The family milk cow is quickly becoming the new backyard flock of chickens.  More and more people are realizing the amazing benefits of adding a dairy cow to their homestead.
This month on the podcast, we are focusing on all things dairy cow.  Shawn and Beth Dougherty are the perfect couple to lend their voice to this conversation as they have over four decades of experience farming and perfecting the art of grass conversion through dairy ruminants.
If you are considering adding a family milk cow to your homestead or are new to the world of home dairy, this discussion is for you.  We dive into the most commonly asked questions when it comes to getting started with dairy cows: breed, acreage, feed, health, and more.  If a dairy cow is in your future, start here!
In this episode, we cover:

 Making the switch from dairy goats to dairy cows
 What breeds make the best dairy cows
  Other factors that may be more important than breed
  What’s the big deal about A2A2?
  Is your land appropriate for a milk cow?
  The practicals of feeding a 100% grass-fed cow
  Top features to look for when purchasing a dairy cow
  What makes a perfect milk cow for a first-time owner
  How important is disease testing?

View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
The Independent Farmstead by Shawn & Beth Dougherty
Independent Farmstead Field Guides to Inputs-Free Farming and Homesteading by Shawn & Beth Dougherty
How to Raise a Dairy Cow on Pasture by Beth Dougherty
CONNECT
Shawn & Beth Dougherty | Website | The Healing Land Conference
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest
Join us at the Homesteaders of America Conference in October 2023!

E8: How to Get Started with Your Family Milk Cow | Shawn & Beth Dougherty

Welcome to the OFFICIAL Homesteaders of America podcast! A podcast all about homesteading, gardening, livestock, natural living, and the celebration of this beautiful homesteading lifestyle. We talk about current events, inspiration, the Homesteaders of America conference, the homestead life, and more!

Enjoy interviews with some of the nation's top farmers and homesteaders, newbies and experienced homesteaders, and tips and tricks along the way.

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We talk a lot on this podcast about raising our own food, but today we are chatting all about preparing and serving the food we have worked so hard to produce!  Stacy Lyn Harris is the perfect person to join us for this conversation because she has been using produce from her garden and meat from her husband’s hunting trips to prepare delicious meals for her large southern family for decades.  We are not only diving into the practicals of creating amazing meals, but we are also digging into the heart of hospitality.  Feeding good food to our families and friends is a beautiful way to put our love into action!
In this episode, we cover:

 Diving into the heart behind Stacy’s cookbooks

 What is hospitality and why does it matter?

  A look at hospitality when you are in the trenches of early motherhood

  Practicing hospitality in your marriage and family


View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you to our sponsor!
Premier 1 Supplies is your one-stop shop for all things homesteading!  Visit Premier1Supplies.com to browse their catalog.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Check out Stacy Lyn’s cookbooks
CONNECT
Stacy Lyn Harris | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest


E34: Embracing Hospitality in Your Kitchen and Family | Stacy Lyn Harris

You are going to love hearing the Fuhrmanns inspiring homestead story in this episode!  They share about the health scare that led them to the homesteading life, how their homestead has become a blessing to their community, what it’s like to raise and homeschool nine children, and what has led their children to stay involved in the family business as they have become adults.  The Fuhrmann family’s hearts for the Lord, for true health, for their family, and for community will encourage you to cast an intentional vision for your own family and homestead.
In this episode, we cover:

 How Jack and Kim’s homesteading story began with time spent overseas

 The evolution of the Fuhrmanns’ family homestead into a ministry hub in their community

  The unique beauty of raising kids on a homestead

  How a family health crisis led Jack and Kim to pursue natural healing through food

  The practicals of managing a large homeschooling family on a homestead

  Overcoming academic challenges and watching our children flourish into adulthood

  How establishing a strong vision turns your homestead into a haven for family and community


View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you to our sponsor!
McMurray Hatchery offers a wide selection of poultry breeds and supplies to assist you with raising your flock. Find what you need at McMurrayHatchery.com!
ABOUT JACK & KIM
After serving as overseas missionaries in Chad, Africa God toughened Jack and Kim up in preparation for a calling to homesteading life.  They have owned and operated Our Father's Farm in Gretna, VA providing southside VA with grass-fed, A2A2 dairy products through herd shares, pastured poultry, and grass-fed beef, as well as training in natural health.  The farm has grown with the family and is more diverse every year.  The Fuhrmanns are passionate about God, His Word, the family, and others.  They love to encourage, educate and support others on their journey to whole health wellness.  They are committed to raising the most nutrient-dense foods possible while stewarding as a family their land for God's glory.  They love teaching others why this choice is worth the effort and sacrifice. 
RESOURCES MENTIONED
HOA podcast episode with Joshua Fuhrmann
Journey Back to Health by Kim Fuhrmann
CONNECT
Jack & Kim Fuhrmann of Our Father’s Farm | Website
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

E33: Creating a Legacy Through Your Homestead | Jack & Kim Fuhrmann of Our Father’s Farm

