Why I like off-season content (Obvious Solutions to Lessen Obstacles) | VLOG

Hey ya'll, I'm Jess from Roots & Refuge Farm
Welcome to a place that feels like home. A small farm with a big family. We hope you'll pull up a chair, grab some coffee and visit awhile.
There was a time that all I wanted in the world was a little farm where I could raise my family and grow our food. Now, that is exactly what exists outside my door. In watching it unfold, a new dream was formed in my heart - to share this beautiful life with others and teach them the lessons we've learned along the way. Welcome to our journey, friend. I am so glad you're here.
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#rootsandrefuge #homesteading #gardening

[@amandahakes2226]

What we (the year round viewers) know to be true is that this isn’t a gardening channel, it’s a life style channel. And we come for the lifestyle of fulfillment, peace, self sufficiency, and sustainability. And within that niche all your videos are always spot on content.

[@SmallTownSouthernWife]

Love this comment ❤

[@ourhomesteadclassroom]

Exactly what I was thinking as I watched this!

[@kathybaker8112]

Exactly what @amandahakes2226 said!

[@jamierussell8376]

This^^. I am here for all of it. Jess you speak so eloquently and you speak as though we are all sitting with you on the front porch with you. It’s like the pea shelling video you did.

[@oliviamaxwell4990]

Amen!

[@nininoona]

I don't think gardening channels become irrelevant during the off-season. As a matter of fact, they become even more relevant because their off-season is also my off-season. I have more time to watch content, pick up a few new ideas or varieties to try, and am able to better plan for the spring because of the content I can binge during that time.

[@ssrmsoak5766]

agree 100%

[@grandmasewhappyhomestead187]

Very well said agree

[@Nettyeveryday]

NINI you are spot on as I have made four separate orders in two days to MIgardner hoping that they don’t think someone else has my account because I don’t know if I want to try it until I see someone else talking about it and making videos about it 😳😆🤣😂🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@ssgundes1]

Hey Jess you mentioned you were gonna list the link to being a content developer ( KZbinr). I’m dreaming of starting a channel and your such an inspiration I wanted to watch your vlog on being a content provider. Thank you! Cute hair cut! Glad your feeling better.

[@jenniferadels2735]

Nini L, I completely agree with you! As Jess tells us time and again, "turn your waiting room into a class room." The off-season I think is the most valuable time you have because, as you said, it gives you the time to research, learn and plan. Jess, I hope more viewers will, in time, take your advice, and there be an influx of viewing in this season, and the seasons to come. I also hope that your viewers truly heard the encouragement that you were speaking about taking action towards what they are hoping for, and that we all can be encouraging here to one another on this platform; in this community. The Lord calls for us to live one another, encourage each other, and build one another up. We are to bear with one another our burdens and pray for one another with love, and pure in heart. Today, we are finding ourselves growing cold, and building walls and barriers in that "survival" mentality because of what is happening in the world around us. And as you have taught before, we do this in fear, in an attempt to protect ourselves, and our families. Yes, we do have to guard ourselves and our families as best we can. And yes, we do need to provide. But at what cost are we doing these things. There is division. And that is why I am so grateful that you and Jeremiah are working diligently to create community. You are teaching provision but without division. Your vision is all about being people together, whether they are gardeners or not. That is so, so so very special, and may you be blessed abundantly to continue the work to its completion, and then grow immensly in community, in love, and in unity.

[@cindyblom8187]

“When you are in survival mode you can’t hope.” Such truth. My son passed away 5/1/2014. He was 29 years old. He was my gardening buddy. After he died I found a notebook. On April 28, 2014 he tested the soil in the gardens. He had several columns for future testing with a column with the goal. On April 30 he had a mental health event that brought the worst day of his life. That notebook was a beautiful find. I started working through my grief in the garden. I started gaining courage to hope. I began to move from survival to life. We build guitars in his memory and give back to help others who find themselves in a place of survival. Many are in the place for years. Thanks for your vlog.

[@homegrownharvest211]

I can’t imagine what you have been through - I’m so sorry. I’m grateful you found gardening to provide you with that solace.

[@heatherwinterhalt6115]

This is beautiful, thank you for sharing 🤗

[@jaynemar1]

Us diehards, we’re here for you And Miah And your kids And your cows, barn cats, dogs… Your garden is the bonus!

[@suewhalen3919]

In the 1000 plus comments, this may be lost, but the intention is here. Thank you for all you are, the hope you give, the space you hold. I love you too.

[@rootedinjoy8821]

I’m going to voice my dream here since you’ve asked. I am an educational psychologist. I’ve worked in public and private schools as a school psych and as a special education administrator for over 20 years. My heart is with what is called “post secondary transition”. It’s that important time when an educational team is supposed to work with young individuals to help them build a plan and skills for after school. My dream, is to own a smallish nursery with adaptive pathways and ramps and staff it with young folks with disability, help them to build skill, gain income, and have a place in the world. Math skills, horticulture skills, maybe mechanic…..this!

