This week we released a new episode of our Podcast. (Download in iTunes)
K and I sat down and talked about this year and what happened.
You may remember last year, when K and I sat to do our yearly update episode…
It was, let’s say… a very unpopular episode of Homesteady.
Ok, let me rephrase that, it was a popular episode, as in lots of people watched it…
But it was unpopular as in lots of people didn’t like it.
When Your thumbnail says You’re “Selling the Farm” You get people’s attention.
In the video we discussed how after having the “Hardest year yet” on the homestead, we were taking a break and going on a cross country adventure.
Some of our fans felt angry. We had encouraged so many people into this lifestyle… and now we were quitting.
Many people unsubscribed from our channel or podcast. There were some mean comments on YouTube (shocked, right?)
The crazy part?
We wound up not selling. Or going on a vacation. Quite the opposite
A new orchard, 2 new acres of pasture, a new road, concrete floor added to the barn, 6 pigs, 75 meat chickens, ducks, turkeys and 2 cows later… we wound up having the busiest year yet on our homestead.
So what happened?
Well to be honest we were just burned out. Sometimes you have hard years homesteading. Sometimes plans fail, things break, animals die, and at the end of a long year of homesteading you feel like you want to quit.
A cross country road trip seemed like the answer.
It is literally the complete opposite of homesteading. No animals to care for, no land to keep. Transient, no routine.
It is a life with no roots.
But as it turns out, we are people who like to put down roots.
That is why homesteading appeals so much to us. We like investing in a future, where there will be more abundance than there was this year.
You plant 1 corn seed, you wind up sprouting hundreds more.
Homesteading is a long game. Sometimes it’s a long HARD game.
But year after year, if you keep at it, you wind up with more than you started with.
At the beginning of this year we decided to jump back in, and we spent the better half of winter and spring doing some huge projects.
And now, at the end of this season, we have some nice new pastures, A barn with a nice concrete floor
And a cow. Actually, 2 Cows!
The best part?
At the end of a very big season, K and I don’t feel like quitting and running away from it all!
Why?
I think it’s because this year we did a really good job of planning ahead.
We took time last winter to really think about what we actually wanted from our homestead. We were realistic about what we could actually accomplish. And then we made really clear plans on how to accomplish it.
It’s December. That means you have a few good months ahead of cold days, sitting inside warming yourself by the fire.
While you enjoy some time off, take the time to do those 3 steps.
- Think about what you ACTUALLY WANT from your homestead – Like don’t plant tomatoes if you don’t really like tomatoes, that is just a waste of your time and energy.
- Be realistic about what you can actually accomplish – Sure we all want to plant all our own veggies, raise and process our own meat, and harness all the sunlight and wind that passes over our property, but there are only so many hours in a day.
- Make CLEAR Plans on how to accomplish it! – Write your goals down. Identify each step from drawing plans to finishing touches. Make dates for each of those steps. Then draw actual plans, and get started! Keep yourself to that schedule, and move the ball forward.
Looking at these past years I can see the importance of planning ahead.
2016 I got a bunch of animals. I had a lot of things go really wrong. I got frustrated and wanted to quit.
2017 I got a bunch of animals. I had the proper infrastructure in place ready for the. Things went smoothly. I’m ready for a bigger year next year!
Happy Farm Friday – Aust
Your HOMESTEADY Homework for the weekend…
Make a list of what you ACTUALLY want for your homestead this weekend. Have you planted a garden in years past because it’s what “homesteaders” do, but not really ever harvested much from it, or even enjoyed what you did harvest? Try something this year that will produce something you actually enjoy. If you hate tomatoes, but love beer… Forget the garden and try brewing! Leave a comment on the blog with your list!
Homesteady Pioneers – Forum Coming Soon!
In this month’s episode of the podcast we announced a huge addition to the Program! We will be adding a Forum for Pioneers Only! Join Me everyday in the forum, talk homesteading, ask questions of our Pros in the forum, and help each other grow our homesteads together! Want to join the fun? Become a Pioneer for just $5 a month and you can have access to the forum!
The Question of the Week – Can I feed Pigs Just Garden Scraps and Corn?
Gary on our Homesteady Facebook Page asks a great question….
“Feeder pigs. Does corn and TOnS of food/garden scraps meet nutritional needs? Or do you have to buy feed from the store?”
Want to find out my answer? Watch the Livestream at our YouTube Channel! Today at 6:00 PM!
Our QOW is brought to you by our super chaters!
Coming Next Week
This was supposed to be this weeks topic, but we all got sick and I am now behind, sorry! So next week… look forward to some great tips for anyone who is looking to finish a basement quickly and cheaply! In just 1 week, spending less than $500, we turned our CREEPY BASEMENT into an incredible play space for our 4 kiddos this winter! Forward this email to a friend who could might enjoy next weeks email and tell them to SUBSCRIBE to our weekly email HERE
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