After years of pushing hard on our homestead, we reached a point where we had to ask a tough question: Is everything we’re doing actually sustainable?

Last year, we intentionally slowed down. Not completely, but enough to take a step back and evaluate what was working and what wasn’t.

And what we learned changed how we’re approaching this year in a big way.

In this episode, we’re sharing the real-life changes we’re making on our homestead. The projects we’re moving forward with, the systems we’re simplifying, and a few things we’re choosing to let go of entirely.

Because here’s the truth most people don’t talk about... You don’t have to do everything to build a successful homestead.

🌱 In This Episode

•  Why we took a slower year and what it revealed 
•  The homestead projects we’re focusing on in 2026 
•  What we’re scaling back and why it matters 
•  How our homestead is shifting into a multi-generational model 
•  The systems that were adding too much pressure 
•  What we’re doing differently this time around 

🧭 Topics We Cover

•  Simplifying dairy production 
•  Stepping away from pig breeding 
•  Turning over the main garden to the next generation 
•  Expanding the beef program 
•  Starting a family egg business 
•  Rebuilding the house exterior 
•  Resetting the orchard for long-term success 

🧭 Mentioned in This Video
- Learn how much to plant for a year’s worth of food: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-grow-a-years-worth-of-food/
- Raising backyard chickens: https://homesteadingfamily.com/raising-backyard-egg-laying-chickens/
- Stocking your pantry the right way: https://homesteadingfamily.com/prepping-your-pantry-for-winter/
- Planting fruit trees: https://homesteadingfamily.com/growing-perennials-on-the-homestead/
- Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring this podcast. For first-time customers, use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15" for 15% off your first order of $100 or more: https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b

⏱️ Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction
1:22 - Azure Standard
5:29 - 2026 Projects

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MORE ABOUT US!

WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo

Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily

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