[@charlesbrooks5003]

This is such a beautiful and practical dream! I know your community would support you if you make your dreams known. The garden is such a wonderful teacher. It would make such a difference in those kids lives! Do it!

[@patricedunckley4005]

This is an awesome dream!

[@DanaBarbieri]

That would be incredible and so needed! My son could use a place like that. He's graduating this year.

[@dirtroadsanddiamonds607]

Amazing, I pray that your dream comes true. What a blessing that would be.

[@denisemarchi6735]

If you ever have a chance read about a place in VA Beach VA it is called J T camp Grom. wonderful

[@jackcsaffell5641]

"It's hard to be creative when you're just surviving." After my deaf wife lost her sight due to undiagnosed diabetes we were in survival mode most of the time. Danielle was blind for about 10 years before her massive heart attack and death. It was in the quiet times of me walking home from work, praying the rosary, that I realized we both really needed fun and jokes and sharing time with our children and grandchildren. You know, the "normal life" stuff. We went to Hawaii for an anniversary, I had a surprise 50th birthday for her. I made Bar-b-que ribs, her favorite, for the main course. Mostly I was fortunate enough that my daughters allowed us to babysit our grandchildren just for fun. Most of the time Danielle would hold them, feel their faces with her gentle fingers and then gently raise them to her lips and kiss them tenderly. Looking back now, I am so blessed that our Lord sparked an answer to prayer for me to hear Him whisper, "Hey, Danielle is deaf and blind but I'm still giving you time to live life to the fullest, embrace this time you have with her, now."

[@sandraking9650]

You both were blessed

[@torimarie7659]

Thankful to have read a small piece of your story. Praying for the repose of Danielle’s soul and for many graces for you, your children, and grandchildren.

[@jackcsaffell5641]

@@torimarie7659 How kind of you. I don't share this often but you can read more of Danielle's life story on Amazon. Look up "Forty years of love and loyalty to a beautiful deaf woman." I wrote my wife's story so our young grandchildren could know their grandma. God bless you.

[@lynhyslop6933]

My grandma taught me how to hand quilt when I was young. I have made a few quilts over the years. Before grandma passed away, she gave me pieces of 13 unfinished quilts. I promised her I would finish them. Last week was the 20th anniversary of her passing and I haven't finished any of the quilts. I love sewing and quilting but have not had time or room...until now. I have a few more projects to finish up including organizing my spare room and then I can start quilting. My dream is to sell hand-made quilts to supplement my retirement income. By the way, my grandma raised 8 kids (4 of her own and 4 she took in) by selling quilts.

[@robingirven4570]

I’m a late starter at the Homestead scene, but lately I’ve decided that I’ve been a homesteader for years and never thought of our home as a homestead. I’ve been gardening for over 50 years. Canning for 45 years. I cook all of our meals. We eat out, maybe twice a year. Maybe. We have chickens and have grown our own pork. We buy beef from a local farmer. I bake my own bread. Almost everything from scratch. Yep, we’re homesteaders! I love your channel Jess. I love when you and Miah “film” together, I enjoy both of you and Daniel is a gem 🌺

[@Ladywildfire3]

I just had my boys help me dig up my all dirt backyard into garden beds over the weekend. 😁

[@DianeMountford]

There's a thing in the knitting world (one of my passions) called "startitis" ... where you cast on seventeen projects before you even finish one. I usually have a pretty bad case of startitis ... not just in knitting, but in life. My mind is full of projects to do, my house is full of random things from hobbies I pursued once (staring at you, flower press, papermaking supplies, ceramics tools), and I'm usually chasing after the next new thing, rather than getting down to the work of completing the things I set out to complete. I have loved the encouragement of these recent videos: dream big; take small steps in the right direction. But I think sometimes I have a new big dream every three weeks, so my path frequently seems circular, if not a labyrinth. What practices have you found (or anyone in this very rich comments section) to sort through the noise and find the direction for your feet?

[@laurabaker9101]

What's stopped me? The daunting learning curve, so much to learn and do. Especially in a role that I know I'm not qualified for. A quote from a recent vlog made me stop in my tracks, "if you're scared, then do it scared." That's really encouraged me as I prepare to move to a new continent and step into a ministry role that I know I'm not qualified for, and yet I have been called to. I just need to work on the next small step, even if I'm scared. Thanks for the encouragement!!

[@nicoleseay9085]

You got this. I'll stand with you in faith

[@LibraryAce]

If you are truly called, that is the qualification you need to get started! The things you need will come, including the courage to take each step. True courage isn't to not be afraid (sometimes that's just being stupid!) but to "do it scared" because you know it needs to be done.

[@laurabaker9101]

@SubtleFire Thank you for the encouragement! Since I wrote that first comment, I committed to the ministry position and will be moving to West Africa for a year. The Lord is good, and He's made the way so I can walk it, one small step at a time. Thanks again!!

