Day In The Life of a RE-ENERGIZED Homesteader

Tallow, Fermenting, Sourdough, Training a Calf, and MORE! Thank you Birch Living for sponsoring! Click here birchliving.com/morethanfarmers to get 25% off your Birch mattress (plus two free Eco-Rest pillows!) during their President's Day Sale. Offers subject to change. #birchliving
These calf halters look like the right thing (but I haven't tested them personally) amzn.to/49JN08R
More Than Farmers merch here: morethanfarmers.creator-sprin...
Products we love:
www.amazon.com/shop/morethanf...
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I'm a "quality tool" kind of guy, and I'll only ever recommend something that I would want for myself. If you make a purchase through a link posted here I may receive a small affiliate commission, but at no extra cost to you. It helps to make this channel a reality!)
Get perks by becoming a Channel Member! / @morethanfarmers
Follow us on Instagram! / morethanfarmers
and on Facebook! / morethanfarmers
We want to share our passion for efficient, sustainable homesteading that brings the family together. On our homestead we do chemical-free gardening, grass-fed milk and beef, pastured eggs and broiler chickens, and free range children :) We love to go on adventures as a family, so if we're not workin on the farm, we're probably hiking or out getting ice cream. We're all into DIY, and being inventive and creative. We believe in homesteading that's sustainable, not just sustainable homesteading. In other words, we want to show you that homesteading doesn't have to wear you out to the point that you give it up. We've seen it happen, and almost came to that point ourselves. So go ahead and take a whack at that subscribe button if you'd like to join us on this crazy ride. Get ready to learn and be inspired!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you all for being here! And thank you Birch Living for sponsoring! Click here 👉 birchliving.com/morethanfarmers to get 25% off your Birch mattress (plus two free Eco-Rest pillows!) during their President's Day Sale. Offers subject to change. #birchliving

[@Heartofahomesteader]

I am so glad you were able to get away for some down time, but I am also glad you're back! 😁 I am going to have to see if we have a local butcher where I can get some liver fat to render down, or better yet, purchase half of a cow for meat as well. Thanks to you, I found a source for raw milk which has made me very happy as I want to explore making cheese. At my age and state of health, I can't go full on homesteader, but there is still plenty I can do to live more sustainably while supporting my local food producers. You are an inspiration, and I appreciate you sharing your life and learning. Keep up the good work, you rock!

[@kathleen6726]

Usually I will just "like" a good video. This time I want to comment on the consistently high quality content on your channel. Indeed, you are both more than farmers, and I sincerely hope your lessons and your example will teach and inspire more folks to be "more than" in all they do.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you so much, Kathleen. Glad to hear you're enjoying.

[@vincestycke1346]

I believe that there are some folks that will not appreciate where you are at today. I on the other hand appreciate that you all have worked hard, been resourceful, and are now living your best life with an amazing garden amd farm setup. I have been watching you for about 8 years and find myself watching you with pride, knowing you are moving forward in life and creating your dream. I have a great deal of joy, watching you and your family. Keep having fun and enjoy the life you have built, with pride.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks Vince!

[@hollynelson543]

You probably said, but where do you store your veggies😊 thank you

[@morethanfarmers]

Freezers, cold cellar, and canning shelves 😊 We have a few videos about it.

[@chrisrinker1158]

As a professional chef, I enjoy all of your videos, funny and real. Dont change please. Im learning this even after cooking for 30 years. Thank you

[@morethanfarmers]

Wow, thanks Chris! Glad you're enjoying.

[@montyshinn8704]

You are such an amazing couple and a great example to young people. Your videos are top notch. An admiring Grandma in BC.

[@42bellabella]

I hope that the more riches you get from this lifestyle, you stay humble and grateful. Love your content .

[@mrs.broccoli4362]

Welcome back home 🙂As soon as you got back from vacation you delivered another great video, thank you very much for your work. I'm very pleased that you were able to enjoy a good break. You look well rested and well tanned and are bursting with strength. What a joy it is to see how many new subscribers you already have, your authentic videos lead to the great success that you so richly deserve. Thanks Michelle for the new recipes, I really appreciate it. All the best to you and blessings.

