Farm Fresh Homestead | Homesteading, Organic Gardening & Living Off the Land

Do you need a tractor on a small homestead? This episode gives you a way to decide: list the jobs you actually have, compare renting, hiring, borrowing and owning, look at the hidden costs of a used machine and see what a few hand tools and a small implement can do before you spend a large sum.
Prices vary widely by region, brand and condition. Get local quotes and, for any used machine, an inspection. This is general information, not financial advice.

Some persistent herbicides can survive composting and injure sensitive crops. Regional Extension guidance explains supplier questions, comparative plant screening and the time needed before spreading an unfamiliar lot. Screening is not chemical identification or a guarantee for every part of a batch.

Can you sell the chickens or meat you raise on your homestead? This episode explains the USDA poultry exemptions for small producers, including the 1,000-bird and 20,000-bird limits, what custom-exempt processing means, why selling red meat usually requires inspected processing and how to check your state's rules.
Rules differ by state and species and change over time. Confirm with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service and your state department of agriculture before you sell. This is general information, not legal advice.

From $5,000 to $20,000, we break down what affects drilling costs. Includes how to get quotes and avoid dry holes. Check your state’s well permitting rules.

Carrot tops, onion skins, and celery ends can make flavorful broth. We share the best scrap combinations and simmering times. Check your state’s food safety guidelines.

Beets are cheap to grow and easy to store. We show how to grow a bumper crop and use every part—from roots to greens. Check your zone’s planting dates.

From vinegar to sunlight, we test chemical-free cleaning that works. Includes a step-by-step deep clean schedule. Check your state’s waste disposal rules.

Broilers need more space and feed than layers. We break down costs, care, and legal processing options. Check your state’s poultry processing rules.

No filters. We tour a real first-year homestead, showing overgrown beds, dead chickens, and the one crop that paid off. Learn what to prioritize and what to skip.

Taxes can double your land cost. We show how to research local rates and qualify for agricultural discounts. Check your county’s current exemption rules.

Water bath won’t kill botulism. We explain the science and offer safe alternatives like pickling, fermenting, or freezing. Check your state’s food safety guidelines.

Most homegrown carrots rot by February. We show how to grow, harvest, and store them to last all winter. Includes best varieties for your region.

We analyze laws in 10 major US cities and reveal hidden restrictions—like coop distance from property lines. Check your city’s current code—rules change often.

Overcrowding leads to stress and disease. We break down ideal vs. minimum space and share creative ways to rotate grazing—even on small lots.

We test tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots in containers and track yield vs. cost. Spoiler: some do great. Others waste space and soil. Check your HOA rules first.

From coliform to arsenic, we list what to test for and safe levels. Includes average testing costs and when to walk away from a property.

No crock? No problem. We walk through a simple, safe method using common kitchen tools. Includes troubleshooting mold and fizz.

We compare seed vs. set costs and show how to start onions indoors for a full harvest. Includes storage tips to make them last all winter.

From droopy combs to reduced laying, we list symptoms that need action. Includes quarantine steps and affordable treatments. Check your state’s vet regulations.

We compare docile vs. dominant breeds and share tips for introducing new birds. Includes which combinations to avoid—especially with kids or pets.