Ep. 61 Chewing the Fat on Pork Week

In this episode, the fellas discuss upcoming events and share updates on their homesteading projects. They talk about the challenges of dealing with excessive rain and the impact it has on gardening and outdoor projects. They also discuss their preferences for weather conditions, including their desire for snow in the winter. The hosts share their experiences with butchering pigs and the process of renovating their kitchens. They discuss the importance of planning and visualizing projects before starting them. In this conversation, Ben and Jason discuss their experiences with tiling and the different methods they use. They also talk about their recent pork-related activities, including castrating pigs and cooking suckling pig. They share their plans for future meat processing and discuss the satisfaction of being self-sufficient in meat production. The conversation ends with a reminder to check out their upcoming events and a farewell.
Homesteaders United: homesteadersun...
Jason's Pig Butcher Class: sowtheland.squ...
Ben's Pig Butcher Class: www.hollarhome...
Sow the Land: / @sowtheland
Lumnah Acres: / @lumnahacres
Hollar Homestead: / @thehollarhomestead
Homestead Shop Talk is a weekly audio podcast hosted by Jason Contreras (@sowtheland), Ben Hollar (@thehollarhomestead) and Al Lumnah (@lumnahacres). Three dudes with different homesteads talking about homestead life, content creation, growing a homestead and building a life worth living for. Thanks for listening!

[@pampilgrim2274]

Jason, your kitchen looks great. You have done a great update to your vintage kitchen.

[@Homesteadshoptalk]

Thanks so much!

[@lucyarumsey7262]

We enjoy all your channels. Thanks for sharing your homesteading lives with us.

[@dianasweetpea2561]

Ben.. Loved watching you and your boys/men cutting corn stalks with the sythe!

[@Homesteadshoptalk]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidgetchell3633]

Then mulching what was left with the mower !!!

[@Lucky_5090]

Love listening to you guys chat on a Friday morning❤️

[@patricias9966]

Al, I like the mowing videos, they're relaxing.

[@diannemiller4754]

Oh yeah they are on!😊❤ Here in Michigan I want snow!!! My daddy used io say we need snow for winter wheat. My mom wanted the grandchildren to build her a snowman ❤

[@evalinawarne1337]

I'm not ready for COLD. Enjoying summer and no rain in SE MI. Snow is beautiful and fun in our❤ winter sports.

[@diannemiller4754]

@@evalinawarne1337 me either, I wore a flannel lined jacket this morning to do chicken chores.

[@forrestgump9576]

Here in MN I would like to see a good old fashioned winter. (lots of snow) It has been a lot of years since we have had one. The kind of storms that shut everything down for 2-3 days.

[@helengibbs3862]

Awesome as usual always ❤I'm 75 and listening to you all brings back alot of memories from my childhood 😊

[@TeresaAlley]

I’m in northern AZ and I always say if it’s going to be cold let it snow!

[@juliasummers1770]

Jason, Loraine will appreciate the island if you put it on wheels. Believe me, being able to move that thing will be such an advantage.

[@carolwoodward6141]

From woman who cooks, Amen.

[@carolynspaulding6322]

SNOW OF COURSE AL better than ice and after it is cleaned up everything is OK

[@mgtmoffat8411]

Great to listen in as always. Such a wide range of topics for a week in the lives of you three. ❤❤🌻🌻

[@patedwards2907]

Using greenhouse takes care of rainy weather 👍

[@cynthiabolick3892]

Hello guys, tks for podcast. Al love the rock wall. Jason love the pantry. Ben love the tommie toes plants being pulled up the sling blade work. All ya'll doing great job and much love to you and family.....Oh SNOW.....

[@pollenhead]

Great video! I actually laughed out loud several times.

[@peggsargent132]

Snow for me ❤ love you guys

[@rebekahmccaul]

Sunday listening this week on our way back from a road trip 🦘🦘🦘

[@osmadchlo]

Highlight of my Fridays! Love you all...

[@nh603]

Snow 🌨️❄️

[@antonianovoa6416]

Can Ben and Jason bring their pig class to California! We need the rain...lol

[@kellypetersen8204]

Lol, we just need to move to where it rains.

[@evalinawarne1337]

AL, Winter SNOW or 60°. Michigan never is 60. Lots of snow, skiing, snow mobiling, snow shoeing, ice skating, ice fishing, hockey, bond fires hot tubs, camping etc.❤❤❤ Always look forward to your FRIDAY SHOPTALK 62 GOD BLESS YOU ALL. SE MICHIGAN 🙏 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@antonianovoa6416]

Everything you folks do on the homestead is great for watching and appreciated! Have a terrific weekend...

[@amagsino7167]

Nice chillin with you guys.

[@gardengrowinmawmaw8642]

Nasturtium flowers planted next to the squashes keeps away the squash bug.

