Join me for today’s Pioneering Today Podcast as I catch you up on all the happenings around here, including some of the decision-making processes we go through to determine the livestock we'll raise each year and whether or not we’re raising pigs again. I’m also sharing some fun updates on the Norris Farmstead and ways you can get involved with either a Farm Stay, or some in-person workshops this year. For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit: melissaknorris.com/392.

Join me for today’s podcast with guest Joel Salatin as we discuss mRNA in livestock and how that translates into our food supply. Learn how “organic” doesn’t mean you’re safe from vaccines in your food. Plus hear Joels top two tips for how we can take an active role in raising our own livestock, or sourcing from local farmers using his motto, “Know your farmer, know your food.” For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit: melissaknorris.com/391.

In today’s podcast, my guest Katie Millhorn from Millhorn Farmstead in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is sharing her knowledge of A2 raw milk and it’s healing and transformative power. She’s seen first hand the healing it can have on a person with an autoimmune disease, and now owns and operates one of the largest raw milk dairy farms in Idaho with her family. She’s also my partner for the Modern Homesteading Conference that will be held in North Idaho this year (June/July 2023). Get tickets here...

In today’s podcast, my guest Stephanie Haglund from The Rancher’s Homestead and I are discussing the various ways to consume beef liver and mask the taste to reap the amazing health and nutritional benefits. Both Stephanie and I had to learn the hard way from eating a standard American diet which led to severe health issues. It’s our hope to share our stories so you don’t have to learn the hard way. Come learn all about this nutrient-dense superfood and what it can do for you and your health....

One of the most commonly asked questions I get is how does someone start homesteading. I get this question from people who already have their forever homestead, and from people who don’t yet have that property. Truth be told, there’s a LOT you can be doing to prepare yourself for this modern homesteading lifestyle right now, no matter where you live. From an apartment in the city, to 40 acres on a homestead, there are skills you can be learning and mastering that will bring you in to this...

Homeschooling, though once a very unconventional method of schooling, has seen a comeback in the past few years. Join me in today’s podcast episode with Kody Hanner, from The Homestead Education, where we discuss the various methods of schooling our children. We’ll look at the differences of public school vs. homeschool and why no two homeschools look the same. And we’ll also discuss Kody’s curriculum that she’s written for homeschooling and non-homeschooling families alike. For more...

Have you ever heard of a “survival garden?” For some, this term evokes fear and a sense of doom and gloom… but in reality, survival gardens are simply what the majority of people grew in the backyard just a few generations ago. So what is a survival garden? What crops should be planted in one, and how do we start one ourselves? If you’ve asked yourself any of these questions, then this podcast episode is for you. For more information and any links mentioned in this episode, visit:...

If you've ever wanted to grow heirloom apple varieties in an apple orchard or even learn how to graft your own apple trees on your homestead, this podcast episode is for you! Join me with Nikki Conley from Athol Orchards Antique Apple Farm as she shares about the unique history of apple varieties in America. From heirloom varieties to feral and domesticated apples, we’re diving in deep. I’m also excited to announce that Nikki will be a speaker at the first annual Modern Homesteading...

Have you wondered what natural cheese making is and how it differs from making cheese with store-bought cultures? Have you ever heard of “clabber”? And have you ever thought cheese-making to be similar to making sourdough bread? Join me in this podcast with Robyn Jackson from Cheese From Scratch as she shares her years of knowledge with us on making cheese naturally, from scratch, without store-bought cultures. For more information, where you can find Robyn, and any links mentioned in this...

Today’s podcast is another live coaching call with Michelle, a member of the Pioneering Today Academy. When planning to put in a fruit or berry orchard, there are some tips you'll want to know about ahead of time. Join me on this live coaching call as we discuss how to move forward planning a fruit tree and berry bush orchard as well as how to keep the fruit safe from pests. Also, the doors are currently open for the Pioneering Today Academy so jump on over and join us (if you missed the...

Today’s podcast is another live coaching call with Maddie, a member of the Pioneering Today Academy. We’re discussing how to plan which herbs to grow in a medicinal herb garden as well as the properties of different herbs that match her needs. If you'd like access to the academy to learn to grow your own herbs & safely create a natural medicine cabinet from custom blended teas, tinctures, herbal salves & soaps, be sure to sign up for the Pioneering Today Academy waitlist so you're...

Though not all of us are homesteading with special needs children, it's likely that many of us know someone who is. In this podcast, my good friend Rachel is sharing her tips on raising a special needs child on the homestead. If you're a parent with a newly diagnosed child with special needs it can be hard to know exactly where to start. How to talk to family and friends about your child and how to express their needs. For any links mentioned in this episode, be sure to check out the blog...