On a recent episode of the podcast, we talked about how the homesteading lifestyle is a call back to home-centered living: homesteading, homemaking, home cooking, home business, homeschooling, etc.  Today’s conversation ventures off from farm and homestead topics and dives into an equally important aspect of homestead life: raising our kids. This chat with Durenda, author and homeschooling mother of eight children (five sons), takes us through the importance of raising our boys into strong men who will lead homes and communities.  When the world teaches us to devalue the role of men in our homes and in society, we hope this episode encourages you to drown out the noise and embrace who your sons are made to be.
In this episode, we cover:

 Recognizing and supporting the God-given nature of boys

 Taking a counter-cultural stance in raising our boys to be strong men

  The value of seeking a father’s input in raising sons

  Two different approaches to discipline

  Why it is so important to take a step back and pause before disciplining

  How even our imperfect efforts make a profound impact

  Tailoring your homeschooling approach to your son’s learning style

  Embracing the challenges and rewards of the teen years

  Considerations for parenting a son with special needs

  An exhortation to steward our boys into strong, godly men


View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you to our sponsor!
Premier 1 Supplies is your one-stop shop for all things homesteading!  Visit Premier1Supplies.com to browse their catalog.
ABOUT DURENDA
Durenda Wilson has been married to Darryl for thirty-four years. They have eight kids and ten grandkids and have been homeschooling for thirty years. She is a trusted voice and resource at homeschool conventions and on The Durenda Wilson Podcast.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Raising Boys to Men: A Simple, Mercifully Short Book on Raising and Homeschooling Boys by Durenda Wilson
CONNECT
Durenda Wilson | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Podcast
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest


E32: Raising Strong and Courageous Sons in a Culture that Calls Masculinity Toxic | Durenda Wilson

I hear from many homesteading families who have the dream of sustaining their families by making an income right from their homesteads.  This is the American dream, right?  In today’s episode, Emilie is sharing with us the story of how she and her family did just that.  What began as a quest to overcome health issues in her own family became a thriving skincare business that helps families all across the globe.  Join us for this inspiring conversation all about entrepreneurship, homesteading, skincare, health, and more!
In this episode, we cover:

 What inspired Emilie to create skincare products that are actually beneficial to the skin

 How the homesteading lifestyle led Emilie to start her business

  A few key factors in the success of Toups and Co

  Day in the life of a homesteading, homeschooling, business owning wife and mother

  How a business owner’s role changes as the business grows

  What it looked like for Emilie’s husband to leave his full-time job to work for the family business

  How to organically market your business when you don’t have a marketing budget

  Making decisions about selling online, opening a storefront, expanding your space

  How Emilie maintains the quality of her products by carefully sourcing ingredients

  Why it matters what we put on our skin and the importance of educating those around us


View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you to our sponsor!
McMurray Hatchery offers a wide selection of poultry breeds and supplies to assist you with raising your flock. Find what you need at McMurrayHatchery.com!
ABOUT EMILIE
Emilie Toups is the founder of Toups and Co Organics, a company dedicated to clean and natural skin care and makeup. She began Toups and Co right in her own kitchen with a passion for products with recognizable ingredients. Emilie also has a passion for teaching holistic skin care practices and other women how to be entrepreneurs and own their own businesses. 
Emilie lives on a small farm in south Alabama with her husband and five children. She enjoys gardening, cooking nourishing food and baking sourdough bread. 
CONNECT
Emilie Toups of Toups and Co Organics | Website | Instagram | Instagram | Facebook

Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

E31: Building a Successful Business as a Homesteader | Emilie of Toups and Co Organics

Mike’s journey into farming and conservation may not be what you expect, but he is a wealth of wisdom on this complex yet important topic of pasture management.  While Mike manages a thousand-acre cattle farm, he breaks down the principles of pasture health to apply to the everyday homesteader.  We talk about first identifying where the health of your pastures stands, how to take steps toward improvement, managing multiple species on the same acreage, and more.  For anyone looking to cultivate thriving pastures on your homestead, you will find this conversation with Mike so valuable!
In this episode, we cover:

 Mike’s unique journey into farming

 How Kinloch Farms emphasizes conservation in their beef cattle operation

  First steps to take if you want to improve your soil health

  How to initiate new growth in your pasture

  What rotational grazing can look like on a small scale homestead

  Considerations for rotational grazing with multiple species

  Navigating mineral supplementation options for your ruminants


View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you to our sponsor!
Premier 1 Supplies is your one-stop shop for all things homesteading!  Visit Premier1Supplies.com to browse their catalog.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Sea-90 Ocean Minerals
Use code MPETERSON to get 10% off Baja Gold salt https://bajagoldsaltco.com/?rfsn=7626437.f718fe 
Order from the Kinloch Farms shop!
CONNECT
Mike Peterson of Kinloch Farms | Website | Instagram | Facebook
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest


E8: How to Get Started with Your Family Milk Cow | Shawn & Beth Dougherty

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