Want to Learn how to be Self Sufficient next year? Get Started Here!

A lot of people are looking to start homesteading in some way right now, whether that's starting a garden, raising animals for meat or maybe backyard egg-laying chickens, or even just starting to cook more from scratch. If that's you, then watch today's Pantry Chat with Jessica Sowards from @RootsandRefugeFarm all about getting started with homesteading.
For all the links and more info, visit the blog post here: homesteadingfa...
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LINKS MENTIONED:
- Roots and Refuge website: rootsandrefuge...
- The First Time Homesteader book: homesteadingfa...
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MORE ABOUT US!
WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: bit.ly/HFWelcom...
Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: www.homesteadi...
Facebook at / homesteadingfamily
Instagram: / homesteadingfamily
Rumble: rumble.com/Hom...
A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!
Healthy Healing at Home - Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: homesteadingfa...
Your Best Loaf - A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: homesteadingfa...
Meals on Your Shelf - Can along with me! Learn to can and put jars of a delicious meal on your pantry shelf with this FREE video series: homesteadingfa...
FREE PDF DOWNLOADS:
- Homesteading Family's Favorite Holiday Recipes - Grab all of our family’s favorite holiday recipes. homesteadingfa...
- 5 Steps to a More Self-Sufficient Life - Simple steps anyone can take wherever they are to start a more self-sufficient lifestyle. homesteadingfa...
- Thrive Wellness Checklist - A simple guide for healthy living: homesteadingfa...
- Permaculture for Your Homestead- An introduction to permaculture with some strategies for applying it to one’s homestead and garden.
homesteadingfa...
- Carolyn’s Cottage Garden herb list - Carolyn’s favorite herbs for growing at home.
homesteadingfa...
- Carolyn’s Make-Ahead Breakfast Casseroles - These easy casseroles are a life-saver for busy weeks! homesteadingfa...
- Your FREE Guide to Preserving Eggs - Grab your guide to preserving eggs with multiple methods. homesteadingfa...
- 5 Steps to a Healthy Garden - Get an explanation of what makes healthy soil and 5 steps you can take to improve your garden. homesteadingfa...
- Save the Crumbs- Several Recipes for using bread leftovers, a less committal entry to bread than the workshop. homesteadingfa...
- Fearless Fermenting- A simple guide on basic lacto-ferments. homesteadingfa...
- Fermenting Tomatoes - Easiest and fastest tomato preservation: homesteadingfa...
- Preserving Culinary Herbs - Downloadable, step-by-step directions to drying, freezing, and salting culinary herbs. homesteadingfa...
- Render Your Own Lard - Grab these easy instructions on how to render your own lard. homesteadingfa...
- Grandma Lynn's Blueberry Buckle - A delicious dessert anytime of year: homesteadingfa...
#JessicaSowards #rootsandrefuge #firsttimehomesteader

[@sarad2083]

Love this! I actually started homesteading because of Jess. She would keep saying "turn your waiting room into a classroom" and I thought, wow that totally makes sense!! I did a complete 180.. started thrifting more, started a small garden, learned how to preserve food, make bread, make food from scratch.. all the things that you CAN learn now. And then inflation happened and it was like a full circle moment.. the food system has problems and homesteading is the solution

[@rnupnorthbrrrsm6123]

I hope Jess see’s your comment !!! She planted the seed but YOU listened and did the work, good for you !!! Blessings

[@susiemeade6404]

Awesome! I am going to work on it.

[@shantelleboyce1921]

She got me from watching to doing too and gave me hope for my shabby shack... lol

[@marilynmainwaring9978]

Jess absolutely kept it real with needing to be in a partnership with your husband in homesteading. There’s nothing wrong or primitive with couples having their “roles” 🥰🥰🥰

[@happiest.northwest]

Same. I love Jess. She has inspired me so much to start gardening.

[@victorialg1270]

Best conversation for someone with a spouse not on board. Season the cast iron, thrift the clothes. Bake the bread. Grow micro greens. Bring your passion to start making contribution where you are at.

[@wildvillagefarm4667]

Do it! Just keep going! ❤

[@spoolsandbobbins]

Are you giving the advice or are you giving it?… and pray, pray, pray! You have desires that God out there for a reason and He makes things happen!

[@backdoor5993]

I just wanted to echo something that was said, from a husband's perspective. When my wife praises/thanks me for doing anything I am 200% more likely to do that thing again. Also, I was the one who started being interested in gardening and my wife looked at it as my hobby, she was fine with that idea. When I asked for a pressure canner for Christmas, it was a part of the hobby so she was still "okay" with that idea. When I said, "I want to buy some land and build a homestead", the brakes went to the floor and she said, "NO, I'm not living like that." However, since the "pandemic", she is full-throttle on board to create as self-sufficient a lifestyle as we can. I say all of that to emphasis that we have to serve our spouses while we work toward our goals. It is not marital deceit to have a hobby, as long as you're honest about your hobby. We now have ten acres in a semi remote area and we are building/planning together our homestead. I guess the most important part is what Jessica said, DO what you can right now with what you have. Results are always the convincing factor.

