How MUCH Space to Grow and Store 75% OF YOUR FOOD??

[@jojolly54]

At 70 years old , coming from an Amish and farming background, I would never have believed I could learn so much from a couple of young whippersnappers. But I was wrong. I learn something new from every one of your videos. It warms my heart to see who is taking up the reigns now that my husband and I are nearing the “Golden Years.” You give me hope for the future. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.

[@morethanfarmers]

So good to hear! 😊 Merry Christmas!

[@Thewildmindofmike]

I double that. 26 years building a homestead and we learn something new every video also. Keep it up and Merry Christmas

[@katietimm5255]

I know on one of the videos y’all mentioned a company other than Azure Standard where you got your bulk products, but I can’t find it! Could you post the name or link it if possible?

[@susanturner9023]

@@katietimm5255Dutch Valley Foods….in their Food Security: full basement tour.

[@JoeyIndolos]

@@katietimm5255 The name is Dutch Valley Foods, but they said it’s a wholesaler that not just anyone can order from. They were able to get their supplies only because they have a contact in their community. I’m guessing that the contact is an owner of a supermarket or some other retail outlet and are a wholesale client of Dutch Valley. The video is “Food Security: Full Tour of Our Basement Grocery Store (plus tips!)” posted on Oct. 18, 2023.

[@fishinghole333]

To be so young, y'all have a lot of good sense about farming. I'm so tired of the new wave of "farmers" who tell viewers that you have to have thousands of dollars in specialized equipment, packaging, certified organic everything, etc., blah, blah, blah. People have been growing and preserving food for thousands of years without a freeze dryer or vacuum sealers. Good job for doing things the normal way! Please don't ever change 😊

[@morethanfarmers]

Agreed! Thank you 😊 Merry Christmas!

[@danielleterry2331]

I am only on .68 of a acre I raise egg layers on 10’x20’ fun and my meat chickens in a 10’x28’ run, our preditors are to many including 2 legged to let run free. My garden is 100’x100’ takes up a good bit of my back yard but I can’t eat grass, I grow up with trellises and grow a lot of what we eat and don’t waste time or effort on what we don’t eat, this is the Lords garden and I am just his faithful servant whom by the Lords hands I am fed and bless others with my abundance of eggs, veggies. Save your family and yourself and get out of the city, step out on faith of our Lord and savior.

[@morethanfarmers]

I love what you’re doing! So many could make a whole lot more of the land that they have.

[@annhomrich7921]

This is a good encouragement (I'm on a property that is .67 of an acre with a vegetable garden, started composting, and raising layer hens a few months ago. All wee worth it!) Thank you and the Lord bless you and your family!

[@searose6192]

I have lost several chickens to 2 legged predators during the peak of egg prices😢 Once though, one came back to us 6 months later which was wonderful.

[@faintlyartistic7803]

I only have a 9,000 sq ft lot and we have 5 laying hens that provide plenty of eggs for us and to share. Meat rabbits, greenhouse and huge garden. Only have to buy dairy products, bread, and a bit of fruit. Most people have way more animals than they need. Keep the numbers down to what you need--less space, less work and less bought feed.

[@morethanfarmers]

Right on! I love how you're using what you have. I wish more people would do that!

[@SammyTheSituation]

This was so insightful to me. Thank you both.. Your Menonite work-ethic and prepper mindset are so inspiring. As a single guy, I feel like your videos have helped me improve my selection-criteria for a life partner. This planning and execution is exceptional. Well done. Your family has given me even clearer relationship and homestead goals overall. Shoutouts from Nairobi, Kenya.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you! Blessings on your journey 😊

[@oscarherrera9049]

I cannot wait for the new projects. This channel is starting to become one of my favorites. Just remember to have fun; there is no urgency, just live

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you 😊

[@judyanderson8782]

I've had meat in my freezer over a year that had freezer burn. I put it in a crockpot and it came out delicious . I was surprized.

[@tealkerberus748]

Freezer burn just means the water's been pulled out of it - it's freeze dried. You probably wouldn't want to grill it, but any sort of slow boiling will probably be fine.

[@Cody_Ramer]

I usually trim off most of the freezer burn and give it to the dogs and cats, I can taste the difference so I view it as saving dog food, giving them a treat, and making the food edible for me.

[@BEASTWRANGLER]

People new to the channel, needs to understand they are not PREPPERS. They are HOMESTEADERS. As they said, it's not about the long term multi year. It's about their own sourced food year to year. I am stating this because of some of the questions everyone is asking them.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you 😊 Saw you became a member.. Welcome! And thank you.

