It’s About All We Can Do

New Year, new farm projects.
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[@hanorabrennan7909]

Ben has to be the Rockstar of homesteading. Who else agrees?

[@zoeburruss677]

Need to clone this family. We need more role models like this!!!

[@jasminaalm]

Damascus steel ? I'm an Olympic style fencer, and some of my best blades are Damascus steel. Maraged. As blades break fairly often, it's good to know sharp bits are not flying around . Heads up ! Broken blade! Halt ! says the Referee. Then we search for the broken bits and hope they missed everyone. Such fun !

[@scotthargraves576]

Ben, I love dairy animals too. But for the sake of the mental health of your family, wait until the baby is a bit older. You guys aren't sleeping enough as it is. Adding cow/goat care and milking and whatever milk processing is not going to help your case for rest.

[@deblamb9510]

Talk to Art and Bri she wants to get rid of her goats... Trade help with their house for them... Good luck stay safe 🙏💕👍

[@PureWhiteLilly]

I love how your boys always follow dad. Such a good father and such great parents!

[@tommaccrae9869]

We also use Premiere One fences on our ranch, we were taught by a friend to "unbraid, or unwind" the bottom two rungs of the net at each end of the net on the main posts. Once the strands are "unwound" you can cut the metal strands and leave the plastic strands intact there bye stopping the bottom 1-2 rungs of the net from shorting out on the ground, but still leaving the net structurally intact. We have been able to hit 9 to 9.5 on our Hotwire fences with this small tweak.

[@mrmacgregorshomestead233]

And now you DO have a Cow! And your boys have grown sooo much! As well as your property builds (gardens/animal areas etc.) You guys rock! Blessings!

[@kelleymccoy7456]

It's not lazy. It's called working smarter not harder. God bless have a wonderful week

[@NorthnSouthHomestead]

Agree ❤️

[@janeschmidt9611]

I love how you get your boys involved in everything you do. They’re learning so many skills and life lessons by watching and helping you two. 🥰

[@harpstone]

I learned and have applied this technique from permaculture: locate compost piles on higher elevations above garden areas so that nutrients can leach downward through the years.

[@PatrickPoet]

I always liked to move the compost piles after awhile and plant stuff where they were.

[@mommas2470]

No need to ever explain why you want to celebrate family time...we understand...love to you all!!!!

[@mtak1127]

Thats the same thing I do whether its moving furniture in the house, or making flower beds. Just sit and look at it. Coffee is a must...lol In my case in the evening its wine. lol You are the man kiddo. Love the barefoot boys.

[@colliecoform4854]

Get a miniature Jersey or a Dexter or two. Great milk, cream, great temperament, they are small, easy to manage and cute!

[@marythibault9032]

We had a Jersey she made the best milk with cream 4 inches deep on top. We got a holstein to round out the bulk of our milk because my Mom liked to make cheese. We liked my Mom to make cheese too.😉

[@ciciliacurt6227]

Some goats...?

[@christinedehn3257]

check out Greg Judy for info on year round grazing. I believe he is a bit colder than you too.

[@ladycat661]

Yes I was thinking same thing with a small breed of milk cow you can have a smaller lots and it be easier .

[@riderretired5258]

Having a couple milk cows on our small farm, which I had to milk, keep in mind the time. EVERY MORNING, EVERY EVENING!, they MUST be milked. You can’t just say, I’m busy, no time, I’ll get it tomorrow. Milk cows would hate you for it. So get all your reserve milkers lined up to cover for you if you are going to miss a milk time or a weekend. Maybe 2-3 deep. A back up for the back up.

[@gaylewatkins4685]

Your building memories every day. 🙂

[@teresaroman3348]

As a Mom I wonder how many times those Pro Cart Drivers have wiped out...as former child I am envious! Ya' all are living The Life. Keep on having a great time. Love and hugs.

[@honeytreefarmnc]

"who knows what im not a grass guy" same lol

[@WayToVibe]

It's cool that your kids are going to be able to look back someday and say, "Hey, I remember when dad put these posts in. We played in the wheel borrow while he ran the line."

