Mom of 8 on Canning, Gardening, & Other Homestead Issues

[@threerivershomestead]

Timestamps: 3:20 Food Preservation 7:30 General Homesteading 25:00 Raising Poultry 34:35 Raising Beef 50:25 Gardening

[@ginnamagda5810]

Good morning. happy blessed Sunday!! Hope you’re feeling wonderful before your sweet additional blessing is born.

[@RAM-eb2te]

❤❤❤ I grew up on a rural dairy farm 60 years ago. We called "modern homesteading" regular rural/farm life! 😂

[@SuperKathio]

I am 80 and I watch this for two reasons. It’s nice to see what the younger generation women are doing in preserving the old ways of doing homemaking. Also your videos are just plain peaceful and I relish the laid back lifestyle even though you have 8 children.

[@diandecker8529]

I love canning. At 70 I'm trying new things. I had tried a few things in the past that I was unhappy with, like canning hamburger. The last 3 years I've tried more things. I love my Sloppy Joes. Last year i tried "roast in a jar". I love it. Living by myself its an easy meal. I'm doing 28 jars this year. I want to try more different things. I buy very litte groceries. And I use very old jars. I got all of my Moms.

[@threerivershomestead]

I definitely agree with you on hamburger. I really dislike the taste of plain canned ground beef. It's much better with sloppy Joe sauce or taco seasonings added.

[@JanetLavoie]

I'm 65 and I have hand me down jars too..I love having food on the shelves ready to go .

[@barbaratanem4888]

I too canned some pints of hamburger, and we didn’t care for the taste. Glad to hear others have the same experience so I know I didn’t do something wrong. I’ve tried it with sloppy joe mix and it is so much better.

[@sarabethgrossmann4587]

I love your videos. I love that it feels like going to a friend's house and having coffee. You don't know it but you cook, can, and clean with me almost everyday. Sometimes I go way back in your videos and have to remind myself your big boys have grown up even though they all have similar faces 😅. If you're ever in NC you have family here. ❤

[@kathys9786]

During our first year of raising chickens, the hawks and the coyotes got all but four of our flock. The coyotes even manged to tear through our fencing. So this year we bought chicks and goslings and raised them together. The geese are very friendly to both us (they let us pet them and they love to untie our shoelaces!) and the chickens and we have lost no birds. If anything comes near their yard the geese start making loud noises and flapping their wings. So far, so good!

[@SilverCreekHomestead]

You are making me want a gooose! 😅

[@OkieJammer2736]

What a wise decision! 🎉

[@gaardengrl]

Great idea!!

[@journeywithnichole]

My love of food preservation started with watching YOUR love of food preservation. I am so grateful to you for showing me how to do all of this. It’s unbelievable how far I have come in a few years since first watching your videos. I have canned 100 jars of all kinds of things just in the last 2 weeks. I love it so much & so rewarding to open a jar of something I processed myself. Thank you for everything, especially the information in this video. Sending you & your beautiful family love. ❤

[@threerivershomestead]

You are so welcome!

[@nancycarter5101]

I also started canning in my 70’s. Enjoy it. It’s a hobby for me. We like everything I can

[@jrae6608]

Thank you for compressive Q&A. Both magazines are great

[@maria_w311]

I learned this year that I can plant my squash in early July. I kept them covered while they were small, and the squash bugs were gone for the year by the time I uncovered them.

[@annsmith8343]

Yes! I tell people this all the time! It’s a great way to not have to deal with bugs!

[@TN-xi8rb]

Thank you, I will try that! I had given up because of squash bugs!

[@twochickenshomestead9836]

That made the biggest difference for me too. The pest load on the squash was just...not there

[@makingitwithmaudie]

How long do you keep them covered?

[@Bobbijart444]

I absolutely love your content! I'm 25, and I've suggested your channel to many of my friends!! ❤❤

[@threerivershomestead]

Thank you so much!