[@karenholsopple6388]

My husband has said this, too. Such solid marital advice in this chat.

[@spoolsandbobbins]

We had the same journey, only it was all my plan for homeschooling our children on 1 acre. Now my husband and I are 50 with 5 kids under 16 yrs, on 26 acres, with rabbits, chickens and sheep. We grow much of our own food and look forward to even more!

[@nancyschwartz5665]

My favorites!!!! I am so proud of you both and thankful for your determination and dedication. Thank you for truly making a place at the table. You are both incredible teachers with integrity and your legacy is unmeasurable. Even now. And your faith shines through.

[@TankerMunk515]

I was headed to the chat to say that, but you beat me to it!

[@chrisolson7794]

You're both amazing women, it shows through your determination to follow your dreams. Your legacy is to empower people by sharing your journey. Thank you. Many blessings to you both.

[@vickijenkins1266]

These two ladies are my favorites, too!

[@briannalarsen3601]

They are my favorites too!! Well said!

[@vonniemerriam974]

For those of you who never fed on the drops of honey that fall from Jessica's mouth, now you understand why THIS 60 y/o suburb-steader tells everyone that I have never heard such wisdom in one so young! Thank you for inviting her, Carolyn!

[@FineFeatheredHomestead]

Suburb-steader...I love it! Finally a term that fits those of us with chickens, eggs, and food in our yards instead of just ornamentals, with pantries full of home canned foods and dry goods that will last years because we learned to cook from scratch instead of shop daily for manufactured food, with sourdough starters on our counters and fresh baked bread in the cupboard, with yarn or fabric in our hands to bless our families with cool or warm clothing and blankets, and herbal apothecary solutions instead of O/C & prescription band-aids. Our homes may seem like others, but they run entirely differently, on solid and sustainable systems.

[@vonniemerriam974]

@@FineFeatheredHomestead you have described me to a T, except that my village board prohibits chickens in my backyard...but I do have a friend just outside the village limits that has kept me in eggs for 2 yrs now! Thank goodness for her weakness for Chicken Math! Blessings!

[@tanyal7154]

This was my first time listening to Jessica and I can’t think of a better description for the way she spoke. Truly blessed from the interview.

[@milliejoneel9437]

@Vonnie Merriam Absolutely! Jessica is really the first homesteader I started listening to a few years ago. I too would call myself a suberb-steader or at least a wanna be. I've learned so much from this dear young lady and Dear Caroline as well. Appreciate them both so much and the way the Lord is using them in many lives.

[@greenrockgarden2851]

Well? Do the people who laughed or thought you were silly think differently now?

[@TJ_in_GA]

You two should do this more often. Your conversation just flows.

[@katiemclain2946]

I was in a similar situation of homesteading being my dream and not necessarily my husband's. And he was the breadwinner and I was the homemaker and homeschool mom. I decided to have a food garden and some flowers in 2020. I kinda went big for it being my first time. It was so successful. My husband was so impressed. He then wanted chickens. We got 4. He loved watching them and loved the fresh eggs. He helped me with things I couldn't physically do myself, but the rest was all me. Since then he has gotten on board. We started looking for land and bought 5 acres this year. Next year will be our first garden on our homestead.

[@amberwhite6086]

As a Christian ive learned to draw closer to God and depend on Him more through the farm. 4 weeks ago one of my beloved goats was so sick the vet told me she wouldn’t make it and she was a month and a half from kidding. We bathed that goat in prayer and kept treating her with all we could and today she is back to her 100% normal self and baby is ok! Praise God! I love being able to see answered prayers and these blessings through the farm life. Farming is a lifestyle choice. And unless I find a guy that’s mutually wanting to farm, I’ll just stay single. Haha! Because it is my dream to keep homesteading. And I do feel like this is the life God wants for me. There are so many ways to bless others with the fruits of a farm. I love homesteading life!

[@justlittleolme7977]

“You may be that person for the next generation!” I love that! I also love the “kindergarten” comment Jess made! I love hearing my 7yo (grade 2 rather than kindy but same concept) say, “Best day ever!” We always share the best parts of our day during dinner. So often it’s just the little things that mean so much. Thanks x

[@ur2phunny]

We go around the dinner table every night and each person shares their high, low & unexpected of their day. Also helps little ones share something they may not have otherwise in a days hustle. Yes my grand daughter has a large frame in her room by the door that's artistically says, "Best Day Ever", it brings a smile.

