Podcast
The Homestead Education Podcast
Everyone deserves an agricultural education — to understand food, land, and responsibility at a scale that fits real life.
Hosted by Kody Hanner, agricultural educator, homeschool mom of six, and lifelong rural advocate, The Homestead Education Podcast explores how accessible, small-scale agricultural education can build capable people, strengthen families, and create resilient local food systems.
Drawing from generations of rural knowledge, educated in animal science, and years of teaching families outside traditional systems, Kody breaks down complex food and education topics into practical, usable skills for homes, classrooms, and communities.
Each week, you’ll hear honest conversations about food systems, small-scale agriculture, homeschooling, and real-world education — designed for families, educators, and anyone who believes we shouldn’t outsource our lives.
Whether you live on acreage, in town, or somewhere in between, this podcast will help you understand where your food comes from, why it matters, and how practical agricultural knowledge can create meaningful change.
- How To chart
- #75
- Episodes
- 100
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 53 min
- On air since
- 2023
- Latest episode
- 6 days ago
Episodes
100 episodes, newest first
-
1 hr 18 min
Episode 189: How to Stay Sane When Things Go Wrong on the Homestead
Season 7, Episode 189
Show notes
How do you stay sane when things go wrong on the homestead? First, you accept that they will go wrong—regardless of how prepared, experienced, careful, or well-funded you are.
Ron joins me for an honest and slightly unhinged conversation about the disasters, losses, bad decisions, equipment failures, escaped animals, and moments of absolute chaos that come with raising livestock and building a life around the land.
This episode was appropriately cursed from the beginning. We recorded the entire 75-minute conversation once—only to discover that our microphone had been muted the whole time. Take two felt painfully on brand.
We share the morning nearly 100 meat chicks escaped through a hole burned into their chicken tractor, forcing our pajama-clad family to chase birds across the pasture and attempt some highly questionable rescue techniques involving a snow rake, leaf blower, flour, gravel, and snacks.
We also talk about:
•
Losing a freezer full of home-raised chicken during a power outage
•
Why preparation reduces risk but never eliminates it
•
What happens when the hot wire fails and the pigs notice
•
Separating two 900-pound boars before the fight becomes fatal
•
Ron grounding a powerful electric fence through his dental work
•
Flipping the side-by-side while returning an escaped steer
•
Our ongoing battle with cows that have suddenly learned to scale fences
•
Losing a breech calf after doing everything we could to save him
•
Learning from loss without convincing yourself that every bad outcome was preventable
•
The accidental lard pig who became Uncle Magoo—our 500-pound piglet warmer and unofficial livestock guardian
Some homestead problems are funny once everyone survives. Others are expensive, exhausting, or genuinely heartbreaking. Staying sane does not mean pretending those moments do not hurt. It means handling the immediate problem, honestly evaluating what happened, changing what you can, and refusing to let one hard day convince you that the entire life you built was a mistake.
Sometimes you improve the system.
Sometimes you accept the loss.
And sometimes the only reasonable response is to stand in the pasture wearing slippers while your husband uses a leaf blower to shoot flour underneath a shed full of runaway chickens.
If your own homestead currently feels more like a poorly supervised circus than a peaceful life in the country, this episode is for you.
Episode Links:
Ron's IG: https://www.instagram.com/thehannerhomestead
Ron's FB: https://www.facebook.com/thehannerhomestead
Freezer Thermometer Alarm: https://link.amazon/B0czMrcCB
Yardersteader Bundle Only $50 until Nov 1, 2026: https://thehillsidemarket.com/pages/ultimate-yardsteading-collection?sca_ref=5214991.61SYL0S1cP
Kody's Links:
• Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
• Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
• ESA Funding: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/funding/
• Instagram –https://instagram.com/homestead_education
• Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
• Raising Self-Sufficient Kids Book – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/product/raising-self-sufficient-children/ -
56 min
Episode 188: Natural Antibiotics: How to Build a Practical Home Remedy Cabinet with Prep Mart
Episode 188
Show notes
How to Build a Natural Medicine Cabinet | Natural Antibiotics, Tinctures & Preparedness
What should you actually keep in a home remedy cabinet—and where do you even start when natural medicine feels completely overwhelming?
In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast, Kody Hanner sits down with Lesli and Coleen from Prep Mart to talk about natural remedies, preparedness, herbal medicine, and the practical skills families can learn to become more self-reliant.
The conversation covers everything from tinctures and essential oils to elderberry, herbal infusions, and what the guests describe as natural antibiotics. Lesli and Coleen also share how their own families' experiences with preparedness and natural living eventually led them to build Prep Mart and begin teaching other families the skills they had spent years learning themselves.
In This Episode:
•
What people mean when they talk about natural antibiotics
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The difference between tinctures, essential oils, teas, and herbal infusions
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Why different herbal preparations may be used for different purposes
•
How Lesli and Coleen first became interested in natural remedies
•
Building a home remedy cabinet without buying everything at once
•
How to decide which herbs and remedies make the most sense for your individual family
•
Elderberry and why it has become a staple in many homestead medicine cabinets
•
Colloidal silver and the personal experiences that led Coleen to learn more about it
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Oregano oil and other traditional remedies commonly discussed in natural-living communities
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Why preparedness is about more than extreme emergencies
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Creating a 72-hour preparedness plan
•
Slowly building a pantry when you can't afford to stock a year's worth of food at once
•
How unexpected job loss, storms, power outages, and financial difficulties can make preparedness valuable
•
The importance of building a community of farmers, medical professionals, and other skilled people
•
Teaching children science through tinctures, fermentation, cooking, gardening, and homestead projects
•
Why real-life skills naturally become part of homeschool education
•
Raising children who know how to identify problems, find answers, and take responsibility
Natural Antibiotics and the Home Remedy Cabinet
One of the biggest topics in this conversation is something many families searching for a more self-reliant lifestyle eventually encounter: natural antibiotics.
