What does it mean to be a HOMESTEADER?

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Thank you all SO much for believing in our farm & our channel. You guys bring so much joy to me

[@jubilee_homestead]

Thank you so much for this video! I was corrected yesterday (and rightly so) by someone who thought the steps I'd taken already were huge accomplishments. I saw the limitations of living in the city, of limited space due to city lot layout, the inability to have chickens and compost, and everything else as not quite there. But this lady pointed out that expanding the garden, learning how to stock a pantry and preserve food, networking, and paying off debt is a huge step on this pathway. So, anyone else trying to live this calling in the city, you aren't alone, you're doing great, and you CAN do it! Just like I can.

[@DaniDaysAhead]

Very well said Jill. So good to see you out there back at it, with that smile on your face 🤓 P.S. Nathan get rid of that rooster😂

[@michellegoodwin8258]

I thought sewing was my passion until this year when out of necessity because groceries are so expensive I increased my gardening skills. In these troubling times I have so much peace when I’m in my garden. Thanks for your encouragement and guidance along the way. You are a blessing to me…

[@kathyrupert1425]

Love hearing the goats in the back round, sounds so cute.

[@WillowBrookHomestead]

Nate dog! Get rid of that rooster bro 😆 Jill, you described homesteading perfectly and speak the truth!

[@lindapaden]

Thanks for the video and encouragement! Learning skills on a small scale is where I am at now. Patio gardening.

[@DollyDarkside]

I never in a million years thought I'd be a homesteader. But ever since I got sick, I changed my lifestyle and it brought me back to the country. I have never been happier

[@mrsB0915]

My nephew recently stayed with us and got to help me feed the chickens, harvest some garden snacks, and even helped me with some canning and pickling I had going on. When his mom picked him up he was going on about how much fun he had on the “farm” and I must admit, I felt so validated 😂😂

[@teresafreeman3021]

Jill, you are such an encouragement. I don't think you know what a beautiful person you are or how much you raise others up. You are a true blessing to me and SSOOO many others 😇💯❤‍🔥

[@yukonsmomma3562]

Thanks for sharing your life Jill. Your bread was beautiful!!

[@homesteadmccoy]

Love love love this video Jill! Especially "What I see when I look at this cucumber is..." Thank you for sharing and being so encouraging.

[@betzyperez9114]

I’m currently in college and still live at home but I’ve learned how to can and grow a whole bunch off stuff in very limited space I’ve been going to farmers markets all summer asking questions making friends and I know for a fact I want to move to be able to have a longer growing season and I just can’t wait

[@marilynclayton3430]

You don’t know me and that’s why I feel this was a message from god speaking to my heart. Divine timing as we sign on the dotted line for our homestead and all the possibilities, dreams and blessings to come. Thank you 🙏 you will never know how truly you have blessed my life with your authenticity and encouragement. 💚

[@heathermiddleton4958]

Nathan, there is no place on the homestead for a mean rooster.

[@nowadays2973]

I love the way you explained the homesteader. I see so many benefits in farming and gardening. Thank you. I learned so much from watching your videos. Savy

[@tamararoberts9307]

Yes! I love your message about being inspired not jealous ✨️

[@TXDHC]

I have the meanest rooster in Texas! I carry a long stick and I have beat his head so hard it's a wonder he's still crowing. I'm fixin to make soup stock with him but truly haven't felt like doing the work. Plus he is absolutely beautiful.

[@MrRKWRIGHT]

Another amazing video from Jill, my favorite homesteader.

[@FreedomForestFarm]

Homesteading is definitely a calling. I'm trying to get through the "imposter" phase... we are still pretty new to this lifestyle and still have so much to learn - thank God for people like you who teach us. Homesteading helps me feel closer to Him and I find so much encouragement and inspiration from your videos! Thanks, sis!