[@patricias9966]

Stockton California here. I keep wishing for a little rain.😂

[@79PoisonBreaker]

That butcher block counter top Jason did looks really nice to me.

[@AZJH8374]

Ben, with all the dill next year, you better double your cucumbers!

[@Lewfam]

Doors are inefficient 😂..they get in the way🤣... y'all cracked me up right there👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@Flowers4Bees.Veggies4Me]

Enjoyed your podcast. ❤

[@harrietmartens742]

Al, greenhouses are a great addition in your climate. I live in a similar climate in Manitoba Canada and have 5 greenhouses. 3 are small 10x20 for starting plants in, Feb-March when still 2-3 ft of snow on the ground and 2 are 30x40x12 for growing the heat loving plants like peppers, eggplant, celery, onions, cherry tomatoes - these can be planted in by mid May. Also have almost an acre of outside gardens for root crops, beans, leafy greens, garlic, squash, pumpkins etc. Jason really love your talent for renovating your kitchen- pantry cabinet came out wonderful - looking forward to see the rest of the finishing touches. Ben really enjoying watching your family projects, and love to see Meg’s cooking videos - waiting impatiently to see your new addition start to come together.

[@suzeeironwoods5954]

Rather have snow than rain!

[@tobycatVA]

Jason, every minute you put into that pantry was worthwhile for the final product.

[@brokenmeats5928]

I love ALL Homestead Shop Talk Podcast videos!

[@josephpedone2004]

Good morning guys ☕️ happy Friday, have a great weekend

[@Homesteadshoptalk]

Good morning!

[@preschoolhomestead]

I'm in Michigan and have end of September for first frost. I definitely WANT SNOW! Rainy, icy winters are awful.

[@siamstation]

Hi guys. Always look forward to your weekly podcast. We had a chook week once. We were visiting families in different towns, we got fed chicken at every place. Blessings from Australia 🇦🇺 🌏 🦘 💖

[@gingerleemalacko730]

On the Canadian prairies we get an average of 5 inches of rain...annually. So if we don't get snow, we don't have water. Snow is life up here.

[@markpashia7067]

Rotisserie kid is awesome. Baby goat over open fire coals in north Texas was one of the best BBQ's I have ever had. My boss did a favor for a friend who had a ranch and about four of us went up and did an electrical rough in on a Barndominium back in the early eighties, and it was a working ranch with ranch hands and a real chuck wagon cook on staff. We arrived on Friday night and that cook spent most of Saturday cooking that goat over the coals slow and by dinner he had a huge spread of food like I have never seen before. I was just fine with meat, beans and slaw but they had all of that and tons more of sides plus corn bread and sweet rolls to chose from. So yeah, baby goat is fantastic for the freezer.

[@kermitfrog8340]

From Canada, much rather have snow than freezing rain. A few times we have seen hydro poles and lines down from heavy ice on them plus the roads and walkways are murder. Worst thing to get is rain followed by a very cold snap.

[@WildHopeHomestead]

Loving the pork talk! We all laughed at the birthday pig. It must be a homestead thing. When we ask our kids (currently 3 & 8) what they want for their birthday dinner it's "pork!" 😂 We don't have space to raise our own pigs yet but they love roast pork, even though we have it regularly. Thanks, guys!

[@deborahtofflemire7727]

Yeeeeha . From Ontario Canada

[@hidawayhomestead524]

Here in Maine, I'm praying for snow. Plowing snow is so much better then rain that freezes and makes my driveway unpassable. Al, can you imagine if all the rain from this summer is snow for this winter. That's Feet of snow! Stay safe and God bless you my friends. 🌱🐓🐐🐖🐄🌱 Lisa

[@DavidRobinson-mx6cl]

Thanks again guys , another awesome video , can't wait for the next one !!!!! 😊🙏👍❤️

[@LB-gr7gu]

Hi guys Chewing the fat 😂 .. pig season.. enjoying all the content 👍 Al you did a great job considering..

[@totheright805]

I only use the double sided sheets for all my tile work. I like that is no mess and it is SUPER strong . Also you can get more grout in the joints. I would not use anything else and I have used thin set before but no more.

[@pauline-bc-com-missp]

I LIKE MY FOUR SEASONS IN CANADA. BEST PODCAST EVER!! NICE TO LISTEN/WATCH YOU GUYS JUST CHATTING ABOUT YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE, AND SOME OF YOUR FUNNY STORIES 👍

[@jacquiesuper2200]

I live in Buffalo NY and we used to get a ton of snow. The last few years, it hasn't been so bad. I'm with you Al,give me snow, although I hate the cold, but if it is cold, then give me snow and NOT rain!! I feel your pain.

[@margaretkerns4979]

We would love the rain in Wyoming it is super dry here

[@bettypearson5570]

Rain during pig harvesting is wonderful! Makes it easier to clean the exterior before scalding and scraping plus, especially if you have torrential rain, it can help cool that carcass down. Just make sure your hat has a wide brim or bill so you dont have water running in your eyes.