Coleen explains how her family became interested in colloidal silver and describes how she makes it at home. She and Lesli also talk about their personal use of herbal remedies, including oregano oil, elderberry, mullein, tinctures, and essential oils.
But one of the most important moments in the episode comes when the conversation turns to serious infection.
Kody shares the story of her brother developing cellulitis after a seemingly minor wound while working outdoors. His condition progressed rapidly, eventually contributing to a medical crisis from which he did not recover. That experience is a powerful reminder that self-reliance doesn't mean refusing conventional medicine—it also means learning to recognize when something has moved beyond home care.
This episode shares personal experiences and traditional home-remedy practices for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Serious or worsening infections, breathing problems, high fever, cellulitis, or other concerning symptoms should be evaluated by a qualified medical professional.
Where Should You Start?
One of the best pieces of advice from this conversation is surprisingly simple:
Don't try to build your entire natural medicine cabinet overnight.
Instead, look at the problems your family actually deals with most often.
A family with young children may prioritize completely different remedies than an older couple. Someone who struggles with seasonal respiratory issues may build a different cabinet than a family primarily dealing with bug bites, upset stomachs, or everyday bumps and scrapes.
It's the same approach Kody recommends for becoming more self-sufficient with food: identify the five or ten things your family uses most often, then learn how to produce, source, or prepare those things first.
Preparedness Doesn't Have to Mean a Bunker
Lesli and Coleen also challenge the stereotype that preparedness means preparing for some massive end-of-the-world event.
Sometimes preparedness looks like having enough food when you lose your job.
Sometimes it's being snowed in for several days.
Sometimes it's losing power.
Sometimes it's simply having what your family needs when getting to the store isn't an option.
Lesli shares how her family's stored food and preparedness supplies helped them through a period when multiple financial problems hit almost simultaneously—job losses, losing their housing arrangement, a totaled vehicle, and discovering they were expecting a baby. The supplies weren't there for a dramatic disaster. They were there for real life.
Teaching Self-Reliance Through Everyday Life
The conversation also moves into one of the central themes of The Homestead Education Podcast: children learn an incredible amount when they're allowed to participate in real life.
Fermentation becomes science.
Baking becomes fractions.
Making tinctures becomes chemistry.
Identifying elderberry, mullein, and goldenrod becomes botany.
Raising livestock becomes biology, economics, and responsibility.
And solving real problems gives kids something that's much harder to teach on a worksheet: confidence.
Lesli and Coleen explain how their children help with gardening, animals, fermentation, food production, herbal remedies, and even butchering—and how much academic learning naturally happens along the way.
As Kody puts it during the conversation, we're not simply raising kids.
We're raising adults.
And one of the most valuable things we can teach them is how to look at a problem and believe, I can figure this out.
Resources Mentioned
Prep Mart
Natural-living, preparedness, and home-remedy resources from Lesli and Coleen.Use code HOMESTEAD EDUCATION for 10% off through Prep Mart.
Prep Mart also offers educational resources designed to help families gradually build preparedness skills, including a 72-hour preparedness checklist and pantry-building resources.
Follow The Homestead Education Podcast
If you're interested in natural living, homesteading, preparedness, agriculture, and raising capable kids, follow The Homestead Education Podcast so you don't miss the next episode.
We're not interested in simply collecting more information.
We're interested in learning skills we can actually use.
Until next week, keep growing.
Find Prep Mart
http://prepmartusa.com/
Discount code: HomesteadEducationFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576608654246
IG: https://www.instagram.com/prepmartusa/?__pwa=1
Kody's Links
• Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
• Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
• ESA Funding: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/funding/
• Instagram –https://instagram.com/homestead_education
• Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
• Raising Self-Sufficient Kids Book – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/product/raising-self-sufficient-children/ -
57 min
Episode 187: How to Preserve Heirloom Seeds and Grow a Resilient Garden
Episode 187
Show notes
Seed saving is about far more than collecting a few seeds at the end of the gardening season. It is a practical way to preserve heirloom varieties, strengthen your garden, and keep more control over your family’s food supply.
In this episode, I’m joined by Christopher and Maggie Snow of Autumn Prairie Pumpkins to discuss seed saving, heirloom pumpkins, hand pollination, pest-resistant squash varieties, and the small suburban garden that grew into a micro farm and seed business.
Christopher and Maggie explain the difference between heirloom and F1 hybrid seeds—and why seeds collected from a hybrid plant may not produce the same variety the following year. We also walk through their seed-saving process, including covering unopened blossoms, hand-pollinating flowers, preventing unwanted cross-pollination, and labeling the seeds they intend to preserve.
We also talk about:
•
Why heirloom seeds matter for food security and resilience
•
How to begin seed saving in your own garden
•
The difference between heirloom and F1 hybrid varieties
•
How squash and pumpkins cross-pollinate
•
Using blossom bags and hand pollination to keep seeds true
•
Choosing squash varieties adapted to local pests and conditions
•
Squash vine borers, cucumber beetles, and natural pest-management methods
•
Growing vertically in a small suburban backyard
•
Preserving unusual culinary pumpkins and their agricultural history
•
Turning a passion for gardening into a small farm business
You do not need acres of land, generations of gardening knowledge, or a naturally green thumb to begin growing food and saving seeds. Sometimes it starts with one stubborn pumpkin plant—and a willingness to learn why it survived when the others did not.
Learn more about Christopher and Maggie, shop their heirloom seeds, and find their pumpkin cookbook at https://autumnprairiepumpkins.com/.
Use code HOMESTEAD10 for 10% off your order.