[@sheilalogan3250]

I love the way y’all live and how you make it all work for your family and within your means. That is encouraging because it is obtainable for a sustainable lifestyle. Thank you both - i have been binge watching all your videos. Got a way to go but just hooked. Thank you for making it easy to understand and less stressful. May God bless you in this great life you have chosen to live. ❤

[@morethanfarmers]

You’re welcome! Glad to hear you’ve been enjoying them! Thank you so much!😊

[@windriderfarm]

The information in this video is so valuable to anyone thinking about homesteading. You explain everything so well, and you keep it real. It is inspiring to see all that you have built and accomplished. Also, your filming and editing skills are so good. I literally said "Wow!" out loud at the beginning of this video because I was so impressed with the skill level you've reached. Great video all around.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you so much 😊 Glad you enjoyed!

[@AlanaLee-xv2qy]

I just noticed....congrats on reaching 100K! Be sure to show off that award when it arrives.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you 😊

[@Sunnylane02174]

Holly is getting so big!!! We live in Ohio on 1/4 acre. I'd love to have animals to get fresh meat & eggs, but we just locally source our meat & eggs, while i use my yard to grow lots of fresh veggies. With hoop houses i can grow leafy greens all year long. Your channel is one of my favorite channels on youtube!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you 😊

[@TW-in3gg]

Just a bit of unsolicited advice if I may..... 1/4 acre is plenty of room to become close to 100% food independent. I grew up on a ranch, but spent the rest of my life in the City. I've managed to raise enough vegetables to feed my family and sell the excess in my yard. With the small amount of cash I make from selling vegetable starts, I'll buy wholesale flour, dried beans and lentils. I'll sell tomatoes and pumpkins in the Summer and buy some organic meat from local farmers I'm friends with. I do raise chickens and quail for meat and eggs. I'd guess we eat 2X as many vegetables as most folks and only 1/2 as much meat, because what we have sitting around fresh. Just eat what you have and be thankful for it. Year round left greens? You're are well on your way!!!

[@nancyseery2213]

I think some people need to realize that freeze dryers are great but until about ten years ago we all survived without them. Yes, I would like to have one, but I have made it to 70 without one. What I want more than the freeze dryer is a basement and a root cellar. Due to rock and water levels, I know that is never going to happen. Life goes on and there is always something on our "wish list". Have a very merry Christmas and a happy 2024. God bless y'all and keep growing.

[@morethanfarmers]

Agreed! You could bring in dirt and build an above ground root cellar 😉 Merry Christmas!

[@nancyseery2213]

@@morethanfarmers I wish, but I'm in a subdivision and I'm getting a hard time just putting in a hoop house which the county OK'd because it is listed a non permanent structure. A storm cellar or above the ground root cellar is consider permanent and will not pass the county restrictions. Sometimes you just have to move to get what you want. I'm hoping it will be soon, but that depends on my spouse.

[@Simplyfarmhouse7]

We own five acres but currently we don't have the budget for a run in barn, fencing and a cow and a calf. We have hens, berries ,fruit trees, a garden area and we hope to do more some day. Thanks for the great advice, it is good to know how much space a cow and calf actually need and we do have the land for it. Thank you for sharing! God Bless!

[@morethanfarmers]

Sounds good! Keep at it, and more will come with time.

[@followerofyahushaoctaviadm]

What you guys are doing on 5.5 acres is AMAZING!! Praise YHWH!

[@decisiveliberty]

Michelle was talking about freezer burn and frost in the packages -- we live in the boondocks of Brazil and buy what we need every 3 months. We still visit the farmer's markets on Saturday night but meats, chicken, fish, jarred and canned goods (preserved) we buy in bulk. Our experience: upright freezers will create more frost than chest. Cold air settles, and when you open an upright, immediately the coldest air at the bottom of the freezer exits. This introduces moister and relatively warmer air into the freezer. Frequently opening and closing an upright will also create more frost - do yourself a favor if you're going for long-term freezing (beyond a month), buy chest freezers. The cold air remains in the chest, the humidity entering is a LOT less, and the realtively warmer air is minimal as well. All this creates a much lower chance of any frost. We agree with everything Michelle is sharing here (actually, we rarely disagree with her 🙂 )... Potatoes - something we saw just this week and are trying out. To minimize potato sprouts, add a whole apple to the bunch. For the crates we see in the video, probably start with 2 or 3 apples depending on how full that crate becomes. Of course, will have to watch the apples for decomposition but given the cold cellar, would not be surprised they lasted 3 months or more... To Cody, Michelle and their kids - God Bless and Merry Christmas! You guys have been a huge blessing to many many people...