[@worleyhavenhomestead1448]

Couldn't agree more, homesteading is a calling and would not have it any other way no matter how hard it is at times bc we love this lifestyle! ❤️

[@martymiracle2254]

I agree with your overview of homesteading. I had no experience. I sought people, classes, and other resources to help me learn. I now have experience of successfully raising goats, calves, and made decision not to include them on my homestead. I am focusing on gardening, preserving my production, raising and selling chickens and eggs. I have now retired after 50 years of being a nurse. My family is raised and doing great. Now it is my time to do what most call crazy. I love crazy.

[@doulacoach6801]

YES! THAT'S WONDERFUL! Its your turn now! Good on ya! Crazy is GREAT! Blessings.

[@doulacoach6801]

BTW, Thank you for your "service"! 50 years as a nurse is a long long time to care for people❣ May all that work and loving care return to you 100 fold.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🌻🦋

[@candicecullengrowcooknourish]

Love your definition of homesteading. It definitely is a calling. I love your mindset too! Looking forward to when your book is released. My grandpa had a mean and scary rooster too, definitely find another home for it and get a nicer one.

[@jeanholdstock3695]

You say that you don't want to toot your own horn? I say ""Toot it girl, toot it good and loud!!" 📯That bread looks amazing. I agree with all that you said in this vlog and believe that if everyone had the chance to try growing and spending time in the garden, the world would see much less stress and aggression. And better-quality food, better health and better knowledge about diet etc. Thank you, as always, for your teachings and insight into a 'real 'way of life xx

[@tamararoberts9307]

I think it's in my DNA and therapeutic as well as wanting to eat better food for why I am a homesteader. Plus I want to play a part in helping our eco-system and nature with pollinators and beauty 😍

[@darlenesgardenandhome]

Historically, (as provided by the federal Homestead Act of 1862) an area of public land in the West (usually 160 acres) granted to any US citizen willing to settle on and farm the land for at least five years My grandparents homesteaded their land. Eventually, they actually owned it in the sense like we own our own land nowadays. It's interesting how the concept of homesteading has changed over time.

[@johnnietubbs261]

Thanks for being so encouraging. We have been gardening now for two years and have learned so much from you. We would love to have chickens one day and will get there. I am 65 and my husband is 70 we have 5 grandkids and have been working with them to teach them things about the garden. We love doing this together. Thanks for the great videos Jill. The sour dough is getting the best of me. But this winter I plan on practicing a lot until I get it down.

[@cydney3283]

We have nice roosters, thank goodness. I am excited, we butchered our first turkey yesterday.

[@elizabethlink3993]

💚 Okay Nathan...definitely time for that terrorizing R🐓🐓STER to go! Ypur sourdough bread looks absolutely amazingly beautiful, Jill! I started a 2nd round of cucumbers (silver slicers), thanks to encouragement from you and Jessand they are flowering! I've also started some red onion seeds a week ago and they are sprouting 😁. Thank you for your encouragement 💚

[@fareebug8439]

****May consider trying to overwinter some of the peppers in the high tunnel, just trim to about 6-8 inch tall, heavy mulch with leaves/ect and leave in bed, for early summer/spring harvest!

[@charlesbrooks5003]

Yes

[@kailesancez]

Thank you I needed to hear this. 🥰 I feel envy when watching others. Not a bad envy. Just the "I wish I was doing that right now" kind of envy. So I just live thru you all for now. And find joy in seeing your joy. I don't know if that makes sense. I am watching my garden take over my yard which is exciting to me. I have a pumpkin that is huge right now. Time to create a vision board. :)

[@mgtmoffat8411]

When I was a child, born in WW2, it was the usual way of life in my world. 💕💕🌻🌻

[@lorialsbury2185]

You are such a doll! I'm so happy you are feeling up to doing all you do. That, my love is bread art!