Episode Links
• The Pumpkin Bakery Book: https://link.amazon/B0coHS4gw
• Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World: https://link.amazon/B0cuEn6db
• Guns, Germs, & Steel: https://link.amazon/B02DY7mdrKody's Links
• Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
• Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
• ESA Funding: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/funding/
• Instagram –https://instagram.com/homestead_education
• Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
• Raising Self-Sufficient Kids Book – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/product/raising-self-sufficient-children/ -
49 min
Episode 186: How to Prepare for Rising Gas Prices & Food Shortages
Season 7, Episode 186
Show notes
What happens when rising gas prices don't just hurt at the pump—but begin affecting the cost and availability of nearly everything else?
In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast, I'm joined by my husband, Ron Hanner, to talk about what higher fuel costs can mean for truckers, farmers, food prices, local businesses, and the supply chain—and, more importantly, what ordinary families can actually do about it.
This isn't about preparing for the end of the world. It's about preparing for the unprecedented.
A job loss. A power outage. A winter storm. A supply-chain disruption. Rapidly rising gas prices. Or simply discovering that the groceries your family buys every week suddenly cost far more than they did a year ago.
Ron and I talk through the ripple effect that fuel prices can have across agriculture and transportation, including the pressure on independent truck drivers and the importance of the trucks that move food, fuel, medical supplies, manufacturing materials, and countless everyday necessities. We also discuss why even a short disruption can expose just how dependent modern communities are on products arriving exactly when they're needed.
But most of this episode is about what you can do before you're scrambling.
In This Episode:
• How rising gas prices can increase the cost of food and other necessities
• Why independent truck drivers are especially vulnerable to major fuel-price increases
• What a transportation or supply-chain disruption could mean for everyday families
• Why preparedness doesn't have to mean extreme prepping
• Simple ways to store drinking water
• How to secure a dependable protein source
• Buying beef, pork, eggs, and milk directly from local farmers
• Splitting bulk meat purchases with friends or family to lower the upfront cost
• Stretching meat across multiple meals
• Stocking inexpensive staples like potatoes and other root vegetables
• Preserving grocery-store produce when your garden doesn't produce enough
• Small-batch canning, freezing, fermenting, and refrigerator pickling
• Why you don't need to preserve hundreds of pounds of food at once
• How buying in bulk can make higher-quality food more affordable
• Getting multiple foods from one ingredient—like turning raw milk into drinking milk, yogurt, cream, butter, or cheese
• Reducing food waste by creating a more circular household or homestead food system
• Why supporting your local farmer before a crisis matters so muchOne of the biggest misconceptions about preparedness is that you need a huge pantry, acres of land, or thousands of dollars to get started.
You don't.
Start with one thing.
Buy an extra staple when it's inexpensive. Find someone locally who sells eggs. Split a bulk beef purchase with another family. Learn how to preserve one food your family already eats. Store a little water. Cook an extra portion and put it away.
The goal isn't fear.
The goal is creating enough margin in your life that the unexpected doesn't immediately become an emergency.
We also talk about one of the most important pieces of preparedness that can't be stored on a pantry shelf: relationships.
A functioning local food system exists only when local farmers have enough customers to keep producing food. Waiting until grocery shelves are empty to find your local farmer is too late. Supporting those producers consistently helps ensure that farms, ranches, dairies, and small food businesses are still there when your community needs them.
And because this is our family, the conversation naturally includes cows getting ready to calve, a chicken tractor that we accidentally built too large to get off the porch, kids who name animals destined for the freezer, plans for a multigenerational family homestead—and Ron abruptly leaving the podcast when his fire department pager goes off.
Real life doesn't stop because you're recording a podcast.
Neither does the unexpected.
The best time to prepare for it is before you need to.
Resources Mentioned
Visit The Homestead Education for resources on food production, agriculture, preservation, homesteading, and teaching the next generation practical skills.
If you have a question you'd like us to answer in a future episode, reach out at hello@thehomesteadeducation.com.
And until next week—keep growing.
Episode Links
• Hanner Homestead: https://www.hannerhomestead.com
• Hanner Homestead Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehannerhomestead
• Redmond's Real Salt: https://glnk.io/oq72y/homestead-education
• Episode 148: Homesteading on a Budget: Practical Tips to Grow Self-Sufficiency with Less Money: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/episode-148-homesteading-on-a-budget-practical-tips-to-grow-self-sufficiency-with-less-money/
• Episode 119: Are you sustainably prepared?: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/episode-119-are-you-sustainably-prepared/Kody's Links
• Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
• Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
• ESA Funding: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/funding/
• Instagram –https://instagram.com/homestead_education
• Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
• Raising Self-Sufficient Kids Book – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/product/raising-self-sufficient-children/ -
1 hr 23 min
Episode 185: How I Actually Get It All Done on a Homestead
Episode 185
Show notes
In this episode, I’m answering one of the questions I get asked all the time: How do I get it all done?
Between running a homestead, raising livestock, homeschooling, managing multiple businesses, traveling, running a co-op, and keeping up with a very full household, the real answer is—I don’t do it all.
I’m sharing what actually helps me keep things moving: delegating, building systems, choosing priorities, managing the mental load, using tools that work with my brain, knowing when to hire help, and accepting that sometimes “good enough” really is good enough.
I also share plenty of real-life homestead chaos along the way—from new piglets and heritage hogs to chicken disasters, ducks, harvest season, and the reality of trying to prepare for winter while running a business.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re working constantly but somehow still falling behind, this episode is for you.