You may be wondering how baking consistently good bread and land sabbaths come together into one episode of a podcast. That's the beauty of a live coaching call! Today I’m interviewing Britnay, a member of the Pioneering Today Academy. We’re diving into the science behind land sabbaths, as well as troubleshooting the issues she’s been having while baking homemade bread. For any links and additional information, be sure to check out the blog post here: melissaknorris.com/380

Learn to grow your best garden ever with these nine simple steps for growing an abundance of food. If you’re new to gardening, or just need to take your gardening skills and knowledge to the next level, this podcast is for you. Be sure to check out the corresponding blog post for additional tips and links to everything mentioned in this podcast at melissaknorris.com/379. Also be sure to check out my Backyard Gardening Systems course here.   

Today’s podcast is a live coaching call with Pioneering Today Academy member, Joan. Joan is fairly new to raising a flock of 12 backyard egg-laying chickens. She’s looking for tips on how to protect her flock from “bully” chickens. What she can grow in the garden to help supplement her chickens feed and improve their health. As well as whether or not chickens can be raised indoors (due to some changing ordinances in her neighborhood). For answers to all these questions, as well as the show...

Today’s podcast is a live coaching call with Pioneering Today Academy member, Briana-Jo, and we’re discussing real-life problems she’s facing on her homestead. Briana-Jo works a full-time job (commuting 30 miles each way), lives on 1.3 acres with much of the land shaded or wooded, and a long to-do list of projects. We’ll be discussing ways to utilize imperfect land and how to prioritize projects. For the show notes and any links mentioned in today’s podcast visit https://melissaknorris.com/377.

If you want to cook from scratch and eliminate (or reduce) the amount of processed or fast foods in your home, these time saving tips are for you. These are the same tips I’ve used for years to eat real food without being chained to the stove or feeling like all I do is cook. If you need help getting real food on the table without a ton of extra time, then you, my friend, are in the right place. For the show notes and any links mentioned in today’s podcast: https://melissaknorris.com/376.

When we sit down and start to plan out our year, it can be very easy to quickly get overwhelmed and feel like there's no way we'll be able to get everything done. But that's usually because we haven't made a plan! Sure it would be great if there were an “easy button,” but too often we confuse “simple” for “easy”. And though this homesteading lifestyle allows for more simplicity, it’s anything but easy. For the show notes and any links mentioned in today’s podcast: https://melissaknorris.com/375.

This might be the hardest podcast I've had to record. As many of you already know, we lost our dairy cow Clover after she delivered a beautiful bull calf (who we named Rebel). We still aren't certain of the cause of Clover's death, but the vet gave us some ideas. Though it doesn't make this homesteading life any easier, it's been nice to know I'm not alone in this journey. If you want to hear Clover's birth story and the events that transpired the last week of her life, then come listen to...

Could you (or would you) go without the internet for an ENTIRE year? Rory Feek encourages us to look deeper at finding those connections with the faith, family and friends in our lives. If you were fortunate enough to be at the Homestead Festival last year, you know just how special these events can be. Connecting with homesteaders, making friends, learning new skills, and being inspired by like-minded people is incredible. It's for this reason that Rory took on a one-year challenge where...

Welcome to part four of my four part series where I’m answering YOUR questions! This week it’s ask me anything! I’m answering all the remaining questions from my Instagram poll. I’m covering topics from how to get started homesteading, how to homestead while working a full-time job and raising children, what my favorite and least favorite homestead chores are, and what my favorite podcasts are! For all of the show notes and links, visit my website at https://melissaknorris.com/372.

Welcome to part three of my four part series where I’m answering YOUR questions! This week it’s all about preserving! From dehydrating, pressure canning, steam canning, and water bath canning, I’m covering all of your questions. I’ve even got some bonus sourdough tips on how to know if your starter has gone bad! For all of the show notes and links, visit my website at https://melissaknorris.com/371.

A few weeks ago I took to social media and told you to ask me anything! This is the second of a four-part series where I’ll be breaking those questions up into categories and answering your questions! Today’s topic is all about livestock, more specifically, milk cows and chickens. From how to protect your flock, how Clover our milk cow is doing, and how I use up all our extra raw milk. For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/370.

A few weeks ago I took to social media and told you to ask me anything! This is the first of a three or four part series where I’ll be breaking those questions up into categories and answering your questions! Today’s topic is all about gardening. We’re talking about using greenhouses and high-tunnels, over-wintering herbs and strawberries, getting started with the easiest crops to grow and more. For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/369.