homesteading – Born for the Barn

Lessons of Thrift from a Civil War Era Farmer

Edmund Morris’ book Ten Acres Enough: The Classic 1864 Guide to Independent Farming presents a unique view into the life of an ordinary man, who like many today, dreamt of moving to the country as a small time farmer. Morris describes how he in his mid 40s purchased just ten acres in rural New JerseyContinue reading “Lessons of Thrift from a Civil War Era Farmer”

One Rule of Farming to Never Forget

There are many little rules to farming or homesteading, some passed down from grandparents, some learned from experience, and others learned from YouTube or blogs. There is one rule I’ve come to learn through experience and lots of research into different homesteading endeavors. The rule that I find is little talked about but rarely brokenContinue reading “One Rule of Farming to Never Forget”

Here’s Everything We Did in Our First Year on the Homestead

We moved to our new property of just over six acres in Georgia in July 2022. As we approach the end of our first year on the homestead, I think it’s important to reflect and quantify all that we accomplished in these first 12 months. Looking backwards will help us gauge how much progress weContinue reading “Here’s Everything We Did in Our First Year on the Homestead”

What Most Homesteaders Lack

I’ve been thinking more and more about the differences between homesteaders and small-scale farmers and market gardeners. While there are many similarities, usually including similar lifestyles, a love of the outdoors, and a desire for wholesome food, there are also notable differences. Small-scale farmers and market gardeners grow food and tend animals to make aContinue reading “What Most Homesteaders Lack”

Introducing Born for the Barn: A Homestead Journey

I have a great job: it’s extremely interesting work; it brings me into daily contact with great people; and it pays well enough to support our family as the sole income source. However, looking at a computer screen (as I’m inevitably doing right now) for eight hours a day is not a source of joy.Continue reading “Introducing Born for the Barn: A Homestead Journey”