[@Homesteadshoptalk]

Very true!

[@bhavens9149]

A good sized Green house seems like a necessity in the Northeast, for some flexibility.

[@diannemiller4754]

Al I fed my American Breese chickens for two weeks on cracked corn soaked in milk or kefir. I roasted two yesterday low temperatures and slowly. Very tasty 😋

[@Homesteadshoptalk]

Good stuff

[@forrestgump9576]

Jason, your pantry turned out beautiful! Kitchen is looking so much brighter. For the island, are you thinking of doing something creative like your other kitchen? Whatever you build it will be awesome!

[@d3inks]

I had really good luck planting radishes around my zucchini and dill with my cucumbers and had no problems with squash bugs or cucumber beetles.

[@clarencewiles963]

Al when you did the work house I don’t remember much rain. And with all the rain it’s time to cut the grass again.

[@sophiapitt9526]

love listening in...@Jason love yiur kitchen ..simple yet nice and functional.. love the cupboard colours.... @Ben hope yiu are feeking more inspired and motivated after seeing Jason kitchen. Give Meg more soace to cook those delicious meals... Cant wait to see you all having dinner on the porch. Al pray you get some releif from the rain soon

[@dhanson4698]

Let it snow, snow, snow! Know it anit going back to how it used to be, but 100 years ago, when eye was a kid (in the sixty's)., snow on ground from late october till darn near first of spring. Ben, think little rain forest. North side, south side is big deal. love yall.

[@denisewilson8367]

No snow or bitter cold. From Michigan, LOL

[@staceygresbach8695]

We are in Wisconsin. I'll take 8 inches of snow over 1/8" of ice any day of the week!! Snow is easy to walk thru, it gives you traction. You can't haul hay on ice skates!

[@leoncaruthers]

Snow is _dry_ and that helps a lot in the winter. Yeah I've got to dig trenches to things, but I'm not walking in cold mud that ices over at night. Cold mud is miserable for farm chores.

[@margaretkerns4979]

Didn’t get to watch until Sunday this week really sucked missing you guys

[@aprilsisko5051]

Al needs to start building a pond so that he can finish his other projects...lol. I'm in Pennsylvania...give me snow in the winter! Ben, you should've said something about needing a chain hoist. We just cleaned out my dad's estate and I just gave away my grandfather's chain hoist in perfect condition. It was a 1 ton and heavy as hell. I would've brought it down to you. It would've given my hubby and I a reason to visit family in Florida.

[@elainehinton2860]

I used the mussel bound product, two sided roll of adhesive, to do our back splash at our old house. It provided a water proof barrier on the existing drywall, it was easy to readjust so long as you hadn’t applied the setting pressure yet. I would def use it again.

[@Windy76]

I stay in NC And I would like snow this winter. I stay 45 minutes east of Raleigh and we use to get snow followed by sleet and ice so we can’t enjoy the snow. I want about a month of snowy days like we have had a month of rainy days.

[@pleasantplacesfarm]

We way over planted watermelons and squash. The bugs got a lot but we've had a decent harvest.

[@ccj3355]

Im in N C and I vote for snow.

[@markpashia7067]

The key to stopping snow storms is to buy some fancy winter play toys like cross country skies or fancy expensive sleds. The minute the money is gone, you won't see snow for two years!

[@4Classie]

Yep' around that area, last year Snowmobiles stayed parked, not counting April !

[@darlenegoncher8544]

That happened to my daughter’s family. Bought snowmobiles for the whole family and no snow!

[@CTR6067]

I’m in MN. I really don’t want either, but I’ll take snow. I HATE ice!!!!

[@detour7790]

Hi guys!!

[@preschoolhomestead]

Don't feel bad about your unfinished projects guys. My dad added an addition to my childhood home when I was in elementary school... probably at least 30 years ago, maybe more. The floors in the hallway still aren't done and he never put closet doors in one of the 2 rooms. 😅

[@patriciadesserud9402]

Here in Eastern Ontario we want snow, at least we could ski or snowboard. Ice just destroys trees. Also, I think the pantry that Jason built is beautiful, absolutely genius, it does not even need doors because Lorraine organized it so attractively.

[@judyellen4412]

Al, we are in southern Manitoba Canada, we want snow and cold.

[@janetpirlot8329]

I live in Northern BC Canada in the mountians, I would take snow over freezing rain

[@jbbrown7907]

I lived pretty much on pork when I had pigs.

[@w.a.stewart3191]

Snow, for Winnipeg, Manitoba

[@jenniferr2057]

Snow, all the way. And I am from where the weather is REAL! It would be fun if you guys could film together from one of the festival sites. Zoom Al in, if necessary. Collect new viewers.