[@WildflowerFarm417]

I'm homesteading in the city and your idea to run single strand hot wire and tie into poultry net just solved my aggressive neighbor dog problem!!

[@susiearviso3032]

Yay!

[@Ellabobel]

Don’t train the dog. Let him get zapped many times --/ try and teach him a REAL LESSON about going for your stock.☠️☠️👺👺☠️☠️

[@WildflowerFarm417]

@@Ellabobel believe me, if he comes over the fence there will be no mercy

[@iloveflowersforever8191]

I don't think it's the lazy way I think it's a smart way you guys are doing an awesome job it's good to have you back!!

[@robine916]

Exactly! Working smarter, not harder! Having the chickens "place their fertilizer" where you need it saves time! :D

[@StoneKathryn]

Your kitchen shelves look very nice! I love all the mason jars with colorful stuff in them. Ben did a great job making those. That is a great way to prep your garden beds, with chickens! Pygmy goats are nice. We put ours on 20 foot chains with collars and dog tie outs. We have only male goats so they don't pee themselves. They like weeds and will eat grass. You have to keep them away from trees because they will gird them. They love to eat tree leaves too. We only have 2 goats. We do have a barn with stalls that we put them in at night. That is a great idea to have "hot spots" to run your fences off of. That's a big post hole! Nice you had that power pole! Pole planting! Cool! Your boys are so good riding that wagon! Nice set up for your fence! That is so great that you will ENJOY your property too!

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi...... Meg and Ben nice to see you, thank you for sharing your video homestead 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 🎥👍👍👍

[@markt7663]

"I am a lineman for the county ..." Couldn't resist (but my husband stopped me from writing a really bad pun). Nice work and thanks for a great distraction during these times.

[@HoneyHollowHomestead]

It's a good thing you insulated the floor well, otherwise you'd have some cold tootsies with no skirting around the mobile home.

[@Zeke-yv3nw]

Ben I have done this before and it works great. Take an old water hose, run the electric wire through it, and you can use that to run from the first T post to the net . Just a suggestion. Glad to see yall doing well.

[@gailbrault9251]

Welcome back..no judgement your family life comes first.

[@jerrybrady9103]

Always a special treat when I see a new video from The Hollars! Can't wait to see what you have in store for 2021 !

[@lindagullage3077]

Glad to see you back the baby is growing like a weed.

[@lilystabile3594]

Happy five months old to Buggie! 😊

[@wes9451]

You're causing yourself and your soil a ton of extra work. No dig and planting into layered compost is amazing.

[@SewFrancine6120]

He Happy Hollar Homestead family ☮️✝️💟

I like your black chickens. They seem to like their new run too. Interesting electrical run. I'd be scared to get zapped... maybe get some emergency switches or something to shut it down. Weed-whack the fence runs since the grass there is long... next time do that before setting up the new run, then you don't have to worry about grounding out. Kids are old enough to operate a battery-powered string trimmer, which is light weight compared to gas-powered. Nice to see y'all again. 💜

[@abbyhillman769]

The electric netting fences don't have as strong an electrical charge as fences for larger animals, so there's really no danger to humans or to poultry. It zaps enough to discourage predators, but it's safe. In fact, when my own kids were in their teens they'd sometimes make a human chain with their friends and the person at the front of the line would touch the fence and the charge would pass through the whole line! Shocking, but not dangerous.

@@abbyhillman769 Ok... I just have memories from when I was a kid... electric cattle wire. ⚡⚡⚡

[@handiman5001]

yup, that's about all you can plant in winter (and that's only if the ground don't freeze) -- stay tuned for recipes LOVED IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@agentfrankvideos]

I may not always agree with everything you do Ben, but your sit down, shut up, and have a coffee while you look at the issue at hand is a method I have believed in for years ! I can not count the number of times it has payed off for me when the job at hand is anything but straight forward ! The coffee/7up/cold beverage in hand is an official requirement of course ! Hours saved, mind cleared, money saved, and desired results can only be a good thing !!