[@HeyItsBolt]

I really appreciate how encouraging you always are Jill. My heart loves to garden and someday hopes to make it a bigger part of my family’s life. This year I let the garden run wild because I found out I am pregnant with our first baby and unfortunately morning sickness got the better of me this spring and summer. I’m hoping to garden at any level with a baby beside me next season. Watching your videos truly inspires and encourages me that I can do it, even with a baby in one of the slings on my chest. Thank you for being you. You are so loved

[@toniastownhousegarden7878]

Jill I really needed this encouragement THANK YOU

[@bethsands7665]

Awesome and beautiful video Jill...yes, it was fun and inspiring. Keep up the awesome work in you garden journey and teaching us all how to get-with-it !

[@dreamyacrewoods]

Jill you are making me emotional this morning!! It’s hard to explain to other people why you want to can your own salsa instead of buying or grow your own food. I get the exact same comments that it seems like a lot of work but something I just feel called to and need to do. This year I taught myself to can and I’m order my first fruit trees that I’ve been dreaming of for years. It’s surreal to me to think about all of the dreams I’ve had for myself and my land and the way you spoke to me this morning has really struck a chord. I hope you stay encouraged to pursue all your dreams too. Thank you for your inspiration💕

[@kevinjohnson4418]

I grew up on a homestead my grand father really hated grocery store so he started his homestead and raised multiple farm animal and grew a massive garden what we couldn't save and Jared he sold to local I'm now a 3 generation homesteader

[@doulacoach6801]

Awesome! You are SO lucky! Im sure you work really hard to keep that going too! Blessings.

[@tamararoberts9307]

Ha you're sporting my everyday home-girl hairstyle in this video 😄

[@pamelacooley6457]

Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@jasminelouisefarrall]

Beautiful vlog Jill 🌸💕🌸

[@miriantalbot6772]

You make me hungry..wishing I can bake good bread like you...probably a good thing because I will eat it all ..blessing Jill yo you and your family!

[@fur3lis3]

Thanks for the pep talk! Cheers to fulfilling our callings!

[@sarahglines403]

Thank you so much for this video ♡ I needed this encouragement!

[@พันธุ์ศักดิ์ศิริเลิศ]

Thank you.

[@WhisperingWillowFarm]

You're welcome!

[@brittanybates7498]

Thank you for being an inspiration to us all. You have taught me so much and even though we just have a small backyard garden in the city and no animals I feel like we are taking that next step into sustainability. 🥰 Our garden has provided so much food for our family, life lessons for our daughter and myself, has shown us so much beauty, has been a source of constant learning and has been wonderful. Thank you for sharing your heart and rooting for us all. ❤️

[@09echols]

I listen to you and Jess talking about dreaming of what you desired. And of turning your waiting room into a classroom. I created a KZbin page called Dreaming of an Echols Homestead. While I'm dreaming I'm learning and when God is ready for my family to move to the acreage we desire, I'm learning how to grow food for my family.

[@tamararoberts9307]

Those loaves look amazing 👏

[@jenniferpulskamp5592]

Hey Nathan! Mean Rooster Stew.

[@miriantalbot6772]

Love today message Encourages me to dream and do better in my little backyard garden where I grow food on pots ..this year after seen all your hard work I had grow bounty of food thank Jill

[@texasbaby2053]

Those pepper plants are ginormous holy cow!

[@karriemb4184]

Love watching you!!! Just listening to you is so inspirational.. I have a small garden. I live in the city… my goal is to get 4 chickens 🐓 but that’s a future goal. I have learned so much from your gardening. So thank you for sharing !!!!

[@stephanier1336]

Hey Nathan, little things like being stressed getting eggs will not help jills health! So take care of that rooster! Thanks, Stephanie.

[@melissasekely5107]

I wish I would have started getting into this a little earlier, I just get gardening I’ve never been able to just understand something so quickly before and soak up all of every ones information about it, I watch a lot of different people on here and I just can remember so many different things even without writing it down and I just love it with all my heart!! I’m just going to keep learning and learning and one day we’ll find something we can homestead on 💚

[@melissasekely5107]

And that sourdough is beautiful!!!

