Homesteading has seasons—sometimes it's front and center, and other times it takes a backseat. In this episode, I’m sharing how our life looks different right now, why that’s okay, and how I’ve made peace with the inevitable FOMO. 

We’ll chat about the honeymoon stage of homesteading, shifting priorities, and the simple ways I’m keeping it woven into our daily life, even when it’s not the main focus. If you’ve ever felt guilty for stepping back, this one’s for you!

Podcast Episode Highlights

• My upcoming cookbook project 
• Homesteading is trendy now
• Why homesteading is taking a backseat in my life now
• Thinking about my cow Oakley
• Prepare for your own shifts in life
• The main three shifts in the homestead life
• My current calling
• Homesteading becoming a tool instead of an identity
• How burnout can happen
• Doing less but in more meaningful ways
• Simplifying and systemizing 
• Not feeling guilt for shifting 
• Final thoughts and encouragement

Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:

Learn more about Aquatru here: www.aquatru.com

• Use the code HOMESTEAD to save 20% on your order

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:

• Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter
• Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com
• Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger
• Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead
• Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application

Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

When we start gardening, it’s easy to focus on the plants—but what if we’re missing the bigger picture? Today, I’m chatting with Gregg Forster of Wisconsin Mineral Solutions about why soil health is the key to nutrient-dense food and thriving farms. 

We dive into how industrial agriculture has depleted our food’s nutritional value, what homesteaders might be getting wrong, and the simple changes that can make a big difference. Whether you’re growing a backyard garden or running a farm, this episode will change the way you think about soil, sustainability, and the future of our food.

Podcast Episode Highlights

• Gregg's background and how he got into this business
• The nutritional value of fresh produce
• What contributes to nutritional loss in our food
• How this nutritional loss affects our health
• What we need to nurture in our soil
• Step 1: Soil Tests
• Step 2: Adding amendments the right way
• Step 3: Adding diversity to your soil
• Red flags in your garden that there's a problem
• How to prevent problems in the first place
• How long does it take to get results
• Final tips and thoughts from Gregg

Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:

Learn more about Gregg Forster and his services here: https://www.wisconsinmineralsolutions.com/

Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/meal-craft-main177846-9453

Check out Redmond's Soil Testing Kit here: http://theprairiehomestead.com/soiltest

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:

• Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter
• Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com
• Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger
• Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead
• Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application

Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

Ever wondered if raised beds are really worth the hype? In this episode, I sit down with Scott Wilson from Gardening with Scott to dig into the good, the bad, and the surprising when it comes to raised bed gardening. We chat about how to build beds from free/cheap materials, how to fill beds without breaking the bank, how to keep soil healthy year after year, watering strategies, and some genius hacks for getting the most out of every square foot. 

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just thinking about building your first bed, this episode is packed with practical, no-nonsense advice!

Podcast Episode Highlights

• What Scott's garden looks like
• Talking about raised beds (uniform vs. natural)
• Are raised beds the best option for gardening?
• How to fill raised garden beds
• Talking about hügelkultur
• How to replenish the nutrients in raised beds overtime
• Till vs.  no-till for raised beds
• Mulch, amendments, and more
• Watering the raised beds
• What you should and should NOT grow in a raised beds
• How to make a garden raised bed for cheap or free
• Scott's favorite thing to grow in a raised bed
• Final tips and thoughts on raised beds

Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:

Follow Scott Wilson on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWsI0LmiDyezbnN2JCL4P9w

Find Scott on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/gardenerscott/

Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/meal-craft-main177846-9453

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:

• Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter
• Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com
• Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger
• Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead
• Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application

Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

In this episode, I welcome back Mike Vaona, the engineer-turned-baker behind Rosehill Sourdough, to chat about his recent deep dive into fresh-milled flours. We cover a range of topics, from tweaking hydration levels and the surprising effects of oxidation to the differences between ancient, heritage, and modern wheats. 

Mike also shares his thoughts on nutrient loss over time, his favorite gluten-free flour, and best practices for baking with fresh-milled flour. This is one deep dive you won't want to miss!