[@morethanfarmers]

Glad to be back home. We missed you too!

[@rosaliecahoon425]

Just adore your videos. Reminding me of my childhood on the farm.

[@searose6192]

14:08 My kids and I have been enjoying watching one of my favorite historical series on KZbin for our history lessons this winter. It was put out by the BBC in England. It’s called the historical farm series. They go through a full calendar year and go in depth on not only farm life but religious life and historical technology and culture. It’s really fantastic. The earliest set one is called “Tales from the Green Valley”, the others are each named for their time period like “Victorian Farm” and “Tudor Monastery Farm”. I really recommend them 😊

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks!!

[@user-nd4ug7um1z]

Question/Suugestion-- could you make a video on how to save seeds from your crops? We're just getting into gardening and don't have any idea what crops you can even save seeds from, but it'd be good to learn and help us save money in the future! Thanks from PA!

[@jeanrichards8042]

From what I understand, sheep and cows have a symbiotic relationship if you run the sheep after the cows in paddocks. I know roots and refuge talked about it a little bit and I believe they mentioned where they got the info from too. Good luck and new animals are always exciting to watch 😁

[@juliemorton-yates6023]

Justin Rhodes talks about this as well! They do meat sheep though so it isn't as redundant. So maybe meat cows and milk sheep would work for them.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks for the tip. It would be a lot of fun to have both.

[@AZJH8374]

SHEEP!! NO GOATS!! SHEEP FERTILIZER 🐑 IS BEST FOR YOUR GARDEN!!!!❤❤❤

[@farm-ish2708]

We found that my husband and 2 kids have dairy allergies to cow milk. We got goats for milk and noticed an immediate difference. We have to buy goat butter from azure standard but the rest of our dairy needs are covered. I just bought a milk separator, so we are going to try to make butter this year. We love having our goats! Much easier to breed and they are never covered in poop.😂

[@morethanfarmers]

The "not-covered-in-poop" thing would be nice 😁

[@janalavtizar4426]

Your video always makes my day. You're both so good, and working harmoniously with one another. A joy to watch, listen, and learn.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you for the kind words, Jana.

[@biancaalgeria2520]

Love your channel! And seeing your babies run by. ❤

[@jamwilson1994]

This is my favorite channel on youtube. Thank you so much for documenting your journey through homesteading!! - from a beginner homesteader in Indiana

[@morethanfarmers]

Wow, thanks for your kind words. Hope we can be an encouragement to you as you're starting out. Good luck!

[@madpandagaming1881]

i just found your channel as i start my garden back up. i just have to say how inspiring you guys are. i cant wait to be able to be self sufficient with my own garden

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you! Welcome to the channel!

[@lorrainecostanzo9092]

Our carrots here in Australia sprout in the bag you bought them in even in the fridge, so we use them anyway, they are fine

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

I use a capillary mat to keep seedling moist from the bottom. Your setup is perfect for using a capillary mat.

[@nancyseery2213]

Everybody needs time away from the day to day life. I'm glad your vacation gave y'all a nice break. God bless y'all and keep growing.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks Nancy.

[@MotherRabbitsKitchen]

New favorite channel! ❤

[@joeyhardin1288]

You guys have such a warm glow from the trip. Glad you had fun. 2018, I started a run but pulled a ham string, fell and destroyed my left shoulder. Scared to run now but dream about it all the time. Thank you. God Bless, stay safe and warm.

[@morethanfarmers]

Oh no, that's rough! Hope you're on your way to healing.

