Homesteading isn’t just about land, animals, or how much you can produce. It’s about the mindset, lifestyle, and intentional choices behind how you live.

And the truth is, more people than ever are craving a slower, more self-sufficient life… but many feel like they don’t have enough land, time, or experience to even begin.

In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast, Kody Hanner sits down with Mary Lewis — host of A Tiny Homestead Podcast & Grit and Graceland in the Heartland Podcast to have an honest, real-life conversation about what homesteading actually looks like day-to-day.

From starting a homestead later in life to navigating gardening challenges, empty nesting, and building a life rooted in purpose, Mary shares her journey of stepping away from “city living” and into a more intentional, self-sufficient lifestyle.

Together, they talk about the realities of gardening, raising food, learning new skills, and redefining what it means to “be a homesteader” — whether you have acres of land or just a small backyard.

This isn’t just a conversation about homesteading.

If you care about:

This episode will remind you that homesteading isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress.

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to connect with Mary and follow along with her work.

🎙️ Podcasts: Grit and Grace in the Heartland | A Tiny Homestead

🌐 Website: Grit and Grace in the Heartland

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Homesteading doesn’t require perfect land, perfect timing, or perfect skills.

It starts with a decision — to grow, to learn, and to do what you can with what you have.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about how much you produce…

It’s about the life you’re building.

Success in agriculture isn’t just about working harder — it’s about learning how to manage the pressure, responsibilities, and mindset that come with the lifestyle.

And the truth is — burnout, overwhelm, and mental exhaustion are affecting more people in agriculture than ever before… but few are talking about how to navigate it well.

In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast, Kody Hanner sits down with Kacee Bohle — founder of AgriMinds and host of the AgriMinds Podcast — to talk about mindset, burnout, boundaries, leadership, and balancing family life while building a career in agriculture.

From growing up on a fourth-generation farm to climbing the corporate ladder in agriculture, Kacee shares her personal journey through burnout, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and ultimately building a business that helps others in the ag industry thrive both personally and professionally.

Together, they discuss the challenges of balancing farm life, business ownership, marriage, motherhood, homeschooling, and the constant pressure many in agriculture feel to “do it all.”

This isn’t just a conversation about business.

If you care about:

This episode will encourage you to rethink what success truly looks like — and how mindset impacts every part of your life.

🤝 Support Our Guest — Kacee Bohle

🎙️ Podcast: AgriMinds Podcast

🌍 Website:

http://www.kaceebohle.com/agriminds

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agcoachkacee/

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🔥 Final Thought

Burnout doesn’t always come from doing too much — sometimes it comes from doing too much of the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Learning how to lead yourself well, set boundaries, and shift your mindset may be one of the most important skills for building a sustainable life in agriculture.

Agriculture isn’t just happening in the fields — it’s happening on the airwaves, in policy conversations, and in the everyday decisions that impact what ends up on our tables.

And the truth is — most people have no idea how much is happening behind the scenes… or where to find reliable information when it does.

In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast, Kody Hanner sits down with Addison Stoddard — host of the All Things Ag Gal Podcast and farm director for the Kansas Farm and Ranch Radio Network — to talk about the role of agricultural broadcasting and why it still matters more than ever.

From early mornings on the radio to breaking down complex topics like fuel, fertilizer, and food supply chains — Addison shares what it really looks like to be the voice delivering ag news to farmers who rely on it daily.

From market updates and policy changes to the realities of misinformation on social media — this episode dives into how information is shared, who people trust, and why accurate communication in agriculture is critical.

This isn’t just about radio.

If you care about:

This episode will challenge how you think about agriculture — not just as a practice, but as a system of information, trust, and decision-making.

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to connect with Addison and follow her work in agricultural media.

🎙️ Podcast: All Things Ag Gal

🌍 Website: https://allthingsaggal.com/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581960825517

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allthingsaggal/

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🔥 Final Thought

Information is one of the most powerful tools we have in agriculture.

The more we understand where it comes from — and how to interpret it — the more equipped we are to make decisions that support our families, our food systems, and our future.

Sugaring isn’t just for the Northeast anymore. And the truth is — there are opportunities for food, resources, and self-sufficiency sitting right in our own backyards… if we’re willing to look a little closer.

In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast, Kody Hanner sits down with David Knudson of Montana Maple Works to talk about the surprising world of tapping trees for syrup in the Western U.S. — and what it really takes to turn sap into something usable, valuable, and even profitable.

From tapping city trees to navigating regulations, building a business from scratch, and teaching others along the way — David shares how curiosity turned into a full-blown maple syrup operation, and what that means for homesteaders and families looking to learn new skills.

From understanding tree types and sap flow to the reality of how much work goes into a single gallon of syrup — this episode breaks down both the science and the practicality behind it all.

This isn’t just about maple syrup.

If you care about:

This episode will open your eyes to what’s possible — even in places you might not expect.

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to connect with David and learn more about tapping trees and syrup production.

🌐 Visit: Montana Maple Works

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Sometimes the resources we’re looking for aren’t far away — they’re just unfamiliar.

The more we learn to see what’s around us, the more capable we become of providing for ourselves — one skill at a time.