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks for the tips! Makes sense with the freezers. Merry Christmas!

[@jenbear8652]

I tried the apples with potatoes idea & my potatoes sprouted & started rotting within just a couple of weeks. Maybe that depends on the potato variety and/or apple variety

[@brandynash1409]

I agree about the freezers. We owned a deer processing business for over a decade and the meat definitely does better in a deep freezer.

[@decisiveliberty]

@@jenbear8652 have heard a couple of others say the same, we've been blessed with success using the apples. Our system - dark, dry area with only cool air for ventilation. We're in a tropical climate and basements are not a thing here so we've converted an east corner (least sun exposed) into a cool, dark storage for root veggies.

[@tealkerberus748]

@@jenbear8652 Apples give off ethylene gas and are commonly used to hasten the ripening of other fruits.

[@ingridjorgensen6766]

This channel brings me so much joy! Merry Christmas from Cape Town ❤

[@morethanfarmers]

Merry Christmas!

[@ingridjorgensen6766]

@@morethanfarmers 🎅♥️

[@tuliplangel4624]

I have some of those wire racks that stack, for veggies etc., got them at the Container Store a few years ago….FYI….

[@SuneKelly]

Good morning from South Africa. We just want to wish you and your family a lovely Christmas and an exciting new year. Love from the Kelly family.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you! Merry Christmas!

[@Mel-vu9ss]

Great video guys. Once again you hit it out of the…. Pasture. 😂 When I had my Jersey and a steer we had even a smaller amount of pasture. We did have to hay year round but that was back in days of $3 square bales and $20-25 large rounds. I totally agree that not a lot of land is needed to do what y’all are doing.

[@morethanfarmers]

😁

[@mastery4living187]

Thank you, guys, for sharing this video. As mentioned, we just closed on 10.5 acres of land in central Texas. We experience all of the seasons, so your sharing of information is vital. Like your husband, I just retired from 35 years in the I.T. field, so we're ready to get away from all of the hustle and bustle and return to our heritage of producing. Thank again. Your videos are awesome.

[@morethanfarmers]

Love it! Blessings on your journey!

[@paulsims6888]

This video was like a year in review. Thanks. Like many others, I am impressed by your partnership and drive for a self sufficient life. Don't take this wrong, but slow down. Show us a little of your day, every day. We will all crave you and your subs and commissions will climb. This is just what I have noticed that the successful KZbin channels have done. Focus on how to, but every vid add a life message. Like be kind, work hard, be honest, listen. Which I know you believe in, You are hard workers. I am just a guy who wants to help you succeed. Keep posting.

[@morethanfarmers]

Good advice, thank you 😊

[@ElizabethStapleton_Ohio]

I'm in Southern Ohio Im on 1.6 acres I have kunekunes pigs,ducks,chickens we grow a big garden ❤

[@morethanfarmers]

That’s great!

[@maryegerton6848]

I’m with you on the freeze dryer. I considered it, but for me it doesn’t make sense. It costs a ton of money and I live alone. I have a fancy Excalibur nine tray dehydrator thingy and it’s just perfect. I love it. I initially was going to get a cheap dehydrator but considering the cost of a freeze dryer, it was not bad in comparison. I love dehydrating all the herbs from my property that grows wild, thyme, oregano, etc and having them all winter. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks for all you do ❤

[@morethanfarmers]

Agreed! Merry Christmas!

[@jimt6589]

Yep I am with you as well. Vacuum pump maintenance and 30kw of power per run it’s an extremely energy dense food source. We are off grid and only have 28kw of battery backup we run 3 freezers two fridges and a cool room for a couple of weeks of the year when we are doing home kill’s definitely more sustainable.

[@lizzydod]

I mostly use my Excalibur to make yogurt in. It has paid for itself many times over compared to buying store bought yogurt that is loaded with sugar and more. I find dehydrating herbs in my air fryer keeps their color better than the Excalibur. Of course that’s just about visual appeal, they taste the same no matter which I use.

[@maryegerton6848]

@@lizzydod I’ve never used my dehydrator to make yogurt. That’s a good idea. Never used the air fryer to dry herbs either. I’ll keep that in mind for when the dehydrator is packed full and I need more space 😀 Thanks.

[@Alison2436]

honestly a regular dehydrator is more than enough for most people

[@sozod2000]

We also keep halter on our cows full time. It’s come in handy so much when we needed to grab and move one real quick.