[@Joyfulfarmer]

You absolutely evoke creativity in others. You encourage, motivate, and lighten the walk of others. I have big dreams, and believe that they can bear fruit because I have seen you share the bounty of your harvest of lessons and your success. Thank you for being so selfless in sharing with us and helping draw us forward with you.

[@rootsanddirt]

I almost welled up with tears at the end of this one. My word that the Spirit pressed upon me this year is, create. "Because it's hard to create when your focused on surviving." Thank you for adding to the breadcrumbs I'm to follow in this season of life. Many blessing to you!

[@GrowWithSara]

I needed to hear this thank you! Creating can pull us through the depths of our grief, while exposing us and making us vulnerable enough to heal. Create and grow sister 💛💛💛

[@patriciajohnson206]

Such a good way to put it. A lot of things I’m watching here line up with where I feel God leading me & gives so much hope for the season I’m currently in as well

[@sueglovan8344]

As a grandma blessed with 9 grandkids, this year I’m inspired by a sticker I got from your store “plant a legacy”. So after many years of gardening, I’m finally journaling my garden experience. Plants the grandkids planted, how they grew, what didn’t work and most of all how grateful we are that God blesses us with food and beauty. Our children blessed us at Christmas with a mentorship to a permaculture business that will be guiding us through growing our property. I’m so excited to learn. Praying that at almost 70, I’m not to old!

[@hazelbellefarm476]

This is so inspiring. Your journaling would make an amazing book for your grands one day.

[@tammynevil2422]

As long as you are breathing, you can accomplish things. Maybe trying writing a journal for each grand kid where you share memories of them in your garden , stories of your past, and prayers for their future then they will always have a piece of you that is special to them

[@sueglovan8344]

@@tammynevil2422 Tammy, what a beautiful idea. Thank you.

[@barbarafunk5118]

Oh my you just inspired me, I need to journal for my garden. I say this every year but the perfect time to be reminded

[@sueglovan8344]

@@barbarafunk5118 , Barbara so glad you will be joining me. I purchased a beautiful journal from company that Jess recommended, MIGardener. Enjoy!

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

I once realized that the best cook I knew could look in her fridge and inventory what was available, no matter how sparse, into a spontaneous delicious meal. I wanted to be able to do that! Now that I am gardening I have the days' harvest out on the kitchen counter and am starting to learn to pull together what is ripe into something new and creative every evening. I'm loving it!

[@SunshineBaubles]

I had so many green tomatoes before the arctic frost. I didn’t want them to go to waste. I used several in a quiche. It was really good. I froze the rest of the em whole to throw into something.

[@NanaPelletier]

@@SunshineBaubles try a green tomato ketchup.

[@SunshineBaubles]

@@NanaPelletier that sounds interesting.

[@augustethompson3964]

I do something similar but with the meats we have harvested and stores in our freezer. A few months ago I started “meal planning” once a week but slightly different than I’ve seen other people do. I sit with my planner and write down 6 main course meals trying to make sure I vary the cuisine and protein and pick items that I have most of the ingredients. Then I mentally go through my pantry in relation to each recipe and write my grocery list of what I need for those recipes. When I buy my groceries, I try to buy non perishables in bulk to help build my pantry up. When I first started my grocery lists were pretty long. Now that I have been doing this a while, my pantry is pretty well stocked and my weekly grocery trip is mainly to buy produce which will change once we get into the harvest season. I’ve also started doing “bread day” on laundry day since I’m inside stuck waiting around to swap laundry most of the day anyway. I make a few batches of cornbread, biscuits and loaves of slicing bread to partner with our planned meals throughout the week. I also plan on one “leftovers” meal a week and I don’t allocate meals to certain days cause I never know what I’m gonna be in the mood for or have the energy for. Even with all the prep, sometimes, I just look into freezer and grab a freezer meal to go into the oven and don’t cook anything and I don’t feel bad about it because there’s no rule that I can’t roll that planned meal item over to next weeks menu and it’s less to figure out for the next week 😉 I also cook double or triple meals and freezer portions to make those meals (thank you Becky from Acre Homestead)

[@PrairieDawnC]

@@augustethompson3964 , thank you from a fiftysomething empty nester. Bread day=Laundry day is brilliant!

[@feliciascraftyadventures4734]

I want to do something I love and provide for my family with it. I love making crochet toys. I did a couple of festivals last year, and felt like such a disappointment after every show. I want to learn how to share my lovelies with the world and feel that people appreciate them. Also, I want it warmer so I can get put in the dirt with my 8 yr old daughter and grow something, but I know that will come soon. The crochet maybe not so soon...

[@rebeccafox5041]

That is me. I am very much in survival mode. I have not dreamed or hoped about anything since I was a kid. I gave up dreaming.. In the vlog you did about, Doing it Scared, had me thinking about just stepping out and daring to dream. And now today's.. outlining is not just for writing.. writing the chapters out of order is ok in life too. We may not be where we thought we would be.. but we can hope, dream and write a new chapter. Thank you as always for sharing your heart with all of who are here even in the off season! 😁

[@chastain2825]

I couldn't have said it better myself

[@cherylharless281]

You summed up so many of my own feelings, Rebecca!