I haven´t read all the coments, but: I have raised goats, cows and sheep smallscale. Cows are the easiest as far as management is concerned. Goats are escape artists and are browsers, not grass eaters. The bucks need to live away from the females in order not to make the milk "goaty". Cows give an enormous amount of food for relatively little work. Their manure improves pasture much better than goats or sheep. But in fact it would be very easy to have a goat for Michelle, and just let her (the goat!) hang out with the cow. One of your boys could easily take care of her, if you have somewhere to get her bred. Sheep are escape artists too, and cut pasture down to the nub. Easy to raise if you have good fences! We now have about eight cows scattered around our properties (about 50 acres in total)cows with calves and dry cows, no goats (no need becuse everyone here does well with milk), and just three sheep for butchering. The land is improving once we have reduced the pressure that sheep make on the grass. The sheep can hang out with the cows too- they get along together...So it doesn´t need to be an either/or situation.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks so much for the tips!

[@gracewalton5479]

I've always hated aprons, but I recently got one that makes a cross on my back instead of hanging off my neck, and I can actually wear it! The other ones I've tried have always been so uncomfortable, but this one is so comfortable that I forget I'm wearing it.

[@TheWritingNomad]

If you're considering goats for milk, look into a Saanen/Nigerian dwarf mix. They have the high milk production of the Saanen, with the creamy milk of the Nigerian dwarf, plus they're small so they eat less. They're so entertaining too.

[@morethanfarmers]

Cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@hillarywattenbarger3203]

A friend of ours has her milk cow and and keeps 2-3 dairy sheep that she also milks…sheep’s milk is homogenized so she would freeze it and save it for when her cow was dry. Was perfect for cooking with, or even drinking! It’s very very sweet.

[@morethanfarmers]

We've heard a lot of good things!

[@ceepark114]

Having raised both dairy and meat goats just know that your fencing has to be good. I ended up with stock fencing then a strand of electric wire, otherwise they rub their bodies along the stock fence which causes it to stretch.

[@mariehufnagle8649]

I love your videos guys! Fantastic and inspiring ☺️ Also I have a cool trick for Michelle’s sourdough. Theres a cheap package of plastic hairnets at my local Walmart and I use those as covers while my dough is proofing. Hairnets have bungee sides that make slipping it on and off the bowl easy. And I reuse them for a long long time. I used to use the Walmart bags also until i figured out this hack. I hope it’s helpful. Great video! I’m going to make the cinnamon swirl bread 🎉

[@morethanfarmers]

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing, Marie!

[@rosasalas1437]

Yes I known Daddy 😊 you both are so sweet Love your family Thk u for sharing ❤️ sweetheart your Great husband 😊 Thk u.both.😊

[@frazkashmiri]

Your viewer from Pakistan. Great videos.

[@peniganivatu4528]

We are so glad to have subscribed...so much to learn from you both....

[@morethanfarmers]

Welcome aboard!

[@annecaunce]

I'm a longtime viewer of Little Mountain Ranch and Farmhouse on Boone and I've just found your channel. Happy days!

[@morethanfarmers]

Welcome aboard!

[@annecaunce]

@@morethanfarmers thanks!

[@potpourrioflife]

I recently found your channel, and I am enjoying watching your journey.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you and welcome!

[@rosasalas1437]

Thk u for sharing all you do with cooking your garden " everything you both do so lovely Thk u😊

[@morethanfarmers]

You're most welcome 🤗

[@Mommyslittlegarden]

You guys always do great on your sponsored content. Its always natural and fits in the video perfectly.

[@lyndspickett5770]

Not even finished with this video and am SO thankful for you guys! RE: homeschooling and history: my hubby and I are on the last in the “little house on the Prairie “ book series byLaura Ingalls Wilder. MANY TIMES throughout reading these books to each other, we remark on what an excellent historical biography of that time in history those books are. I started reading them in first or second grade, my daughter read them, and my granddaughter was gifted that series of books by me. Such an AMAZING account of that time in American history.

[@morethanfarmers]

We love those books 😊

[@heatheryarbrough702]

Thank you for homeschooling tips. Wonderful ideas

[@rosasalas1437]

Good morning Ilove your Videos Thk u for sharing Love ❤️ your Family so much ❤️ ! 😊Thk u .Love you guys God Bless u.