[@JaniceLadyJStyleKrako]

Agree its how you plan and use the space that's important ❤🙏🌲

[@morethanfarmers]

For sure!

[@TheJoyfulMom]

Love your simplistic approach! We are on a 1/4 of an acre and I’m utilizing it the best I can.

[@morethanfarmers]

That’s great!

[@virginiamccartney7518]

We're 69 & 67 & live in town. Our garden is 70" x 55". We use cattle panels for growing vertically, 16" raised gardens & 30" raised gardens from tin sheets. We also have 22 cattle mineral feeders for potatoes mainly & once harvested we amend that soil & grow green beans, turnips, rutabagas & salad goodies. We also find room for 24 sweet potato & have 4 apple trees planted. Garden takes up only 1/4 of our backyard. You can grow more than you think! Experimenting w/ shade this summer on part of the garden, a challenge here in Ks but doable & growing vertically on the back fenced area of our raised garden some dry beans that climb. Thank you for your site! Anybody no matter the age can grow Something. In smallbtown little over 400 but I know of only 2 others here that bother. Crying shame w/ empty lots all over & cheap & a lot of growing knowledge here...

[@morethanfarmers]

That's awesome everything you've got goin on there!

[@workinonit9562]

One of my favorite channels since you are also in Ohio, very important to show people that they don't need 20 acres to be more self sufficient, love the videos and Merry Christmas to all of you.

[@morethanfarmers]

Howdy fellow Ohioan! Merry Christmas!

[@Lifeofworship624]

I just LOVE all of y’all’s videos! Your family is excellent at stewardship and the law of use. Extremely inspirational!! Just wanted to comment something so I’m not forever a silent follower on your channel. My family and I dream of this lifestyle, but for now we just have a very small back yard. However, watching your channel has inspired me to go after the dream however I can right now with what we’ve got! Thank you all for being so diligent to share your journey, successes and mistakes/improvements along the way. I pray you all continue to be blessed with abundance of every good thing!!!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you so much! Glad to hear we could be an inspiration to you.😊 Best wishes to you as you get started! You can do it!!

[@fancywear247]

You guys have shown me so much and I really appreciate it. Much love from us to your wonderful family.

[@morethanfarmers]

Our pleasure! Merry Christmas!

[@Thewildmindofmike]

Awesome video 🤠 One thing about a freeze dryer is the electric cost. If you are prepping food for 10-25 year storage, it's worth it. If you are using the food in a year or two, the cost is prohibited. Get a good solid solar grid tie or off grid set up before thinking about a freeze drier.

[@strawberries1411]

You guys are doing amazingly with the amount of land and the produce you get.. it's diverse, plentifull without going overboard.. those wired baskets are use(d) in shops like supermarkets ..maybe search for stacking wire basket or retail stacking baskets

[@searose6192]

Merry Christmas to you guys! If you don’t mind, I would love a video detailing how many plants of each type you grow to feed your family. Yields are very difficult to find online for family scale organic gardening.

[@morethanfarmers]

It's so dependent on so many different things. We do plan to do a seed order video though, and we'll do our best to say how much we grow in that one 😊 Merry Christmas!

[@traceyrobertson5850]

Merry Christmas to you and your family- glad you are now at home full time chasing your dreams - love your channel

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you! Merry Christmas!

[@sheilalogan3250]

I am so excited to buy my land and start living the life that makes me happier than I already am.

[@mobilejoe87]

I'm so glad I found your channel! Keep up the good work. You guys are for real and I love that fact! We too have a small acreage a small home and a young family. We too are trying to make a homestead. It's refreshing to see someone in the same boat. God bless you all I wish we were neighbors lol

[@13MoonsOverMayhem]

Congratulations on 100K subs! Great way to ring in a new year.

[@morethanfarmers]

Sure is! Thank you!

[@thisnthatcormak]

For people looking for those baskets, try when stores are liquidating. The company i worked for went out of business and we used similar rolling bins to sell product. I took several home when we closed. They are so handy for so many things! Another great video!

[@nanospace2994]

Yes. They are zinc plated, stacking wire baskets used for displaying products in stores. They come in different sizes, with wheels or dividers. Look for companies that supply stores and industry with racks and display fixtures.

[@mrBADFINGER1]

WebstaurantStore

[@MsPackman4]

Your production quality is excellent. Thank you for all the info!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you 😊

[@PegsGarden]

I am new to your channel and I am going through your videos, you all are an amazing family, so happy I came across your family!!

[@morethanfarmers]

Glad you're here!

