2023 has been a season of change on our homestead.  Some of that has been planned.  So of it, not so much.  On this final episode of season 4, I share with you some of those changes and some lessons I've learned.  I also share with you my vision for season 5. Until next time, keep up the good work!! Brian Support the show http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.facebook.com/TheHomesteadJourneyPodcast https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHomesteadJ ..read more

In this final episode Bonnie joins me on one last episode in our series on Empty Nest Homesteading .  We expected this transition to be far more traumatic than it has been.  While we understand that everyone's journey is different, on this episode we share 11 Reasons why we think we've been able to make this transition so smoothly . Enjoy!! Brian Support the show http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.facebook.com/TheHomesteadJourneyPodcast https ..read more

This week I spent a lot of time reading the policy manuals of the Farm Bureau and the NY Farm Bureau.  As I did, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about how homesteading and farming are the same.  And how they are different.  On this episode, I share my thoughts on that as well as why I think homesteading is crucial to solving the issue of aging farmers. Enjoy!! Brian Support the show http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.facebook.com/TheH ..read more

Back in May at the Southern Adirondack Homesteading Festival, I was introduced to Natalie, the manager of our local region for the NY Farm Bureau.  We became friends.  She has been trying to convince me to join the organization, but I wasn't convinced that it would be a good fit.  While their mission is advocacy and education relating to agricultural issues, I didn't think they would care about the issues and concerns that homesteaders face.  As I shared some of those concerns with Natalie, she said to me, "Brian, NYFB cannot advocate for problems they don't know exist.&nbs ..read more

This past weekend, I had the privilege of helping Jack Pollner put on the Fall Gathering of the Homesteaders of New England.  What a great time!!! On this episode I share with you about the event, including 6 lessons I've (re)learned by attending the event.  Enjoy!! Brian Support the show http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.facebook.com/TheHomesteadJourneyPodcast https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHomesteadJourney https://www.facebook.com/3BFarmNY/ ht ..read more

This year my garden has sucked.  Worst. Garden. Ever.  It's been one of those gardening seasons that could make you want to quit gardening.  Forever. But, instead, I'm trying to learn some lessons.  Some lessons that I hope will help me be successful in years to come. Hopefully it will inspire you to keep gardening even if things haven't gone well for you either. Enjoy!! Brian Support the show http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.faceb ..read more

On today's episode we jump back to May's Southern Adirondack Homesteading Festival and the talk I gave called "What Is Homesteading". Enjoy!! Brian Support the show http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.facebook.com/TheHomesteadJourneyPodcast https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHomesteadJourney https://www.facebook.com/3BFarmNY/ https://www.instagram.com/thehomesteadjourneypodcast/?hl=en https://teespring.com/stores/thehomesteadjourneypodcast Brian@thehomesteadjou ..read more

On this episode, we take a deep dive into steam canning.  I talk about it's history, the journey to "approval" and when it should be used. I also talk about the VKP Multi-Use Steam Canner that we just purchased.  I've put it through its paces; as a steam canner, a hot water bath canner and a stock pot.  Do I recommend it?  Listen and find out!! VKP Multi-Use Steam Canner VKP Dome Style Steam Canner Keep up the good work!! Brian Support the show http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support ..read more

This week, we sent our last remaining American Guinea Hogs off to their new home in Michigan .  It is a bittersweet day for us.  And while a lot of thought went into making this decision, it is very easy to second guess "quitting" something.  And, so on this episode I remind you (and myself) that it is ok to quit things.  In fact, sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is to move onto something else.   On this episode, I discuss 5 reasons why we might want to quit things: 1. You don't like it.   2. You don't need it.  3. You don't want to do it ..read more

On this episode, I am joined once again by Amy Dingmann from A Farmish Kind of Life as we talk about "lifesteading" and her journey so far into being an empty nester. Enjoy!! Brian Support the show http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/blog http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/newsletter http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net/support http://www.thehomesteadjourney.net https://www.facebook.com/TheHomesteadJourneyPodcast https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHomesteadJourney https://www.facebook.com/3BFarmNY/ https://www.instagram.com/thehomesteadjourneypodcast/?hl=en https://teespring.com/stores/thehomesteadjou ..read more