[@trishapomeroy9251]

I have some rendered tallow I really need to "wash". Thanks for the little nudge to get it done. Yours turned out beautiful!

[@morethanfarmers]

Have fun!

[@KAMLANDER]

🤣 Michelle makes me laugh. "Oooff" "please stand by" hahahah. Luv u guys👌🏻💙

[@catharinab8860]

So nice to see you rested and recharged after your vacation.

[@jodierogers7111]

😊when I ferment on the counter, I was told that as soon as the veggies go from just tasting salty to tasting fermented, they’re ready to go. That’s my general measuring stick….

[@LittleCountryCabin]

Thank you for sharing ❤

[@ramonasurprenant2122]

You two are the cutest of all Cutie Pies 💕💕💕💕💕💕 Thanks for your fantastic videos!😊

[@kathylane5934]

Your skin is so golden. Hope you had great nvacation. Forgot and looked for new video. Home veggies no chemicals yea

[@lindalamebull5065]

I love what you are doing especially with the homeschooling! I wish I could have done that with my babies but being a single mom that was not possible. Love you all :-) Keep doing what you are doing as chemically free as possible!

[@mjn042679]

I have done the tallow purification by bumblebee apothecary. I love it! Thank you for sharing!

[@morethanfarmers]

Woohoo!

[@tildars]

👍 video. Nice to see you had a refreshing time away.❤

[@Rob89139]

Welcome Home guys, sure did miss you last week but so glad you were able to get away and recharge. Because of your channel I am seriously considering trying my hand at growing my own vegetables this year but have a question I hope Michelle will address as it relates to flowers. I noticed she has started some flowers and Im wondering if there is a benefit to having flowers along side the vegetables and if so, what is the purpose. The prices at the whole foods type stores are getting out of hand and your method just makes so much more sense that I want to give it a go. Thanks in advance and for sharing

[@Heartofahomesteader]

Flowers are perfect companion plants, as they bring in more pollinators to help pollinate veggies and fruits. Several flowers also act as "pest control" when interplanted, as certain insects are repelled by them. Marigolds are especially good planted around tomatoes. Best wishes to you as you "grow"!

[@morethanfarmers]

@Heartofahomesteader said it well! Go for it and have fun!

[@michelineheise5959]

❤So inspiring. Thank you ❤

[@camicri4263]

Great video! Blessings 🙏💞

[@kellytruitt3842]

My husband and I are looking to start homesteading. Being in Ohio as well, your videos have been so helpful!!!

[@mariapowell8747]

I can't use tallow on my face either! What do you use on your face? You're always glowing!

[@diyfferent]

Isn't Florida great! :) We've lived here since 2021. Being lifelong northerners, Florida is a million times better. :D

[@amandascott893]

Glad to see you again

[@a.p.5429]

Always enjoy your videos. So glad your vacation was good.

[@ritabaker3113]

Blessings dear people

[@brendawood6712]

Your children are lucky!!!

[@lp2611]

We love our milk goats, it is just enough milk for a small family…you don’t have to worry what to do with all that milk.

[@kimberleychapman8416]

Thank you for all the tips. I have been wanting to ferment fresh vegetables, and you have answered important questions ❤

[@shermdog6969]

I have lactoferminted onions and carrots in the fridge that are almost 2 years old. They seem to me getting better the longer they're in the frig.

[@morethanfarmers]

Cool!

[@moomoocho1196]

Love your video’s, learning heaps!

[@morethanfarmers]

Awesome!

[@perkyplantparent]

Love you both! You are so sweet and humble. I really enjoy your videos.❤

[@margaretmorgan2745]

Happy Saturday! Those carrots look beautiful! Wish I could grow ones that big!

[@johnwhitbread206]

Every one needs a holiday, but it’s good to see you back, I also love to see how excited you both are about the coming few months, well done

[@morethanfarmers]

Glad to be back!

[@kimsampleshall7137]

Love you youngins, keep on what you are doing, I love watching your journey. God Bless your family, gandma!