[@heatherk8931]

Ben you are such a wise thinker! I'm sitting here in Nor Cal, thinking how you must feel to have a whole week of no running to work, but can be creative in solving whatever thing you want to make happen on your property. It can be overwhelming, but you got the smarts and the imagination. How fun. Great idea with the poles! Hey Meg, you are looking beautiful! The littes are all growing so fast! Hugs

[@marieradatsz4126]

You are so clever, Meg you are so blessed to have a husband that can do stuff xxx

[@mylifesjourney...sharonkar7802]

So nice to see you all! Ben, did I ever tell you how genius you are? I think I may have mentioned it before. Can't wait to see everything you guys do to your homestead. Buggy is getting so big. ❤🙏

[@choicesofthebiz9682]

Good to see you wearing your baby!!! Now you can do anything with her, except if course using a saw or jack hammer!!! 🙂 This family is one of my wife's favorite homesteaders!!!

[@lizbolick5591]

Love to see boys by your side having fun

[@GrowingLittleCountryhomestead]

Oh yes miss seeing you guys

[@NorthnSouthHomestead]

For sure ❤️

[@midsouthhomestead7527]

Good to see you guys again.

[@junemarie1821]

Dude what can't you do??? Your DIY skillset is incredible!

[@margaretbedwell58]

Good for you being able to keep the predators at bay. I am looking forward to watching yu build up your infrastructure this year. LilyAnna is growing so fast, it will be fun watching her crawl around outside this summer. Have a Blessed rest of the weekend and thankyou for the video update.

[@gretaknebel8495]

Great idea on the extension of electricity to the yard. Might suggest putting some “Flagging” on the wires so you don’t “Stung” by the wires.

[@DreamweaversHomestead]

You needed the time off! Glad to see your videos whenever they are available.

[@deborahkelley8641]

Y’all need family time, 🙏❤️’s from VA

[@sandybuchanan3479]

You sure have a great driver in the wagon!

[@jonabriggs8829]

You're so so lucky to have not had predator problems , cause almost everyone usually does this time of year , keep up the good work my friend :) God Bless !!

[@albanymountainhomestead]

Only had two issues in 4 yrs, the first was our own dog who we rehomed, and a bear who only got into our chicken food. Thankfully our current dogs alerted us about it. After multiple attempts to drive the bear away and when it was trying to bust into our rabbit cages we were forced to put the bear down. Aside from that no other issues, not even the Arial one's. No hot fences here.

[@crazychickenlady3702]

So nice to see all of you again! Happy New Year!

[@victoriabishop9690]

Wow. Those two pole you cut from the larger one would make a perfect frame for a large wooden swing near the fire-pit.

[@marylouise890]

I’m with you on the cows New baby Home Schooling Lack of sleep Lack of down time Besides milk is truly for babes. We do get too old for milk, truth be told. All dairy really isn’t good for a body after you start eating Whole Foods. That’s my nosy opinion. It truly is Great to see y’all Baby has grown a lot since y’all last posted She’s beautiful like her mama. 🤱

[@MrLittlelud4]

Has anyone mentioned spreading Gypsum in the winter to mediate clay .

[@michellewallace3152]

The boys made me think of the rugrats and thier reptar wagon!

[@donna1018]

Oh wow I haven’t heard of them for years!! Oh my rugrat memories!

[@NorthnSouthHomestead]

Lol you made me smile with your comment ❤️

[@lindas.5986]

Welcome back. Have missed your videos. Glad you had some family time.

[@culinarygurly987]

Hop from Stranger Things says it best. "Mornings are for coffee and contemplation"

[@kelliwebb2870]

Good to hear from you! You’ve been missed!

[@williamwallace176]

Wrangler Star uses an old Jeep hood (Upside Down) as a skid for heavy trees.