[@bettypearson5570]

Years ago when Mother Earth News was one of the few places you could turn for practical info for the newby they had an article with diagrams on how you could be mostly self sufficient on 5 acres. It included ample garden space, room for a couple pigs, chickens, rabbits, milk cows or goats. Would love to see that again. I think designing the same today would take even less space simply due to use of container gardening and gardening with multiple cropping rather than the old fashioned planting once in the spring time plus the growing of a few greens in the autumn/ winter.

[@lorrainecostanzo9092]

If you place a linen or cotton tea towel over your potatoes and onions it slows down the sprouting, I said cotton as it still allows air flow and the potatoes to breath without sweating and going mouldy

[@nanfaircloth]

Merry Christman you all. Its great to see you. Let me know when dinner is ready. God Bless

[@morethanfarmers]

😂 Merry Christmas!

[@highroad3580]

Excellent vid. Agreed! We need less space than we think to grow a lot of our food and we don’t have cows. We have dairy goats, layers, and geese, orchards, garden. Everything but the geese and goats are in the half to one acre yard. The geese have about half an acre to graze and the bulk of the remainder of our farm is for the goats and it feeds them almost year round in zone 7b with about one round bale for winter. We have 15 acres but started with 5, adding over the years as neighboring property came available. About half of that is in woods. We don’t raise meat animals due to bartering with friends who raise steaks, hogs, or chicken cleanly.

[@carolynmoody9460]

MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎁⛄ YOUR VIDEOS DEFINITELY BRING JOY TO THE WORD🕊️🕊️🕊️

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you 😊 Merry Christmas!

[@Pat2317]

2:32 on the wall. Joshua 1:9 👍 My favorite verse. Great channel guys! Keep up the good work!

[@karend8575]

Loved this! A wealth of information, and for those of us who are in a suburban home, makes us wish for a little bit more. We’ll never have animals, can’t even have chickens, but I can grow, and I’ve started by planting my first winter garden. Very fun. Trying to figure out how to get more in planters…hard with so many trees. But you always make me put my thinking cap on, always try to figure things out. Thank you! Holly is adorable! Good job saving for your truck. Priorities! Have a Merry Christmas! Relax a little and enjoy! 🎄🎄🎄God Bless!

[@myurbangarden7695]

Try growing SHADE LOVING plants and vertical planters in the sunny areas.

[@karend8575]

@@myurbangarden7695 I did just buy a greenstalk. Jury is out on it… I need to do more research on what veggies thrive in some shade… thank you!

[@morethanfarmers]

That’s great that you’re working with what you have. That’s the spirit of homesteading. Merry Christmas!

[@heavenly-dreamsdairygoats]

New subscriber here, watching from Southwest MI. We are a small farm/homestead. I grow up growing your own and still do it today. I raise heavy milking french Alpine dairy goat's. For their large size amazing personality and the ability to milk for years at a time. We do have each year available milkers and kids at a few days old. I made goat milk beauty products. We raise meat rabbits, chickens. This was a great educational video. Thank you for sharing. Till next time, God Bless

[@morethanfarmers]

Love it! We’re CONSIDERING getting a few goats. Not sure yet 😏

[@heavenly-dreamsdairygoats]

@@morethanfarmers you won't go wrong with that. Good luck I will enjoy watching.

[@Mindy56743]

Freeze dryers are amazing machines but they are incredibly expensive. I live in a tight budget and preserve mostly by canning. I water bath and pressure can, I also have a food dehydrator and freezers. This works really good for me. I love canning and canned meats are becoming my all time favorite because I don’t have to defrost them and they are perfect for casseroles and soups.

[@morethanfarmers]

Right on!

[@augustasimone9323]

Merry Christmas and relax and enjoy all your accomplishments! Spend time relaxing and listening to your cute children and make memories with them in between the daily chores. Never feel pressure to create content ! This year I hope to have my vision board on my desk top like yours from last year ! Attempt to have a No device or TV day . When I was very young they warn us all the time not to zone out infront of the TV. Let your children see you both reading a book ( or pretending to read a book). Merry Christmas ! I love your Channel.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you so much. Good advice! Merry Christmas!

[@blakeneybuchanan4014]

You knocked it out of the park! Thank you tor the immense knowledge you share with us!

[@Gardenofglory-l6v]

Merry Christmas to all ❤

[@morethanfarmers]

Merry Christmas!

[@1971_happylifedog]

This is such a great video and a topic I’ve wondered about. Hubby and I are trying to get out into the country. Merry Christmas guys!

[@morethanfarmers]

Merry Christmas!