Episode Links
• Autumn of the Homestead Activity Book: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/product/seasons-on-the-homestead-autumn-educational-activity-book/
• Hanner Homestead: info@hannerhomestead.com
• 80/20 Rule Book: https://amzn.to/4AeMfTl
• The Gut Health Product That Changed My Life: https://shareplex.us/share/8qE7_VLKody’s Link
• Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
• Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
• ESA Funding: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/funding/
• Instagram –https://instagram.com/homestead_education
• Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
• Raising Self-Sufficient Kids Book – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/product/raising-self-sufficient-children/ -
53 min
Episode: 184 Part 2: Good Food and Stubborn Wives | Living a Natural Life After a Terminal Diagnosis
Season 7, Episode 184
Show notes
Kody Hanner and Ron Hanner share a raw, practical story about marriage, parenting, homesteading, and rebuilding health after Ron was told he had end-stage liver disease and might have only a year to live. What follows is a story of fear, grit, and gradual change that led their family to rethink food, home life, and what it means to fight for one another. This episode matters because it connects nutrition, mindset, family systems, and healing in a way that feels lived in rather than theoretical.
In this episode:
• Kody and Ron explain how they met, blended two families, and quickly built a new life together in Oregon
• Ron describes the shock of being told he was "a little cirrhotic" and later diagnosed with compensated end-stage liver disease at 35
• They talk through the emotional fallout, including fear, withdrawal, PTSD, and the strain the diagnosis put on the marriage
• Kody shares how the doctor’s vague advice to pursue a more natural lifestyle became the first thing she could grab onto
• They break down the drastic changes they made to food, including cooking from scratch, avoiding preservatives, and sourcing cleaner ingredients
• The move to homesteading in North Idaho becomes a major turning point as they begin producing more of their own food
• Ron explains how he managed chronic pain and disability through a spinal cord stimulator instead of narcotics
• They discuss homeschooling, family meetings, chore systems, and how they learned to make the whole household part of the process
• Kody and Ron share how they moved toward cleaner living with homemade cleaners, tallow and lard, fewer artificial scents, and more herbal remedies
• The episode closes on their broader message: be proactive, be intentional, and do not hide from the hard thingsRon's Links
• Hanner Homestead: http://www.hannerhomestead.com/
• Hanner Homestead IG: http://www.instagram.com/thehannerhomestead
• Hanner Homestead FB: http://www.facebook.com/thehannerhomesteadKody's Links
• Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
• Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
• Instagram –https://instagram.com/homestead_education
• Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
• Raising Self-Sufficient Kids Book - https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/product/raising-self-sufficient-children/ -
48 min
Episode: 183 Good Food and Stubborn Wives | Living a Natural Life After a Terminal Diagnosis
Episode 183
Show notes
Kody Hanner and Ron Hanner share a raw, practical story about marriage, parenting, homesteading, and rebuilding health after Ron was told he had end-stage liver disease and might have only a year to live. What follows is a story of fear, grit, and gradual change that led their family to rethink food, home life, and what it means to fight for one another. This episode matters because it connects nutrition, mindset, family systems, and healing in a way that feels lived in rather than theoretical.
In this episode:
• Kody and Ron explain how they met, blended two families, and quickly built a new life together in Oregon
• Ron describes the shock of being told he was "a little cirrhotic" and later diagnosed with compensated end-stage liver disease at 35
• They talk through the emotional fallout, including fear, withdrawal, PTSD, and the strain the diagnosis put on the marriage
• Kody shares how the doctor’s vague advice to pursue a more natural lifestyle became the first thing she could grab onto
• They break down the drastic changes they made to food, including cooking from scratch, avoiding preservatives, and sourcing cleaner ingredients
• The move to homesteading in North Idaho becomes a major turning point as they begin producing more of their own food
• Ron explains how he managed chronic pain and disability through a spinal cord stimulator instead of narcotics
• They discuss homeschooling, family meetings, chore systems, and how they learned to make the whole household part of the process
• Kody and Ron share how they moved toward cleaner living with homemade cleaners, tallow and lard, fewer artificial scents, and more herbal remedies
• The episode closes on their broader message: be proactive, be intentional, and do not hide from the hard thingsRon's Links
• Hanner Homestead: http://www.hannerhomestead.com
• Hanner Homestead IG: http://www.instagram.com/thehannerhomestead
• Hanner Homestead FB: http://www.facebook.com/thehannerhomesteadKody's Links
• Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
• Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
• Instagram –https://instagram.com/homestead_education
• Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
• Raising Self-Sufficient Kids Book - https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/product/raising-self-sufficient-children/ -
1 hr 16 min
Episode 182: Agriculture, food policy, and county fair lessons from a summer on the homestead
Episode 182
Show notes
Kody Hanner shares a solo episode that mixes personal life updates from a wildfire-filled summer with a practical rundown of major agriculture and food safety headlines. She also closes with a long reflection on county fairs, 4-H, and how local agricultural education shapes capable, community-minded kids. In this episode, Kody connects homestead life, livestock management, food policy, and youth ag education into one big picture of how agriculture touches daily life far beyond the farm. She also explains why she thinks local food systems matter more than ever when large-scale supply chains, regulations, and public health issues all collide.
Key topics
• Kody explains how a major wildfire near her home pulled most of her family into fire duty for much of the summer, leaving her to run the farm, the business, and the home largely on her own.
• She gives a homestead update, including 31 piglets across four litters, her mixed pig breeding program, and her goal of growing Hanner Homestead into a recognizable source of quality heritage pork.
• She talks about a new Brown Swiss bull calf, A2A2 testing, and how that information helps shape long-term dairy and beef management decisions.
• Kody shares poultry plans for the year, including raising meat birds later than usual and using new Idaho laws to make direct retail sales easier.
• She introduces her homemade udder balm, which she says has become a practical chafing cream for firefighters and may soon be offered more broadly.
• We discuss the Cargill and Tyson meatpacking antitrust and price-fixing settlement, and Kody breaks down how monopolistic control can squeeze farmers while raising consumer prices.
• She covers a feedlot study that found unexpected lactation in some cattle and heifers, then walks through possible causes, including hormone implants, high-concentrate grain diets, plant estrogen activity, and mold exposure.