[@KathyLandrum-dz3bq]

You put out some great videos! Answers In Genesis is great home school resource.

[@rconley7091]

If you get sheep, there is a fiber mill that will be opening soon in Prospect. Ohio where you could take your wool to be processed into yarn. It's called Prospect Specialty Fiber Mill.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks for the info!

[@CarriesCulinaryCrafts]

I am with you being happy to be back in Kitchen after vacation! I get so tired of eating out AND want my bed back. That cinnamon bread sounds delicious, I am just about ready to start my own Sour Dough Starter this next week on my channel, I will save the cinnamon sugar recipe for Sure. You guys look great!

[@joey5261]

I DO love your vids!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks Joey!

[@timlaw8074]

I’ve read that castor oil is a great skin care product.

[@sharonritchie6365]

You pack so much great material into each video! I feel like I have to save and rematch every single one. You two are AWESOME!!!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks Sharon! Glad to hear from you!

[@lindameredith1941]

Love your content and Bumblebee Apothecary.

[@ericawhitfield9289]

Great video to give us after your vacation! You guys are top notch! Michelle, you are just glowing with your Florida tan. I haven’t tried dilly carrots, so I’m going to give them a try. We love to ferment anything. Glad you enjoyed vacay. It’s why we moved to the NC coast. I couldn’t get enough.

[@Sara-mp4ut]

So happy you guys are back! Absolutely love your channel ❤

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks Sara!

[@rogerhart612]

Sporting that vacation tan.

[@wendylawton8274]

Love the artistic photography.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks!

[@drdybrdyHR]

You inspire me and I learn a lot from you, I wish you all the best!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you! You too!

[@briankeithfisher7305]

Love your content and camera presence. Your videos flow nicely along for a pleasant viewing experience. I can tell how much work goes into your B roll and editing work. Simply brilliant. Enjoy the rejuvenation! :)

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks Brian! That means a lot 😀

[@Simplyfarmhouse7]

welcome home, love your channel!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks!

[@lindahernandez7768]

Missed you both, I know you had a great vacation. Thanks for all your content and recipes. ❤️

[@morethanfarmers]

Our pleasure! Good to be back, Linda.

[@olgamika7734]

Thank you for the homeschooling tips! I need to check out the science channel you were talking about…

[@bethsands7665]

Really, you both are getting better and better. You are full of awesome facts and information and real life methods that work for you and your family. If every family was like yours, the world would be a better place. Yay for near Spring-time !

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you Beth. Appreciate your kind words. ❤️

[@happyjayne2724]

Welcome back! 🤗 Great that you had such an enjoyable vacation! Also marvellous you are revived and reenergized for the spring season. I truly enjoy your channel! 🤗🤗

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks!

[@NanaTrece9444]

You came down to my neck of the woods, South Florida. Glad you enjoyed our 'winter' at the beach :). I am in the midst of my growing and harvesting season. So busy!

[@morethanfarmers]

Sounds great!

[@sarahknight9291]

Very clever and entertaining the way you incorporate ads into your videos. High quality as usual!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks Sarah! Glad you're enjoying 😁

[@caretechnicaltv2699]

Very good for living this life.

[@morethanfarmers]

We enjoy it.

[@andreabeydler5107]

Good video! A great history channel to check out is drive thru history. Simple and funny.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks Andrea!

[@jewelfrancois9470]

I keep rewatching your videos. I absolutely love you guys and take inspiration from you. One day I hope to have my own property where I can implement homesteading which is definitely not a talked about lifestyle where I'm from. Sending love 🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹❤

[@morethanfarmers]

You can do it!

