Stay ConnectedWelcome to the OFFICIAL Homesteaders of America podcast! A podcast all about homesteading, gardening, livestock, natural living, and the celebration of this beautiful homesteading lifestyle. We talk about current events, inspiration, the Homesteaders of America conference, the homestead life, and more!
Enjoy interviews with some of the nation’s top farmers and homesteaders, newbies and experienced homesteaders, and tips and tricks along the way.
Copyright: © Homesteaders of America
We get a lot of questions about what it looks like to involve your kids in your homestead. As a mother of seven and multigenerational homesteader, RuthAnn does this really well. Join us as we discuss age-appropriate responsibilities for children, having realistic expectations for your season of parenting, the gift of boredom for our children, and more!
In this episode, we cover:
Prioritizing tasks in a busy household
How to implement chores in your family for the first time
Involving children in chores according to their age and ability
How motherhood changes over time as we grow and our children grow
The vital role of mothers as the hub of the family
Why it is important to bring our children along as we work through our daily tasks
A case for letting kids be bored
Heartfelt advice for the new homesteader on social media
Accomplishing your homesteading goals even if you are not a planner
The importance of sharing the homestead vision with your children
Thank you to our sponsor!
Premier 1 Supplies is your one-stop shop for all things homesteading! Visit Premier1Supplies.com to browse their catalog.
View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
ABOUT RUTHANN
RuthAnn and her family live in northeast Iowa. She and her husband, Elvin, have seven children and one son-in-law. Five of the children still live at home. RuthAnn and her husband have been homesteading on their 21-acre homestead since 2001. They seek to preserve the self-sufficient lifestyle of their Mennonite heritage for the next generation by involving their children in every aspect of the homestead. From raising and harvesting the meat they consume, gardening and preserving to fill the family's larder, processing the dairy from the family milk cow plus the many other skills that develop the character and integrity of a family that desires to bring glory and honor to their Heavenly Father.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
RuthAnn’s Old Fashioned Approach to Childhood Chores eBook
Homestead Tsunami by Joel Salatin
CONNECT
RuthAnn Zimmerman | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Email List
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest
Join us at the Homesteaders of America Conference in October 2023!
We fondly refer to Joel as the grandfather of the homesteading community. With decades of experience in the farming and homesteading world, he brings incredible insight to this discussion of the current state of homesteading. Joel’s upcoming book, Homestead Tsunami, serves as a source of inspiration and aspiration for those who desire to articulate a solid “why” behind their decision to live a homesteading lifestyle. No matter where you are on the homesteading spectrum, may you find encouragement that this way of life is worth it.
In this episode, we cover:
Why are so many people flocking toward homesteading right now?
Rejecting fear-based motivations and moving forward in faith
A picture of homesteading in Israel
How homesteading is like building an ark
Raising hard working children of integrity in our current culture
The power of disconnecting from manmade things and connecting to God’s creation
Exploring what is behind the urban vs. rural mindset
How to ignite meaningful change in our current climate
View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
About Joel’s upcoming book: Homestead Tsunami
Polyface Micro by Joel Salatin
The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher
Crunchy Cons by Rod Dreher
CONNECT
Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms | Website | Instagram | Facebook
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest
Join us at the Homesteaders of America Conference in October 2023!
Ann has been homesteading for nearly a decade now, and she places a particular emphasis on growing as much of her family’s food as possible. In fact, she estimates that they produce around 80% of their own food on their Tennessee homestead.
In our conversation, we discuss what it looks like to plan and grow a year’s worth of food for your family. We talk about adapting to your climate, evaluating your family’s unique needs, optimizing the harvest, and more. Grab your garden planner and pen, and join us for this episode!
In this episode, we cover:
View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
A Farm Girl’s Guide to Preserving the Harvest by Ann Accetta-Scott
The Homestead Journal Planner by Homesteaders of America
CONNECT
Ann Accetta-Scott of A Farm Girl in the Making | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Podcast | Facebook | Pinterest
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest
Join us at the Homesteaders of America Conference in October 2023!
With springtime fast approaching, homesteaders and backyard chicken keepers are planning ahead for their next round of chicks. In this conversation with Tom of Murray McMurray Hatchery, we discuss everything a brand new chicken owner needs to know to get started. Tom also shares about some of the rare breeds being raised at McMurray; you don’t want to miss it!