• Kody reviews the tension between commercial feedlot management and her own preference for grass-fed livestock and smaller-scale production decisions.
• She provides an educational explanation of recent food safety outbreaks, including Cyclospora and Salmonella cases linked to produce, and emphasizes how contamination can occur at many points in the supply chain.
• She explains the difference between common public assumptions about imported produce and the actual layers of certification, inspection, sanitation, and testing that major food systems use.
• Kody discusses the effort to define ultra-processed foods more clearly and the push to reform the GRAS system, which allows certain additives to bypass deeper review.
• She highlights ingredients and additives she sees as problematic, including BHA, BHT, azodicarbonamide, red dye number two, brominated vegetable oil, and other questionable compounds.
• The episode closes with a detailed look at county fairs as agricultural education, community infrastructure, youth development, and a major economic force in rural life.Episode Links
• Udder Balm Recipe: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/udder-balm/
• The Cargill Lawsuit: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-judge-rules-beef-purchasers-can-pursue-price-fixing-class-actions-2026-07-17/
• Lactating Steers: https://members.acresusa.com/lactating-steers-hormonal-implants/
• FDA Outbreak Updates: https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-multistate-outbreak-cyclospora-illnesses-iceberg-lettuce-july-2026
• GRAS definition: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-ingredients-packaging/generally-recognized-safe-grasHomestead Education Links
• Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
• Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
• Instagram –https://instagram.com/homestead_education
• Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation -
43 min
Episode: 181 How to Teach Your Kids Home Economics | Real-Life Skills That Build Confident, Capable Adults
Episode 181
Show notes
How do you teach home economics when most schools don't?
For many families, home economics has become a forgotten subject. But cooking, sewing, meal planning, budgeting, gardening, and creating with your hands are the very skills that build confidence, resilience, and independence.
In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast, Kody Hanner sits down with Jessica Clark of The Lark Life to discuss why practical life skills deserve a place alongside traditional academics—and how families can begin teaching them today.
Jessica shares how teaching her children to cook, sew, quilt, and create has transformed their confidence and given them ownership over their education. Together, they explore why children were designed to be creators rather than passive consumers, and how giving kids meaningful responsibilities helps them develop problem-solving skills that last a lifetime.
Whether you homeschool, attend public school, or simply want to raise more capable kids, this conversation offers practical encouragement for bringing home economics back into everyday family life.
In This Episode
• Why home economics is making a comeback
• Teaching cooking, sewing, quilting, and practical life skills
• Helping children become creators instead of consumers
• Building confidence through responsibility and hands-on learning
• Why mistakes are one of the best teachers
• Raising kids who contribute to the family instead of simply being entertained
• Teaching boys and girls the same practical skills
• Creating a home where learning happens naturally
• Jessica's new Foundations in Quilting curriculum for homeschool families
• What "Keep Growing" means and why lifelong learning mattersKey Takeaways
• Home economics is about far more than cooking—it's about preparing children for adulthood.
• Kids gain confidence when they're trusted with real responsibilities.
• Creativity, problem-solving, and resilience are learned by doing, not by watching.
• Families don't need expensive equipment or perfect conditions to begin teaching practical skills.
• Some of the most meaningful education happens around the kitchen table, in the garden, or beside a sewing machine.Jessica Clark's Links
• Jessica Clark – The Lark Life: http://www.thelarklife.com/
• Foundations in Quilting homeschool curriculum (get 20% off with code HE20): https://quilt-lab.teachery.co/foundations-in-quilting-semester-1?a=eaAH2dFT
• Beginner sewing resources and machine basics: https://amzn.to/45caVhj
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_lark_life/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577853711059Kody Hanner's Links
• Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
• Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
• Instagram –https://instagram.com/homestead_education
• Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducationSubscribe
If you're passionate about raising capable kids, practical agriculture, and real-world education, be sure to follow The Homestead Education Podcast. Each week, we share conversations that help families reconnect with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive—whether you live on a farm, in town, or somewhere in between.
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50 min
Episode 180: How Hands-On Experience Transforms Future Farmers and Ranchers with Trent Van Leuven
Episode 180
Show notes
In a world increasingly driven by screens, automation, and artificial intelligence, hands-on learning has never been more important. In this episode, agricultural educator Trent Van Leuwen shares how experiential learning, field trips, student entrepreneurship, and real-world agricultural experiences are helping students develop problem-solving skills, resilience, and career readiness. Whether you're a homeschool parent, teacher, or agriculture advocate, this conversation offers practical ideas for bringing meaningful hands-on education to today's students.
Key Topics:
• Trent's background growing up on a dairy farm and his journey into agricultural education
• Differences between urban/suburban and rural agricultural experiences
• The importance of vocabulary and foundational knowledge in agriculture
• Unique programs at Mackey High School, including fish hatcheries, greenhouse projects, and fish monitoring
• The role of community, authenticity, and passion in effective farm tours and field trips
• Strategies for teaching ag without traditional farm access, including creative lab solutions
• The significance of teaching financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career pathways in ag
• Cross-disciplinary collaborations between ranchers and fish biologists to promote sustainable practices
• The impact of experiential learning on students’ future careers and community involvement
• The "Keep Growing" philosophy about overcoming failures and continuous learningConnect with Trent
• Take a Little Field Trip (Book) -https://amzn.to/4fq3CXE
• Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/p/Trent-Van-Leuven-Educator-Author-61580158103061/Podcast Links and Resources
• Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
• Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/Kody's Links
• Instagram –https://instagram.com/homestead_education
• Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation -
53 min
Episode 179: Living Freely on the Fringes: Embracing Authenticity and Freedom in Homesteading & Homeschooling
Episode 179
Show notes
Living Freely on the Fringes: Embracing Authenticity and Freedom in Homesteading & Homeschooling
In this episode, Kody Hanner shares her raw, honest journey of redefining success, identity, and freedom within the homestead and homeschool lifestyle. She explores the pressures of social media, the importance of authenticity, and how to stay true to ourselves without falling into societal traps or comparisons. This episode is a powerful reminder that true freedom comes from living in alignment with your values, beyond public approval or perfect appearances.