[@cathyann6835]

I always did a little canning, mostly jams. But I really started canning about four years ago. My husband and I have food allergies and intolerances, plus are trying to decrease additives. Getting older and health issues popping up opens your eyes to store bought foods. Now I can just about everything, but still learning and each year I try something new. We can’t buy store bought cans of soups because of ingredients we can’t have, and we never could have a fast simple meal. So I started canning soups in addition to single foods. It really becomes addictive after you start. We’ve had to build shelves and pantry areas. We’re aiming for a rotating year of food storage. For example, when apples are in season I can applesauce and dehydrate apple chips for a year supply. I haven’t added other apple things yet, but we like fried apples, so maybe next year. Soups and meats I start doing more in late fall and winter. But I can all year round. I also do some gardening. I live near Amish communities so I have access to plenty of garden produce. But I do like growing some of my own too. I love your calm very informative videos. I’m learning a lot from you since you have to watch certain ingredients in your family too.

[@janicew6222]

My husband and I were the same way, we each had money we could spend as we wanted, but anything over $100, we talked about before we did anything. Communication is always the key. Very informative video. Blessings!

[@pink071602]

My hubby and I are the same way. We live within our means but if we need or want to spend a large sum of money we check in with each other. We’ve never had an argument about money.

[@pamelar5868]

My hubby and I were that way, too. It worked very well. ❤

[@randievans8803]

Love my raised beds as I was the same ~ WEEDS! mid-season I overwhelmed me. I feel so much more successful with the raised beds. I have grown a garden for 30+ years and these past 3 years have been a joy due to the raised beds. So much easier!!❤

[@LyndaClouse]

Good morning, I love seeing you every Sunday morning.

[@renata-s5b]

I do not understand this canning 'movement' but I do admire Jessica's knowledge and her generosity to share this knowledge ❤ Over the last months I have learnt so much about recipes, garden, homekeeping and baking 😊 God bless you and your family 🐑

[@livingjustright90]

Awesome vlog Jessica. I agreed with everything you said in answering with a broad sweep most of the questions. Ive been a farmer /homesteader for 35 years and we produce 90% of what we eat. As 60 year old woman who does all of the farm work and animal husbandry, (my husband works away from the farm) we no longer have beef and run sheep and goats as Goat meat is dark and delicious and the smaller animals easier for me to manage than Beef, they also give us milk if required. In my experience one of the most concerning issues Ive noticed with new homesteaders is not understanding the animals needs and overstocking pasture creating a large parasitic worm burden on the pasture, thus resulting in sick and often hungry / starving animals. I think its really important for the sake of the animal that new homesteaders not just read/google etc but also seek information and help from experienced homesteaders/ Vets / farmers. On a side note, I have a very large permaculture/ no dig garden and to protect our growing produce everything is netted all year round. We grow 365 days of years so no putting to bed for us, but what you do by leaving your garden to rot down is actually the best thing for the soil in a raised bed as its rotting down and feeding the beds plus the bonus is its a winter habitat for wildlife.

[@threerivershomestead]

❤️❤️❤️

[@catracampolieto8989]

Someone was getting rid of meat rabbits. I said I would take them. They asked if I was going to eat them. I told them I wanted them for the manure for my garden. I didn't purchase any compost and my garden did great. I do have a compost pile but, still not ready to use. I'm hopeful I'll be able to use some in the spring. Thank you so much for all of your advice. Have a beautiful blessed day.❤❤❤

[@DebraGraumenz]

Jessica I love your videos on Sunday. You taught me about Canning chicken and beef broth. We just got a lot done for soups and stews. Beef and noodles. Chicken and dumplings. It all is so good. Your video is my happy place on Sunday mornings. Our spirtual meeting is later in the day. I love seeing your girls sewing. You have a beautiful family. Your hair and skin look so healthy.

[@carolmalko615]

Good morning Jessica. Hope you're feeling better and not so tired. I'm all off kilter today with daylight savings. I went to bed late and got up way past normal and feel off because of it. This was a good video and very informative. I remember that bee stinging incident like it was yesterday. I felt so bad for you. Hope you have a great week.... and take it easy and rest up!

[@marilynjohnson1432]

Thank you for all of the information. Love your Practical informative style with stories of your experience.❤

[@threerivershomestead]

You are so welcome!

