2023 has been a season of change on our homestead.  Some of that has been planned.  So of it, not so much.  On this final episode of season 4, I share with you some of those changes and some lessons I've learned.  I also share with you my vision for season 5. Until next time, keep up the good work!! Brian Support the...

In this final episode Bonnie joins me on one last episode in our series on Empty Nest Homesteading .  We expected this transition to be far more traumatic than it has been.  While we understand that everyone's journey is different, on this episode we share 11 Reasons why we think we've been able to make this transition so smoothly . Enjoy!! Brian Support the...

This week I spent a lot of time reading the policy manuals of the Farm Bureau and the NY Farm Bureau.  As I did, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about how homesteading and farming are the same.  And how they are different.  On this episode, I share my thoughts on that as well as why I think homesteading is crucial to solving the issue of aging farmers. Enjoy!! Brian Support the...

Back in May at the Southern Adirondack Homesteading Festival, I was introduced to Natalie, the manager of our local region for the NY Farm Bureau.  We became friends.  She has been trying to convince me to join the organization, but I wasn't convinced that it would be a good fit.  While their mission is advocacy and education relating to agricultural issues, I didn't think they would care about the issues and concerns that homesteaders face.  As I shared some of those concerns with Natalie,...

This past weekend, I had the privilege of helping Jack Pollner put on the Fall Gathering of the Homesteaders of New England.  What a great time!!! On this episode I share with you about the event, including 6 lessons I've (re)learned by attending the event.  Enjoy!! Brian Support the...

This year my garden has sucked.  Worst. Garden. Ever.  It's been one of those gardening seasons that could make you want to quit gardening.  Forever. But, instead, I'm trying to learn some lessons.  Some lessons that I hope will help me be successful in years to come. Hopefully it will inspire you to keep gardening even if things haven't gone well for you either. Enjoy!! Brian Support the...

On today's episode we jump back to May's Southern Adirondack Homesteading Festival and the talk I gave called "What Is Homesteading". Enjoy!! Brian Support the...

On this episode, we take a deep dive into steam canning.  I talk about it's history, the journey to "approval" and when it should be used. I also talk about the VKP Multi-Use Steam Canner that we just purchased.  I've put it through its paces; as a steam canner, a hot water bath canner and a stock pot.  Do I recommend it?  Listen and find out!! VKP Multi-Use Steam Canner VKP Dome Style Steam Canner Keep up the good work!! Brian Support the...

This week, we sent our last remaining American Guinea Hogs off to their new home in Michigan .  It is a bittersweet day for us.  And while a lot of thought went into making this decision, it is very easy to second guess "quitting" something.  And, so on this episode I remind you (and myself) that it is ok to quit things.  In fact, sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is to move onto something else.   On this episode, I discuss 5 reasons why we might want to quit things: 1. You...

On this episode, I am joined once again by Amy Dingmann from A Farmish Kind of Life as we talk about "lifesteading" and her journey so far into being an empty nester. Enjoy!! Brian Support the...

On this episode we look at 3 questions we are asking ourselves to try to help right-size our homestead as we head in the direction of being empty nest homesteaders. 1.  What does your child contribute? 2.  What does your child consume? 3. What does you need/want from your homestead? Enjoy!! Brian Support the...

This year has been an emotional rollercoaster for all of us.  At times we have felt excitement, pride, sadness, anticipation, nostalgia, happiness and relief.  And sometimes we have felt them all at the same time.  On this episode I am joined once again by Bonnie as we discuss those emotions and how we have survived (and are continuing to survive) this emotional rollercoaster as we hurtle towards becoming empty nest homesteaders.   Enjoy!! Brian Support the...

As I have been anticipating 3B Farm becoming 2B Farm as Brian Jr. heads off to college, it's left me with a bit of an identity crisis.  For the last 18+ years of my life, my primary focus has been on trying to be a present dad.  Now, my role as dad is about to change.  And, while I'm excited about that, it also leaves me contemplating my purpose.  And so, on this episode, I share with you 5 ways that I am trying to rediscover purpose in my life.  Hopefully, this will be helpful for other who...