[@dianelawrence4948]

In a world gone absolutely crazy it’s amazing to have folks such as yourselves who are dedicated to helping others to help themselves. I am so thankful you have found a way to continue your mission and put such pure content out here for us. Bless you, you are both anchors to sanity and you can’t know how much this means.

[@pamelapitrone7639]

What a wonderful vlog!! The two of you together are fantastic. I would love to see you team up on a project (classes)…..what a wealth of knowledge, and wisdom beyond your years. I am 64 and learn so much from both of you. I am greatly encouraged by you both. Thank you!

[@suevalenti9584]

My husband is a city guy, who would rather not have a yard. This year he saw how much money I saved in the grocery bill. He also found that he likes fresh herbs right outside the door.

[@namastenurse]

Oh my goodness we didn’t verbalize this to one another but this exactly what happened this year. Long story. We are blended. We wanted a house with acreage, but 13-14 years ago we had older kids in their jr and sr year so we needed to stay in a specific school district. We made that commitment to them. So we bought an enormous house in the burbs on a half acre. Older kids are grown and gone now. We have younger kids, foster, adopted, medically fragile…. All the while still kicking around the idea of acreage and gardens and chickens and goats 🎉 but now we need to accommodate ventilators and feeding pumps. 2 weird Worlds collide 😂😂. Well this year, I threw together an entire container garden with 100 gallon containers, 10 of the green stalks bought a couple pressure canners, water bath canners, fermenting supplies and I figured it out. We had been saving and looking for years for this magical property that we didn’t want to have to build from scratch. I can’t tell you how many places we toured. The huz put in irrigation for my hodge podge container garden. I read and watched KZbin garden videos. Killed so many plants. But raised a lot successfully too. Anyway, late this summer we found the one. All that rambling to say, I think the universe listens too. Whoever your higher power is. Kinda, the “if you build it he will come” theory. We were ready for what we found. Which is an incredible 42 acre place with a spring fed stocked pond, an orchard, berries, paw paws, full of wild life, amazing barn and a large house that couldn’t be laid out more perfectly for the kiddos. It’s rural so of course we are buying all the things tractor, whole house generator etc (medical kids) in order to do this responsibly. Anyway, we had to do the work. We saved and saved and had the desire. But we had to be ready with more knowledge and boom. Universe provided.

[@leslierector6810]

I'm a homesteader but started about 50 years ago with my husband. I didn't know I was homesteading until recently and I am helping anyone who asks. I feel the Lord Jesus is so happy when I share and,teach others how to live a natural life style.The interest is amazing and I am amazed that younger people know so little about basic homemaking skills. Honestly I feel I was learning all that I have for such a time as this. I often think that my keen interest in learning and my love for hard work,like gardening and harvesting,caring for animals etc is a gift from Him . I would have helped you girls back in the day. I'm 77 and my husband is 84 . well Americans are coming together now and thats a good thing

[@leewillis2908]

Two of my favorite KZbin teacher sisters on one vlog. I’m well in my 60’s and have learned so much from you, both. Thank you for what you are doing for all those who are seeking a change in their lives and health!

[@christrankle8276]

agreed! I am also in my 60's and am so encouraged by these two! It has become my passion to homestead. also my husband is not on board, so I am working on that with help from videos like these!

[@harrym2523]

Yay Carolyn with one of my other favourite holistic educators! Xxx

[@user-hz7kv6js6l]

Thank you ladies for sharing your stories. I love both of your channels. I am 67 years young and I live in a mobile home community. I started gardening in 2020. I call myself the mobile homesteader. I grow everything in grow bags and I just put in my first raised bed and getting ready to put in another one. You both are a great inspiration to me. God bless you both and your families.

[@gwencrawford9617]

Ladies!, this was so good! I am 69yo and have been on this gardening journey for 5 yrs. since moving to GA! I grew up in California and the question I keep asking is, “Why didn’t any one teach me these things!?”😮 So, thank you for sharing your wisdom and know how with us, our kids and our Grands❤ Leaving♥️ a Legacy 🍃 🙏🏼 Blessings

[@jenniexfuller]

The cynics are my favorite! 🤣 Just you wait! 😂 Just because we are from the city doesn’t mean we won’t be able to succeed - determination, hard work, and perseverance armed with knowledge, science, and appropriate scientific experimentation result in success! We moved from the city to 100+ acres without switching our mindset first. 10 days before we moved we were dealt a huge blow - my husband was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery 3 days later, followed by chemotherapy. Our whole world was in disarray - we’d just started homeschooling our (intelligent but neurodivergent) children about 3 months prior to our move. We lost 2 others to cancer (38 yo cousin and mother in law) in the last 2 years. We have had so many people in our family who have had cancer - WE MUST STOP THIS CYCLE!