Key Topics:
• The shift from chasing societal success to embracing personal authenticity on the homestead
• The pressure to perform and curate a perfect life online versus real, messy life
• How living on the fringes offers freedom and independence from mainstream expectations
• The importance of privacy and choosing what to share in a digital age
• Redefining success based on real-world outcomes like capability, health, and joy
• Overcoming the comparison game—garden wins, follower counts, and perfectionism
• The emotional journey of living through hardship, illness, and rebuilding purpose
• The significance of community, family, and land in cultivating a meaningful, free lifeResources & Links:
• Homestead Education Curriculum - http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
• Homestead Family Reading List - https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/Connect with Kody:
• Instagram -https://instagram.com/homestead_education
• Facebook - https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducationShare your thoughts:
Feel inspired? Leave a review or comment on social media. I’d love to hear how you’re reclaiming your freedom and authenticity in your homesteading and homeschooling journey.
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1 hr 4 min
Episode 178: How Preserving Food Builds Resilience and Cuts Costs During Crises with Jeremy & Stacy Hill of Gooseberry Bridge Farm
Episode 178
Show notes
Preserving Food, Farming Wisdom, and Building Resilience with Jeremy and Stacy Hill.
Discover how Jeremy and Stacy Hill from Gooseberry Bridge Farm combine traditional farming, food preservation, and resilient homesteading to reconnect with nature and community. This conversation offers practical insights for anyone interested in food sovereignty, sustainable living, and farm business strategies.
Main topics include:
• The evolution of a homestead into a full-time farm business
• The mental and practical foundations for successful food preservation
• Navigating the regulatory landscape of agro-tourism
• The importance of seasonality and small batch preservation
• Cultivating a resilient mindset for farm life and self-sufficiencyIn this episode:
• The story behind "The Preserver’s Garden" and food preservation as a catalyst
• How their personal journey led them from hobby gardening to a thriving farm
• The benefits and challenges of managing a 5,000 sq ft garden and multiple income streams
• The role of seasonality in preserving food effectively year-round
• How to start small with preservation projects like jam-making
• The importance of understanding your "why" to sustain homesteading efforts
• Insights into Missouri's friendly policies supporting farm-based tourism
• Practical tips on growing what works and managing the farm’s seasonal rhythm
• The cultural shift needed to value and pass down agricultural skillsResources & Links:
• The Preserver's Garden by Jeremy & Stacy Hill: https://amzn.to/4eCbd6y
• Gooseberry Bridge Farm: https://www.gooseberrybridge.com/
• Missouri Grown program: https://missourigrownusa.com/Connect with Jeremy & Stacy:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gooseberrybridgefarm/?__pwa=1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gooseberrybridge
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gooseberrybridgefarmConnect with Kody Hanner:
Website:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/homestead_education
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
GET YOUR FREE HOMESTEAD FAMILY READING LIST HERE: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
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1 hr
Episode 177: Why Agriculture Education Should Be the Foundation of Everyone's Education
Season 7, Episode 178
Show notes
This episode dives into the crucial need to redefine agriculture education for today's society. I share my personal journey, insights into food systems, and why foundational knowledge about where our food comes from is more vital than ever—regardless of whether you’re a farmer or not.
• The disconnect between conventional agriculture education and real-world needs
• Why understanding food, soil, and farm systems is essential for everyone
• How COVID, supply chain disruptions, and AI are shifting perspectives on local and small-scale farming
• The historical evolution of agricultural education and its current shortcomings
• Practical steps to incorporate meaningful agriculture lessons into homes and communities
• The importance of fostering purpose, resilience, and responsibility in the next generation
• The role of homeschooling, community involvement, and local sourcing in building a stable food futureResources & Links:
• Courses and curriculum for agricultural literacy: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
• Homesteading Summer Courses — 25% off mini courses with code SUMMER25: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/coupon-code/SUMMER25/sc-page/summer-on-the-homestead-kickoff-sale/
• Homestead Family Reading List: https://thehomesteadeducation.myflodesk.com/homestead-reading-listConnect with Kody Hanner:
• Website: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/homestead_education
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/homesteadeducationRemember: agriculture is the foundation of civilization. Reimagine how we teach and connect with it to build resilient, purpose-driven generations.
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33 min
Episode 176: How Blacksmithing Can Be Your Next Purpose-Driven Career or Hobby With Athol Iron Works
Episode 177
Show notes
Discover how blacksmithing is alive and evolving through the stories of Will Branson and David Walker from Fire Iron Forge. This episode explores the journey from childhood passions to building a thriving craft business, emphasizing the importance of niche markets, community, and continuous growth in the trade.
Watch the YouTube Episode Here: https://youtu.be/JJf-G0mLZCc
Main Topics:
• The origins of blacksmithing passions and how childhood influences shape careers
• Building a blacksmithing school and cultivating a community of diverse students
• The importance of finding a niche in a dying art and marketing it effectively
• The role of hands-on, experiential learning in developing confidence and purpose
• How blacksmithing serves as a meaningful outlet for all ages and genders
• Practical tips on starting blacksmithing at home and the realities of equipment costs
• The significance of continuous learning and staying a "forever student"Resources & Links:
• Fire Iron Forge - https://fireironforge.com/
• Athol Ironworks - https://atholironworks.com/
• Abana - Artist Blacksmiths Association of North America - https://abana.org/
• California Blacksmith Association - https://www.calsmith.org/Connect with Athol Iron Works or Fire Iron Forge
• Athol Iron Works Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/AtholIronworks
• Athol Iron Works Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/atholironworks/
• Fire Iron Forge Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fireironforge
• Fire Iron Forge Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fire_iron_forge/Kody's Links
• Homestead Education Curriculum:https://thehomesteadeducation.com
• Shop Books & Resources: https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shop
• Join the Email List for Resources & Updates:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribeFollow Along
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
• TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/thehomesteadeducation
• YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducationThis episode underscores that blacksmithing is not just a craft, but a lifelong journey of growth, community, and purpose. Whether you're starting at home or seeking to turn your passion into a business, Will and David’s insights provide a compelling blueprint for success in the art of the forge.
