formed Meats Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

Al, Ben and Jason discuss their Christmas tree traditions, the impact of recent weather changes, innovations in snow removal with a new snowblower, and the challenges of managing livestock, particularly pigs. They share personal anecdotes and practical tips for homesteading during the winter season. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various aspects of farming, particularly focusing on their experiences with pigs, fencing challenges, lessons learned from handling hay bales, and preparations for butchering livestock. They share insights on animal behavior, health issues, and the importance of proper management techniques. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of butchering classes and the outcomes of experimenting with different pig breeds. In this conversation, the hosts discuss various topics related to animal health, holiday preparations, fencing projects, greenhouse management, and homemade food. They share personal experiences with their animals, particularly focusing on health concerns and the challenges of caring for them. The conversation shifts to preparations for the holiday season, including discussions about fencing projects and the integration of chickens into the greenhouse. They also explore meal planning for the holidays, including homemade delicacies like hot dogs and spam, highlighting the joys and challenges of homesteading.

Sow the Land: https://www.youtube.com/@SowtheLand

Lumnah Acres: https://www.youtube.com/@LumnahAcres

Hollar Homestead: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHollarHomestead

EP. 76 It's Part of Country Living Dec 06, 2024

Show notes

Jason, Al, and Ben share their Thanksgiving experiences, discussing the various dishes they prepared and enjoyed. They reflect on the evolution of Black Friday shopping, reminiscing about camping out for deals in the past. The conversation shifts to livestock management as they discuss winter preparations for their animals. Finally, they delve into the topic of beaver encounters on Al's property, sharing trapping techniques and the surprising uses of beaver glands in food products. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various aspects of homesteading, including the ethics of eating game animals, the challenges of wildlife management, and the processes involved in skinning and tanning hides. They also touch on winter preparations for chickens, the impact of seasonal darkness, and practical issues like fridge troubles due to power outages. The conversation concludes with insights into building a high tunnel for gardening, showcasing the multifaceted nature of homesteading life. In this engaging conversation, the hosts discuss a variety of topics ranging from affordable eyewear solutions to hunting experiences, innovative cooking techniques, and the craftsmanship involved in tanning hides.

Sow the Land: https://www.youtube.com/@SowtheLand

Lumnah Acres: https://www.youtube.com/@LumnahAcres

Hollar Homestead: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHollarHomestead

EP. 75 Thanksgiving Traditions or NOT Nov 29, 2024

Show notes

Jason, Al, and Ben share their Thanksgiving traditions, culinary adventures, and the challenges of cooking a whole pig for Friendsgiving. They discuss their experiences with family gatherings, the joys of cooking, and the lessons learned from their homesteading lifestyle. The conversation also touches on their recent trip to a Renaissance Fair and the challenges faced with equipment maintenance, particularly with Bobcat machinery. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various aspects of their farming and homesteading experiences, including challenges with equipment, the features of a new excavator, cattle management, egg production, and the process of butchering pigs. They also share their experiences at a Renaissance Fair, highlighting the community and family traditions that shape their lives.

Sow the Land: https://www.youtube.com/@SowtheLand

Lumnah Acres: https://www.youtube.com/@LumnahAcres

Hollar Homestead: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHollarHomestead

Ep. 74 It's butchering season, not holiday season Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

Jason, Al, and Ben discuss the seasonal changes in their homesteading activities, focusing on butchering workshops, the quality of pork, DIY projects, and the challenges of content creation during the winter months. They reflect on their experiences with community engagement through workshops, the importance of maintaining a clean and organized workspace, and the balance between work and personal time as the year comes to a close. The conversation also touches on future aspirations and the desire for breaks amidst the busy homesteading lifestyle. In this episode, the hosts share their experiences from a busy week on the homestead, including butchering animals, introducing new feeder pigs, processing a deer, and building infrastructure for their farm. They discuss the challenges and joys of homesteading, animal husbandry, and the interactions with wildlife, all while maintaining a light-hearted and humorous tone. In this engaging conversation, the hosts explore various themes including the benefits of pasture feeding for livestock, share movie recommendations, discuss winter outdoor projects.

Sow the Land: https://www.youtube.com/@SowtheLand

Lumnah Acres: https://www.youtube.com/@LumnahAcres

Hollar Homestead: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHollarHomestead

Ep. 73 Impact of Upcoming Changes on Farm Food Nov 15, 2024

Show notes

Jason, Al, and Ben discuss their recent activities in homesteading, including weather conditions, pig farming experiments, and butchering classes. Ben shares insights from his pig butchering class, highlighting the camaraderie among participants and the challenges of teaching. Al recounts his experience butchering turkeys and pouring concrete for a cattle chute, emphasizing the importance of proper techniques and weather considerations. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various topics ranging from building structures for livestock, wildlife encounters, holiday preparations, and personal experiences with Christmas traditions. They share insights on DIY projects, community feedback on their work, and the challenges of managing home projects while engaging with their audience. In this conversation, the hosts discuss various aspects of farming, including the challenges of content creation related to farming videos, the impact of political changes on small-scale farming, and the future of local economies in agriculture. They share personal experiences and insights on navigating social media, the importance of small farms, and the potential for legislative changes to support local farmers.

Sow the Land: https://www.youtube.com/@SowtheLand

Lumnah Acres: https://www.youtube.com/@LumnahAcres

Hollar Homestead: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHollarHomestead

Ep. 72 This Week on the Homestead with Al, Ben and Jason Nov 08, 2024

Show notes

Jason, Al, and Ben discuss various topics related to homesteading, including upcoming workshops, a bizarre discovery of a dead moose in Al's pond, the confirmation of a pregnant cow, and the ongoing development of infrastructure for cattle. Jason shares his experiences with tree service work and processing pork, highlighting the challenges and rewards of homesteading life. In this conversation, the hosts discuss their experiences with butchering animals, the emotional challenges of farming, and the impact of content creation on their lives. They share insights from consultations with experts, the difficulties of home improvement projects, and the unexpected challenges that arise in their weekly farming adventures.

Ep. 71 Fences, Lard and Chainsaws Nov 01, 2024

Show notes

Jason, Al, and Ben discuss their favorite movies, delve into Al's recent fencing project, and share experiences about the changing weather as winter approaches. They explore the challenges of working on a homestead, including dealing with rocky soil and the importance of planning for seasonal changes. The conversation highlights the balance between family life, homesteading tasks, and the impact of weather on their projects. In this conversation, the hosts discuss various aspects of farming, including breeding timelines for pigs and cows, the challenges of managing livestock during cold weather, and the implications of artificial insemination in cattle breeding. They also share experiences from a recent viral social media moment and a successful pig processing workshop, reflecting on the outcomes and lessons learned from their farming practices.

Sow the Land: https://www.youtube.com/@SowtheLand

Lumnah Acres: https://www.youtube.com/@LumnahAcres

Hollar Homestead: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHollarHomestead

Ep. 70 Will Helene Get More People into Homesteading Oct 25, 2024

Show notes

Jason, Al, and Ben share their experiences from the past week, including breakfast routines, busy homesteading activities, and a successful butchering class. They discuss community engagement, unexpected opportunities with chickens, and challenges faced with basement mold. They also explore heating solutions for the upcoming winter and reflect on community preparedness in light of recent events. The discussion highlights the importance of self-sufficiency and the mindset of homesteading, emphasizing the need for backup plans and resources.
Sow the Land: https://www.youtube.com/@SowtheLand

Lumnah Acres: https://www.youtube.com/@LumnahAcres

Hollar Homestead: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHollarHomestead

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