[@abhayathomas1232]

"..writing the chapters out of order in life is ok too"...isn't that the truth. You nailed it! I'm 68 and there's 7 acres waiting for all the things I never did when we got here 30 years ago.

[@rebeccafox5041]

@@cherylharless281 I will pray that you can start dreaming with me. ❤️

[@rebeccafox5041]

@@abhayathomas1232 I am on 5 acres here that was my parents. Most of it is wooded heavily. I have tried to preserve it how my dad wanted it. But I have also always wanted to live on an orchard.. Maybe it's the time to start dreaming about what kind of orchard. I'm 49. I have lived here all but 8 years of my life. It's time. ❤️

[@EverCrest]

The Father laid a dream on my heart 3 years ago when I was praying about a home for me and my family. He showed me this amazing piece of land, and so many amazing things we are going to do with that land. My immediate response to what is holding me back from that dream I would say is money and resources. But I’ve learned that’s not completely true. This year we decided to start where we are at and start growing and selling flowers and baked goods. We live on a small pice of land right now, so we are turning our waiting room into a class room. In making that decision to start where we are at now, I realized it’s more fear holding me back than anything! So I’m just doing it scared lol! The funny thing is the more I move forward the less I am afraid. You have been such an inspiration to me, you have no idea how you have blessed and encouraged me. Thank you and I bless you sweet friend. ❤

[@ginafoerster9523]

Praying for you all! If the Father laid it on your heart, then He will be there to guide your every step. So excited to hear or see what He does this year for you all. Those baby steps are Amazing!

[@sajmt1414]

Jess, y’all should do a calendar from all your farm and garden pictures!!

[@jeanrichards8042]

Cows! Give me all the lovely cows in a calendar and I will buy it!!! Oorrrr, better yet, do a Collab with other homestead channels with pictures of their animals! I'd love to have something like that. Even something like a calendar with garden shots and accompanying recipes for the produce pictured for that month... I'm a sucker for calendars and I'd love to be able to get something lovely and useful like that! Sheesh, now I'm all excited about it 😋

[@marilynnorford7049]

How about a tiny dream? I’m headed to 80, and awaiting the first show of my recently planted asparagus. I laughed as I told this to my four years older brother. He and his wife are building a new home, and he said his first planting will be a new asparagus bed! (He’s nearly completed a fourth sports-oriented book, and I’m working on a “chick” novel)

[@raversmead]

I have truly come to love the 'off season' on this channel. I'd even dare to say I enjoy your off season vlogs more than the garden videos now, because you never fail to teach me something. I came for the garden, but I stayed for the wisdom and life lessons 💕

[@lefteriskalantonis1054]

I feel the same way too!!

[@colleenbellscanadiangarden9180]

yes 100% me too

[@renah8081]

Not me sitting in Alberta thinking that it's wild that your views drop in the winter, because your videos help me get through said winter

[@mgottschalk66]

Jess, I have watched every single post since I found you in early 2020 after my husband died. He was a Vietnam Vet USMC Purple Heart recipient. 💜 In some ways, we were the older version of you and Miah. You and Miah and your family became my family. I went back to my raised beds and even started an in ground garden with my son and grandson. Now, our goal is to fix up our homes for eventual rent/sale and live in a multi generational home with some land. We have chickens and my son enjoys so much about living this way. The fixing up part is daunting as I also work full time, but I think 2023 may be a year to try and bring some unfinished business to closure and become excited about some new possibilities. Thank you for all that you do for all of us! We bless YOU!

[@jenniferarcher3323]

Jess, your channel for me is not even a gardening niche. It is simply you, as someone else in this thread already said. You inspire a flame in people's hearts. I love watching your channel! You have sparked thousands of ideas and dreams in me (and I am sure I am not alone), most of them are not even garden/homestead/family related. You have a gift for making people believe and hope and dream for the next big and wonderful thing for them and their lives. You show us how possible ANYTHING can be if you just go for it. I want to be the best realtor, i want to rehab old houses and make/keep them useful for 100+ more years, I want to make all the homes I can better for being loved and fixed by me. The thing that stops me is fear, lack of focused time, money, and I don't want to take away time with my family. Any suggestions, advice or prayers are always welcome :-)

[@DanaBarbieri]

I agree!

[@ourhomesteadclassroom]

As someone who lives in a nearly 100 year-old home and hope to pass it along to the next owners even better than we found it, I adore this dream of yours! Older homes have so many wonderful stories to tell about the people who have loved them!

[@fernwoodfarmshomestead4412]

That’s a beautiful dream! Have you looked for others with the passion to rehab homes that are older and found an investor that would be willing to help you? Their are many investors looking for a place to use their money to bring great change in communities all over.