Podcast Episode Highlights

• Mike's current adventures with fresh-milled flours
• How Mike has changed his mind on sifting, hydration, and more
• A closer look at oxidation and the process of improving bread
• Different wheat berry compare/contrast (bracket competition)
• Heritage, ancient, and modern wheats
• Thoughts on having the best of both worlds
• Best practices with freshly-milled flour

Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:

Learn more about Mike and Rosehill Sourdough (and get 10% off!) through this link: https://rosehillsourdough.com/cp/Jill

Find your nearest mill for wheat berries here: https://amyhalloran.net/mills/

Listen to Mike's first episode on the podcast here: Season 15: Episode 7: A More Efficient Way to Sourdough

Learn more about Air Doctor here: airdoctorpro.com

• Use code HOMESTEAD to save up to $300 on your air doctor system

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:

• Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter
• Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com
• Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger
• Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead
• Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application

Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

In this episode, I chat with Mimi Smith-Dvorak, author of Too Many Eggs, a cookbook packed with over 800 ways to use eggs. We dive into the history of eggs, the current egg drama, creative ways to use up a surplus (including flavoring them in the shell!), storage tricks, and even some unexpected non-culinary uses. 

If you’ve ever found yourself with more eggs than you know what to do with, this episode is for you!

Podcast Episode Highlights

• A closer look at Mimi's cookbook
• Feeding the chickens
• Thoughts on current shortages of eggs and prices
• Favorite ways to use eggs
• Favorite historical tidbit about eggs
• Best practices for making mayonnaise
• Making practical recipes with eggs
• The disaster stories with eggs
• How to tell if an egg has gone bad
• History of eggs and refrigeration
• Non-culinary uses for eggs
• Final thoughts from Mimi

Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:

Learn more about Mimi Smith-Dvorak and her book Too Many Eggs here: www.toomanyeggs.com

Learn more about Aquatru here: www.aquatru.com

• Use the code HOMESTEAD to save 20% on your order

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:

• Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter
• Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com
• Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger
• Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead
• Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application

Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

If you live in a cold northern area, you may have assumed growing fruit and nuts was out of the question, but I'm happy to tell you that it's not! 

In this episode, I chat with St. Lawrence Nurseries about the best cold hardy fruit and nut tree varieties, common planting mistakes, and essential care tips for success. We cover watering, fertilizing, pruning, and more to help you cultivate a thriving orchard—even in harsh winters. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced grower, this episode is packed with practical advice!

Podcast Episode Highlights

• Background of St. Lawrence Nursery
• A closer look at cold-hardy fruit trees
• How to figure out what plants you can grow 
• Favorite cold-hardy plants 
• Growing peaches and pears in a cold region
• Growing cold-hardy nut trees
• When to order and plant trees
• How to plant your trees successfully
• Organic pest control tips
• Dealing with strong winds
• Best watering tips
• How long for fruit production
• Tips for pruning trees
• Final tips and thoughts on cold climate fruit and nut trees

Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:

Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/meal-craft-main177846-9453

Learn more about St. Lawrence Nursery here: https://www.slngrow.com/

Email St. Lawrence Nursery at: [email protected]

Follow St. Lawrence Nursery here: https://www.instagram.com/sln_grow/

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:

• Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter
• Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com
• Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger
• Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead
• Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application

Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

What if the light around you is messing with your health more than you realize? In this episode, the amazing Johnna Sutton of Sutton Nutrition is back to talk about how artificial light, blue light exposure, and circadian rhythms impact our energy, sleep, and overall well-being. 

We dive into how to adjust your routine with the seasons, why cold winter temps are good, and practical steps to use light to have more energy and better sleep. If you've ever felt out of sync but couldn't figure out why, this conversation is for you!