In this episode, we cover:
View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
ABOUT TOM
Tom Watkins is the President and co-owner of Murray McMurray Hatchery in Webster City, Iowa. Tom and his father-in-law, Bud Wood, are building on the company’s 105-year-old legacy of hatching the highest quality baby poultry in the U.S. Tom manages day-to-day operations of the hatchery which offers more than 120 varieties of chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and many other types of poultry and fowl. Tom, his wife Ashley, and their four children have a 5-acre homestead in central Iowa where they raised and keep their own flock of chickens, turkeys, pigs, and Scottish Highland cattle.
CONNECT
Tom Watkins of Murray McMurray Hatchery | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest
Join us at the Homesteaders of America Conference in October 2023!
It is the time of year when gardeners get the itch to start seeds. Depending on your zone, you may have already begun the process of sprouting seeds for your future garden. Whether you are already watching tiny sprouts emerge or you have many weeks left to wait, you will love this conversation with Paul Hutcheson, owner of Windmill Heights Garden Center. He breaks down how to achieve the perfect timing in starting seeds and transplanting, how to pursue ideal conditions, plus some incredible advice for new gardeners. Join us for this rich conversation as we look forward to spring and summer gardening.
In this episode, we cover:
View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
The story of Windmill Heights Garden Center with Paul and Mason
CONNECT
Paul Hutcheson | Website | Instagram | Facebook
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest
Join us at the Homesteaders of America Conference in October 2023!
Now that we have discussed how to choose a family milk cow, we are diving into how to keep your cow healthy the natural way. If approaching natural livestock care seems overwhelming to you, you will definitely want to join us for this episode because Joshua does an amazing job of explaining his holistic approach in simple terms. We address the most common fears cow owners have: mastitis, parasites, antibiotics, supporting the overall immune system, and more. As a farmer raising grass-fed A2A2 dairy cows in a holistic way, Joshua is a wealth of knowledge on raising the healthiest cows possible.
In this episode, we cover:
View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
ABOUT JOSHUA
Joshua Fuhrmann is a dairy farmer in Virginia raising a grass-fed A2A2 herd. Joshua loves cows and God's design for farming. Joshua offers phone consultations if you are interested in more information from him. You can also email or call the farm to get in touch with his family and learn more about farming and natural living. Visit www.ourfathersfarmva.com to learn more.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Selenium 90 from New Country Organics
Check out Kim Fuhrmann’s book Journey Back to Health
CONNECT
Joshua Fuhrmann | Website
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest
Join us at the Homesteaders of America Conference in October 2023!
The family milk cow is quickly becoming the new backyard flock of chickens. More and more people are realizing the amazing benefits of adding a dairy cow to their homestead.
This month on the podcast, we are focusing on all things dairy cow. Shawn and Beth Dougherty are the perfect couple to lend their voice to this conversation as they have over four decades of experience farming and perfecting the art of grass conversion through dairy ruminants.
If you are considering adding a family milk cow to your homestead or are new to the world of home dairy, this discussion is for you. We dive into the most commonly asked questions when it comes to getting started with dairy cows: breed, acreage, feed, health, and more. If a dairy cow is in your future, start here!
In this episode, we cover:
View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
The Independent Farmstead by Shawn & Beth Dougherty
Independent Farmstead Field Guides to Inputs-Free Farming and Homesteading by Shawn & Beth Dougherty
How to Raise a Dairy Cow on Pasture by Beth Dougherty
CONNECT
Shawn & Beth Dougherty | Website | The Healing Land Conference
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest
Join us at the Homesteaders of America Conference in October 2023!
In this episode, we get in-depth about the recent Amos Miller federal case, what food freedom and choice SHOULD look like, and how we can fight back against unconstitutional laws and mandates when it comes to food from the farm and our neighbor.
Visit us online at https://www.homesteadersofamerica.com
Homesteading health is important! Healthcare and health freedom is even more important. Listen as Dr. Theron Hutton, MD of Mulberry Clinic in Spring Hill, TN gives us a breakdown of his life, business, and beliefs. And learn why it's important to question the current healthcare narrative!
Visit us online at https://www.homesteadersofamerica.com
As you begin looking for homestead land, there are a few things you should consider before purchasing. One of the biggest things is saving up enough cash to purchase your land outright. In this episode, we alway quickly go over the reality of competition in land ownership with foreign countries here in the United States, which affects the farm community and homesteaders more than you may realize.
• • Check us out online at homesteadersofamerica.com
• • Read more about foreign land ownership here:
https://thefewellhomestead.com/american-farmers-homesteaders-competing-with-foreign-land-ownership/
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