[@shelly9121]

Jess, I love you all the seasons ❤️

[@LoveoftheDarkFiberArts]

I'm really surprised at the dip in views during the off season honestly. I literally come to youtube twice a day, in hopes of catching something new, and when theres not any new content, I go check out an oldie. LOL I'm officially addicted to your shows!

[@katherinezimmerman6453]

I am working out of survival mode; you telling me to do "the next right thing" would be the same advice I'd give others, but was the advice I'd never keep for myself. Thanks for reminding us that are caregivers, caretakers, that we can find solutions for ourselves too; that we can still realize our dreams. I love your non-gardening videos as much as the gardening kind.

[@jessidutton3441]

I just lost my husband to cancer, I was his sole caregiver. I'm trying to find my 'hope', that I can still have a life without him. Your comment helps.

[@SouthernDawne]

I've been there as a caregiver. Hard but with God's help, you will make it!

[@sybillesanderson4494]

I too am in survival mode. Retired from my full-time job and planning an exciting future with my new business and travel with my husband. That was in 2019. Then my Mom took to her bed to die imminently (took 2 3/4 years) and my stepfather became wheelchair bound and they needed and expected me to stop everything to take care of them. Now they are both gone to a better place but I am left with what could be another 2 years of dealing with their estate. I am so tired! Jess, you give me so much hope! Thank you! Last year I started a bunch of plant babies and then when it was just about time to plant them in the raised beds I had worked on, caring for Mom once again became a 24/7 requirement. Thank goodness my loving husband planted the tomatoes that survived and we got an abundant amount of the most wonderful tasting tomatoes that we all gobbled up!

[@Troupe112]

Jess, I just love your whole package, the gardening, the quiet times, the animals, the fowl, the buildings, the green house, photography, the building down town. There is not a video that doesn't inspire me. I am 69 and have autoimmune issues. I have been over twenty years in the healing process. I am not there yet, but getting there. So thankful I found you in 2020. Your family was the first family I discovered. Yes Jess, all of us are very invested in your home, your garden, the farm, but most of all your family.

[@growingonlessthantwo]

I love these little chats; it always feels like I'm on a walk with a friend & she knows what my soul needs to hear.. "Hope is everything; and coming to a place of not just surviving, but really feeling an overwhelming gratitude & thanksgiving" Thank you, dear Jess. 💓

[@CGoucher1025]

I can't imagine not continuing to watch your videos in the "off season". There is still so much I've learned from your videos, and I feel invested in your family. My husband and I have been watching your videos for so long I can't imagine missing the non-gardening happenings on the farm. As to what's stopping me from pursuing my dreams? Money, fear, and space. My dream is to build a handmade soap business that uses natural colorants, essential oils, and botanicals with the plan to grow as much of the botanicals as I can.

[@KKeefer]

I think this is a great idea! I would certainly buy your soap. I took a soapmaking class once. It was very interesting and a lot of fun. Sending prayers 🙏

[@coltrane3580]

Please share here if you do! I’ll be your first customer.

[@jeanrichards8042]

Yep, me too. I have the same dream and same road blocks. But I feel like, it won't always be like this...like right now just isn't the time, but it will be at some point. In the meantime, I make soap. Not as often as I like, but I work with my recipe, try new things, get feedback from (family mostly) outsiders occasionally. Turn your waiting room into a classroom, my dear, it will happen for you when the time is right, but it won't be right if you aren't ready. Yes, I'm working on taking my own advice too. Also...space...Meg Hollar of Hollar homestead runs a soap business and has made soap in a trailer house with 5 children, maybe check out their channel if you haven't already. She doesn't make soap all the time, so you might have to search through videos to find the ones where she talks about and makes soap, but it may help you in that aspect. I hope this helps us all to get one step closer to the dream we crave to have. Blessings

[@ourhomesteadclassroom]

I might not be able to help with the money, or the space, but as someone who started a small business in the last couple years I can speak to the fear part. I was terrified to put my art out into the world. And I think every new business owner is scared to start. But with each small step I took, each post on social media, each new skill I learned to make the business work, each new customer or positive comment made it just a lil' less scary. Like Jess said a few vlogs ago, you just gotta do it scared at first.

[@fernwoodfarmshomestead4412]

Yep I will buy your soap! I’m allergic to most commercial soaps due to all the artificial dies and chemicals in them. I’m always buying hand made soaps. Start your business! I think you can sell them on Etsy open your store on Etsy and sell what you can it will be a start and I’m sure all of us here will support you by sharing your store with others. Parsnips and poppies you do the same I want to buy original art work for my home. I’m sure others do too! Share your Etsy stores with us when you get them started! I’m going to do the same my husband makes some of the most beautiful bird houses I’m making a Etsy store this week for his bird houses and my things I make here on my farm. You guys can do this we all can! Thank you Jess! For helping us believe in each other and ourselves. ❤

[@charlesvickers4804]

One of my favorite teachers in high school was a retired iron worker that got a teaching degree in retirement. His whole focus was to ,Learn How To Learn. His view was the best way to learn how to learn is to outline. Everything we did had to do was required to be presented in outline format. His view was that it taught us to discern the important parts, the supporting parts and what to throw away. When you outline long enough everything you takes on that format.

[@GoingGreenMom]

That is a very interesting and intriguing thought. I have been making lists.... and then jumping off those lists with other lists, and in the context now, I'm realizing I've outlined my year. What I want to do, high points of each thing, and it almost looks like paragraph clumps with weird points out to the side as I get more granular researching things or narrowing down what I want to do on the various bigger picture stuff. Thank you for this perspective, my brain dump spreadsheet makes so much more sense right now.

[@charlesvickers4804]

@@GoingGreenMom one other part of having a good outline that is not talked about much is a set aside storage and staging aria. If I'm planning a project or there is common materials that I use for multiple projects. I scour fb marketplace and other sites ,the outline keeps me on track as to what I'm needing and looking for. Two by fours , bricks block, metal roofing, plywood, feeding and watering fixtures, whatever supports the plan and outline. I often get new materials at huge discounts. It may take a year to stockpile a project guided by the outline. Our 14 by30 quail barn took me 10months to stockpile, but I built it for under 5000$. This includes the 1by 12 pine siding that I waited for the off season at the local saw mill for a 30% discount. I spent 5 years in a naval mobile construction battalion and built projects on every continent including Antarctica. If our planning wasn't done well it could be disastrous. If materials,equipment,tools ,or craftsmen were missed it may have to ship from half way around the world. This leads to the next important part of my outlines and plans. I often hand them off to someone that I trust to understand what my end goals are to review. As good as I may believe I am , I always seem to miss something or misconceive something that outside input can improve on. Wishing you good fruition on your well laid outline.

[@kathymcmc]

I think he was right.

[@jenboyles5381]

2023 is the year for me and my business. I make decor, personalized items and Xmas ornaments. I started Moona's Creations in 2019 but kinda lost my spark for awhile. It's back and better than ever and I'm ready. I even created a FB page lol. I'm trying y'all. Thank you Jess for all you do!

[@barbaralopez7921]

Even during the off season, your farm has so Much to see by you sharing .

[@juliesutliff574]

You’re haircut Jess!!! I love it ❤

[@patz780]

I just have to say how wonderful it is to see you healthy again. Your joy is oozing out of your pores and from the constant smile on your face. Please don’t change anything you do. Those of us who will never miss an episode rely on your inspiration and example. I have been with you since the very early days and am so grateful for all you contribute and inspire in us. Thank you.

[@Wicked_urban_garden]

I want to live in a community that homesteads. I want to be the person who grows the chickens and collects food scraps from the community and hands out a dozen eggs. That’s what I want. 😊

[@coltrane3580]

Me tooo!

[@PrairieDawnC]

Baby steps! You'll do it.

[@ourhomesteadclassroom]

Just start with the chicken coop, then the chickens, and it sounds like you've pretty much got it figured out from there. From the sound of things, you're going to be a great chicken lady! 😊

[@Wicked_urban_garden]

@@ourhomesteadclassroom if only… unfortunately I’m in my waiting room. My house is in the city without any land. And when I say no land, I literally mean it. Everything is paved and my garden is in my parking spot. But, I do grow a lot of food. I’m not complaining. Someday I’ll have the chickens 😊

[@wucherwildlings]

That question is so big. My biggest drawback is judgment from close people and my biggest "leg up" would be self confidence. I've always been told I am a good artist and am great with children, but the idea of writing and illustrating my own homestead themed children's books is quite frankly terrifying because of the "you can't do it" or "it will never be good enough" narrative from family. Which is so hard. This past month has been a big one for soul searching (down with flu bug) and I've come to the conclusion that God wouldn't give me this big vision and fiery passion for no reason. Your current content has been such inspiration for me, I can't even convey the vastness of my gratitude 💝

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

You are exactly right dear. He didn’t put it in you for it to be hidden under a basket. Let that light OUT and he will put it on a stand to light the house!

[@coltrane3580]

You’ll have to share the book here when it’s finished!

[@SunshineBaubles]

All those bad narratives from friends and family are more about them than they are about you. Do what you love. Those who truly care about you will be right there to cheer you on.

[@Rebecca.Robbins]

I saw a great KZbin video about writing children’s books and publishing through KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). That would be a great place to start! I just published a “low content” book using KDP. My book is a vanilla / extract journal, but once I figured out how to do it cut was pretty easy! I’m working on a word search book now. You can totally do this! I know you can! ❤

[@patricedunckley4005]

It is hard when a family narrative is critical. And, it will be there whether you do the project or not. Your call to write is for the children who will read it, not for anyone else. Your wish may be for encouragement from those you love but that is separate from the call. One you may never achieve because of it being out of your scope of influence but the books, you can write. One of my stepmothers has self-published 19 children s books and sells many even without promoting them! Kids don’t critique books, they will enjoy yours. Write for them. Share your project only with the one or two folks that will be supportive and help it thrive in a safe environment.

