In the quest for self-sufficiency, it is best to start with growing foods that are easy to grow. This builds confidence in the homesteader. When you put simple, tiny seeds in the ground and then harvest lovely greens a few weeks later, you feel like “I can do this!” Not only that, but through little effort, … Read more
I am starting a new series here at The Well Fed Homestead. Every Friday I am going to post photos of our farm from that week. You’ll get to see the progress, and you’ll get to see the reality. I don’t know about you, but I sometimes imagine a picture-perfect farm with rolling green pastures … Read more
Buying a dairy cow for the first time is a big deal! We bought 2 cows from trusted friends (thankfully!). Had we purchased from any stranger off of Craigslist, we might have purchased a dud cow. There are so many things to know about a dairy cow and keep the milk safe! Keeping a dairy … Read more
We just purchased a second Jersey. My husband met the previous owner at the vet, where he had testing done, and where he was able to ask a lot of questions. One particularly big concern in buying a dairy cow is Johne’s Disease (pronounced Yo-nees). It’s a disease that is identical to the human … Read more
I love the things that I learn from all of you on Facebook. If you’re not following, you’ll want to make sure to join in on the conversation! I want to start sharing some of the things that I’ve learned with you right here! This week on Facebook, I asked “Do your kids mow the … Read more
Today is May 4th, and if you’re a Star Wars fan, you won’t be able to get through the day without at least watching 1 movie. Maybe an entire marathon. Ready, set, go! May the 4th be with you! I married a Star Wars fan. He owned a duplex (he lived in half and rented … Read more
So, you want to get a dairy cow, but you have no clue what kind to get. There are some things you need to think about when choosing a cow: do you plan to sell the milk? (Is it legal in your state?) If not, you probably don’t need a cow that produces large quantities … Read more
This is side pork. It looks like bacon, but a little fattier. We had our 3 American Guinea Hogs slaughtered a couple of weeks ago, and asked for nitrate free pork products. This was our first time going to this particular butcher shop, we’ve always gone somewhere else where they did a “salt cure” for … Read more
I started the year with a goal of reading 1 new book every week. Ha! It’s taken me two months to get through The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck. Not that it’s really a difficult book, I’ve just been busy. It is long, but not difficult. It is enjoyable, for the most part (through part of … Read more
We got a cow a month ago. A DAIRY COW, named Violet! I have wanted a dairy cow ever since I can remember. And now we have one! The best part about having a dairy cow? Fresh, raw milk–every single day. And do you know the best thing to do with fresh, raw milk? … Read more