[@wildhopehomestead1716]

Australorps are so great! They're the best working chicken breed for a homestead in my opinion, not that I'm not biased or anything... 😉🐣 They're smart, but they're better at living within boundaries than many other breeds. And such busy little workers. And providers of good eggs and meat. Nice to see you out and about working on your inspired projects!

[@TheFarmingLife]

Hope you and your family are doing well. Have a great evening

[@farmyourbackyard2023]

Chickens are a natural way to prep the garden area. You should look at Charles Dowding’s no tail method. Double digging maybe a lot more work than you need to do. Glad to see you guys back.

[@garysilver718]

Missed you Ben & family.

[@markmorris3579]

I'm surprised you haven't closed in the bottom of the trailer.I figured the floors would be wicked cold,but when I saw Meg barefoot I knew I was wrong.

[@steph0xGx]

They have insulation?

[@markmorris3579]

@@steph0xGx -I have a mobile home,even with the floors insulated if the skirting is open the floors will get cold.

[@albanymountainhomestead]

Glad to see y'all, it's been a colder winter 🥶 this yr... Thankfully in the south weather changes every few days to give you a break. Love the ingenuity!

[@robine916]

Have you thought of a "cow share" program? Sometimes neighbors share the cost of a cow, and split the milk produced. Some smaller dairy farms also do this. Kind of like a CSA for milk! :D

[@siouxgerowsays]

going vertical - tomatoes like to grow tall. I'm in a small, small space in a city and eeveything is as vertical as possible in my 2 foot wide swath of garden. The more easy ways you have to do things, the more you get to jam on your guitar and make knives! Thanks for sharing!

[@paintedpilgrim]

If you can grow peas and beans, trellis an area between the two poles and they will grow up between them. If you keep the plants growing two feet below the wire they wont interfere and you kill two birds with one stone.

[@lynschwabe4794]

Love what you all are doing, it's just so nice to see a happy well ajusted family with all the madness that's going on around the world.

[@reneebrown2968]

By adding compost, the first year may not be awesome but it will get better each season, just keep adding your compost.

[@jfarm8854]

Good to see a new video. Enjoy your family time. Winter is all about settling in with family.

[@HomesteadinginIdaho]

Yay, the Hollars are back for 2021! I can't believe the leaps and bounds you made in 2020. I really look forward to seeing what you do this year.

[@lorrijohnston5004]

Noticed your onions under your potatoes on your wall baskets. Switch spots, the onions give off ethylene gas that makes the potatoes sprout.

[@lindastrandquist2429]

Glad you took the time you needed. The wire work looks great. Big things are brewing right alongside the coffee.

[@GothGoddess1]

Im glad you guys took some time off to spend with each other!!! You were NON - STOP for alot of last year. Nice to hear that your ready to get back at it & share more content!!! Have missed seeing you 3-6 times a week!! Ready for some more Holla!!!!!! LOL!!

[@dr.rev.lindabingham]

You are effective and efficient! It's not lazy, it's innovative! Thank you for sharing your journey. Blessings to you!

[@denisewilson8367]

Wonderful to have you back after the holidays. Buggie is growing faster than a weed. The boys do really well steering around objects. Looked like fun to me. Yes, a main line out to your pasturing areas for the hot wire makes life a lot more easy to get chores done fast. Glad your holidays & family time went well.

[@kennethgibbons2487]

Glad you had a good break and some good family time... but from a selfish point of view its good to have you back.

[@pamalapeterson5352]

Thank you for sharing.......y’all are fun to be with!...love your family...May God continue to bless y’all abundantly and stay safe and healthy K

[@PartTimePermies]

I used a fencing guy who was great. You just send him your energizer. He even has a youtube channel, I think its just fence fixer. Reasonable price and honest guy. I'll take a pic of his card and text it to you when I get a chance.

[@unamcleod3541]

Nice you take family time nice to see you all back xxx

[@erikas974]

18 second and I am already watching. 🙂🌈🙂🌈🙂🎉💐🎉💐 Fantastic job. Love the boys are helping learning and having fun.