[@katel9378]

I heard that companion planting cat nip with squash keeps the squash bugs away. It's worth a try.

[@tinatippin5705]

Great conversation!

[@sandhollowhomestead6972]

East is wet and West is dry. Seems to be normal to me. We're lucky to get 11 inches a year in Caldwell Idaho. Southwestern side of Idaho.

[@doylerabjohn3435]

Great video..... Watching the video you guys are making me hungry, talking about all the pork. I have never had farm-raised pork. Sounds like something I need to look into.

[@xijinping118]

It's best to use mastic on a backsplash because there's no mixing I wouldn't use it on a shower but on a backsplash go with a 2 or 3 gallon bucket of Mastic

[@sandramorton5510]

Lol. Doors get in the way every time you want to get in the cabinet!!!!

[@4Classie]

But Refrigerator doors have storage space, So Jason has room and can build doors with more shelf's for smalls !

[@elizabethmacdonald4605]

Thanks gentlemen! Another great podcast!👍

[@rcjo2]

Let it snow! Here in Eastern Washington, we get on average about 4 feet during a winter, but we have those freeze/ thaw, day/night temp swings. Darn ice! December and January are usually colder, though.

[@carolwoodward6141]

Hello from Virginia🌺

[@Windy76]

Maybe it’s time for a greenhouse Al lumnah

[@galeharris6696]

SNOW! I hate the ice, being 74 and walking out on an ice-rink to do anything is terrible. I live in Berlin, VT. We've always had lots and lots of snow, now we have maybe 2 or 3 big snowstorms, very heavy, that break branches and bring down power lines, the rest is ice and rain that freezes. Also, those 18 inch snowstorms melt off, because the weather gets warm a week later, then we run the risk of flooding, as I live near a river. Driving in freezing rain is the worst, so dangerous. We DON'T get the below 0 temperatures we used to get, down in the -20's, -30's, even -40's, and that's a good thing. We got a few nights last year and the year before that were close to 0 degrees, and that was it. But I'd rather have below zero, and some snow! I'd drive in snow any day. 🌻Al, tell Gina I never get sick of mowing, because I mow a lot of territory like you, and your videos are instuctional to me. AND--you're just living your lives, we're along for the ride. I understand it's an income thing, but it would be kind of brazen of us to tell you to do something "more interesting".

[@cherylbertolini3140]

Snow and when I come up for the New England Homesteaders Conference hope it snows:)

[@carolynspaulding6322]

Snow is only water Ben that dries MUD YIKES! Oh my lots of mess and dirty.

[@polycat7670]

My smoked pork is fantastic. 155 internal, wrap, and rest for one hour.

[@carlhall3015]

Here in eastern Montana, we'd prefer the snow to dry and super cold.

[@margaretbedwell3211]

Enjoyed the podcast and I would love to taste some of that pork done in the smoker. Ben, you have one son that seems to love to cook, so perhaps you could share the procedure of smoking meat with him and give him the job of doing the smoking of all your meats. I'll bet he would love that. Thanks for sharing your week with us. Y'all have a Blessed day.

[@beverleyspugsandhomestead.]

I grew up in England and you just work through it, some years it rained though the whole summer holidays, we had horses and just ignore the rain go riding, and leaning up after them. Just do stuff in the barn. Lol tough it up guys 😂😊

[@glendarousseau5736]

Saskatchewan here want snow with moisture so our slews and dugout fills with water

[@leesnow343]

We had rain and ice last winter there had better be snow this year❤

[@serenityfarm9508]

Suggestion on finishing off birds. Hot peppers they seem to love them.

[@mrdio4625]

I can't remember a day when I actually cared about the weather.Most days I have zero clue what the temp is, could care less about the humidity or any of the other things weather freaks toss around. I just take it as it comes

[@kimberlyschiele1117]

Hey Boyz... Why dont you all have some kewl Hollar Homestead Aprons and tote bags for merch... I havent checked jason and Al's merch just yet. But if you all dont have merch with these two specific items. You should get some. Including shop talk channel as well. Or possibly book covers or sleeves or whatever they're called?i know id be interested in purchasing one of each of these items from each channel. Just a suggestion... But would love to see it. Happen.

[@Homesteadshoptalk]

We got aprons at sowtheland.com

[@eastafrica1020]

Here by us a hammer is also known as a pig rifle.

[@juliefreeman-urbaniak4965]

I am in Michigan. Not a huge fan of snow. But, I am hoping for a couple weeks of really freezing temps to take down the bug population. They were horrible this year!!!

[@debbieshort9660]

Hello guys.

[@markpashia7067]

Growing up at grandparents farm my uncle used 22 short as choice for a one year old beef calf. Long rifle is really too much.

[@markpashia7067]

If you get an exit you are using too much power. Entry plus ricochet inside is best. Most humane.