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33 min
Episode 175: Mastering Family Preparedness | A Practical Guide from Rustic Homestead Living
Episode 176
Show notes
In this episode, Alex and Ashley Johnson from Rustic Homestead Living share practical insights on how families can effectively prepare for emergencies—big or small. Whether you're stockpiling food or organizing your emergency plan, their advice makes preparedness accessible and actionable for everyone.
Key topics:
• The evolution of homesteading into emergency preparedness education
• How to customize 72-hour kits for individual family members and different environments
• Rotating and using food storage to prevent waste and spoilage
• The importance of a written preparedness plan and binder organization
• How to incorporate long-term and short-term strategies, including food storage, medical supplies, and communication tools
• Teaching skills to make the most of available ingredients and resources
• Tips for storing supplies securely against pests and degradation
• Community classes and in-person resources for hands-on learning
• The mindset of continuous growth and learning in preparedness and homesteadingResources & Links:
• Rustic Homestead Living Website: https://rustichomesteadliving.com/
• Preparedness Binder & Resources: https://rustichomesteadliving.com/store/books-resources/
• Start Here: The 7-Day Homestead Preparedness Blueprint helps you build your foundation for self-sufficiency in one week https://rustichomesteadliving.com/start-here/Connect with Alex & Ashley:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rustichomesteadliving/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/rustichomesteadlivingKody's Links
• Homestead Education Curriculum: https://thehomesteadeducation.com/
• Shop Books & Resources: https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shop
• Join the Email List for Resources & Updates: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribeFollow Along
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/thehomesteadeducation
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation -
52 min
Episode 174: The Power of Rural America: Amanda Radke on Reclaiming the Food Narrative
Episode 175
Show notes
In this episode, Amanda Radke shares her journey as a fifth-generation cattle rancher, passionate educator, and advocate for the real stories of American agriculture. She discusses how direct-to-consumer beef sales, land rights, and truthful storytelling are shaping the future of rural America, inspiring producers and consumers alike.
Main Insights:
• Amanda’s background as a South Dakota rancher and author of children’s books about farming.
• The significance of direct-to-consumer platforms like Bid on Beef in reconnecting rural producers with urban buyers.
• How COVID-19 revealed vulnerabilities in global food supply chains and the opportunity for local, relationship-based food systems.
• The monopolization of the beef supply chain by large packers and foreign ownership, and the need for stronger farmer advocacy.
• The role of land rights and property preservation amid policies favoring foreign-backed projects such as carbon pipelines.
• The importance of grassroots activism, local government engagement, and courageous advocacy in protecting American farmland.
• How region-specific animal husbandry practices, like rotational grazing and grain finishing, reflect the diversity of U.S. agriculture.
• Addressing misconceptions about antibiotics, environmental impact, and industry labels, emphasizing transparency and consumer education.
• Amanda’s perspective on “keep growing” — prioritizing faith, family, and long-term sustainability over short-term gains.Resources & Links:
Amanda Radke's Website: https://amandaradke.com/
The Heart of Rural America Podcast: https://apple.co/3BoFh0N
Bid on Beef: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-heart-of-rural-america/id1698761477
American Land and Legacy: https://americanlandandlegacy.org/
Connect with Amanda Radke:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandaradke
Kody's Links
Homestead Education Curriculum: https://thehomesteadeducation.com
Shop Books & Resources: https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shop
Join the Email List for Resources & Updates: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribe
Follow Along
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
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55 min
Episode 173: Growing a Food Community: Insights from Susan Poizner on Fruit Tree Care and Community Orchards
Episode 174
Show notes
In this episode, Susan Poizner shares her journey into urban orchards, emphasizing the importance of understanding and caring for fruit trees. Her insights are especially valuable for community groups, schools, and individuals committed to food resilience and ecological harmony.
Key Topics
• The crucial minimums needed to keep fruit trees healthy and productive
• How to select climate-appropriate fruit trees and the importance of native and disease-resistant cultivars
• The role of community orchards in building sustainable food systems
• Community-driven strategies for orchard maintenance, pest management, and soil health
• Practical tips for planting, spacing, and protecting young trees
• The emotional and ecological bonding with trees as living beings
• How to integrate food growing into small spaces, urban environments, and large properties
• The legacy aspect of perennial trees and their role in family and community traditions
• The influence of rootstocks—dwarf vs. full-size and their implications for care
• Strategies for pest and disease control using organic methods like dormant spraysSusan Poizner’s Resources & Links
• Susan Poizner’s Website
• Growing Urban Orchards Book
• Designing a Fruit Tree Garden
• Fruit Tree Grafting Book
• Organic Dormant Sprays
• Orchard Nurseries & ResourcesConnect with Susan Poizner
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Podcast: Orchard ConversationsKody Hanner’s Resources & Links
Homestead Education Curriculum:
https://thehomesteadeducation.com/Shop Books & Resources:
https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shopJoin the Email List for Resources & Updates:
https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribeFollow Along
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/homestead_educationFacebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducationTikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/thehomesteadeducationYouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducationFinal thoughts:
This episode underscores that caring for fruit trees is not just about harvesting—it's about building relationships with nature, nurturing community, and fostering resilience for future generations. Whether you have a backyard or a large farm, adopting a thoughtful approach rooted in ecological mindfulness can transform your space into a thriving food forest.
