A Vlog About Homestead Animals (Meat Production and Pasture Pets)

Hey ya'll, I'm Jess from Roots & Refuge Farm
Welcome to a place that feels like home. A small farm with a big family. We hope you'll pull up a chair, grab some coffee and visit awhile.
There was a time that all I wanted in the world was a little farm where I could raise my family and grow our food. Now, that is exactly what exists outside my door. In watching it unfold, a new dream was formed in my heart - to share this beautiful life with others and teach them the lessons we've learned along the way. Welcome to our journey, friend. I am so glad you're here.
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Leesville SC 29070
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PRODUCTS WE LOVE - You've probably heard me talk about these things a million times, so here's where you can order them (and get a discount with my code!):
- Greenstalk Vertical Gardens (Use code "ROOTS10" for $10 off your order): rootsandrefuge.com/yt-greenstalk
- Squizito Tasting Room (Use code "ROOTS" for 10% off your order): rootsandrefuge.com/yt-squizito
- ButcherBox: rootsandrefuge.com/butcherbox
- Growers Solution: rootsandrefuge.com/growers-so...
- Neptune's Harvest Fertilizer: rootsandrefuge.com/neptunes-h...
#rootsandrefuge

[@mikkileon6380]

Your family treats your meat animals better than all of us who have to just go to the big chain supermarket and buy a package of every day meat. I remember when you had that butchering class at your old farm. You all said a little prayer and thanked the animal for its contribution and for feeding you and your loved ones healthy sources of meat. I can tell you right now the millions of us that go to the supermarket, we don’t do that and they most definitely don’t do that where they’re butchered. You use every part that’s possible from your butchered animals. You give them their best life up to the time that they’ve are prepared for the freezer, etc. These animals wouldn’t exist if they weren’t bred to to feed us healthy. That’s why they get the good life and the good foods and the respect and affection that they get on your farm and others like you. I wish that all of us could live this way. This is how we were meant to live, and I believe God intended for us to live, but the population grows, progress happens and the world changes. So hats off to homesteaders and responsible farmers👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@colleen4574]

An old Native American custom for giving thanks to honor the animal they killed for food.

[@tulle7358]

This family treat there meat animals better than some people treat the pets they invites into there homes and lives!!!!

[@Angvb14]

My toddler is watching this and asking why we don’t have cows, sheep, and pigs 😂 (apparently chickens, ducks, barn kitties, and a dog aren’t enough) my answer “we don’t have enough grass to feed them all.” Toddler solution: buy more grass😂 if only “grass” didn’t cost hundreds of thousands in our area😂

[@Homestead-ish]

Hahaha

[@nadiajames3883]

This is so funny but my kids don’t watch homesteads if they don’t have cows, sheep, or something other than the chickens that we have. They ask to turn 😂😂😂

[@Mama_T_448]

As a vegan i appreciate how mindfully and appreciatively you raise all your animals. My partner is a carnivore and i have recently encouraged her to purchase her meat from a local farmer. I am much happier with the knowledge of where and how the meat is raised. And also making the conscious choice to avoid the "blinkered" approach to buying packaged meat at a supermarket which creates a disconnect from our foid choices. I'll probably get crap for commenting here but I really do love you guys and as a non meat eater have no right to sit in judgement of anyone else's choices. Stay safe...watching from Australia ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

I love your input!!! Thank you!!!

[@mianyx]

Fellow veg and I second this comment, it is also so thoughtful that you label when you're going to be talking heavily about your meat animals *big hugs*

[@jujube2407]

I vote fabio for the boar 🐗 all the long flowing hair!

[@virginiaallisonpeck2517]

😂😂😂❤

[@catharinab8860]

This is a hilarious name suggestion! 😂 I love it!

[@jeanmetzner8764]

Love it ! Truly weird and in keeping with Jess and Miah's naming strategy

[@jamesbrown8718]

I like that name!! I think it is fitting for him!! Okay Jess I think the votes are in, on a name of the boar

[@BradfordHomestead]

I don’t buy grocery store meat anymore. I have a farm neighbor, much like you are, and we are able to see the cattle, see the poultry, and see that our food in my freezer came from less than 100 yards away. I have never felt better!