[@wendycash54]

We live in a single wide on 2 acres - part wooded. Decided not to do animals due to predator pressure, but everything else. Gardens, growing what I can and doing more every year. Cooking from scratch, canning, freeze drying and freezing abundance for later use to save money and reduce waste. Even without the current world pressure to be self-sufficient, as was stated by Jess, this lifestyle is healthier in many ways, not only food, but exercise, mental health and service, it's a no-brainer.

[@MsJuliah1]

“You’ll look back on the things that used to bring you joy, and see that This is where joy is!” This is so true! Hubby and I rarely watch even streaming movies anymore, but we’re not bored! In fact, when we do watch, we are a lot more selective in what we give that time to, and enjoy it much more.😊❤️

[@tonileigh8660]

I was born in Detroit. A farm was something we went on field trips to. It was something my mom told us stories about her grandparent's farm she spent her childhood at. But when she and my dad married, it was city living from then on. I lived in apartments once I was on my own, but wanted to live in the country. I'd spent summers at my grandmother's house and she could, and did grow everything. I was in heaven there. She gave me my own garden and let me watch her preserve food. I finally found an old farm to rent on 10 acres and loved it. That first summer, I planted an acre of vegetables and there was an apple and pear orchard. Unfortunately, the house hadn't been maintained and the bathroom fell into the basement. So I moved again into a house with no yard and was miserable. I now have a house of my own, and the property is gradually becoming a permaculture food forest. I grow and preserve about 90% of what I eat. I love this life. My daughter just bought her own house with property and she had her first big garden this summer. I'll continue growing and improving my food production every year and be completely happy and content in this lifestyle.

[@AngelGoodwitch]

Oh my goodness! Two of my absolute favorite people ever!!!! What a treat!

[@juliethompson3306]

Dear Sisters, we absolutely adore you both so much! What a treat to hear wisdom from you both in the same discussion. Thank you so much for collaborating! May God continue to Bless you both!

[@amandataylor682]

I feel very blessed to have a wonderful homesteading role model in my grandmother. When I got laying hens, she said "If you're gonna have all the manure, better start a garden." I started a garden and she was an absolute wealth of knowledge. When I decided I wanted to raise meat chickens, she helped me process them. Having that encouragement in my homesteading walk was absolutely crucial to me. I love my Mommo so much. 🥰🥰🥰

[@bsimmons2577]

The "Next" generation fits those of us who are older than you but are now looking to establish this lifestyle in addition to younger folks!! Please don't forget us because it's people like you and Jess who can indeed teach us -"old dogs" these new tricks!!

[@michelleleuthner1740]

Wonderful! Thank you both for this beautiful message. Shine On!

[@hvp6218]

Oh my goodness Jess and Carolyn in the same video, I couldn't click to watch the video fast enough! Love you both!

[@teresahoye6477]

I know right! Both are so good.

[@karenholsopple6388]

Right?? I about dropped my phone when I saw it was the two of them this week!

[@terigoodwin7531]

…until next time, I bless you! Both of you! Thank you!❤

[@kaylacatchpole9327]

I agree you can’t change people. My man understands it is what I enjoy doing. However when he tasted home grown potatoes compared to store bought I got full approval for my garden plans. Doing little by little with what I can do in my space

[@shanewaters592]

Yes. Home grown potatoes are so good. Nothing like store bought.

[@Seed4Him]

Jess was the first Homesteading KZbin I saw and it sparked a place long forgotten within myself. Love watching her and her stories!

[@sters6246]

I LOVED THIS CHAT. It gave me a fresh renewing.

[@kimberlyscrivner9373]

I have stressed so much because I feel I should be doing all the things to keep my family healthier when that is not even possible on the scale I feel I should be doing. I am 64, single, a sole caregiver of two and I work. So, I can't tell you how grateful I am to be seeing the "real life" on the homestead and seeing that nobody can do everything. There are many things I CAN do...and that I do. So it makes me feel that I'm not as big a failure that I have felt like I was. Thank you!!!

[@diannamc367]

💖

[@caitlin6983]

Good grief-you do so much already!!! May God bless you and may you feel Him bearing your burdens with you. May doors open to you to take steps toward your homesteading dreams.

[@AB-ol5uz]

don't let a comparison mindset rob you of the joy in the steps/actions that are you already taking to equip your family (and yourself). Every new skill/step that you take makes us stronger so be proud of the skills you have obtained and enjoy the fruit of your labor!

[@daniellemoskal4191]

This is so inspiring. Good Stewardship comes to mind when she described what homesteading is to her.

[@lucybrenton149]

Two of my favorites! Thanks for coming together and helping all of us! ❤

[@janeandrews4850]

When our children were young we lived on a friends farm and had pigs, chickens, neighbours cow for milk as well as grew some of food. We would talk at meals that we had grown all this or got the oranges from the neighbours trees. It was so fulfilling.