[@sarahmannluker7528]

To me, your channel is about a family who loves their life on their farm! I love all the aspects of your lives that you share.

[@hensonhollerhomestead]

We are in the process of our dream right now. We currently live in a self built shed to home on family land. We have chickens, a small garden, some pet pigs, and the beginnings of my husbands woodworking shop. But after living in 200 sq ft for right at 2 years, we realize we are going to need more room to continue on. I grew up in town in a trailer park and gardening and preserving is completely new to me. My husband grew up doing all the things and swore he would never do them again. Boy am I glad he loves me! haha! Our 5 year goal is to expand our tiny house, our tiny homestead, and for me to be able to be home tending and stewarding what we have well. 10 year goal is to have my husband home as well and woodworking full time. Thanks Jess for inspiring me years ago!!

[@bekaho7494]

Dear Jess, Inspired by you, I am in the process of initiating an agricultural program at my fairly large Christian school. The administration at my school has been green lighting me to keep dreaming bigger, and I met today with representatives from a major university and a large agricultural foundation to discuss ideas for collaborating and creating a agricultural community. I am thrilled… and petrified!! Your videos have spoken directly to me recently, and I know many other people could say the same. You have a gift for teaching people to grow vegetables during the gardening season, but you are equally skilled at encouraging us to grow as people, even during the off season! I hope that you will continue to post videos that express your honest challenges and your dedication not to let your “imposter syndrome” feelings dominate your resolve to do the big things you feel God leading you to do. May God continue to bless you as you keep reaching for the stars!

[@mindypowers]

O my goodness! What a wonderful opportunity! God bless in your endeavors!

[@mlee7037]

I love this!!❤

[@Selah.in.the.Smokies]

Bekah this is incredible! I wish you the best and am praying for boldness and perseverance in the weeks and months to come!

[@amytate1013]

I love your channel in the off season. I do have a dream ,it big for me, but I talked to my 17 year old daughter after your video the other day and told her my dream was to customize our home from new windows to a kitchen that works for me. So I’m going to learn how to use different power tools and start remodeling our home to fit our needs and she was on board I told her I was nervous about it her reply was how do you eat an elephant, one bite at a time 😂

[@PrairieDawnC]

Many ideas I have for my home involve handy skills I don't have yet. Thank you for the inspiration. I'm going to learn!

[@jenn6838]

That is a great dream! Please plan out what you are going to do and draw up everything. I design and draw homes for a living, and just finished building an addition on my home. The drawing board is the place to make mistakes! Paper is cheap! Build a birdhouse (or something small) to get familiar with the power tools. Make sure to have the correct insulation and flashing to keep your home warm and free of water. If you feel overwhelmed hire an expert for an hour to come and take a look at the project. Good luck!

[@amytate1013]

@@jenn6838 thanks for the help I really do appreciate that ☺️ I do have my uncle on standby to help if I get overwhelmed

[@fernwoodfarmshomestead4412]

You got this! Take it one tool at a time and learn it then move on do birdhouses as practice then sell them as you make them. That can give you extra money for your remodel.

[@jenn6838]

@@amytate1013 That's great news! I had to learn to embrace the overwhelm and just stick to my decisions. Once I started second guessing things is really where I would sprial.

[@DebWHNP]

My dream is to have a full garden. Enough to feed my husband and I as well as chickens for eggs. I am 68 and just got started last year. What stops me is my full time job (but I need the garden up and running before retiring) and physical limitations if my age. I get overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done. You helped me by reminding me to write things down. Then I can put things in order and do it step by step instead of seeing this giant, overwhelming dream. Thank you.

[@SunshineBaubles]

I need to write things down. It is overwhelming just thinking about all that needs to be done in the garden. My physical health limits me too. Along with that I also have, what I am sure is depression and have to work a job that is hard to do physically. Prayers for you to get done what is needed.

[@DebWHNP]

@@SunshineBaubles gardening has improved my anxiety and depression, too. There's something healing about putting your hands in the soil, planting the seed, seeing the first green sprout and then eating the first fruit from your tiny seed... It's magical! Thanks for the prayers.

[@SunshineBaubles]

@@DebWHNP you are right. I do feel better, mentally, after working in the garden or greenhouse. And I absolutely love being able to go outside and get some fresh vegetables. It’s awesome. I just wish my knee would cooperate.

[@heidiweinert3260]

@@DebWHNP I so agree with this. Although, about this time of year I am becoming afraid that my ADD and SAD are starting to kick in and I worry the passion to garden might have just been another passing phase for a season. I wonder what it will take to drive me outdoors to get those first hits of dopamine to hopefully press me forward with hope for a better gardening year than the last one.