[@karenl7786]

Vegan here. Your family clearly lives in a beautiful harmony. I was just listening to a scientific discussion the other day about how plants absorb/consume the microbes in the soil. Everything is part of the cycle of life and that is what needs to be respected. A lot of vegans who give you grief really need to rethink their position.

[@sheraeduncan2980]

Be safe J and m. Long scary night on thy nature coast of Florida. Few cuts and scrapes but no loss thank you Lord

[@ginnysulya9805]

Thankful you guys are through it! We have been praying for you all in Florida and now your neighbors! 🙏💖🙏

[@virginiaallisonpeck2517]

❤️🎚🕊🇺🇸🌻🐝🦋🌼🌺🌸 Love and prayers

[@dottiesworld979]

I always love the animal videos, it's so good to see people raising animals with love and good care ❤

[@RuthAnnnMorris]

I don’t know what date this video was released but today is August 30th and y’all are fixing to get a lot of rain off of that hurricane hitting Florida as a Category 4 . Y’all have a beautiful place, I remember day one when y’all were in your camp trailer and nothing was there but a few out structures, and look at everything now! This video is a blessing, thank you Jess….Blessings

[@karenm5681]

Right now the info says this video was released 3 hours ago and your comment was put here 3 hours ago.

[@marking-time-gardens]

Praying for everyone who may be dealing with the storms.🙏🌻🐛💕

[@tonisangel5024]

Thk you so much for your prayers Im in Central Florida and Thank God we didn't get it bad at all💥🙏💥 I pray for the people who had very bad damage and floods you just never are really ready for these hurricanes its very scary Thk you again🤗

[@marking-time-gardens]

@@tonisangel5024 🙏💕

[@SerenaPeacock]

Amen to that. I get so many people hating on me for growing our own meat. 🤷🏽‍♀️ I'm thinking it's loved fed well and living a good life.

[@leewillis2908]

They have no clue how the meat in the store was grown or how it died!

[@SerenaPeacock]

@@leewillis2908 that's exactly what I generally respond with. Like I know my animals were not abused. It's so sad how unattached we have come from our food.

[@petpawteek8776]

I love watching your animal videos….I mean, I’m here for the gardening but as a former zookeeper, I get giddy with the animal content. Anyway, before the haters get here, I’m a long time vegetarian specifically because of how animals are treated in factory farming. If all the feed animals in captivity where treated with half the respect y’all treat your animals, I probably wouldn’t be a vegetarian. Stay safe today, the rain is barely falling in the Upstate but you guys might be in for a wild ride. ❤

[@Jules1280]

Hi Jess & Miah! SUGGESTION: Living Traditions Homestead have gone to the American Bresse chickens for their meat chickens. And they are sustainable heritage birds from France. But they grow as fast if not faster than the Cornish Cross and the female American Bresse lay sooner than other chickens. Also they are red, white and blue. Red comb, white feathers and blue legs. ;) Might be a good breed to look at when you get ready to use sustainable chickens for meat. Stay safe in the storm! Blessings to all!

[@dianehaunfelder6275]

We raise much of what we eat. I tell people my animals have one bad day. We care for them love them some even get cuddles. If dispatched humanely and quickly they live a complete and happy life. We care for them and in the end they take care of us.

[@janicegilman7672]

Thank you Jess for answering my question about Tilly and Ramona!

[@YazmineM528]

I've been a vegan for 9 years but I love and applaud how you raise your animals. My fiancé eats meat and it's been a debate we've gone over hundreds of times but when we get our homestead one day I do plan on raising meat for him & our future children if they decide to eat meat. I think the animal agriculture industry is why so many people (like myself) go vegan, millions of animals are mistreated in mass factory farms but if all meat was raised this way, I think a lot more people would feel more comfortable with eating meat!

[@choirmom78]

Praying y'all are safe from Idalia.