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57 min
How to Teach Kids Real-Life Learning | Homesteading, Trades, & Purpose-Driven Learning
Episode 173
Show notes
Homesteading and education aren’t just about what you know or how much you can produce.
They’re about the mindset, skills, and real-life experiences that shape how you live, work, and contribute to the world around you.And the truth is, more families than ever are questioning traditional education… but many aren’t sure what to replace it with or how to confidently teach their kids real-world skills.
In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast, Kody Hanner sits down with Daniel Salatin of Polyface Farm to have an honest, practical conversation about learning outside the classroom, building a life through agriculture, and raising kids who are capable, confident, and ready for real life.
From growing up on one of the most well-known regenerative farms to struggling in traditional academics, Daniel shares how hands-on learning, problem-solving, and purpose-driven work shaped his life and why those same principles matter now more than ever.
Together, they talk about what education actually needs to look like, how kids learn best, and why real-life responsibility may be the missing piece for so many families today.
This isn’t just a conversation about farming or homeschooling.
It’s about raising a generation that knows how to think, work, and contribute.If you care about:
• Raising capable, confident kids
• Teaching real-life skills through everyday experiences
• Homeschooling with purpose (not pressure)
• Preparing kids for the real world—not just tests
• Building problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Creating a lifestyle rooted in responsibility and contributionThis episode will challenge how you think about education and remind you what actually matters.
In This Episode, We Cover:
• Daniel’s upbringing on Polyface Farm and his homeschool journey
• Why traditional education doesn’t work for every child
• The importance of problem-solving over memorization
• How real-life responsibility creates motivation to learn
• Finding your life’s calling and building a purpose-driven career
• Why agriculture and homesteading create natural learning environments
• The transition into leadership at Polyface Farm
• Inside the Polyface Stewardship Program and full farm immersion training
• The value of mentorship, trades, and hands-on experience
• How learning often happens faster when there’s a real reason behind it🤝 Support Our Guest — Daniel Salatin
If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to learn more about Daniel and Polyface Farm.
🌱 Learn more on the Polyface Farm website
🎓 Explore the Polyface Farm Stewardship Program (applications open each August)📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Polyfacefarm
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polyfacefarm/Resources & Links
Homestead Education Curriculum:
https://thehomesteadeducation.com/Shop Books & Resources:
https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shopJoin the Email List for Resources & Updates:
https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribeFollow Along
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/homestead_educationFacebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducationTikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/thehomesteadeducationYouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation🔥 Final Thought
Education doesn’t require perfect systems, perfect curriculum, or perfect timing.
It starts with a decision—to teach differently, to live intentionally, and to give your kids the skills they actually need.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about what they memorize…
It’s about who they become.
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53 min
How to Build a Homestead from Scratch | Lifestyle, Gardening & Real-Life Skills
Episode 172
Show notes
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.
It’s about learning to live differently with purpose, creativity, and a willingness to grow.If you care about:
• Starting a homestead later in life
• Building a self-sufficient lifestyle without overwhelm
• Growing food in any space (big or small)
• Learning homesteading skills step-by-step
• Balancing real life with homestead goals
• Finding joy in simple, everyday livingThis episode will remind you that homesteading isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress.
In This Episode, We Cover:
• Mary’s journey to starting a homestead at 50
• Why homesteading is a mindset, not a measure of land or animals
• The transition from city living to rural life
• Real-life gardening challenges (weather, timing, and expectations)
• How homesteading looks different in every season of life
• The importance of starting small and building skills over time
• Balancing homestead work without burnout or overwhelm
• The role of community in modern homesteading
• Why learning to cook is a foundational homesteading skill
• Simple ways to begin growing and preparing your own food🤝 Support Our Guest — Mary Lewis
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
📘 Facebook:
Mary Lewis
Grit and Grace in the Heartland – Women in AgricultureResources & Links
Homestead Education Curriculum:
https://thehomesteadeducation.com/Shop Books & Resources:
https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shopJoin the Email List for Resources & Updates:
https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribeFollow Along
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/homestead_educationFacebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducationTikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/thehomesteadeducationYouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation🔥 Final Thought
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.
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59 min
How to Avoid Burnout in Agriculture | Farming, Mindset & Leadership
Episode 171
Show notes
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.
It’s about learning how to create a life that aligns with your values — without losing yourself in the process.If you care about:
• Preventing burnout while building your business or farm
• Balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and agriculture
• Setting healthy boundaries in work and family life
• Leading yourself and others more effectively
• Navigating mindset struggles in farming and entrepreneurshipThis episode will encourage you to rethink what success truly looks like — and how mindset impacts every part of your life.
In This Episode, We Cover:
• Kacee’s journey from family farming to corporate agriculture and entrepreneurship
• Why burnout in agriculture often comes from doing the wrong work at the wrong time
• How mindset impacts stress, overwhelm, and productivity
• The importance of boundaries in work, family, and parenting
• Leadership and communication within farm families and businesses
• Balancing motherhood, homeschooling, and entrepreneurship
• Why personal development matters in agriculture🤝 Support Our Guest — Kacee Bohle
If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to connect with Kacee and learn more about AgriMinds.🎙️ Podcast: AgriMinds Podcast
🌍 Website:
http://www.kaceebohle.com/agriminds
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agcoachkacee/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaceebohle
Resources & Links
Homestead Education Curriculum:
https://thehomesteadeducation.com/Shop Books & Resources:
https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shopJoin the Email List for Resources & Updates:
https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribeFollow Along
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/homestead_educationFacebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducationTikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/thehomesteadeducationYouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation🔥 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.
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