[@thisnthatcormak]

This video came at the perfect time. My husband is helping our neighbor bring 4 cows in to be slaughtered on March 8th and I get to have all the suet! I've never made tallow before. Holly is getting so big. I just love her pattern. Glad you all had a great at time in Florida. We started seeds at our house too. Mostly lettuce to try growing in the house. My Berlin seed catalog arrived today. Thanks for mentioning them in past videos. Awesome selection. Always look forward to your videos

[@morethanfarmers]

Sounds like you've got a lot of good things coming. 😁

[@tammyshepherd1152]

Welcome back! 😊❤ I love love love your videos and wish u would post more. I do have one question! Why do u have a exterior door in your bedroom?!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks Tammy! It's a mystery 😎😎😎

[@highroad3580]

We are a small goat dairy with Nubians. We love all things about our goats, but recommend keeping Pat Colebys book, Natural Goat Care for prevention and cure of the potential health issues. I found that goats especially need nutrition for health. We don’t use wormers or injections. The book tells why and I’m not affiliated with it. We feed the recommended minerals and good pastures/browse. When we did have health issues a few years back, I realized something had changed in the feed we used and our goats needed improved feed. Found a better feed, added a booster, and the goats have done amazing since. The milk is amazing, sweet and creamy, and we make so many amazing dairy items with it. If you get goats, I hope you will enjoy them as much as we do.

[@morethanfarmers]

Good to hear! You guys will definitely know if/when the goats show up. Thanks for commenting!

[@1186Dean]

Watching this new episode and the mailman delivered my Berlin Seeds package. This is peak More Than Farmers right here. 😂😂😂

[@morethanfarmers]

Enjoy!

[@pearlg6411]

Congrats to both of you for keeping up your workouts: you both look healthier, more toned, and more "rested" mentally. I love your channel's laid back aesthetic: you guys flow and don't overthink/overwork the daily process which is key to not crashing & burning (plus it's more fun to watch when we're not stressing with you)😂😂

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks Pearl!

[@Susan-ur2vd]

I was wondering about the door dough starter you use. I may have missed it in a previous video idk, I did binge them pretty quickly. But do you make your starter, was it handed down, or do you buy the dried starter? Thank you for any info on the starter you use. As always, great video!

[@morethanfarmers]

Michelle got it from a friend 😊 She tried her own, and could just never get it to work well. You can get them on Etsy.

[@tomreppert1722]

Glad you guys are back! You got the break you needed, but man I missed you guys last week! I started fermenting peppers last season for making hot sauces and I fell in love with it! Also, for checking your gravity on the mead, I suggest buying a refractometer. They aren't expensive these days, and you need a calculator to find out your fermented gravity (calculators are available online for free. All you need is your starting gravity), but you will only need a few drops instead of filling a cylinder. I realize this won't really let you taste it, but when your only doing a gallon batch, it really cuts down on your "losses" so you have more finished product to deal with.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks Tom!

[@CindyLouJ816]

Our Homeschooling is so similar. 1.5 hrs seated school and the same history book. Lol Sometimes I have them draw while I read, but the History Channel had a great pg series.... into the wilderness? They retained so much more. Going to check out your science video tip. I'm also doubling up. Let's get this done!!! Bring on spring and gardening!💕

[@morethanfarmers]

You go!

[@tomreppert1722]

Also I forgot to mention, I finally bit the bullet and am getting bees this year. Currently working on painting my hive and getting my final supplies. So I'll be really interested in your hive updates!

[@morethanfarmers]

Whoa! Way to go! Would love to hear how it goes for you as well.

[@TheSimmonsFamilyFarmstead]

Love this video guys! Glad you all had a great vacation. We've been tossing the idea around about whether to do a dairy cow, goat, or sheep ourselves. Decisions....decisions lol. Also... where did you get your food scale?

[@morethanfarmers]

We're pretty set on sheep now 😊 I don't remember.. probably Amazon 😊

[@TheSimmonsFamilyFarmstead]

@@morethanfarmers Thanks! I'll see if I can find it 😁

[@michaelmarkin7603]

We have hair sheep and A2A2 Dexter cows... We don't milk yet but we'll be starting both this year ..Different uses for each kind of milk and the A2A2 milk is easier to digest than other cow milk