Pioneering Today Podcast - Homesteading in a Modern World

Latest Episodes:

The Real Reason People Are Turning to Homesteading | Episode 513 Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

Why are so many people being drawn to homesteading right now?

In today's episode, I'm sharing a more personal reflection on what I've witnessed during my 15+ years teaching homesteading and traditional skills. While many people initially come to homesteading for healthier food, self-sufficiency, or preparedness, I've noticed something deeper happening beneath the surface.

Again and again, people tell me they feel called by God to this lifestyle.

In this episode, I share my own story of how God called me into teaching traditional skills, why I believe more people are returning to gardening, food preservation, and self-reliance, and how stewardship, community, and faith all play a role in the modern homesteading movement.

In this episode, we'll discuss:

• Why homesteading continues to grow • The deeper reasons people are drawn to traditional skills • Stewardship, preparedness, and biblical wisdom • Why community matters more than isolation • The story behind our local Cowboy Church • How faith and homesteading often intersect • Upcoming events and opportunities to gather together

Whether you're new to homesteading or have been living this lifestyle for years, I hope this conversation encourages you to thoughtfully consider what is drawing you to these skills and how they can serve your family, community, and faith.

Resources & Links:

🌱 Modern Homesteading Conference: https://modernhomesteading.com 🌱 Heritage Revival Women's Conference: https://heritagerevivalevents.com 🌱 How my mom fed our family on $100 a month podcast episode: https://melissaknorris.com/504 🌱 Grab all the details and any other links mentioned in the blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/513

Verse of the Week: 2 Timothy 1:9

The Crops I Stopped Growing After 25 Years of Gardening | Episode 512 May 29, 2026

Show notes

What are the best crops for a Pacific Northwest vegetable garden?

In today's episode, I'm sharing the crops and varieties that have truly earned their place in my Pacific Northwest vegetable garden after 26 years of gardening in a cool, short-season climate.

Over the years, I've become much more intentional about what I grow. I want crops that reliably produce, preserve well, and are foods we actually eat throughout the year. Some vegetables continue to thrive season after season, while others simply aren't worth the time, effort, or garden space in our northern climate.

In this episode, I'm walking you through:

The vegetables I plant every single year
My favorite tried-and-true varieties
The crops I've stopped growing and why
What performs best in cool summer climates
How I decide what deserves space in my garden
My rule for experimenting with new varieties

Whether you garden in the Pacific Northwest or another northern growing region, I hope this helps you feel more confident choosing crops that will actually thrive where you live.

Resources & Links:

🌱 Full blog post: https://melissaknorris.com/512
🌱 Plated by Season Magazine: https://melissaknorris.com/homestead-foundations/
🌱 Potato experiment video mentioned in this episode: https://melissaknorris.com/i-left-my-potatoes-in-the-ground-for-5-years-without-replanting/
Verse of the Week: John 4:10

How I Plan a Year's Worth of Preserving Without Getting Overwhelmed | Episode 511 May 22, 2026

Show notes

Every spring, I sit down and plan out our entire food preservation year so harvest season doesn't completely take over my life. After more than 25 years of preserving food, I've learned that the key isn't preserving everything… It's preserving the foods we actually eat in ways that work for our schedule and lifestyle.

In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly how I plan our preserving season, how I avoid overwhelm during peak harvest months, and the practical system I use to decide what's worth preserving and what's not.

If you've ever found yourself drowning in tomatoes in August, staring at jars you never use, or feeling burned out by canning season, this episode is for you. 💛

In This Episode

🍅 Why reactive preserving leads to stress and waste 🫙 How I do a pantry inventory every spring 📓 Why writing down your preserving goals matters 🥒 The foods I preserve most for our family 🌱 How our family's eating habits have changed over the years 🗓️ How I map out preserving season month-by-month ⏰ My "small pocket" method for preserving with a busy schedule 🫐 Which foods freeze beautifully before preserving 🥬 How I decide the best preservation method for each crop 👩‍🌾 Why preserving with community makes everything easier

Resources Mentioned

📘 Grab the bundle from this week's podcast sponsor, Homestead Living. It includes my book, Everything Worth Preserving, Jill Winger's Old Fashioned On Purpose Planner and Carolyn Thomases book, Freeze Drying the Harvest, all for just $89.99 (including FREE shipping!): https://homesteadliving.com/seasonal-food-strategy-subscriber-offer-2026/ 🥒 Pickled Asparagus Recipe: https://melissaknorris.com/best-pickled-asparagus-easy-canning-recipe/ 🍅 Fermented Salsa Recipe: https://melissaknorris.com/fermented-salsa/ 🥒 Garlic Dill Pickles Recipe: https://melissaknorris.com/best-homemade-pickles-recipe/ 🥒 Bread and Butter Pickles Recipe: https://melissaknorris.com/pioneering-today-bread-butter-refrigerator-pickle-recipe/ 🌿 Rhubarb Strawberry Jam Recipe: https://melissaknorris.com/pioneering-today-how-to-make-strawberry-rhubarb-jam/ 🥔 Root Cellaring in the Ground Tutorial: https://melissaknorris.com/how-to-harvest-and-store-potatoes/ 🫘 Leather Britches Green Beans Tutorial: https://melissaknorris.com/leather-britches-green-beans/