[@angelamccullough37]

Onion jam is so so good on sourdough bread.

[@tamararoberts9307]

One of my favorite videos of yours♡

[@lindafraser9885]

I am amazed every time my plants grow and produce a flower or vegetable. I am trying new seeds every season. Getting better all the time. Able to grow okra and pick it small enough to enjoy(unlike last year) I appreciate the information you are providing. Thank you.

[@bethtolar7199]

I just have to say that you are a beautiful person! I am encouraged with each vlog I watch. I readily admit that I want the life you have. Unfortunately, I am older now and my husband doesn't have the same desire. So, I don't foresee getting to your level. But I am trying to do what I can with my tiny plot and containers. I'll expand my garden a little next spring. But for now, I'll just love what I have and be thankful for it. God Bless You and your family!

[@doulacoach6801]

Keep doing what you can Beth. Thats fantastic!

[@FranchesicaMiddleton]

Love your video, as usual! Really love that work belt.

[@WhisperingWillowFarm]

Thanks friend

[@ElizabethStapleton_Ohio]

Great video thanks for sharing with us ❤️

[@cassyreif697]

Girl!! If that rooster co.es after..just punt it like a football and im sure he wont come after you again...just think-SCORE!!🏈

[@jkq9717]

Always, always be yourself. Don't admire other people and turn them or what they do or what they have into an idol. Above all....be yourself!! Have original ideas!! Don't become a copy-cat of people you wish you had their life. The grass is never greener.

[@gardencronicals5909]

So random, has anyone heard from berkly farms? I havnt see her post in awhile. Hoping everything is ok

[@pamelacooley6457]

Rooster soup. We have been keeping chickens for 20 yrs. We have had a few spicy roosters over the years.They quickly became compost. Then we have had pet roosters. One was named KFC…he lived 12 yrs. We have a few now that are hilarious…Johnny the polish bantam rooster. Mister…he’s getting old now…my granddaughters favorite.

[@lindag4484]

Go ahead and toot your horn! I would buy both of those loaves if you lived nearby and sold sourdough. Nathan -> is it time for rooster pot pie? I guess the closest I come to being a homesteader is: I'd rather be home(in)stead of anywhere else! No, really, I'm just a good gardener who doesn't eat much meat, and who supports local farmers by getting what I don't grow or raise from them. Bless those of you who are 'all in'. Jill -> absolutely adorable in those glasses!

[@ivahihopeful]

Great video!

[@jessicakivett7838]

I think homesteading is a more integrated lifestyle that focuses on health and wellbeing over convenience. It's not for everyone...but it's a lifestyle choice. I would love to to graduate from "gardener" to "homesteader" someday.

[@diannemiller4754]

Jill we got some beautiful brown egg layer's. Then the chicken math hit me. Twenty six more meat chickens. Five male buff orpington and six big red broilers. I'm am wanting a nice rooster from the buff orpington. I agree the rooster has caused enough fear by his attitude...mine is gone after he ran after me on my deck. I'm told the buff orpington are friendly kind roosters. I'll know in a few months. Jill it is nice to see you feeling better. Praying for each of you.

[@justforfun1093]

Jill I love this video! Thank you so much for this message. I long for the day the Lord will provide even a half acre. I will wait on the Lord and trust in Him. Thank you for sharing your heart and encouragement ❤️ Also Nate- please handle the rooster 😅

[@WhisperingWillowFarm]

🤣 rooster is becoming a priority - Nate

[@jacqibelle]

Nate...please take care of that rooster for Jill. Maybe some Rooster stew ;)

[@mrfixit5404]

Sounds like time for a roster pot pie

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

an artist is an artist because s/he wants to be. an elite gymnast is a gymnast because s/he wants to be. a homesteaders or gardener is one because s/he wants to be. They all require a lot of work. For every life, many people have tried it and gave up because it was "too much work" regardless of the lifestyle one chooses, it requires passion and a vision. Time and money, how one saves it is not as important as how one spends it. Your time will go by anyway, what are you going to do with it?