[@BoppaGram]

Hi Miss Jessica! Just back from seeing 2 grandsons in Florida and was delighted to see you had your latest chapter up and running. Terrific q & a session with a ton of information for all of us to enjoy. Thank you yet again for all of your hard work that goes into your homesteading and your videos! God Bless you all.

[@angelabull7173]

I love the Backwoods magazine. I've been getting it for a few years now. I appreciate these longer videos.

[@samanthaclark5348]

Thank you for sharing all your knowledge and experiences with us! Have a blessed week ❤

[@kimberlylholt]

I enjoy watching the whole video!!!😊

[@dianaburns6879]

This was such an inspirational video. Great ideas for solving issues that come up in the gardens without resorting to chemicals and working with nature instead of against it. Great advice about waiting a year or so to see just what your property can offer and how it can best be developed. Have a great week! Thank you!

[@threerivershomestead]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SJ-fj5jz]

Hey Jessica, It’s always lovely to hear from you. A catch up with you and hubby would be a great end of 2024 or start of 2025, love seeing you together Xx

[@stephaniefortney5851]

So thankful for your videos. Look forward to drinking a cup of coffee and watching before the day gets fully rolling. We are currently in the city but working toward moving back out to the country soon. ❤

[@SusanHayes-vx2dq]

You are wonderful! Thanks. 😁

[@wendykruk1288]

I'm using my great grandma's canning jars ❤

[@threerivershomestead]

That is so special!

[@pamelar5868]

How sweet❤

[@alexandraguglielmo328]

Jessica, I love how you got into the "weeds" of homesteading in such detail, as in talking about animal breeds, what is most lucrative, etc. I'm where you were, living in suburbia, practicing my gardening and food preservation skills while I dream about what the Lord may provide in the future. I will save this video and rewatch for even more help if that hope becomes a reality. Thank you!

[@threerivershomestead]

You're welcome 🤗

[@valeriemacrae8441]

I did enjoy Jessica thank you for taking the time for us

[@plot1895]

That was a really comprehensive Q&A. Thank you Jessica. We follow a largely plant based diet but I still find what you have to say really interesting. I have an allotment in the UK and lots of things you said made me smile. My allotment is a mess at the moment but it will all be fine. Your honesty about success and disappointments is really helpful. I’m still drowning in eating apples that are not good enough to store and have badly damaged skins but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Have a good week.

[@jscasecase471]

Thank you. I ordered two of the magazines. Love listening to your question and answers. Canning as I’m watching. More beans for the shelves and trying out my new digital canner. Just doing 6 pints to get the feel of the canner. Always learning a new skill.

[@vanalacost8215]

My goose is fifteen years old. She’s a guard goose and has never been aggressive unless cornered. I think breed makes a big difference

[@SugarCreekOffGrid]

Wow 15! I have always wanted geese and recently got 2 goslings. They grew fast. They are like toddlers and follow me everywhere and get into everything. I enjoy their company very much.

[@janicedelashmit1121]

I learn so much from your videos Jessica. And your children are precious as can be and so respectful. God Bless you and have a Blessed day

[@threerivershomestead]

Thank you so much!

[@Darlingandgrithomestead]

🌟 A wonderful reminder, take time, and research new projects before diving in! We are practicing this strictly at our new property! Thank you, Jessica, for another great video 😊

[@bluebellink7023]

Thank You fir such an informative video, I watch you from Southern England, I would love to have Chickens, but at the moment I just do not have the space as I have such a small garden, Iam hoping to move in the coming year, and my priority is a bigger garden, it was good to hear how You and Adam prioritise what you need on your homestead, very inspiring. Love to You and Yours God Bless 🙏 x

[@Artiekarns]