Podcast Episode Highlights

• The history of circadian rhythm
• Modern culture's view on discomfort
• Science of circadian rhythm
• The three big things that affect your body
• How light affects your body
• How to adjust our routines to fix our circadian health
• How temperatures affect our bodies
• How food affects our bodies
• Final thoughts on living with nature and modernity
• Best steps for where to start fixing your circadian rhythm

Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:

Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/meal-craft-main177846-9453

Follow Johnna’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suttonoutdoorsmt/

Montana Functional Health: https://mfhcare.com/ and Johnna's article here: https://mfhcare.com/article/get-your-light-right/

Listen in to my other interview with Johnna Sutton here: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/tph_podcasts/season-17-episode-2-the-missing-piece-mastering-nutrition-for-the-homesteader

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:

• Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter
• Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com
• Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger
• Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead
• Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application

Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

In this episode, I sit down with Noelle Johnson, aka the AZ Plant Lady and author of Water Smart Gardens, to uncover practical tips for making your garden more water-efficient without sacrificing beauty or productivity. We dive into time-saving watering strategies, the best veggies to grow in dry climates, creative rainwater collection ideas, and whether your lawn really deserves all that water. 

If you're ready to grow smarter, not harder, this conversation is packed with advice you won’t want to miss!

Podcast Episode Highlights

• Why water smart gardening is for everyone
• How to start the transition to a water smart garden
• Step One: identify your thirstiest plants
• Step Two: let your plants grow to their natural size
• How to help our vegetable gardens become more drought-tolerant
• How to water your vegetable garden
• What Noelle's garden looks like in Arizona
• How often to water the garden
• Thoughts on shade cloth
• Best time to plant trees and shrubs for saving water
• The problem with plants from big box stores
• Olla watering system
• Rain water harvesting
• Thoughts on annual flowers and lawns
• Final thoughts and tips from Noelle

Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:

Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/meal-craft-main177846-9453

Learn more about Noelle Johnson here: https://www.azplantlady.com/and here: https://www.instagram.com/az.plant.lady/

Find Noelle's book The Water Smart Garden here: https://amzn.to/3QebPSD

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:

• Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter
• Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com
• Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger
• Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead
• Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application

Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

Curious about foraging but not sure where to begin? 

In this episode, I chat with Whitney of Appalachian Forager about the essentials of starting your foraging journey, including how to get started foraging, how to safely identify wild mushrooms, best practices for preparing them, and tips for preserving your harvest. Whether you're a beginner or looking to deepen your connection with the wild, Whitney is a wealth of wisdom!

Podcast Episode Highlights

• Beginner tips for people new to foraging
• Trusted resources for foraging
• Best tips for starting to forage for mushrooms
• Most lethal mushrooms in the U.S.
• The best mushroom to forage first
• Seasons, weather, and mushroom foraging
• Terrain and locations for mushroom foraging
• The window of time for mushroom foraging
• Foraging in suburban and urban areas
• Ethics, sustainability, and foraging
• Preserving and preparing mushrooms 
• Final thoughts and tips from Whitney

Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:

Learn more about Air Doctor here: airdoctorpro.com

• Use code HOMESTEAD to save up to $300 on your air doctor system

Learn more about Whitney here: https://appalachianforager.com/home and check out her Instagram account here: https://www.instagram.com/appalachian_forager/

Check out Whitney's new book Go Forth and Forage here: https://amzn.to/4hmkmiq

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:

• Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter
• Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com
• Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger
• Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead
• Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application

Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!

In this episode, I chat with Dana K. White, author and creator of A Slob Comes Clean, about the surprising connections between decluttering and homesteading. We dive into Dana’s practical strategies, including the Container Concept and her no-mess decluttering method, to help you create a more functional and peaceful home. 

Whether you’re managing a homestead or just tackling everyday clutter, Dana’s tips will inspire you to simplify and reclaim your space.

Podcast Episode Highlights

• Dana's backstory on how she went from a messy life to a clean one
• The mindset of decluttering
• Why simplifying our homes can help our homesteads
• Practical steps to start decluttering
• Dealing with emotional detachments to stuff
• The correlation with sustainability
• Tips for making our home a hospitable place
• Chatting about decluttering and your family 
• Final thoughts and tips from Dana

Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:

Learn more about Dana K. White here: www.aslobcomesclean.com

Learn more about Aquatru here: www.aquatru.com

• Use the code HOMESTEAD to save 20% on your order

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:

• Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter
• Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com
• Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger
• Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead
• Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application

Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!