[@WildRootsLearning]

What is your recommendation for seed catalog?

[@earthmamma85]

Ok, so I love your belt bag! May I ask where you got it from? Thank you for sharing this. I’m not a homesteader…yet. So I appreciate all of this.

[@LauraMichelGreenRaven]

Thinking, planning, learning is being a homesteader..

[@steveegbert7429]

Thy had the tool belt on their website, but I don't see it there now.

[@angelamccullough37]

Onion jam is great on pizza too

[@ladyryan902]

Mean rooster? Me too!! I wanted the rooster to try hatching n the silly thing raises his neck n feathers at me he dances n shakes his head like break dancing☺ but he comes at me he first attacked the back of my legs.scratched me good..But BUT yesterday a hawk went into the Bush in their run n that rooster had his head out like a road runner full speed at that Bush..he jumped at it n flee up at it n that hawk took off. Rooster is 5 months old now he is full of himself😃 I take a rake with me when I go in n if he comes at me I swish him with it..get a rake!! Or a broom..rooster will protect his girls

[@wendyreynolds6959]

Why does Nathan want to keep the rooster?

[@joybartlett9784]

God didn't drop Adam and Eve off at the Mall he placed them in the garden. That speaks a lot to me.

[@charlesbrooks5003]

😂

[@beckisublett7287]

You are so sweet

[@lydiafink3020]

Time to start taking a broom into the henhouse to teach that rooster a lesson... or some nice chicken soup.

[@teresafreeman3021]

That mean rooster needs to go live somewhere else OR be come chicken and bone broth. NATHAN time to do something with it.

[@katysuemarfil2148]

Coq au vin??? LOL 😂

[@kimberlyterenzoni8451]

Nathan, the Rooster needs to go!!! Pretty pkease

[@freshstarts1618]

Mean roosters never get better. They can traumatize a child for life! You’ll not thank yourself for keeping him if he gets loose and comes after Your littlest little or momma!! They need rehomed or culled everytime. Our Young Cochin( going to be a very big boy) decided to start charging us when we walked I got the garden. I was not going to let a bird ruin my peaceful enjoyment of my MY home! My hubs is quite a big guy,so, he went in first in the morning to let them out and when the teen rooster (lol) charged him he’d Bend over and pick him up and carry him around until he stopped fussing. If you don’t have that time to change his behavior a change of home can change their demeanor… a different home

[@clancarney2541]

" dont have to have all the land" me:Yeah! "You dont have to have all the animals Me: Yeah! you dont have to have all the seeds in the catalogs me: what are you talking about! Ofcorse I do!

[@tst1200]

I'm not going along with creating a new definition for what's already been defined. What you are talking about are great things but not the definition of homesteading. Homesteading is a term defined a hundred years ago. The Homesteading Act defined it in legal terms on a federal level but they got it from the Southern original settlers. Homesteading is acquiring your land and proving it. Which meant making improvements like well or buildings. it meant being able to make any payments on it till you own it. It meant producing food for yourself and family or the money to buy food. A calling while great isn't the point, Sustainability wasn't exactly it or prepping. Though certainly they tend to go along with it and are good things.. Homestead is your debt free owned home.It was a mark of citizenship. You are a market farmer. You grow plants and sell them on small scale. You practice sustainable living But a person in the city who pays off the mortgage who owns their home is homesteading. Even if they do none of the rest. After the homestead was proved. if you grew crops or plants as your means of living it was called a Plantation. if you raised cows or such it was called a ranch. Plantation became identified with slavery and large size and wealth rather like corporate farms today. The word farm began to mean no slaves no corporation plant growing. with family farm being one passed by inheritance from generation to generation . A family ranch the same idea of generation to generation.

[@jeanettemercer5769]

Get rid of the Rooster.

[@susieclark1498]

Could you take a toy water gun and shoot the rooster with it? He would then equate you with the water.