[@pyxis55]

Excellent conversation!

[@ourfromscratchkitchen]

One of the best podcasts episodes I have ever heard! So much rich wisdom in the advice from both of you amazing women! Thanks for the encouragement and the true blessings of your words! ❤

[@lorimaej]

Wow! The two of you together! We are in this homesteading world because of you and our gratitude is immeasurable! Thanks for teaching us all in a way that encourages us to keep going and dive deeper. Praising God for you both and praying Gods blessings for your ministries and families!

[@mamamode1312]

Amen!!!! I second those statements. Loving parents respecting the humanity of their children the decision to be on camera or not I would add so very blessed to view y'all.

[@health.bites.5615]

This is fantastic! I live on only one acre, but it was cool to think I can be actually homesteading here. We are a whole-food plant-based family, so we are growing a big garden of veggies, small fruit, herbs and flowers for drying. We also have a greenhouse, a hoop house, and some cold frames. I've gotten into cottage gardening and permaculture, so we're learning how to maximize our space with vertical gardening, succession gardening, and always having every bed planted (no empty spaces). I love making things from scratch and am getting into making my own skin and body care products using herbs. I feel I've met my people with this video even though y'all have more acres than me.

[@bekahgambrel]

Thank you Ladies for the encouragement and inspiration to follow dreams and homestead to the best of our ability. Thank you for being the women that you did not have to lean on when you started. God Bless you both

[@NikiY]

This was such an amazing pantry chat! As a relatively newly married woman (7 months, we've been together just over 2 years) we are tentatively taking the steps towards homesteading. I loved the bit where you're talking about the husbands not having the same dream and how to live your dream yourself. It's so true about not being able to "make" someone want something and submitting your own dreams to your husband (in my case). Really interesting discussion there! Thank you! 😄

[@rnupnorthbrrrsm6123]

And don’t forget prayer, God has a plan for you, your husband and your marriage, pray Gods direction and wisdom, that he would teach each of you to come together in your dreams that will honor him. Finding Godly women (such as these two) who can mentor and walk beside you is pleasing to the Lord and an added strength to your marriage. Blessings

[@NikiY]

@@rnupnorthbrrrsm6123 thank you 😊

[@mayaberk3270]

That was fun hanging out with both of you. Love the no nonsense attitude and also relate to the fact that women should support women more! We should form a team and skip acting concurrently. Enjoy the Saturday

[@heathermj3620]

Thank you so much for coming together! I feel so blessed this morning

[@diannemiller4754]

I bought this book as a gift to my Granddaughter.

[@maren807]

My husband and I bought 2 acres a year ago in the Pacific Northwest (8b). I appreciate both of your channels so much! So far we have chickens and our small garden. I am working on back to Eden gardening now. We have already had lots of learning from our mistakes 🤪. Our first garden didn't work well at all but I'm already preparing the ground for next season hopeful for a better result.

[@pnwfarmdog4090]

Hello fellow PNWer!

[@loboalamo]

Like Jess said, don’t give up.

[@sarad2083]

PNW born and raised! I love it here

[@teresarydberg1450]

I got so excited when I saw that Jess was on. I love watching her videos because she is so inspirational and motivational. Love having both of you in the same video ❤

[@peakninsdoinglife]

This was so awesome. It was an eye opener for me. I now understand my husband and what he sees. I need to step it up. He’s believes in me, I just need to show him. Thank you for this video!

[@kfg4046]

Outstanding discussion!

[@spoolsandbobbins]

I knew the Lord was calling us to homestead but hubby was NOT on board. After much prayer and family having many prophetic dreams, he realized there was something to all this “homesteading stuff”. 😆 God puts desires in our hearts and let’s it challenge us to build character and a strong family 😉

[@KathyFitz1113]

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are right now. Amen!

[@margomiller1988]

We are an older couple (late 60’s and other one pushing 80) living in suburban America on less than a half acre, much of which is on a steep hill. I figured at this stage of life I would never homestead, but…. It started with a compost pile and two raised beds. And now it’s 7 raised beds my husband built (and moved up 14-20 inches because I couldn’t get down), cooking most of our meals from scratch, learning to preserve food by water bath canning, pressure canning, dehydration, and pickling. It’s foraging my hillside for cactus fruits and planning a small water wise orchard. It’s planting for pollinators, and figuring what fruit trees will grow and the care that entails. We had chickens at one time, and may in the future again. And then I realized.. I am a homesteader right where I am, and I am so happy and content with that!

[@louellen7271]

I just found (LOVE!) your channel, but have been watching Jess for years! She is amazing!