[@sarahkenner7902]

We bought a freeze dryer a couple years ago and honestly I feel it was a huge waste of $4000. I’m very unimpressed with it. It’s very hot, very loud, and I don’t care for the food coming out of it. Ours also broke after less than a year and it was a major hassle to get it fixed with little help from customer support. We hardly use it anymore. Sometimes I feel like the only person in the world who feels this way so it’s nice to see someone else who has reservations about this finicky, new technology. Great video, as always! Love your channel! Merry Christmas!

[@morethanfarmers]

That’s interesting! Merry Christmas!

[@sozod2000]

My mom bought one and had the same issue with customer support. They’ve sent it and parts back and forth several times to get fixed. Although, when it works my mom does use it a lot 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@southernfriedkiwi7726]

The biggest benefit of a freeze dryer, is shelf stable protein(meat and eggs). The biggest fear that I would have with so much meat in multiple freezers, is the grid going down for weeks or more. It's not realistic to be running generators or even solar versions in a northern winter for that long. I'm pretty much with you on the freezer bags. My wife swears by the vacuum bags though, because they really are tougher as well. To each, their own. So long as you are fairly gentle with the zip locks, they shouldn't puncture. If they do, then you will very likely get freezer burn.

[@editha2270]

I’m new to homestead and I’ve watched about every video you guys have posted . THANK YOU! I have wonderful ideas for our homestead. We’re currently closing on our house in a different state and leaving Wyoming and to chase our homestead dream! Thank you for sharing all this 🫶🏼 Merry Christmas.

[@morethanfarmers]

That’s awesome! Good luck and Merry Christmas 😊

[@MySelfReliance]

Impressive!

[@mrs.broccoli4362]

Merry Christmas to your lovely family. Thank you very much for the elaborate video, it is truly incredible what I, as a grandmother of over 60, have been able to learn from you. But I am proud that 10 years ago I had the courage to move from the city to the country and learn everything about growing vegetables and fruit. You contribute to this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and would like to tell you that I really admire what you know about farming at this young age. You are my favorite channel, I look forward to every video from you. God bless you, all the best and love, Claudia

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you so much, Claudia 😊 We really appreciate all your comments and encouragement. I’m glad you’re able to grow some of your own food now, and it’s great that you’re still learning! Merry Christmas!!

[@NadesikoRose]

Since you have more time for the homestead now, you might want to check out getting a few goats as your next animal for the homestead. They don’t like pasture land to graze on so you don’t need to worry about the cows not getting enough food, goats prefer brush and wooded areas to chow down on. So you can just enclose part of the land that isn’t cleared yet and let them loose in there, moving them around whenever they are done with their current location….

[@morethanfarmers]

I like that idea. We’ll see… 😉

[@NadesikoRose]

@@morethanfarmers 😁 that is one of the animals I am getting once I have my acreage sometime in the future, starting with chickens and rabbits first since I already have a bit of experience with them…. Goats are something I don’t have any experience with at all, so will be starting totally fresh with them. Plus you can graze them along the road and they can take care of the overgrown brush that the road crews usually have to come and cut down when it gets too bad to see the road clearly….

[@susanturner9023]

Catching up on the videos! I saw the live notification yesterday but I was working. Someday I’ll catch one. 😊 Merry Christmas to everyone. 🎄🙏🏼❤️

[@AliceStanley-i5w]

We have hat the same metal baskets. They come from stores. We hat a store close down and they where selling shelving and a lot of these stackable baskets. There must be suppliers like store shelving or warehouse supplies.

[@Beavercountyrancher]

Love you guys. Such nice videos and such useful information that can help anyone. Thank you and merry Christmas!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you! Merry Christmas!

[@benburns5995]

Hi Codi, it is always amazing to see how much food you can produce out of a limited amount of space. Glad that all of the effort that you and Michelle put into building this lifestyle for your family has paid off. Seems like Izzy enjoys working with the chickens and it is such great experience for him. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy 2024.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks Ben! Merry Christmas!

[@dhansonranch]

Some great information and great perspective. The messaging is right on the money - work with what you have. I have had turkey's in my chest freezer that were 5 years old and not one spot of freezer burn - not only is the container used important but also how often you go into the freezer. Although I do own an upright it is for stuff I use a lot and meat goes in chest freezers. Which I might add in a power outage chest freezers will stay frozen for days if you minimize how often you go in. Agree with your perspective on freeze dryers - I don't own one either but in addition to the reasons you mentioned, I have a few others. Plant variety is also very important to food storage - for example, potatoes I grow can keep well in warmer type storage. Good video and Merry Christmas.