[@dirtroaddestiny]

I just hatched out more quail for meat and eggs. Also I love your baby guineas. They made me smile 😊❤

[@angelasmith4286]

How do I get started buying quail? Where? My uncle raised quail when I was a child he had long box cages off ground on front and back were house cages.❤

[@dirtroaddestiny]

@@angelasmith4286 I found someone that had babies and I raised them up into a little flock. I hope you find some 🙂

[@angelasmith4286]

Thanks

[@DragonflyenAmber]

I love how you guys raise your meat. I truly believe we need to get back to small scale farms everywhere. I would love to be able to achieve this one day.

[@raversmead]

That smile on your face when Bosco walked over, that's how I feel every single day ❤ what is it about horses that is so good for us. I love listening to you talk about growing meat. It's a difficult subject for me (maybe for a lot of people ?) and you approach it so well. Society needs to close the loop on food again, understand that their bacon doesn't come from a shelf but from a living breathing creature. Honestly this stuff should be talked about way more than it is

[@carlaramirez1788]

Hey stay safe during the hurricane 🌀 ❤ hope it dosnt effect u guys to much

[@postmodernsoapbox]

We just took our first meat pig to the butcher - almost cried but definitely gave him some love and screeches and thanked him.

[@myheartcries9906]

Be prepared for this storm that's heading your way. 🙏🙏🙏

[@maryleenance3593]

Boris is the name that popped into my head when you said the 🐗 needs a name.

[@jasminewilksch5727]

I can’t speak for every meat producing farm, but I grew up on a sheep farm, and my in laws have a sheep farm. The sheep are treated well because they are the lively hood. The approach is low stress, when a sheep is sick or dies it’s looked into, birthing ewes are monitored carefully. In my personal experience living in farming communities, farmers can’t afford to treat there animals poorly

[@rachelscrazyfarm3969]

Bosco is a handsome boy! Praying this weather doesn't hit ya'll hard! I know some rain will be welcomed though. Praying for everyone else's safety ❤️

[@lisanowakow3688]

Everley means “boar in a meadow” and comes from the Old English words eofor (boar) and leah (clearing).

[@sharynhassard1625]

Oh Jess n Sweetmiah... huge thankyou for yr commitment to LOVE! ie. each other, yr family, yr friends, yr animals, mother earth, yr faith and so much more I'm sure. I recently came upon u after stumbling on the Roades gang (what a blessing they are too). I've been a bit addicted to u I have to confess 😂. Love visiting the red barn...hats off for the beautiful organisation n cleanliness in the barn, all the fencing is great...all round just a class act!! You have helped restored my faith and nourished my spirit and "I bless you till next time". I love you.❤ Blessings from Oz

[@ColRubyDimplesManacha]

Freya has the sweetest little face 😍 I'm in my dairy cow classroom phase still, almost there! Thank you for everything you do, Jess!

[@user-gz2qh1ie8d]

Love seeing all the animals!! Thanks for sharing!

[@tst1200]

If they no longer make the belly milker maybe you could partner with someone to make them and sell them in your store...the roots and refuge milker...

[@cindymccarty4454]

Jess loved the horse. Love your videos❤❤❤

[@jodymooney255]

I so loved this video! Thank you! ❤

[@magsstewart5488]

That’s just a smart way of running things. I relate it to eating in season. Right now is the Season of Abundance. We have an abundance of access to stores, mail order product, rotational fields, variety of breeds. There’s no reason to not utilize what’s available now. It’s a great time to try things. You don’t want to be trying new breeds or whatever in a time when you’re absolutely depending on results. 😊

[@joyofgrowing]

Many congratulations on the horse!! Wow!

[@thensley3624]

LOVE all the animals - great video always a favorite of mine! Horse kisses are the best!

[@melissaking3782]

Beautiful property!

[@gloriakelley7383]

I like your thinking! Thank you!

[@debmichelleparks3538]

My tomato loving dog (Petey) grew a cherry tomato with his poop last year and it actually had enough time it produced fruit! 🍅 🐶 💩 🌱 🍅

[@leewillis2908]

😂

[@janicegilman7672]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@kimg5784]

Well said Jess! Thank you

[@katnuccio85]

You are SO knowledgeable

[@laurawullner4660]

Thanks for showing animals.. love everything about your place..

[@francesahrens1578]

Always informative!

[@donnaingle391]

Boris sounds appropriate for him.

