The Cottager's Podcast

Shawn and Beth Dougherty discuss low-input farming,  starting points with animals on the homestead and the Catholic Faith.

Biography for Shawn and Beth Dougherty:

Shawn and Beth Dougherty have been farming together since the 1980’s

Using intensive grazing as the primary source of food energy, the Doughertys raise dairy and beef cows, sheep, farm-fed hogs, and a variety of poultry, producing most of the food, and feed, on the farm. Their ongoing project is to identify and test the potential for operating a farm and homestead with minimal off-farm inputs.

They are the authors of The Independent Farmstead, actively contribute to Plain Value magazine, have written for Mother Earth News, Hobby Farms and more. They have been featured in various interviews, podcasts, and conferences

Shawn and Beth promote an outline of farming and homesteading that is inspiring to us as we consider the ways we engage in a stewardship model which considers homesteading, farming and the Catholic Faith.

We are excited to bring you this interview as a production of Little Way Farm and Homestead. If you are interested in helping this podcast grow and reach a larger audience, please consider leaving a review wherever you are listening to the episode, and share with someone you know!

Helpful Links:

The Independent Farmstead by Shawn and Beth Dougherty

The One Cow Revolution Website

As the winter approaches, we find it important to review what went well at the farm and homestead over the past year. We are also excited from two other members of our family and what they found enjoyable about the farm and homestead.   Want to learn more about homesteading, farming and the Catholic faith? Check out the Little Way Farm and Homestead Website at www.littlewayhomestead.com.  

Know someone who you think would be a good guest on the podcast? Have a question or comment about homesteading, farming and the Catholic faith you want us to address? Send us a message at [email protected].  

Are you looking to find land and move to a homestead? Consider using a Pro-Life Real Estate company! We know it is important to have great help when purchasing a new home. We also know that your real estate agent and brokerage being aligned with you and your pro-life stance makes a big difference. Check out Real Estate for Life at https://realestateforlife.org/ and let them know Mathew and Carissa at Little Way Farm and Homestead sent you!

Does the Homestead need to be a source of income? This is a conversation we believe is probably more important than many realize. We hope you find encouragement and support in the discussion as you further explore the development of your homestead.

Why do we homestead? This is becoming a more important question as we continue to have the opportunity to meet others who are interested in homesteading. Why do we homestead? Well, for quite a few reasons of which we will explore on this episode of the Little Way Farm and Homestead podcast! For more information including upcoming Farm and Homestead events, check out our at ww.w.littlewayhomestead.com.

A lot can be learned in one year on the homestead! In this episode, Mathew discusses successes and challenges of the farm and homestead from the past year.

For information about farm inventory, upcoming events and more - check out Littlewayhomestead.com. 

How was the past year on the homestead? Carissa reflects on the past year including discussion about things that went well and challenges along the way.

Checkout Littlewayhomestead.com for more details and information about Little Way Farm and Homestead.

On this episode Mathew and Carissa discuss raising children on the  Homestead. They discuss some common concerns people may often express as well as many joys and opportunities pertaining to raising children on a homestead.

On this episode of the Little Way Farm and Homestead podcast, Mathew and Carissa discuss various misconceptions about homesteading. The following misconceptions were discussed during this episode:

1.) Homesteads require a lot of land
2.) Homesteads must be off-grid
3.) Homesteading involves late nights and early mornings
4.) Your Homestead must look like one you've seen on social media
5.) You must be self-sufficient
6.) Homesteads need to be in a remote location
7.) Homesteads are disorganized and cluttered
8.) Homestead land is smelly
9.) Homesteading is lonely and your children will be unprepared to live in the world
10.) Homesteading means you must homeschool

Mathew and Carissa discuss four things to consider as you begin, or prepare to begin, the development of your Homestead. 

On this episode of the Little Way Farm and Homestead podcast, Mathew and Carissa discuss the importance of the Catholic faith on the homestead.