Your pasture is ready and your fencing is up—now let’s talk shelter, gear, and what your milking space really needs to look like.

In Part 2 of our Homestead Dairy series, we’re digging into the practical setup: shelter, milking areas, must-have gear, and how to choose the right equipment for your setup. Whether you’re planning to hand milk or invest in a system, this episode is all about making your space functional, comfortable, and sustainable for the long haul.

Main Themes/Topics Covered:

Shelter Needs – 3-sided shelters, milking spaces, and how to prep for storms and winter weather.

Gear You Actually Need – From buckets and teat dip to strainers and towels.

Milking Methods – Pros and cons of hand milking vs. mechanical systems (and what we use in a pinch).

Next Steps – Researching breeds, sourcing healthy animals, and preparing for the right cow for your family are coming in the next episode.

Got questions about milking setups or starting a micro dairy? I’d love to help.

So, you're dreaming of fresh milk, homemade butter, and a cow in your pasture—but are you really ready for what that takes?

In this Homestead Dairy series, we’re breaking down everything you need to think through before your cow ever arrives. This episode focuses on the daily time commitment, what it really means to add a dairy rhythm to your life, and how to prepare your land, pasture, and fencing. If you’re in the dreaming or planning stage, start here to avoid overwhelm and burnout down the road. 

This is a 4 Part series, But because I am a talker, Episode 1 is broken into 2 Parts, so now its a 5 part series! See you next week for the second part of "How to Prepare for a Dairy Cow"

Main Themes/Topics Covered:

The Daily Commitment – Why dairy is a lifestyle, not just an animal.

Time Boundaries – Milking means showing up every day, no matter the weather or holiday.

Land & Fencing Prep – How much pasture you need, fencing options, and hay planning for winter.

Real Talk on Self-Sufficiency – Why your cow will shape your daily life and how to prepare your mindset before she arrives.

If you’ve been dreaming of a milk cow, this is where you begin. Let’s talk about what you really need to be ready for the work and joy of dairy life.

Got questions or need help thinking through your setup? I’d love to hear from you!

Have you ever walked away from a parenting moment thinking… “That’s not the kind of mom I want to be”?

Yeah. Me too.

In this episode, I want to open up about how we’re learning to speak life—not shame—over our son.

Words carry power—especially in motherhood. Today, we’re talking about the impact our language has on our children, particularly when the days are hard and emotions run high. I’m sharing a raw look into our family’s story: how we moved from yelling and seeking control to choosing connection and understanding. Through occupational therapy, mindset shifts, and a whole lot of grace, we’ve learned to approach parenting with a new heart—and new tools. If you’ve ever felt stuck in reaction mode or grieved the way you responded, this one’s for you.

Main Themes/Topics Covered:

Mama, if your heart feels heavy today, I want you to hear this: you’re not alone, and you’re not failing. You’re learning. You’re growing. Your voice—gentle, grounded, and grace-filled—has the power to shape your child’s world in beautiful ways.

If this episode spoke to you, would you share it with another mama who needs the reminder?

I’d love to hear your heart. Your struggles, your questions, your victories. Send me a note at [email protected]—you’re not walking this alone

Find Me Online:

🌿 Website: www.SimplyLivingHomestead.com

🌿 Facebook & Instagram: @thesimplylivinghomestead

 Ever wonder how a homesteading mama gets it all done—from milking cows to managing a business—without losing her mind?

Today’s episode is a special one, thanks to a sweet listener named Cherish who asked for a behind-the-scenes look at what a typical day looks like for me here at Simply Living Homestead. From early-morning Bible study and farm chores to homeschooling, content creation, and family rhythms, I’m sharing how I time-block my days, where I make room for grace, and how I stay grounded in the midst of a full life. Whether you’re wrangling kids, cows, or both, I hope this episode gives you a little encouragement—and maybe even a few practical ideas to bring peace and structure into your own routine.

Main Themes/Topics Covered:

No matter how full your days are, you’re allowed to pause, breathe, and make space for both purpose and peace. If this episode gave you a new idea or a little encouragement, would you send it to a fellow homesteading mama?

Find Me Online:

Homesteading is often celebrated as a path toward doing everything yourself. But what if that very mindset is what’s wearing you down? Today, let’s talk about redefining self-sufficiency and how true sustainability grows in the soil of community.

In this heartfelt episode, I’m unpacking why I’ve grown uncomfortable with the term “self-sufficiency”—not because the goal is wrong, but because the mindset can sometimes lead us toward isolation and burnout. From my upbringing in a family-style compound community to my current homestead life, I’ve seen both sides. We’ll talk about the warning signs of burnout, how to ask for help without guilt, and practical ways to build organic, local community around you. If you’ve ever felt like you have to do it all to “count” as a real homesteader, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. We were never meant to do this alone.

Main Themes/Topics Covered:

Why “self-sufficiency” often gets misunderstood—and how to reframe it

Personal stories from growing up in community and what that taught me

Warning signs of burnout from doing too much on your own

Practical ways to ask for help and start building real-life homesteading friendships

Creative community ideas: bartering, workday swaps, tool libraries, and more

Mindset shifts like: “Community makes the work lighter and the joy deeper”

Tell me about a moment when community made all the difference in your homesteading journey. Email me at [email protected]—I’d be honored to hear your story.

Find Me Online:

Sign Up for Raw Dairy in Central Iowa HERE

Get the Newsletter HERE

SHOW NOTES

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the beautifully chaotic reality of raising littles while running a homestead (or trying to get anything done, really).

I’m joined by my dear friend Leslie to have an honest, grace-filled conversation for the mamas in the thick of it—whether you’re balancing chores and children, business and babywearing, or faith and fatigue. We’ll share the real-life struggle of feeling pulled in all directions, the guilt of not “doing enough,” and the surprising ways we’ve found joy and purpose in the middle of it all. You’re not behind, Mama—this is the work. And God meets us right here, at the kitchen sink and the chicken coop, with children tugging at our skirts.

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a fellow mama who’s doing the hard and holy work of raising kids while homesteading or working from home. Your presence matters more than your productivity.

On Facebook and Instagram @thesimplylivinghomestead

Get the Newsletter HERE

SHOW NOTES

For many of us, our children are the reason we started homesteading. But in the daily grind of chores and projects, it’s easy to overlook the greatest gift we’ve been given—our little ones. So how do we actually bring them into the skills we’re building, in ways that feel joyful, not stressful?

This episode is an invitation to slow down and welcome your kids into the traditional skills you’re learning on the homestead. Whether your children are toddlers who mimic your every move or preteens ready to take on real responsibility, we’re talking about how to meet them where they are and give them space to grow. I’ll share how my own son, who’s always underfoot, became my favorite farm helper—and what my dad taught me about the beauty of letting kids fail.

We break down age-appropriate ideas and activities for toddlers, early elementary kids, and older children. From collecting eggs and helping with feed, to tracking chores and learning to preserve food, you’ll hear dozens of simple, doable ways to help your kids build confidence, connect to the land, and feel a sense of belonging on the homestead. Along the way, I’ll remind you that this isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, and planting seeds of wonder and work ethic for the next generation.

Let your kids try. Let them mess up. Let them grow. This might be your dream—but it can become their legacy too. If this episode encouraged you, share it with another homesteading parent, or leave a review so more families can find this podcast. Got a story or question to share? I’d love to hear it.

Reach out at [email protected]—I’d love to hear how your kids are learning alongside you.

On Facebook and Instagram @thesimplylivinghomestead

Get the Newsletter HERE

SHOW NOTES