Food systems are shifting. Farming is shifting. And the reality is — making a living in agriculture today looks nothing like it used to.

In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast, Kody Hanner sits down with Lexi Wright of the Farming on Purpose podcast for a real conversation about what it actually takes to make farming work in today’s economy — from direct-to-consumer sales to managing multiple income streams and navigating the challenges modern farmers are facing.

From the disconnect between consumers and their food to the growing pressure on farmers to become marketers, educators, and business owners all at once — this episode breaks down what’s really happening behind the scenes.

This isn’t about going back to the “old way” of farming.

If you care about:

This episode will challenge how you think about agriculture — and what it takes to make it work.

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to connect with Lexi Wright from Farming on Purpose and support the work she’s doing to help farmers and rural businesses grow.

🎙 Listen to her podcast: Farming on Purpose

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Farming today isn’t just about raising animals or growing crops.

Food systems are shifting. Education is shifting. And in 2026, the question isn’t if things need to change — it’s how we do better moving forward.

In this Season 7 kickoff episode of The Homestead Education Podcast, Kody Hanner takes a hard look at the current state of agriculture, the rise of AI and digital influence, and the growing disconnect between people and their food.

From the dilution of farming practices under trending labels to the increasing reliance on broken education systems, this episode breaks down what’s actually happening — and what families, educators, and communities can do about it.

This isn’t about turning everyone into a farmer.

If you care about:

Food security and self-sufficiency

Agriculture education for kids and families

Homesteading, small-scale farming, and real-life skills

The impact of AI and media on learning and culture

This episode will challenge the way you think — and give you a path forward.

What’s really happening in agriculture in 2026

How AI and online content are shaping (and distorting) education

The problem with “trendy” farming movements losing their roots

Why traditional systems are failing to prepare capable adults

How small-scale agriculture education can rebuild stronger communities

Practical ways families can start taking back control of their food and learning

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We don’t need more noise.

Food and agriculture have never been louder — and clarity has never been harder to find.

As we move into 2026, grocery prices are rising, agricultural education is being shaped by broken systems, and AI is changing how information spreads. So how do we actually do better?

Season 7 of The Homestead Education Podcast is focused on rebuilding agricultural education at a human scale — not to turn everyone into farmers, but to raise people who understand food, land, and responsibility.

If you care about food security, agriculture, or strengthening families and communities, this season is for you.

👉Follow the show now so you don’t miss the full Season 7 kickoff episode next week. The conversation is just getting started.

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In this episode, I share an update on Ranger, our Great Pyrenees livestock guardian who is still missing, and how our family is moving forward while holding onto hope. I also talk about our plan to bring home a new working male dog, what we’re looking for in a ranch-ready name, and how we’re navigating the emotions of change while keeping the homestead running.

Then I dive into my annual New Year reflection, including my word-of-the-year approach (reemerge, redefine, and bringing it home), what’s shifting in our family and business, and why executive functioning matters for both kids and adults. I explain how homesteading naturally builds real-life skills through purpose, cause and effect, and responsibility, share details about my free Executive Functioning for Homestead Kids download, and give an update on our student planners—plus the launch of the new Junior Homestead Student Planner.

Episode Links

Homestead Student Planners: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/student-planner/

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In this episode, I’m talking about working dogs—and what happens when one goes missing. After a brief life update, I share the story of our livestock guardian dog, Ranger, and the events leading up to his disappearance. From late-night disturbances to injuries on multiple dogs, this episode explores the reality of relying on a guardian dog to protect a farm and the emotional weight of not knowing what happened.

I also address common misconceptions about working dogs, especially livestock guardian breeds like Great Pyrenees—how they’re raised, why they live differently than house pets, and why pet standards don’t always apply to working roles. Drawing from my background with hunting, herding, and farm dogs, I explain the difference between livestock guardians and farm guardians and invite listeners to think critically about breed-specific needs, farm protection, and respectful support during hard seasons.

Episode Links

Homestead Education Shop: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/shop/

Hanner Homestead: https://hannerhomestead.com/shop/

Porthill Printing: https://porthillprinting.com/

Livestock Guardian: https://amzn.to/4j08Riq

Herding Dogs: https://amzn.to/3L3Vkts

Herding Dogs on the Homestead: https://amzn.to/48FctTn 

Kody Links

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Watch episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation

In this episode, Kody sits down with Lindy Bryant of Northwoods of Idaho—Air Force veteran, disaster response specialist, and creator of the Grab and Go Binder and Survival in a Bottle kits.

They break down real-life preparedness for normal people: families, single parents, seniors, urban dwellers, and rural homesteaders who want to be ready for power outages, job loss, medical emergencies, and everyday “mini disasters” long before a comet hits the earth.

From emergency binders and car kits to bartering, community support, and skill-based prepping, this conversation will help you rethink preparedness as a practical, affordable, and deeply caring way to protect your family.

Episode Links

Website: https://www.northwoodsofidaho.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthWoodsOfIdaho

Get it on Amazon: Do It Yourself: Grab-N-Go Binder

Lindy's Book: The Single Person's Guide to Preparedness: Prepping for One!

Kody Links

Website: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/

Shop Curriculum: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/shop

Speaking Events: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/events

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Watch episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation