Our 5-Year Homestead Transformation: Start to Finish

[@ChrisCalmtheCrazy]

Someone once clarified the terms for land ownership. Homeowner - you just live there. Homesteader - you live there, and steward the land and feed and/or provide for your family and give some to friends. Farmer - you live there (or maybe you live somewhere else like down the road or across town, etc.), steward the land and feed/provide for your family, produce more than what can sustain your family in a year, and sell products commercially for profit. Concerning your comments about desiring a life where you can relax and enjoy it. Farmers never get that time. It is true stewardship of the land, sustainability, and desire to fulfill the needs of others (bigger than your needs). Yup, your a farmer 🧑‍🌾👨‍🌾 Love the pictures at the end!

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

THANKS! So, we're more than 'kinda farmers'. I know that when we're working all day we feel like farmers. 😉

[@leannekenyoung]

Definitely a testament to a whole lot of hard work and blood sweat and tears I’m sure! God bless! 🥰❤️🇨🇦🍁🙏🏻

[@nancyseery2213]

I love the fact that the two of you clearly show life does NOT end at retirement. Your family is so blessed. Hard work, being open to learn new things and sharing it all with love. God bless y'all and keep growing.

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

It's definitely an unusual retirement plan...haha. Thanks for the encouragement.

[@JML542]

As someone who has battled a chronic illness for years and would give my arms and legs to be able to work hard every day and accomplish all my goals and dreams... I'd say as long as you guys have the energy, let 'er rip! (Including family, of course). It's an incredible blessing!! Every time I'm able to work on something I just praise the Lord for the strength to do it that day. The years where you HAVE to slow down will come along soon enough. 💝

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

I'm so sorry you struggle with chronic illness. We are very thankful for our health and that's our plan....do it as long as we are able and continue to be grateful. We know our energy is already less than it used to be and will continue to lessen. Thanks for the encouragement!

[@nim3186]

My goodness you were busy!!! ❤ Created a lovely home for your family ❤

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Yes, when we look back over all that we accomplished, we were busy. We're hoping the future years won't be quite a packed with projects. Thanks for watching!

[@Serendipity_Strawberry_Farm]

Absolutely gorgeous. We went the other way lol came off 40 acres and downsized to 5 acres and are a registered berry and flower farm. We thought we were making headway with our property and getting it to the place we wanted it to be and then were hit by the 2019 bushfires, we’ve spent the last 5 years doing things over but doing it our way and also installed our solar system with generator backup after discovering that when a bushfire or disaster takes out town power you are really at the mercy of it all and fridges and freezers defrosting etc. Now if there is an emergency event we know we will have power to run everything and our generator to fill the battery if there isn’t enough sunlight, and excess power is sold back to the grid and we haven’t seen an electricity bill now in 12 months Yay 😃 We’ve replanted all of our fruit trees and berries, rebuilt our chicken palace and our bees arrive in just 3 days time. Excited as Christmas morning about that 🥰 Ive already said to my husband that we have 24 months to finish the major projects that need to be done as he is 10 years older than me and I have LUPUS so we need to get everything to that manageable state so that we can begin to relax more without feeling the anxiety and stress of wanting to just enjoy our home and our life on our farm. It’s all a work in progress but we are getting there. I love your property and see so many similarities in two different parts of the world. Enjoy it, you deserve it 🌻 Cheers Theresa - Australia

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

SO sorry to hear about the fire. That had to be hard to build it all back again. Solar systems are wonderful, but definitely need a back-up plan. We're also trying to get it to a point where is is a bit easier to maintain. We're not getting any younger. Where are you in Australia? We were able to visit Sydney 15 years ago and also did a hike in New Zealand. We loved both areas.