[@shantelleboyce1921]

Jessica said she wished she started earlier and that's what got me going... Now I'm in a foreclosed house half acre with a garage for 3 grand!! During the pandemic when everyone else was paying quarter or more million for a home ..we are low income and we are doing it!!

[@paigeworrell2671]

It's clear that homesteading also preserves your beauty because you two do not look as tired as you say you are, you both looked refreshed and youthful.

[@carolewarner101]

This is my second one of your "pantry chat" videos (first was Becky at Acre Homestead), and it's so wonderful and encouraging to see you promoting these other women and helping to expose your viewers to other resources. As Jess was saying today about our bankrupt culture/way of life these days here in the US, true living means community and relationship. Relationship to Mother Earth, relationship with ourselves and our family, and relationship with the wider community. And that's especially important when you're looking to carve out a DIFFERENT kind of lifestyle; a livelihood from the Earth. Great video today!

[@readingrainbow7986]

When you said, '"Where are these women who have lived this lifestyle, who can tell me . . . ?"" My heart was screaming YES! Thank you for this beautiful encouragement and knowledge!

[@juliewilborn-barth7]

Your helping every generation!!!

[@victorymeadow4073]

Amen to this whole thing! 🎉

[@annebird9195]

Oh I'm so glad my husband is on board with me in wanting a home stead. I'm definitely the engine, but hes on board and I'm so glad.

[@sharontwilliger7006]

Loved this Pantry Chat. I'm 76 years old and have followed you both for a while. Also love all the babies in your families!

[@Kengsqueen]

Jess hit the nail on the head! I had to show my husband my dedication to my dream before he could see the same vision. For the longest time I thought he couldn't see it till one day he expressed to someone in passing the lay of our land (very small lot but our biggest so far) and the trees and the percentage of veg we grew ourselves. ❤️ I fell in love with him even more that moment!

[@KCSmith1]

Ladies, I enjoy watching each of your channels but this was excellent. I really liked hearing the relational aspect of homesteading. We always hear about the skills but not as much relationship. And it felt more one on one. And I'm single, older, and homesteading in my apartment . Jess, I found the part about Jeremiah and YOUR dream particularly interesting. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@myriamvalentin4]

What a great pantry chat! Love both your channels so much! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. It is truly a treasure.

[@HomesteadingFamily]

You are so welcome!

[@nancyspringston8547]

I am 77going years old. In good health and lots of energy. This past year I set up a long term pantry. I have multiple freezers stocked up with meats, fruits and veggies. Then I set up a pantry of canned meats, fruits and veggies. Then, have a reasonable supply of freeze dried foods for extreme emergency potential. What I love is living at 8,600 feet in the Rocky Mountains that I only have to go to the store for perishables: Salad greens, fresh fruit, milk, cream, etc. Otherwise, I can make just about any meal, or bake any favorite thing I want from the storage I have built up. So with this insane inflation, and threats of shortages for multiple reasons, I have time to replace what I use….and purchase staples on sale whenever possible. I do not pressure can (yet) but I dry can, and I have vacuum sealers, and I have half gallon jars and smaller, and I make james and jellies, and I have vacuum sealed dry dog food, candy, rice, flours, etc. etc. I have enough oils and shortenings and Gee, and frozen butter, etc. to keep us going several months, or some maybe longer. We are a three generation home, my husband (82) me (77) Son in law 48, daughter 49 and a boy 16 and a girl 14. We are all ingredient cooks…..so have lots of pasta, and seasonings, etc. etc. It was a lot of work to get it set up, and organized, and to get comfortable thinking a different way of shopping for and stocking food. But, we are absolutely loving it. Now, the latest and greatest is a beautiful green house is just coming to completion and we will be moving our little seedlings into it. This year, with a later start, we will purchase a few of tomato plants, peppers, etc. as soon as we can get them going in the green house. We have section designated for starting seedlings to keep us going. This green house is one solid little building made of wood, glass and on a good foundation. We have solar generators so we can keep that building above freezing even in our coldest -5 degree days until we get electricity run to it. We kind of like using solar as much as possible anyway. Cutting our electric bill and gas bill (oh yeah we have patio heaters, too). So as long as butane is available we can do that way, too. We can not raise animals, but we sure can barter with a few friends who do. And, we are having a good time doing it. It is serious “play” for right now, but we definitely can sustain ourselves should we need to. That is just comforting. I loved how you admit it is hard work…..and also your advice on marriage…..thankfully we have gotten through our careers long ago. And, our daughter and husband have school schedules, and those two young teens are loving the family “farming” on this mini scale. So, who knows where it will go in the future….. It certainly is freeing……because we have 6 people to share the life.