In 1998 I put a wanted add for canning jars in our local "trading post". We were shocked at how many calls we got from people who just wanted someone to come get them. We paid for maybe 10 dozen . All in all we got over 3,000 jars. Half gallons, quarts, pints, half pints, regular mouth and wide mouth. I am not kidding. We were just getting in to really canning food, not just jellies, fruit and salsas. We shared about 2200 jars with friends right away. I didn't know there were so many different brands. All I knew about were Ball and Kerr. There's Longlife, Perfect Mason, Knox, Strong Shoulders, Bernardin, and Golden Harvest to name a few. Most are no longer in business. Those older jars make the new ones look puny. Starting with Covid and continuing several canning clubs have popped up. Now used jars sell for $1 each or more. I wish all those people were gardening also. Alas, most of them buy from a produce terminal about 40+ miles away. There is an Amish farm even farther but their prices are comparable to Krogers and they aren't interested in selling bulk. This year I am canning meals in a jar for the first time. I have always done ingredients only in the past. I enjoy your videos. Reminds me of all I used to do when I was young.😊

[@lethaharris1608]

Thank you Jessica ❤❤❤. We live on a farm. We raise cows and I am in my second year of chickens . I have been canning for over 40 years and I totally agree with everything you talked about ❤❤❤ thank you again you are amazing and I appreciate every video!!

[@debbiedempsky8160]

I knew I was a genious for leaving all of my plants in the ground til Spring! So much easier to clear a garden bed of dried up dead plants than struggling with them in the Fall.

[@sharonc8613]

Thank you Ms Jessica for making this video. It's really helpful. Many blessings to you and your family

[@bonnieboernemann4432]

Thank you soooo much for sharing your experiences and advice ❤🐝🐝

[@SilverCreekHomestead]

Great video! I love the support & sharing in the homestead community on here! Thanks for sharing more about your methods, preferences, and tips!

[@helenswanson1403]

Look forward each Sunday morning to see what you have been working on.

[@KathyHopkins-m8k]

VERY enjoyable video. I’m very small homestead Jessica, my children have grown up but I still do all the gardens and they love having fresh produce and potatoes last quite awhile. I have my hens-- goats,, but now you have me thinking of one beef cow- ♥️😊. But I’m sure I’d have to have it driven to be butchered and packaged and then pretend it ran away 😄😂 I’m TOO soft hearted. I couldn’t kill my meat birds so my meat birds now are still 20, but raised away from me, I buy the feed, help with plucking etc but can’t see them killed. 😪 🤷‍♀️ Even deer, little stinkers are in my gardens all the time and I love deer meat but to kill one 😪💔 nope, I couldn’t do it. I’d no doubt yell at it DON’T LOOK AT ME while aiming a gun 😂. Thanks for answering questions I didn’t even think I needed an answer for 🙏 GOD bless y’all

[@chelinfusco6403]

Thank you for this video. I was not aware of the question request, but you covered my questions anyway. I'm saving this video for reference. Thanks again. *Hugs*

[@threerivershomestead]

Glad it was helpful!

[@raynonabohrer5624]

God bless you and your family 🙏🏻. 🙏🏻

[@julieemig432]

We have 2 barn cats. They are super helpful. We have lots of birds too. They rarely kill birds. I feed them also

[@threerivershomestead]

I think 2 is a very manageable amount. We had two feral cats have litters on our property that year and there were WAY too many cats here.

[@enna4986]

That’s the answer. You feed them just don’t over feed them. Perfect answer

[@julieemig432]

@ yes our 2 are spayed and neutered so we don’t have that problem

[@chereecroft4673]

I ordered my copies of backwoods home and self reliance last month just received mine and just love them. So glad you shared them with us.

[@douglasshugar4897]

U encourage me so much. Love and prayers Nancy

[@jessicaalonsonorton7366]

I wish you had a cook book💗😊 I love everything you do!

[@threerivershomestead]

Maybe one day!

[@cdavid2486]

Very interesting; thank you Jessica!

[@thrivingallday777]

Awesome informative video, thank you!