[@Serendipity_Strawberry_Farm]

@@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764 we are located on the south coast near the village of Mogo. It’s a 3.5 - 4 hour drive from Sydney. Our area was hit very heavily by the black summer bushfires in 2019/20 Our Lolly shop business in Mogo Village (The Mogo Lolly Shop) lost the entire contents of our shop due to buildings around us burning down with asbestos. Our property here at home was hit very hard and we lost 4 neighbours homes that day. My husband and I had evacuated but when the southerly hit we were told we could go home to see whether our house was still standing but the southerly meant that when we arrived our property was being hit for a second time that day. My daughter and grand daughter lived on the property with us at the time so we sent them away back to the safety of Moruya and stayed here to fight the fire for 5 hours with buckets as our water tanks had melted so we were using our petrol pressure washer to fill buckets from the bottom of the melted tanks to try and stop our home from burning down completely. We managed to save the house but it sustained a lot of damage, losing our roof, solar, pumps, sheds, storage containers and my daughters tiny house had similar damage. It took a year to have our house repaired, but the property has taken us until this year to finally be at a point that we feel like we have achieved recovery with our home and property. Mentally though it is still a challenge when the weather here currently is above temps for this time of year, we’ve had no rain and the winds have been monumental. The fear is real of a repeat of that day. We replaced our solar and upgraded our system after not having power for almost 40 days, trying to live in a house that was fire damaged operating on a generator wasn’t ideal so we wanted to make sure that we are completely solar passive with storage batteries so that in the event of another fire and loss of power we will just attempt to save the house and solar so that we don’t have to be in that situation again….ever. When life throws you lemons you make lemonade.

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

@@Serendipity_Strawberry_Farm wow, you have been through a lot! You fought to protect your home and now have restored it...you must have a deep bond to the land and your home. Our daughter and family also live on the farm and they have solar with battery backup. We do not have the batteries, just the large generator. We hope that you have rains and calm winds this upcoming warm season! Thanks for sharing, and God bless.

[@happyheartgardening]

@ Serendipity.. Having to start over must be hard but i hear the determination in your post. Keep up the good work that you do and enjoy what you have accomplished!

[@Serendipity_Strawberry_Farm]

@@happyheartgardening thankyou yes it is sheer determination and a passion to make our property our little place of serendipity :)

[@meadowsweetfarmfiberartsdesign]

You both are amazing! I absolutely love watching and learning from all of your videos. I have lived here in SW Pa for over 30 years and raised my daughters here on a 70 acre farm. We have chickens and ducks and horses. I love canning and growing my own veggies. I am opening a weaving … fiber arts studio on my farm in the next few months. You are living such a beautiful life on your beautiful farm and thank you so much for sharing your journey here on your channel. It is a hard working life but the rewards outway the aches and pains… well sometimes😂 ❤ Thank you and I look forward to seeing more of your life on your beautiful farm.

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks for the kind words. We're glad you enjoy the videos. That's exciting about the fiber arts studio. I hope it goes well. It is a beautiful life....and hard working. We wouldn't trade it for anything.

[@meadowsweetfarmfiberartsdesign]

@@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764❤

[@emmyroest-borger8398]

Mooie video! Wat een werk, maar daarom ziet jullie boerderij er ook perfect uit!

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Bedankt! Het is niet perfect, maar het is een stuk leuker dan 5 jaar geleden. We houden van ons leven op de boerderij.

[@nelliehamstra1751]

@@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764komt vanzelf. Heel leuk dit!

[@GlacialRidgeHomestead]

We are coming up on our 5 year homesteadaversary 😊

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Congratulations!!! I love the term homesteadaversary.

[@Ingi-u3n]

I only just found your channel yesterday ❤i love watching you both share your beautiful farm.and the running of it .Waardenburg comes from Waardenburg castle /kasteel in the Netherlands.i was born not far from there and it is beautiful .farm in dutch is boerderij .Waardenburg boerderij how beautiful ❤

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

@@Ingi-u3n I am so glad that you found us! Yes, I've visited the Waardenburg castle. It is apartments now. My family lived in Friesland Netherlands and they came to the US in the 1890s. The little town of Waardenburg is very cool....BMW dealership and a great bike shop and bakery. This is Don by the way. Hope to hear more from you in the coming months. We have many KZbin friends in the Netherlands.

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

My Grandparents spoke Dutch, but they did not live long enough to see Waardenburg Boerderij.

[@Ingi-u3n]

@@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764 Did they really make it into apartments 🥲that is so sad .I was raised in Friesland ❤️simple good life is in our genes.

[@Ingi-u3n]

@@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764 ❤️

[@GlacialRidgeHomestead]

Congratulations on 5 years!

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks!

[@nanabananajones4776]

Really enjoyed this! First time here

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks...welcome to the farm!