On this episode, we begin our series on homesteading as empty nesters.  Bonnie and I are in the midst of that transition right now.  This past week was Brian J's last week of school.  And in a few months, he'll be headed off to college.   And our lives will change drastically.  Our homestead will change dramatically.   And so as we work through all of that, we want to share with you some of the lessons we have learned and are learning to help those who will be making similar transitions in...

The day after I released Episode 156, (Be A Helpful Homesteader), I ran across a Facebook post that got me to thinking about the topic in a slightly different manner.  Yes, sometimes people are harsh when replying to people's questions or problems.  We've all seen that. But, I think we've also seen people get upset and offended because someone dared tell them the truth.  And sometimes, well, the truth hurts.  And so on this episode I talk about the importance of being teachable.  Even when it...

While scrolling through some of the Facebook homesteading groups, I saw over and over again people starting their post by saying, "Please be kind" or "Please don't judge me".  It's sad to me that people feel the need to start out their post that way.   And so, today's episode is really all about being kind, remember that we too, at one point didn't know the things, and that it really isn't hard to be kind to others.  (And when all else fails, we can just scroll on by!!) Enjoy!! Brian Support...

This week, I ran across the story of Paul Strobel, a farmer in Western NY who had a run-in with some animal rights activists that left him shaken and worried that they might try to steal his livestock. His story reminded me of a farmer near me several years ago name Joshua Rockwood who did have his animals taken under the guise of animal rights.  He was able to fight and get his animals returned to him. On this episode, we talk about how we as homesteaders should be vigilant and how we can...

This time of the year, I see many people asking questions similar to this:  I'm in zone xyz, is it too soon to plant beans outside?  On this episode we talk about what USDA hardiness zones or growing zones are and why I don't think they matter at all to "regular" vegetable gardens.  We talk about instead why instead last and first average frost dates, the length between those dates (known as the growing season) and ambient air and soil temperatures are FAR better indicators as to when you...

On this final episode in our series on the Mediterranean Diet, I am once again joined by Bonnie as we talk about the pros/cons of the Mediterranean WOE.   Enjoy!! Brian Support the...

Last week, we visited my brother Eric in Alaska.  He made arrangements for us to visit the homestead of some friends of his from church.  On this episode I talk about that visit and what I learned.  Am I inspired to move to Alaska?  Listen, and find out.   Enjoy!!  Brian Support the...

Perhaps the biggest impact the Mediterranean Diet has had on how we homestead is on the animals we are raising for meat.  On this episode we dive into what those changes are.   Enjoy!! Brian Support the...

On this episode we talk about gardening Mediterranean style?  Are there things you MUST grow while on the Mediterranean diet?  Are there things you shouldn't grow?  How is following this diet, impacting how we garden this year? The answers might surprise you!!! Enjoy!!  Brian Ingredient Insiders: Where Chefs TalkInside the minds of the world’s top chefs and how they source their ingredients.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Support the...

For awhile, I really struggled with whether or not we could follow the Mediterranean Diet and still be homesteaders.  After all, we don't live in the Mediterranean.  And there are a lot of common ingredients to the Mediterranean Diet, that we cannot grow here in upstate NY.  A. We can't produce olive oil B. We are 100s of miles away from the ocean and fresh seafood C. We can't grow citrus, artichokes, olives, capers, figs and pomegranates, all things found in many Mediterranean diet...

On this episode, Bonnie joins me once again as we dive into what the Mediterranean Diet is and why we have chosen to adopt it.  We talk about what we've found easy.  And what we've found challenging.  I also give Bonnie a pop geography quiz and she tries to give me directions to the Mediterranean region using fence posts???!!!   Enjoy! Brian Ingredient Insiders: Where Chefs TalkInside the minds of the world’s top chefs and how they source their ingredients.Listen on: Apple Podcasts  ...