[@BrandiNNiNi]

Thank you for being transparent today. Homesteading isn't like going to the store and buying a toy and enjoying it whenever we want. I can remember as a child losing our calves to the butcher and my brother and I refused to eat their meat. It was devastating for us but a necessity for our survival. I also remember bobcats jumping from trees into our chicken coup to eat our birds. There are so many challenges to work through as well as loss. So many people should truly benefit from your Q&A today. Thank you again, love your sweet spirit❤

[@threerivershomestead]

Thank you for the encouragement ❤️

[@BrandiNNiNi]

❤️🙏

[@Artiekarns]

When our children were young we made a strong distinction between food animals and pets. We reinforced it continually. When our daughter was 3years old she always wanted to know "who" we were eating. The boys never cared. It didn't slow her down any she was just curious. Every animal on our place had a name. Try and imagine the look on a dinner guest's face when she asked if it was "Rosebud" (a calf) or "Fluffy"(a pig)? 😂

[@JustTheTwoOfUsHomestead]

I love the year you put a winter hat in your garden….putting your garden to bed for the winter 🥰

[@BeatingTheBudget]

Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge with us. I admire all you do for your family. I just subscribed to both magazines! Thanks for the offer.

[@debramccune9801]

Tip about raising quinny chickens. Only get them when you have baby chick's to raise with them. Mine have been protectors for my chickens. They have all been together since being a few days old and have been around for 16 months.

[@elt.214]

Thanks for the Q & A. 🙏

[@3summerbreeze]

You are so knowledgable and very interesting I love listening to you blessings🎉🎉

[@BrendaAddis]

Great info. Thank you!

[@bethanya2025]

Enjoyed this q&a video 😃

[@threerivershomestead]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Glock707]

I didn't see the Q and A on IG. I've been perplexed which amount of fruit to make small jam. Like your cherry marmalade.I work at an organic grocery and get small amounts of fruit unsure which ones to combine. Love your videos.

[@MargieBenson-dv9ek]

Thank you Jessica ❤

[@lisaosterbauer1565]

I ordered the magazines! The older jars are so much better than the new one much thicker

[@kittyrichards9915]

Take care, Jessica..

[@janhyslop2915]

I found this video very helpful. Thank you! We have not started raising beef as yet. But your comments are encouraging. I’ll present your information at our next 3 generation family meeting and if approved start planning for 2026. Both my husband and I grew up on farms with dairy cattle. We definitely won’t do dairy but meat animals are a good possibility.

[@sandrawyrick]

Enjoyed it!

[@bethreiners5568]

I ordered the magazines. Can’t wait to get them.

[@iartistdotme]

GREAT video - I want to add that any Moschata variety of squash is not really bothered by squash bugs and I LOVE Tromboncino squash with it's very long neck that provides so much food and if left to dry, it can act like a winter squash. Just look for Moschata in the botanical name.

[@paulinedooling742]

I don’t want to miss anything you say and do ❤️

[@nancyt364]

I use most of my antique jars except the aqua ones. I think I have 8 boxes of those. I started collecting jars in the 70's

[@SusanHayes-vx2dq]

Those magazines are really good.

[@kendratai]

I had chickens here in the desert. They did fine in the 20 degree cold. Our issue was the 110 summers. Even with trees to go under, they were so miserable. I felt so bad for them.

[@threerivershomestead]

Definitely. Ours are not acclimated to that type of heat and really seem to struggle when it nears 100.

[@DebraMorris-q6r]

I too dealt with heat even in dark shade areas, did frozen veggies into water pans and changed the water 2x daily🤷‍♀️there just wasn’t a way to keep them all safe from heat, even electrolytes didn’t work , it made me so sad🥹

[@carolync4862]

Thank you for a wonderful video full of common sense and great information.

[@threerivershomestead]

You're very welcome!

[@cynthiawhitcomb1780]

Thank you for your real life advice.

[@threerivershomestead]

You are so welcome!

[@jenniferharris1761]

I am only a few minutes into your video, but I feel compelled to comment about the older jars. Im not sure the cutoff year but I do reserve the obviously older ones for storage of dry goods or for water bath canning only, as I have lost several older jars of goodies to the pressure canner. They simply were not made to withstand that environment. I love your videos and never miss one!

[@threerivershomestead]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jenniferharris1761]

@@threerivershomestead thank you for making awesome videos! ☺️

[@normamccomas9272]

I feel the same way about gardening!!!😍 This was an awesome video!❤❤🙏🙏xxoo

[@miss_mish]

Oh no, daylight savings for you means 10pm Sunday night videos for me 😂. Thanks for sharing. Have a blessed week.