[@happyheartgardening]

You two have done an AMAZING job on your property! Enjoy it now!! When you're naming off everything that you have gotten done, don't forget everything you have done on the INside of the farmhouse, too. I am so glad that you decided to video tape your journey. I have enjoyed every minute and I can't see what you decide to do next.

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks! We'll probably be doing a separate video on the farmhouse in the next month or so. We did do a lot of improvements inside as well. Thanks for the encouragement!

[@Susan-n3o3e]

Wow, I am so glad that I came across you guys a couple days ago. I have really enjoyed your videos and this one this top it I would think you guys are farmers and hard workers. My goodness gracious such wonderful, nice people and such a beautiful, beautiful farm that you guys made it, look that way I can’t wait for the next video. Thank you for sharing your life.❤

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. We're so glad you found us....welcome to the farm. We do love our beautiful farm. Some days it's hard to believe this is actually our life....it's so different than our life before Don retired. We're very blessed.

[@Chloe.Elizabeth08]

Awww this makes me happy, I love coming to the farm it's such a beautiful place you guys have built for our family to enjoy together 🥺

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

We love having you at the farm!!!

[@boysrus61]

What a beautiful farm. What a lovely way to spend the "retirement" years.

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

It is an amazing 'retirement'. We're very thankful for our farm.

[@carolacton3440]

You are farmers indeed!

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

THANKS!

[@NicoleSmithGardening]

Great video! Love seeing how far y’all have come. ❤

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks for watching!

[@lavondadye8091]

What an amazing transformation in just 5 years! You have a beautiful farm and you should definitely start slowing down and enjoy not only your hard work but family time spent there❤️

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks! We're going to try to slow down a bit. We're trying to figure out how to do that during the busiest season.

[@connietinkham9311]

I love watching your channel ❤

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks for the encouragement.

[@claudinelavallee7856]

Very impressive what you have accomplished in 5 years, bravo!

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks!

[@joannewatson8674]

Hi, I just found you scrolling through You Tube. Looking forward to seeing more. You seem like very humble people. Good luck in the years to come with your homestead!!

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thank you so much for the kind words. Welcome to the farm!

[@cowboy2180]

What a fun adventure! Thanks for sharing the journey

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JudyH-qq7bs]

Hello. Just found your channel. What a treasure. I really enjoyed learning about your farm/homestead.

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

We're so glad you found us. Welcome to the farm.

[@MomPuff-b9w]

You truly are amazing!! It’s awesome that you have amazing kids that helped so much!! Great job mom & dad!! You did a great job raising your kids!! Be blessed!! 🙌🏻🙏🏻🙌🏻

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks! Some of the grandkids seem to enjoy it the most.

[@gracestone266]

Amazing fun story. But a lot of work. Yes. It is time to sit and enjoy family and all your hard work.

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks! Yeah, it's definitely time to slow down a bit.

[@kathleenturley1561]

I hope your USDA grant did not require you to put pesticides on your garden. Beautiful job you guys. I am so jealous!

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

No, they didn't require anything like that. They actually support organic growing. Thanks for watching!

[@sandradenio5474]

You have a beautiful Farm

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks! We're very thankful for our wonderful farm.

[@rosasalas1437]

You did great job congrats hard work

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks!!! We're so happy we found this farm and life the life we're living here.

[@dawncampbell9385]

The root cellar!!

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

We're going to do a separate video about the work we've done inside the farmhouse. We'll definitely include the root cellar.

[@rosemarymunson915]

What a great vlog! I loved it! I watch every episode but rarely post anything. I love your energy and commitment to your beautiful farm. Bravo!👏👏

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement!!!!

[@nemanjagradinac5419]

You two are so cool. Really well done on all your achievements 🤝 and good luck with future endeavours!

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thank you so much!! The encouragement is wonderful.

[@godisgood678]

Oh I’m jealous! 😊 I love your farm/homestead! I’d love to do more where we live , here in southeastern Indiana! We only own 4 acres but it’s beautiful. I’m a retired pre-K teacher, and my husband has 3 more years. Unfortunately, he’s allergic to all animals, as well as certain flowers, and has asthma. We do have a dog and a few kitties outdoors, but I’ve always wanted chickens. Anyway, keep up the good work! I’m going to follow your lead! 🤗

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks so much for the kind words. I hope you are able to get chickens at some point....the eggs are great and the chickens are a blast. Thanks for watching!