Scripture Mentioned

📖 Luke 10:5-7 (AMP)

You can grab all the resources and remedies mentioned in this episode here: https://melissaknorris.com/511

Herbs Every Family Should Have Stocked Before Summer Hits | Episode 510 May 15, 2026

Show notes

Summer means more time outside… and more sunburns, bug bites, bee stings, scrapes, and itchy skin. In today's episode, I'm sharing the herbal remedies for summer that I always keep stocked in our home apothecary before we need them.

These are the natural remedies I personally reach for first when it comes to: 🌿 Sunburn relief 🦟 Mosquito bites & itchy skin 🐝 Bee stings & wasp stings 🩹 Cuts, scrapes & wound healing 💜 Bruises & sore tissue

We're talking about practical herbalism you can actually use in everyday life with simple remedies like lavender, aloe vera, plantain, calendula, yarrow, chamomile, arnica, and more.

Thanks to Earthley for sponsoring today's podcast. Grab 10% off your order with coupon code "PIONEER10" (excluding sale items): Earthley.com

RESOURCES MENTIONED: 🌞 Earthley Sun Shield: https://www.earthley.com/products/sun-shield 🦟 Earthley Pest Aside: https://www.earthley.com/products/pest-aside 🩹 Wound Healing Salve: https://melissaknorris.com/homemade-wound-healing-salve-recipe/ 🌿 Lavender Essential Oil (and roller bottles): https://melissaknorris.com/lemon-lavender-peppermint-essential-oils

📖 Verse of the Week: Matthew 13:43

You can grab all the resources and remedies mentioned in this episode here: https://melissaknorris.com/510

If this video helped you, make sure to subscribe and share it with a friend who wants to build a home apothecary and start using homemade herbal remedies.

#HerbalRemedies #NaturalRemedies #HomeApothecary #MelissaKNorris #Herbalism #NaturalFirstAid #Homesteading #HerbalMedicine #SummerHerbs

What Most People Get Wrong About Building a From-Scratch Pantry | Episode 509 May 08, 2026

Show notes

Are you building a pantry that actually feeds your family, or just collecting random jars and bulk foods?

In this episode, I'm sharing how to build a well-stocked pantry that supports everyday meals, long-term food storage, and from-scratch cooking without overwhelm. We're talking about the foundational pantry staples I prioritize first, how to stock foods your family actually eats, and why a practical pantry should serve you now, not just "someday."

I'm also sharing:

The 5 foundational pantry categories I always keep stocked
How to slowly build food storage on a budget
Why pantry rotation matters
The difference between emergency food storage and a working pantry
What to know about storing fats, grains, beans, salt, and preservation basics
Important canning safety reminders for vinegar and dried beans
My best tips for creating real meals from pantry staples

Whether you're just starting your pantry journey or looking to make your food storage more practical, this episode will help you build a pantry that truly works for your family.

Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring today's podcast. For first-time customers, use coupon code "MELISSA15" for 15% off your first order of $100 or more: https://melissaknorris.com/azure-standard/

Resources Mentioned:

If this video helped you, make sure to subscribe and share it with a friend who wants to build a healthier pantry and cook more from scratch.

You can grab all the resources mentioned in this episode here: https://melissaknorris.com/509

If I Were Starting a Medicinal Herb Garden Today, I'd Do This First | Episode 508 Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

If you've ever wanted to start a medicinal herb garden but felt overwhelmed by where to begin, this episode is for you.

In today's podcast, I'm walking you through exactly how I plan a medicinal herb garden in a simple, practical way. We're talking about which herbs to grow first, how to choose ones your family will actually use, and how to begin building a home apothecary without needing a ton of space or experience.

I'm also sharing some of my favorite beginner-friendly herbs like lemon balm, chamomile, calendula, and peppermint, along with how I use them in our daily life for things like calming support, digestion, and first aid.

One of the biggest shifts that helped me gain confidence with herbs was understanding why to use a certain herb, not just following a recipe. That's where herbal energetics comes in, and I've created a free herbal energetics chart to help you get started.

You can grab that free chart and find all the resources mentioned in this episode here: https://melissaknorris.com/508

Whether you're planting your first herb or expanding your garden, I hope this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to take that next step.