[@SadieJaneLutz]

The homesteading family + Roots & Refuge = Perfection! Thank you so much for this talk! My family & I have been wanting to Homestead for years & at times it feels so far away. All the topics you brought up really resignated with me & helped me so much. I know I was meant to hear these messages & I'm so glad this community is growing stronger everyday 🙌

[@reneenewfrock5743]

I am that person too, Caroline! The people I expected to get info from just discouraged me. The ones who may have helped had already passed away. I DUG IN and did it!

[@shantelleboyce1921]

Carolyn was my go to for Canning and her pantry is so dreamy. These two ladies really gave me the support I was seeking.

[@clairerobertson2579]

😂 I had to laugh at Jess' comment about not staying up all night because im watching this at 2am and frequently watch her late at night when i should be sleeping. You two are a great resource for me at this stage in my journey, im trying to turn my waiting into learning. So far, im doing better than i started but it's slow going. ❤ you both!

[@jessc6119]

A wonderful listen! Everything changed when I had my first baby, I want to make sure he has the head start that I didn’t have with the right priorities! ❤

[@amywert8088]

Sounds like my days homeschooling my kids, Jess. I had an older man scoff and say, How's that going for you? And I replied that my oldest had graduated and the second was taking college classes online, so pretty well! I laughed and laughed but I was past that point of feeling discouraged and like I couldn't do it. I had done it and would continue.

[@Cowtownmama1951]

Two wonderful, talented, thoughtful women that this 72 year old Yaya has thoroughly enjoyed and been blessed to listen and learn from over the last two years . Thank you so much and may God protect and bless you and your families in the coming days, months and years:)

[@householdsix1307]

Not long after moving to our homestead, my uncle stopped out by the field where my husband was trying to figure out setting a tractor implement properly,. My uncle looked at him and said, "buddy that's the way to learn it is to do it yourself! and drove off! lol. We are going into year 10 of LEARNING TO DO IT OURSELVES!

[@hfranklin77]

I love, love, love this conversation!

[@danielleterry2331]

I only have .68 of a acre but watching the both of you and others I built a leanto by following green acres that is where I raised mean rabbits and my meat chicks, built a coup and run for my egg layers, used my back yard for my first garden last spring and I have a winter garden also, dehydrate and canning I let litterly nothing go to waist. Built up my stockpile and thank god I did as I was unemployed 9 months with no chance to get even unemployment . The 4 of us lived off of my stock pile and the meat I raised, when I finally was hired I restocked everything back up and realized my full back yard must be my garden not just a small area, I would love 7 acres but at 60 I am making do with what I have since I am debt free and refuse to start over, thank you both for all you have taught me

[@alliebennett555]

City girl marries a country boy, that’s how I ended up “homesteading”. I had a great MIL who was happy to help. My first foray into food preserving was when she took me strawberry picking. I learned to make strawberry freezer jam. Then I read “the supermarket handbook” and was horrified by food processing. I decided then, my kids would have better food. Took a few years to learn to grow, cook and preserve our food.

[@ThePathwayLife]

Wow! There is such compassionate depth in you two! Thank you for this conversation that is shareable to everyone!! Keep mentoring via YT. Your voices are reaching for miles!!

[@HomesteadingFamily]

Thank you so much!

[@marthaconover5027]

Ha! I've watched both of your channels for a few years! Great to see you doing a collaboration! Jess is the one who gave me courage to start gardening.

[@louisecuster6117]

My story: married a “large farm” owner. At his retirement we moved to a home on a lot and a half. I wanted clean food and to garden but gardening seemed a waste of time and resources to my husband now that it was just the two of us. At my request, he did build me a 5’x9’ raised garden. For a few years I did my best in the small plot. My desire for more clean food persisted and I supplemented my little garden plot with buying clean market food. My husband saw that higher cost and my continued desire to grow and that it was worth adding more raised gardens and even food preservation equipment. My garden is now 6 times the size of my original plot. I’ve learned to succession plant to grow most all we need and now we both find much pleasure in enjoying eating clean food grown from our own garden. This spring he helped me add cattle panel arches so I could grow vining plants and made sure they looked attractive so as not to distract from the beauty of our house and lot. Ten years since moving here, I know I’m a blessed. We’re eating clean food that I grew and preserved and love doing it.

[@mellio9077]

wow! my two favorite homesteaders!! love you guys, you both do amazing work!!❤❤❤❤

[@SavedbyHisMercy]

Oh Jess! Thank you so much for sharing both about your discouraging neighbour, and your early situation in regards to your husband, having limited financial freedom, etc. It has encouraged me to just keep patient for the visions we don't share as a couple, and just be thankful for those that we do. And Carolyn thank you for your wisdom of not carrying the weight of "if only". God bless you both so much 💖

[@deborahyellowhorse467]

Two of my favorite homesteading influencers. I am inspired and educated by the both of you. Thank you.