[@brentolsenthanksformaking2528]

God bless all of your household

[@karenweber8203]

Hey, noticed one thing that is 'off'. Noone 'makes their own luck'....there is gratitude to the one who favors, blesses, etc. We can cooperate with Him (narrow road), or do our own thing...more like us making our own luck...pride based disaster waiting to happen So I hope that you catch my point...it truly matters.

[@chelemichele1524]

Have a good evening ❄❄❄

[@believeliveloveandlaugh3844]

Nice to see you are back. Blessings!

[@kerrybaker4512]

Just a suggestion maybe hang some thing on those wires as a reminder easy to forget carrying a ladder or pole stay safe guys

[@johnmitchell5351]

Your kitchen is looking homely and very welcoming,,I envy your lifestyle 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧john

[@clarelove3738]

Welcome to 2021. Glad to see you all again 🥰

[@reannejarvis7098]

A great way to use some of those wood scraps would be some wood cutting boards for your kitchen

[@janefromthecountry1820]

Family time....take as much as you need...Have a blessed week.❤😍

[@stevebryson3611]

If you have a spare acre of ground consider fencing it off and getting a mini jersey milk cow since they only need a one acre pasture for a year and they only need to be milked once a day and they will give you more dairy products than a goat will

[@amywoodrick647]

Happy New year! Hmmm...having a large cup of coffee watching you fix up your farm, trying to get some motivation to fix up my place, and bam...thrn you said you sit down in the morning with a nice cup of coffee and look at what you want to do next. Great words of inspiration. Be still, sit, contemplate, think, plan, then take action. I needed that. Thanks.

[@narellewilliams1400]

Great thinking Ben. My year didn't finish very well, I rolled my car Christmas eve, luckily I had nothing broken. My pride has slipped a bit. I didn't even have my car for a year. My first to me(second hand car). I was starting to get really confident driving, only had license since September 2018. Australian driver education different to America. Did something stupid, went of the road, hit the breaks and swerved then rolled several times. Waiting on insurance.

[@alisonshanahan9529]

Slippery roads don't help, all the rain we've had recently means the roads are degraded, lots of potholes everywhere.

[@narellewilliams1400]

@@alisonshanahan9529 Wasn't in a rain soaked area. Driving between Serpintine and Bendigo.

[@tcanniff]

We want the Kiko goats from Arms Family Homestead! Very easy meat goats. Dairy goats we aren't sure on the heritage breed's yet. Like the Norwegian Dwarfs, but they need more care than we want to do.

[@TheDawn0310]

Happy New Year! I can’t wait to see what you all do this year.

[@liltbennet]

Oh and I want to listen to whatever Ben listens to when he's working. He gets the job done! 💯

[@ladycat661]

Hello y'all good to see y'all and as I always say family first but good to see y'all ,Ben love the compost and I had the same thing with my pumpkins make a good many hope y'all had a good harvest and that's a great idea up high with your wire and have you and Meg thought of a Dexter milk cow they're smaller they don't have to have as much space but yet you still get good milk from them just something to think about.Thank y'all for sharing and Tell those sweet children I said Hi Love y'all God Bless.

[@helenhelps9619]

Your boys are going to be such a assets for the farm. 👍👍

[@MrsPink64]

I missed you, but am proud that you cherish your family time. So precious. They will be grown before you know it. I am glad to see you back, though. God bless. 💕🙏🏻

[@keithprinn720]

chickens gonna poop may as well plan and use that and feed them in pasture feed, pasture prep, poop use and clever use of resources what a win

[@HighDesertHomestead]

Ben a good way to run hot wire up high is to use high tensile wiring and high tensile springs they keep the wire tight and put less strain on the posts. Good plan you got there.

[@PlowAndPantryHomestead]

I am very curious about your future fire pit idea and can't wait until you get to it! We have had the same thought. We want some structure over ours so we can have a fire in the rain, but we don't want to be inundated with smoke. Thanks for another video!