Because truly, you don't need to grow everything. You just need to start.

Thanks to the sponsor of today's podcast, Earthley Wellness! Use coupon code "PIONEER10" at checkout for 10% off your order: https://earthley.com/

How Real Food on a Budget Actually Works (What My Mom Taught Me That No One Talks About) | Ep. 507 Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Can you really feed your family on $100 a month?

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the system my mom used to feed our family well on a very small grocery budget and why it still works today. While the 1980's equivalent to $100/month is now around $300-$400/month, we can achieve this today. This isn't about couponing, deprivation, or living on rice and beans. It's about a simple, intentional way of cooking from scratch, buying in season, and preserving food your family actually eats.

After sharing my mom's story, so many of you asked how it actually worked. In this episode, I break down the exact system behind it so you can begin applying it in your own kitchen right now.

We're talking about how to:

Lower your grocery bill without sacrificing quality
Use seasonal food to your advantage
Build a pantry that supports real meals
Avoid waste and make every ingredient count
Start creating a food system that works for your current season of life

I also share what's different today compared to when I was growing up, including time constraints, the loss of generational knowledge, and how to bridge that gap with the tools we have now.

If you've ever felt like feeding your family well on a budget isn't possible, this episode will show you a different way forward.

This is about more than saving money. It's about building a kitchen that nourishes your family, supports your values, and gives you confidence in what's on your table.

Listen now and start building your system today.

For more information and any links mentioned, visit the blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/507

📌 Don't forget: I'm hosting a FREE 5-Day Seasonal Food Preservation Workshop (April 20–24) where I'll walk you step-by-step through building your own customized plan. 👉 Sign up here: https://melissaknorris.com/five

Why Your Food Preservation Isn't Working (And How to Fix It Safely) | Episode 506 Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

If you've ever had a jar not seal, a ferment go questionable, or food spoil before you could use it, this episode is for you.

Food preservation can feel overwhelming, especially with so much conflicting advice out there. In this episode, I'm walking you through the most common mistakes I see with canning, fermenting, dehydrating, and food storage and how to fix them so you can preserve food safely and confidently.

We'll talk about:

The truth about botulism and food safety
Why tested recipes matter
What causes jars to not seal or lose their seal
How to tell the difference between mold and kahm yeast
Simple ways to prevent spoilage when dehydrating and storing food

The goal is not perfection. It's confidence. And once you understand what's actually happening, you'll be able to troubleshoot and preserve food with peace of mind.

For more information and any links mentioned, visit the blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/506

📌 Don't forget: I'm hosting a FREE 5-Day Seasonal Food Preservation Workshop (April 20–24) where I'll walk you step-by-step through building your own customized plan.

👉 Sign up here: https://melissaknorris.com/five

The Food Preservation Mistake That's Keeping Your Pantry Bare (And How to Fix It) | Episode 505 Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever bought canning supplies with the best intentions… only to let them sit unused? Or watched beautiful, homegrown food go to waste because you didn't have the time or plan to preserve it?

In this episode, I'm sharing the real reason most people struggle with food preservation—and it's probably not what you think.

It's not a lack of motivation. It's not a lack of skill. It's a systems problem.

Today, I'm walking you through the mindset shift that will change everything when it comes to preserving food for your family. We'll talk about:

Why reactive preserving leads to overwhelm and failure
The "August ambush" and how to avoid it
How to shift from a grocery store mindset to seasonal living
The simple 3-question system to build a sustainable food preservation plan
How to finally stock your pantry with confidence (without burnout)

If you've ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, this episode will help you move forward with clarity and purpose.

For more information and any links mentioned, visit the blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/505

How My Mom Fed Our Family on $100 a Month (Real Food!) | 504 Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

How did one family eat real, homemade food on just $100 a month?

In this special episode of the Pioneering Today Podcast, I'm joined by my mom as she shares what it was really like feeding our family on a tight grocery budget in the 1980s, plus the simple, from-scratch habits that made it possible.

From cooking everything at home to shopping sales strategically, building a pantry over time, and wasting nothing, these are the exact principles that shaped how I run my kitchen today.

If you're feeling the pressure of rising grocery prices, this episode will show you how to stretch your food budget without sacrificing nutrition or flavor.

In this episode, we cover:

How we lived on about $20-25/week for groceries
The pantry staples that made from-scratch cooking possible
Why convenience foods cost more (in more ways than one)
How to shop sales and stock up the right way
Simple meals we ate growing up (and still love today)
The mindset shift that makes frugal living sustainable

These are timeless, practical strategies you can start using right away in your own kitchen.

👉 Read the accompanying blog post here: https://melissaknorris.com/podcast/how-my-mom-fed-our-family-on-100-a-month/

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