[@danielvannah879]

Two of my favorite people on KZbin ❤

[@terrim.602]

Wow! The pairing of you two is awesomely dynamic. I have been quite bored with a lot of the latest videos, but this chat hit me in the heart! ❤ Truly real.

[@tcrawfordppgh5856]

Legitimately crying on my lunch break (the irony omg) listening to Jess talk about struggling to work to pay for food that doesn't sustain us and medicine to make up the difference. Thank you for hosting this chat

[@lindacrawford5029]

Thank you both for you doing the work you’re doing. I grew up as a small child 70+ years ago my Mom did can and garden but being small I didn’t want to do this until I got much older. My Mom went to work and I also went thru working world 30 years and now I’m so enthralled in the homesteading movement. Better late than never and with the World we have today it’s become a necessity to survive. Since Covid I’ve learned canning, dehydrating, chickens etc due mostly by both of your type of videos! Thank you so much for caring enough for making these videos! I have learned so much from them and I’m sure others have too, we haven’t had to reinvent the wheel!

[@robertwestfall5754]

This was an incredibly encouraging video! We started our journey to living a simpler life a few years ago by taking the first step of learning to cook from scratch. That led to baking our own bread, learning how to woodwork, gardening, canning and preserving food. My wife recently started sewing again and we are striving to do as much as we can ourselves. We are doing all of this in the middle of town on a little less than a quarter acre. You can do this, it's a mindset shift and it IS possible to live a simple life right where you are! Take those small steps and watch them grow. Like Carolyn said, "simple doesn't mean easy" but it's a very rewarding life if you stick with it. We've seen our family draw closer throughout this journey and we are stronger than we've ever been.

[@FineFeatheredHomestead]

True indeed!

[@LoriHakaMyHeartCries]

Oh what an amazing talk between two of my favorite people!!! God Bless both of you wonderful Role Model women!!❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@jenniferwentzlaff5023]

Two very wise, inspiring women! Thank you for sharing this!

[@furbabymom1133]

You both keep me encouraged to continue to try and learn through my failures. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@AngelGoodwitch]

Ain't that the truth! They make me feel better when I fail. If not for Jess, i might not even try sometimes. I love how she tells us to do things even if they're not ideal. I love Jess & Carolyn so much!

[@tarayoakum9393]

You two women have been so vital to my entrance into the growing/homesteading space. I am so grateful for your wisdom and encouragement!

[@DebWHNP]

Thank you for this. I was just looking at my small garden and feeling bad that I didn't have a bigger one. You reminded me to be present in where I am now. Growing as I go.

[@The_heirloomgardener]

Two of my most favorite ladies to watch! I so appreciate both of ya'lls consistency in teaching ...so many channels have gotten so far off the beaten path and all they do is rant these days. I TRULY appreciate that both of you choose to be a light and encouragement !

[@pattyjalowiec4048]

This has been great. Yes, very encouraging. Love your advice in building communication with your life partner spouse! The key I'm taking away is this: If you don't believe in your dream, no one else will; Start small and give it 100% (so easy to get in over your head) ; be grateful for your husband for even the simplest support he gives. More, but these I will heed!

[@debheesen2097]

Thank you, my favorite ladies! I so enjoyed this. Jess walked me into this life at the beginning of the pandemic and encouraged me to grow food. Then Carolyn's classes have helped me make the best of my waiting room in the kitchen. I now have my little 2-acre place and my first flock of chickens. Starting to grow my little herbal medicine cabinet. What was really refreshing about your talk was the attitude in which it was done. It was helpful and there was no negativity pointed towards anybody or anything and you just gave hope for the future

[@user-uh5tb9er4o]

this is an answered prayer! i just opened YT to find Jessica and Homesteading Family videos to put into my queue for inspiration bc homesteading therapy is my tool for spiritual and earthy authenticity thank you! cannot wait to finish up so i can watch later! :)

[@crystaldawson7855]

8:00, absolutely feel that you are the women our generation needs. I'm 37, and I'm so thankful for these videos while I'm learning! God Bless you all 🙏❤️

[@sonnyamoran7383]

My husband would have never done the homesteading thing. He's smiling down at me with my ever growing gardens.

[@aliceshipman9010]

This was Amazing!! I really enjoyed watching 2 of my favorite people talking together about their homesteads and sharing their ideas. Very heart warming. Thank you ❤

[@hollindorf1007]

I'm gonna need a neighbor like that old man. Tell me I can't and I absolutely will!

[@ifeyinwaodiaka9295]

When I saw the duration of this video, I positioned my mouse to skip some parts. But once the video started playing, I got so engrossed that I lost track of time till the very end. I have always dreamt of gardening as a child and this vision has become of strong intensity in recent times. As I am saving up to enroll into your beginner's classes next year, I cannot express my gratitude enough for this very insightful, inspiring and authentic video.