[@ValdirSilva-sz1ms]

*O CÉU 🌌 DA CALIFÓRNIA WONDERWALL👏🏻*

[@LosingDrea]

Jess I am hoping you all are doing well there in SC with this Tropical Storm Idalia. Much love, many blessings and prayers for safety for you all and the animals.

[@belieftransformation]

Great tour & knowledge of the animals! Thanks for sharing! Blessings to everyone 🤗💗🇨🇦

[@andreagrowsthings]

Boscoe 😍 what a sweet boy ❤

[@user-uc7dc2pt4e]

We raised 4 turkeys this year in our back yard (about half an acre), moving them every 3-5 days with electric netting. In just 16 weeks we got 4 nice sized birds in the freezer for the year. You don't need a huge amount of space to raise some of you own meat, and do it without harming the land! We did however need to remind the kids and their freinds to wear shoes in our yard with the fertilized sections all over the place.

[@PjMeh]

lol. Peanuckle, came to mind for a name. 😆 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@robingreany899]

Great information. Thank you.

[@camicri4263]

Yup! I bless you! 🤗💕🤗

[@ammmfm]

I’m so glad I found this channel. I used to follow a homestead blog called Chickens In The Road and was so disappointed when the posts stopped. Love the homestead lifestyle

[@faithandarrowhomestead]

I love when the animals make it in the video. It’s the part of this lifestyle I long for so much.

[@angelacollins1343]

I love your barn and am very happy for you that you have it.

[@MarciPrice-cl6eq]

I only have room for egg layers, rabbits, gardens. We buy our beef, pork from locals, we know & trust. We hunt, fish, forage a lot. I do meat chickens at my brother in laws place.. We are looking into finding a couple of lambs each year. I cannot grow everything we eat, so I support local farmers markets..it can be done!

[@AllisonLitch]

Are yall getting any rain yet? Here in Berkeley county it has started to drizzle a bit. Sending love to you and your family stay safe ❤

[@Wildevis]

Great animal chat, I wish I could keep a couple chickens, must actually find out as some By-Laws have changed since Covid

[@YankeelovesaRedneck]

Great video

[@bethsands7665]

Lovely animals !! , nice description of the differences as to the who, why and what.

[@DjChelan]

Thank you Such wonderful explanation on your Homestead Animals!

[@caseydoodlegirlartforte2569]

I love the direction this video took! This is what drove me to start and while it seems I’m light years behind you, I’m still doing it! And it’s amazing! Keep speaking! People need to hear what you’re saying!

[@luciennegeusaldo212]

I’d love to see more horse content. Love those fellas❤

[@lyndaroe9642]

Got my T Shirts this week. They are nice.

[@pattiripley7599]

Really enjoyed the discussion on this video. All true and we all need to take a look at what we can do.

[@cathykillion6544]

Enjoyed the video

[@suebailey6893]

Jersey's are my favorite and they are the prettiest.

[@mistycarter9809]

This video is so helpful! I am constantly considering what our future property needs are before we start looking again. Thank you both for the info! Have a blessed day ❤

[@29feliss]

Thinking of you and hoping you’re all safe during the storm!…it looks naaty

[@cherannthompson]

love your vlogs and iinfo you share along with your vibe , keep sharing caring and posting videos :0

[@earthladyadventures5018]

I agree your doing fantastic keeping up the good and hard work. Sweetie ❤

[@leighfreeman3772]

Nothing like Jersey cow eyes! ❤❤❤

[@barbsoddznendz1896]

Praying for safety for all your family 🌀🙏🐄🐎🐖🐑🦃🐓🐤

[@growingdreamshomestead3814]

🎶 his milk stand brings all the girls to the barn 🎶 😊

[@GardeningwithPurpose329]

Hope you and your family are safe from Idalia. 🌧🌧🙏🙏

[@joanneganon7157]

Hey Jess and Miah, everyone is looking so healthy and happy 😊. Great Job on the Farm❤. JO JO IN VT 💞

[@christinecrowley7132]

I don't want chickens,turkeys,cows,sheep but a horse friendly and intelligent makes me sad I'm allergic. It is refreshing to see you doing this well.