[@aramintaverwys1934]

Hi Jessica ❤ I hoped you enjoyed your extra hour of sleep last night. Happy Home Church Day 🎉🎉🎉 Sending love, Your Michigan Fan and Friend Araminta ❤❤😊😊

[@tml3982]

I have found that my young children never slept during that extra hour. Their body clocks don't change with the actual clocks.

[@stephanievarnes9428]

Harvest Right now sells refurbished freeze dryers, with warranty, at a really good price. They offer a "lay away" purchasing option, so you can lock in the sale price, too, while paying it off. Good customer service!

[@theresaegbuniwe5808]

Great video!

[@harblinshaven6303]

Absolutely very hard to butcher rabbits at 12 weeks I personally have a neighbor do it and trade labor for some meat. My girls (adults) who live on the homestead were very attached. The manure is fantastic..... I have sandy dry soil but with rabbit manure my garden was the best year yet without purchasing anything except neem oil for bugs. Even made liquid fertilizer for my starts

[@jeannebruner9242]

Love your sweater. 😊

[@threerivershomestead]

Thank you! 😊

[@shannonmann5501]

Thank you!

[@carolynmoody9460]

Just ordered magazines looking forward to reading them❤❤❤🕊️

[@juliehenderson9539]

Very wise advice! ❤

[@Minnehaha64]

I finally got some cabbage this year because i used bug netting! A lot of my other things didn’t do well because of dry weather, etc. But I found that God has provided for us!

[@threerivershomestead]

That is awesome!

[@stephencameron1709]

Great video! Val C❤️🙏

[@diannegrimes1471]

Do take care of yourself ❤

[@karenw9996]

I'm in town and can't raise my own meat (thankfully I have a handful of farmers who keep me supplied with beef, pork, chicken, lamb, turkey, bison, eggs, milk, honey). I started with apples trees, and later added cherries & berry bushes. If I had it to do over I would only plant one apple tree (neighboring ornamental crabs help with pollination, so one tree does well) and increase the number of cherry trees & berry bushes...for exactly the reason you state, cost of those things, apples cost a lot less than the cherries & berries...and I would add herbs in there too, horribly expensive to buy, but quite easily grown.

[@sanditschoepe2622]

Very informative thank you!

[@joybartlett9784]

Freeze dryer is really good for healthy snacks for children and adults.

[@annamaria8755]

I love Backwoods Home magazine. I have been reading it for years. Ive learned alot from Jackie Clay and you as well. Thank you for the discount!

[@BKMay-wx7os]

If you want to control the rodents you can use half baking soda half cornbread mix. Mix throughly so the baking soda coats the cornbread mix. It sounds really simpe but it really works. Just make sure you put it so it doesn't get wet. It works because they can't pass the gas from the soda. They also don't realize it will hurt them. It's also not goig to hurt other animals like your dogs or chickens if they eat them after the pass away.

[@janetstryczek3311]

Thank you for your videos.❤

[@threerivershomestead]

You are so welcome!

[@reginagibson1908]

Jessica just remember you can always pass the freeze dried food on to your older children, family or friends as gifts.

[@WandaJEaton]

I have Buff Orpingtons and Black Australorps, I live in Massachusetts and we have quite cold winters. I did my research and both breeds are good in cold weather, proficient layers, but the Orpingtons can be broody.

[@threerivershomestead]

I love Orpingtons. They are a great dual purpose bird!

[@karengear5254]

Great video ❤❤

[@JennaGoforth]

Good Morning, Jessica ❤ I love enjoying my coffee on Sunday mornings and listening to you. Thank you for all of this great content! Have a blessed week Three Rivers Family!

[@threerivershomestead]

Good morning!

[@charissawalters3990]

I can attest to not “putting the garden to bed” being great for the pollinators. We whack things down only enough to allow the Christmas lights and decorations to look good. I’ve honestly never seen more pollinators than we always have. Plus the glorious amounts flowers that volunteer so easily because nature was allowed to take its course. Keep doing The Lord’s work, sister! ;)