The Happy Homesteader

If you have been reading the other posts in this series, then I hope you have been giving some consideration to the realities of homesteading.  Letting your day dreams wander for a bit away from that perfectly dreamy life on the homestead to situations that you will most definitely encounter can help to prepare you...not scare you.  Remember…

I learned most of what I know from my Great Grandfather, He live right next door and he was always teaching me about gardening, seed starting, and animal raising. But I never really put any of it to use until many years later.

My adventure started in the early 80's when after 10 yrs of marriage I filled for a divorce and became a single mother of 1 collecting workman's comp. I was just barely paying the bills never mind putting food on the table so I decided to start a garden and…

This week's hour long podcast is now live. You can listen/subscribe directly here, or at itunes here.  If you prefer to just hear this week's episode click here to listen now.

In this episode we discuss:…

It pays to know your cows! Today started out like any Friday. Get up, head for the day job, come home. I've been expecting Rowena to calve, so the first order of business is always to go look for her. Today there were other things to do first. While I was putting hay out, I looked up the hill, and there was rowena all by herself. She turned around, and from the looks of her tail at that distance, she'd had her calf. But there was no calf with her. When I finished with the hay, I went looking…

The Food Lawyer

In order to remain profitable, many small farms need to cultivate revenue from every possible source. As public interest in farming and agriculture grows, introducing a bit of agritourism on your farm can be a very profitable source of income. 

Treat a decision to enter the agritourism business like you would treat a decision to  grow a crop or to conduct any other agricultural activity - perform a risk…

This is a guest post and entry in Round 1 of the Farm Dreams writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $300 gift certificate toward any purch

This is a guest post and entry in Round 1 of the Farm Dreams writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize: A $300 gift certificate toward any purchase of…

Wild Wanderings Blog

Hello everyone!

I’m excited to be a part of this new site and vision for the future of our Children and our Planet. I feel honored to be an official blogger on Farm Dreams. Networking with like-minded people is very powerful indeed and I believe this venture was created to bring us all together…(Kudos Dusty:) We like to believe we live in Communities, but honestly most of us don’t really know our neighbors, or want to…for that…

The Practical Prepper

For our family, a big part of preparedness means relying on ourselves and our own resources, and not being dependent on others. Of course, our self-reliance is really measured in our degree of independence. That is, we (like a majority of people) depend on others for some aspects of our day-to-day existence.…

The Happy Homesteader Blog

Last week I offered a challenge to new farm dreamers.  The goal was to help you figure out if you have what it takes to pursue your farmsteading dream by picturing yourself in a dramatic real-life situation.  I wrote about how even modern day homesteaders need a large dose of fortitude to overcome the adversities of living off the land. 

For the modern day homesteader however, we've not only got to be…

I am a prepper. Or at least that is how I have began to think of myself. I am not as far into it as I would like and I am still learning new skills and how to help my family. I am writing this blog mostly for myself but if anyone finds any of this helpful, then I am glad. I am also more than happy to take comments, advice and criticism. 

With that being said, my husband and I have really only started to focus on prepping and expanding our knowledge and pointing our group in the right…

I am still within my first year of homesteading but I am of the opinion, if you're going to do it, jump in with both feet!  A friend of mine mentioned in passing that she was going to process some turkeys after the holidays had passed and I immediately offered to help.  And knowing how much work she had ahead of her…

This week's hour long podcast is now live. You can listen/subscribe directly here, or at itunes here.  If you prefer just…

This is a guest post and entry in Round 1 of the Farm Dreams writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $300 gift certificate toward any purch

This is a guest post and entry in Round 1 of the Farm Dreams writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize: A $300 gift certificate toward any purchase of…

The Food Lawyer

A recurring theme of mine is the agricultural exceptionalism that pervades the legal system. There is an idea that laws should treat farmers differently than other people, and they certainly are. Us law geeks talk about what justifies this separate treatment - the farmers’ reputation for integrity, their political good-will, the vital necessity of a stable food system - but none of us can really agree. We just know…

This is a guest post and entry in Round 1 of the Farm Dreams writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A $300 gift certificate toward any purch

This is a guest post and entry in Round 1 of the Farm Dreams writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize: A $300 gift certificate toward any purchase of…

The Practical Prepper

Along with the basics of storing …

The Happy Homesteader Blog

When we dream of the country most of us envision something like walking barefoot through a field of lush green grass as the wind kisses our faces and the animals bask in the sun.  Everything is bliss!  Well, while I actually have done this and felt this on more than one occasion, there are many other sides to country living that you must also deal with in order to realize the bliss that is possible.  I think…

I am a Professional Health Coach and local Herbalist for my community -- when I am at home (more on that later).

I learned my Health Coaching skills through Health Coach Training, Inc. My certification credentials will be complete in the fall of 2012.

I began my herbal studies in July 1993 and completed formal studies at Clayton College of Natural Health where I received my Doctor of Naturopathy degree. I am a member in good standing in the American Herbalists Guild.

My…