[@scsfulsarahr598]

You may want to consider throwing in squash seeds tomato seeds zucchini seeds in with the grass behind them so that when you move them back there will be also food to forage and you might want to consider different types of grasses that pigs normally feed on because they know how to take care of themselves medicinally I heard

[@terresiagregg9326]

Awesome video Jess really enjoyed listening n watching you cideo

[@terresiagregg9326]

The horse looks nice also

[@jillyd2807]

Yay, animals 👏👏👏 I thought Bosco might take a bite out of your shoulder! 😁

[@LifeStirredUp]

My uncle named a pig Cedric. Imagine my shock when dad brought home sausage and said it was Cedric! 😂

[@catharinab8860]

I once named a hen after my best friends mother. The hen then died of a hawk attack and laid dead on a hill. When I told my son I forgot to mention I was talking about the hen… Chaos ensued until I realized my mistake 😂

[@alisonwestermann1875]

Your animals are stewarded according to God's design, as it should be! Thank you for sharing :)

[@jackcsaffell5641]

I must say, Cornish X are super moist and delicious. I ate some about 10 years ago and still haven't tasted a more moist bird. Love seeing all the animals. I had a flashback when Jeremiah walked away from the gate. Imagine, just a hand full of years ago you guys lived in Arkansas and you were "IMAGINING" owning a red barn. Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow. Ms. Jessica, if you have noticed lately. "You have an amazing, full of animals and feed, red barn." WOW!"

[@LadyGreenThumb2]

I love it, I’m pretty much a foodie”!

[@Homestead-ish]

Such great information ❤ 22:20

[@tallastreasures]

He is a beautiful horse

[@shelleyennis4489]

My aunt & uncle used that kind of milker back in the day. 🙂🇨🇦

[@brianbousman6059]

Jess, can you estimate the break even if starting your beef heard. Example: (starter pack) year one, 2-3 heifers $$$$, rented bull $$$$. Year two 2 calves (birth to freezer xx months). What is the landed cost of a grass fed cow you raised including butchering. And how many lbs of beef would you expect.

[@missthang4770]

Percy! Please call that big boar Percy. Short for Percival of course 😊

[@gelwood99]

Treating animals in our care as God intended and allowing them to honor their animalness is a joy and providing us food too. Even if you start with a garden also add in laying hens. Using the garden surplus to feed them and receive eggs in return. It is also easy to set up the laying hens with feed and water for more than a day so they won't suffer from unlearning laziness helps. The hardest hurdle is the first dispatch. It is hard and it should be, but you just do your best to honor them when you do.

[@KeithandPamBilyeu]

Pam here….Boscoe….so adorable…you’re talking to me and not scratching my head…come’ on mom Im here for lovin!!

[@Autumnswirl71]

Yep yep. Found a farm with a line of grass fed hair sheep, getting 4 as soon as I complete the set up :)

[@nicoleolson1347]

Animals make me get over that laziness so much more. I need that boundary. We actually started with a few feeder pigs and 2 Holstein steers because they were 80$ each. We are in Northern Wisconsin and I found meat easier to start with.

[@jerrieleahopf3617]

I grew up milking with s Surge Miller with my Guernsey cows. Brings back a lot of memories.

[@marycountry]

Praying the hurricane doesn’t cause any problems for you🙏

[@bethsands7665]

Do you start any grasses on your land for your animals ?? What kind of grass do the Sheep graze on ??What kind of grass does your grass-fed beef eat ?, anything that is already green and growing in the pastures.., or do do plant and grow certain grasses for them ?? Lovely "golden-light" walk on the homestead. You are the first Home-steader, gardener that I came upon pre-covid time ...and you are still one of the best and getting better each day sharing ever-growing knowledge and tried and true methods learned through hard work ...bringing your dreams to life so they can dance free , stay wild and live on into the future.

[@tammykaltreider]

I like Gus for his name!

[@CherylAnderson-hz1yu]

A great name for the big boar is Boris.

[@tracyzabelle]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@carens7344]

My chickens are growing a spaghetti squash plant. There is 1 medium-sized squash and a few babies on it.