[@morethanfarmers]

Right on! Merry Christmas!

[@alorastewart7091]

This is my first winter with chickens and im still getting eggs from them. I dont supplement artificial light but the roof to their coop is clear and apparently that extends their available light enough for them to keep laying. Or maybe its just that they are first year layers guess i wont know for sure until next year.

[@morethanfarmers]

First year layers will lay better for sure. They need at least 14 hours of daylight to really keep it up. Good luck!

[@kbdoneth]

Stacking wire baskets are available on Amazon

[@morethanfarmers]

Not any that are this big and sturdy.

[@Alison2436]

You'd be surprised what u can fit into small spaces. I have a 7500 sq ft suburban lot with a 1400 sq ft hoise on it, and we only grow in the back yard. But ive been able to fit 2 orange, a lemon, a key lime, 2 pomegranates, 4 blackberry, 3 raspberry, 1 blue berry, 30 strawberry, 1 cranberry, 4 apple, 1 pear, 2 peaches, a fig, and an avocado tree. I also grow vegetables and in summer some melons to add to our mini orchard. the key is getting dwarf or columnar varieties, or even container varieties, i also have all my strawberries vertical in the greenstalk. i grow green onions and lettuce and carrots in the greeenstalks as well.

[@lornadoone65]

Merry Christmas!! Have a blessed time with your family. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@morethanfarmers]

Merry Christmas to you!

[@mgguygardening]

Great video. I'm only part way through but wanted to comment I love the idea of buying a used trailer to store your hay.

[@morethanfarmers]

It really does work great!

[@lornadoone65]

I wish I had paid more attention when I was helping my mom and my Grandma with canning.

[@roxannecarson2814]

Merry Christmas! Great job! That was so informative. Every year I add a few new projects. It is so fun seeing how you have done the same thing, and you save for the next project. I love it! ❤🙏 Keep it up. I am excited to add milking and fresh raw milk this next year in April. Getting that area ready. 😉😊

[@morethanfarmers]

That's great! I'm really excited for you! Having a milk cow is my (Codi) favorite part 😊 Merry Christmas!

[@myurbangarden7695]

We grow about 1/3 of our produce on a little over an acre.

[@morethanfarmers]

That’s awesome!

[@EdensApple80]

Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁

[@morethanfarmers]

To you and yours 😊

[@firstlast-js5yw]

A very Merry Christmas to your family!! Warm wishes for next year and that your channel explodes! You both are very inspiring ❤

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you 😊 Merry Christmas!

[@fayejacobs1043]

Merry Christmas to you and your family.🎄☃️

[@morethanfarmers]

Merry Christmas!

[@oldguyhustle5941]

Merry Christmas. I look forward to new videos.

[@darylbrown7849]

Well done!

[@jmc8577]

You guys are awesome. So inspirational. I love watching vids like this to get my butt BACK into gear. Farming can be such a burn out lifestyle.

[@altoncheatham7383]

Very informative video. Thanks for all you do to provide quality information. Merry Christmas 🎄

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks! Merry Christmas!

[@ManuelMartinez-wj3cb]

Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas to you and your family

[@morethanfarmers]

And to you and yours 😊

[@impdanois5724]

Merry christmas . You are just à very sympatic couple

[@morethanfarmers]

Merry Christmas!

[@khome707]

Thank you for another well done video! Merry Christmas!

[@morethanfarmers]

Merry Christmas!

[@DixieBelleAcres]

I love how giving you guys are with your knowledge and experiences!

[@carinalindberg881]

The wirebasket is usual in stores here in Sweden. 😃

[@frankdougherty3233]

Wow, another information-packed video in all the key areas that people want to know. Great job to you both!!! QUESTION: my wife and I are looking to "freeze" more of our own grown food (as you two do) any idea on what it cost to run the freezers versus the savings of your own food? If you know, that would be great! In all cases (and this coming from an online Marketing Guy and Entrepreneur Coach) -- your content, video pace and delivery and more, are all very captivating. Cheers to a job well done!

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you! I’ve never crunched the numbers. I know it’s saving us money though, cuz our electric bill hasn’t gone up that much after adding a freezer 😊

[@ambersykora352]

Lol i was looking at the baskets as well. Those i can say with certainty, are displays used in retail for products....theyre just stackable... and ya you can order those items from retail display stores/distributors where you can get anything from peg board walls to dump tables to wracks for items etf. Actually i live in a tiny ass town in tx and there's a place that actually makes all the wire baskets etc even barbed wire... been around sinc the 1800s...its called KASPAR WIRE WORKS. SHINER, TX. they supply to all the distributors, companies, stores, farms etc. they made the first barbed wire lol. You can look them up online and see if there's a catalog to get...