[@snookiegood6180]

Wow....I am always amazed at your transformation with each video. Learning to settle and adjust is on our radar too as we prepare for my husband to retire from his job and join me on our farm full-time.

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks! Best of luck in your next stage of life....retirement is wonderful. (even though we're working harder than ever....haha)

[@kathleenturley1561]

What s cute couple you are and so ambitious. Would love to come see.....I'm in Idaho though. Good job being self sustaining. Now you need to start prepping......Just subscribed!

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks for the encouragement. I think we are on the verge of prepping....freezers full of food, canned food and freeze-dried food. We keep learning and doing more all the time. Welcome to the farm.

[@janetgrooms]

Great video ❤

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks!

[@NatureHerbsandTea.]

Nice!!!!

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks!

[@Mbusowabalondo]

It's also my dream to have a farm house with a huge patio May be one day a Miracle will happen.+my subscription for support 🎉

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

It's a wonderful dream to have....I hope it comes true for you some day.

[@jeffphillips6795]

Another great video! Have you ever thought of showing movies on that building across from the solar picnic area? And what happens to the farm after your gone?

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Thanks! We hadn't thought of the building, but have talked about hanging a sheet and shining a movie on it. The building might work better. Thanks for the idea.

[@JML542]

Sooo... what d'yall do with your spare time?! Here I was thinking you were similar age to us. But it makes me exhausted just thinking about what you've accomplished... 🥵 Great work!

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Haha....yeah, we need some spare time. We think things may settle down a little bit now that most of the infrastucture is in place.

[@lynetteledoux2845]

You mentioned that your daughter found the listing and suggested a family farm. Did your children have the opportunity to also move onto the farm? I realize that other life priorities in their young lives (compared to my age) may preclude a move during these first few years.

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Yes, it's becoming a reality. We've mentioned in other videos that our daughter has already built a house on the farm and her twin brother owns 10 acres of it too. Our oldest son is planning on building a house on the farm after his daughter graduates from high school. (2 years) We're amazed at how it's working out so well. We are blessed.

[@716stewart]

Why have generator with solar power?

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

@@716stewart Thank you for your interest. Our solar system does not have battery backup. We are on the grid....generating power for the grid most days and taking power back at night. When the grid goes down the solar cuts way back. We can tap off 4500 watts, but not full 240 volts at 19,000 watts. To run the farm we need more power so the diesel tractor runs the 15,000 watt generator until the grid comes back up. That's the short answer...

[@peggypeterson5702]

Where are you located?

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

We are in South-Central Pennsylvania.

[@beadwright]

How do you slow down? Bring in the next generations to take up the slack. Train those grandkids early. Lol

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

I'm already teachin them to do some of the gardening and food preservation. Yes, they will be working more as they get older.

[@allonesame6467]

people who don't have family are at a disadvantage. people who are poor are at a disadvantage. Neither have access.

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

@@allonesame6467 yes, we are very thankful to have the support of family and friends here on the farm. God bless.

[@Shasta1]

Just some feedback for you. These unskippable ads are not working for me. Listening to Dr Gundry with no skip option is torture. Having said that I wish you the best of luck with your channel and you have done an awesome job on your beautiful farm. I will not be subscribing.

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Hello. Thanks for the feedback. We're still learning the ropes in KZbin, but in all of my research, I haven't found a way to choose skippable vs. non-skippable ads. The only thing I can alter is exactly where in the video the ads are placed. If you happen to know of a way to run only skippable ads that I haven't found, please let me know. I would appreciate the help.

[@Shasta1]

I have never seen an unskippable video before today. It appeared in your channel and a few others. It was sending me to a page wanting me to subscribe to some KZbin upgrade with no ads. The no skip ads went on forever. Anyway it’s not doing it now. Btw I subscribed. ❤

[@Simplyfarmhouse7]

you hire help to run your farm, so you can enjoy your place more.

[@waardenburgfamilyfarm4764]

Yeah, I think we're going to have to hire more help....especially in the market garden. It would be nice to have time to really enjoy it during the summer months.