Hey Squad!

I know I have been inactive on the podcast the last month. I have been battling some health issues stemming from a rough few weeks dealing with Covid-19.  It was an extremely rough few weeks with lots of downs and eventually some ups. Thank you again for your support.

Having a great discussion with our middle daughter Gracie Mae- owner of Mae's Mallows. She sells home made marshmallows and hot coacoa accessories like chocolate dipped wood spoons. She does a fantastic job and enjoy watching her flourish as a business owner. Super proud dad. 

Please support our young entrepreneurs. Too often we criticize the younger generation for laziness or lack of effort. There are many like Gracie who work hard on the farm every day and enjoy being their own boss. When you are shopping at a farmers market and see a young person behind the stand, talk them up, encourage them, and financially support them. Over pay or tip, and encourage their hard work and ethic. 

Thank you Gracie Mae for hanging out with your old man and being awesome!

Its been a struggle this off season with our flocks. Lets chat it up as we discuss flocking woes for Summer/Fall of 2021. 

Had a great chance to chat with fellow homesteader and podcaster Virginia Jones from the Vintage Lady Podcast. Please take a chance and support her page. Give her some likes, thumbs ups, subscribes, and leave her a great review. Let's support our peeps! 

Find her support page at:
https://www.facebook.com/avintageladypodcast1817

Support her Podcast A Vintage Lady at:
https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fanchor.fm%2Fvirginia-jones2&e=ATOvjSzE3i9Yd4iE0LWD0KT4gyJ421rMibziCCF9mk65aVkplJAWl4iz9zPjPMLYyf-VFDDQdgqkI5By&s=1

Follow her Instagram at:
https://www.instagram.com/livinthislife2itsfullest/

What a treat to have my better half on the podcast. It has been a few months since her last appearance on the podcast. We have moved the podcast base of operations to our home which is allowing us to have her more on the podcast. We get a follow up on what has been going on around the homestead. What have we been up to lately?

What a blessing! I learned so much about homesteading with our conversation. We discuss tea gardens, quail care, and growing in different environments and so much more. I hope we can have Dev back on the podcast to learn even more. Please support her business and join her facebook group to find more information. 

Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/invinciblegardens/

Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/wildrootslearning
Website

https://www.invinciblegardens.com/

I brought in the experts on micro farming! Nicky and Dave are certified permaculture designers who are experts in setting up small homesteaders. Their homestead outside Washington DC operates on 1/40th of acre! They provide so much knowledge and passion to homestead that I am pumped to get back to my homestead. 

Nicky and Dave have a large resource of information for you from books, classes, seeds, and even permakits where a subscription of seeds are sent to you monthly! Take the guessing out of homesteading! Each permakit is designed just for your in your growing region. They bring a wealth of knowledge, follow their webpage at:
https://growmyownfood.com/how-to-grow-food-in-small-spaces

Instagram Live of their backyard garden
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CR4LG0BK5iR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Instagram Live of their front yard garden
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRtZC1BK8g-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Dave's community garden:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CO0jPs_nUH8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

We get the pleasure of learning from the best, Minerva Creamery the oldest family owned creamery in the United States. Learn more with me about the creamery, it's origin's, the family dynamics, and whether a dairy creamery is a viable operation. 

I was excited and geeky about this this conversation. As a chef, I had so any questions, and as a homesteader, I had a thousand more questions. I am thankful that Venae and Adam let my brain go from one end of the spectrum to the other as we explore more about Minerva Creamy and how they become so successful and the market streams they are using. 

Thank you again to Adam and Venae, Please check out their website below to buy products. This is a company we should be supporting!!!! Please order some butter or other products for the upcoming holidays. I can't wait to get my smoked maple butter!

https://minervadairy.com

It is incredible important to get that vacation, even as a homesteader. Taking time to smell the breeze, maybe dip your feet in the saltwater, but it is incredibly difficult to step away and trust others with your homestead while you are away. We took our first time away, and we had some serious problem with a big man on our farm,  Chopsticks. What can we do better next time to help the livestock guardian dogs feel more comfortable with helpers on the farm. 

I know we have taken time away from the podcast. We have had some tragedy on the farm. I will admit, it had broken our spirit to talk about the homestead. Listen in as we talk about a major loss on the farm and how we could have prevented our tragedy. 

Thank you to those who have been asking where we have been. It has taken some time to get over this loss, and I hope you can give us some grace as we move on. Thank you for the love. Follow us on Instagram at Food Farm Live, and see the fun!