[@morethanfarmers]

Thanks for the tip! I've looked every which way on the internet and I can't find anything that big, sturdy, and stackable.

[@Thingys-Jill]

Merry Christmas! What an informative and awesome video. I found you accidentally and have now subscribed. While I don't "farm", I do garden and have a small flock of bantam hens. Thank you for your efforts! Edited to add that laying chickens need about 4SF per chicken inside and 10SF per chicken in the run. This avoids issues of fighting and boredom.

[@morethanfarmers]

That’s great! Welcome here 😊 Merry Christmas!

[@catracampolieto8989]

Merry Christmas. Another great video.❤

[@morethanfarmers]

Merry Christmas! Thanks!

[@Cowboy340]

Once again, your content is spot on. I enjoy the overlay of your operations. Being efficient with your space and optimization of time and skills you seem to nail it each video. I can appreciate the editing, the audio, the entire family involvement! Final note- The President Trump inclusion made my night! Conservative Christians keep this Country on the right track! 24

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you so much 😊

[@virsapiensfortisest922]

Wow what a great video. TONS of great info that I’ve been wanting to know. Thank you!

[@alph8654]

Nice video. Thanks !!! Very efficient family !!!!

[@lavernfoy4591]

Merry Christmas family ❤️🙏🎄

[@lleesti1346]

Thank you!! Merry Christmas

[@morethanfarmers]

Merry Christmas!

[@sandramorton5510]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@morethanfarmers]

And to you!

[@amythinks]

I've been binging your channel over the last few days. I think your instincts about freeze dryers are absolutely correct. I have one. I don't think it fits your vibes. They are big and bulky. The maintenance is a nightmare. They are such a pain when things stop working and they stop working...a lot. (I have a Harvest Right). They are expensive to run at least where I live where power ain't cheap. Prepping for them takes a while and bagging the food IMMEDIATELY when it's done takes awhile. If you don't even vacuum seal your chickens, you're not going to love messing with mylar bags and oxygen absorbers. If I could undo the purchase, I would. It's never going to pay for itself since I don't use it for a business. Even for long-term storage, between the cost of food, the time, the energy to run it, the supplies to bag it and the capital expense of the Freeze Dryer (and that assumes the thing actually works in the first place) you could buy a Mount Everest of freeze dried meals from a prepper company. Not to mention a lot of newbs bag incorrectly and open the food a few years later to find it's spoiled. (You can't predict it cause mylar bags are not see through.) Spoilage can also happen if you buy cheap mylar bags or cheap O2 absorbers that don't perform well. And while there are indeed some things that rehydrate quickly and very well, I think a lot of the "bite-and-smile-amazement" at the perfect the texture and flavor is overblown and over-acted. Rehydration is a bit of a science and an art. It's kinda fussy. And if your kids are picky about textures or have certain expectations of how food is going to taste, they may not love rehydrated food. That being said, Harvest Right loves to sponsor influencers. You could easily get the thing for free. You could easily never have to worry about maintenance cause they will give you concierge service probably long after the 1 year warranty has expired. If there was a place you would find it useful, it would be for drying herbs (maintains better nutrients). You could create convenience foods, i.e. freeze dry your chocolate milk and just use water to rehydrate it. You could make camping meals that travel with you so you don't have to eat low-quality meals on the road. For the food that doesn't quite last a full 12 months until the next harvest, you could use the freeze dryer to bridge the gap. As someone who has been studying you guys for a few days, those are the places I could see it working for you. But I still say it's more of a headache than its worth. You've been giving up things like chicken businesses, beloved milk cows and growing "instagrammable" foods because you are dialing in your efforts and streamlining. I think this would be a step in the opposite direction. In the spirit of cutting back the extra stuff that doesn't pay off enough...don't get a freeze dryer.

[@morethanfarmers]

Thank you for sharing! Appreciate your insight and thoughts on it.

[@cassiemckinney8352]

Love yalls channel! Yall are very informative 😊

[@JillBarylski-mk6jr]

Thank you for sharing your story. Merry Christmas ❤

[@morethanfarmers]

Merry Christmas!

[@whitestone4401]

Have a blessed, merry Christmas!

[@morethanfarmers]

Same to you!

[@pierreleroy6826]

In south of France 3 acres per person,but 3 acres of good soil Blessings from France