There is a difference between liking the idea of homesteading and living a life where animals depend on you every single day.

In this episode of Call to Farms, Sophia Eng sits down with Janelle Anderson of Haven Farmstead for an honest conversation about what livestock stewardship truly requires beyond the highlight reel.

Janelle shares her experience moving from beef cattle to dairy cows and explains why feeding animals well is a daily responsibility, not a convenience. They discuss how nutrition affects milk quality, why soil health matters, and the most common mistakes new homesteaders make when bringing home a family milk cow.

This conversation also explores mentorship, why online advice can be misleading, and how caring for animals builds discipline, consistency, and humility in the farmer.

Answering the call to farms is not a one-time decision. It is something you recommit to season after season.

If you have ever wondered what this life actually asks of you, this episode offers practical insight, quiet wisdom, and a realistic look at farm life.

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Be sure to follow Janelle!

Janelle Anderson Instagram

Janelle Anderson FaceBook

The Haven Farmstead Website

Have questions on buying or selling real estate? ⁠Reach out to Tim directly here!⁠

Get your ⁠⁠⁠Tickets Here⁠⁠⁠ to the Seeking Whole Health Conference on April 16-18 in Wooster, OH .

⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠ to the Prairie Roots Homesteading Summit held on May 15-16 in Watford City, ND.

⁠⁠⁠Get Your Early Bird Tickets ⁠⁠⁠to the Modern Homesteading Conference in Coeur d'Alene, ID on June 26-27.

Join Tim and Sophia at the ⁠⁠⁠Chelsea Green Food & Farming Convergence⁠⁠⁠ at Polyface Farms on September 25-26, 2026.

Join our waitlist for our 2026 Homesteaders United Conference, which will be hosted on our property in East Tennessee. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check out our Call to Farms Community where you have access to farm and cooking courses along with direct access to us as you build out your homestead! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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