[@denisemouledous7352]

@DebWHNP I’m right there with you!! I’m 64, retiring this May, and have only been vegetable gardening since 2020. I started out that year with 1 4x8 bed and know have a little potager garden - 2 4x4 beds, 1 3x11 bed , 1 3x9 bed plus a 3 ft round garden bag. I’ve added 5 fruit trees and 3 blueberry bushes and a green stalk full of strawberries. Before I retire I’d like to add 2-3 more raised beds but the price of lumber is holding me back. And I’m a widow with a high school senior so I need to do it before he leaves for college! I really want chickens but I’d like to travel in the next year to see my kids, grandkids, and great grandkids in the next year after I retire so chicks may have to wait!

[@MsJay0913]

I've found that I often do the same thing when writing poetry.. Many times I'll have the ending before I have the rest. I just leave blank lines in between to go back and fill in. Or I'll have something I want to say but know that's not really the place to start, so I'll skip a couple of lines for the beginning and just write. It really is a great tip! It can be so stifling to try to write everything in order from start to finish, and you can easily start to lose all the words that were flowing so effortlessly in your brain, because you got hung up on one part, or even trying to find the perfect word.. Just skip it and come back later.

[@elliedennis6538]

I’ve been in that “crying over homesteading books I can’t afford” phase for a long time now, and will be for a while longer. These videos are my hope(though sometimes they evoke the same feeling as the books). Thank you so much for sharing your life with us! You keep me inspired and hopeful when not much else can. ❤

[@rentedspace7462]

I’m with you you. Money is honestly my biggest problem. However I borrow books from the Library and from work colleagues and friends. I also am propagating as much as possible to slowly gain my indoor plant collection and even my fruit trees. Ask on Facebook for cuttings I promise you can use anything as a pot. Even yoghurt tubs

[@LoneTraveler-nc6rf]

I very much enjoy your off-season content! From my perspective, I look at you as a lifestyle brand. 😊

[@charlesbrooks5003]

Yeah like Oprah

[@WhittAcres]

300,000? Maybe one day for me. Love your garden tours, you inspired me to do my own hour long garden tours just walking and talking around my gardens. Great to see you feeling better! And glad to have more content to watch. Thanks!

[@janeygunn4311]

Love your garden tours!

[@hankwilliams4093]

You'll get there! I love your videos!

[@cwhittaker6714]

Just takes time, no doubt you'll get there, love watching all your channels

[@kilochase5560]

I watch you both!

[@poppyelrod7188]

Yay!! And channel I can follow!!!

[@apiecemaker1163]

I understand the joy and the bubbling over. I’m 57 and a few years ago, I was put on a feeding tube at Mayo Clinic for extreme gastroparesis. Lost 65 lbs in 6 months. I was supposed to be on it for life. I also got a rare eye disease that made me go from 20/20 to 20/100 and 20/800 vision. Lost my license at 53 because of being legally blind. Well, I’m now off the feeding tube and had eye surgery and have 20/40 in one eye and 20/800 in the other. Are there struggles? Absolutely but there is joy, 😂and hope, and yes creativity, and dreams. I think big and dream big. I want a high tunnel and a community garden. That’s my dream. God is my strength and you are an inspiration. Thank you.

[@denniscunningham1272]

Thank you Jess, for taking the time and effort to actually steward and cultivate this community you have in R&R, and this Vlog was a great example of that, bless you

[@dinri5544]

"Sometimes we have to find ourselves out, before we know the direction to go." Sometimes, Jessica, you hit me square between the eyes! ❤️

[@mirjammclachlan2308]

Prayer changed things! Knowing that others think, feel, and dream the same things (growing our family healthy food etc) helps too.

[@angelakaufman6153]

I personally love the laid back, daily life videos. It's like visiting with a good friend, which I don't have in "real life." I need this content in my life, and I'm thankful for you.

[@ceciliapardun]

Honestly the biggest thing that stops me is fear, not feeling good enough and worrying about what people will say or think… I love how you inspire us. Thank you so much!

[@missyaltman9815]

I am living my dream! I have been a postpartum doula for 10+ years (after being a stay-at-home mom to 3 boys who are now all married, 2 with kids of their own) and at 56 I became certified as a child sleep consultant! Starting a business driven by referrals and online content has been a steep learning curve for me. But last year I made more money than I’ve ever made in my life! Working part-time! But it’s not the money for me…this is my passion! I love helping other people get the sleep they need once I help their children to sleep better! We all need sleep!

[@chrisashley7834]

Hi there from A fellow PP doula!

[@coltrane3580]

So amazing! Congrats!

[@julieb7068]

I had no idea you could become A certified child sleep consultant! Children these days do NOT get nearly enough sleep. I’m always harping about it to my own children. They have long since learned the vitality of sleep even though I keep reminding them. 😁

[@laurarochester3054]

Hello, my grandson is 3 1/2. At least 3-4 nights a week he does sleep through the night. How do I find a good child sleep consultant? I know could just google but I was really hoping you could give advice me on how to go about it. I have never heard of it before. Thank you!

[@missyaltman9815]

@@julieb7068 yes, I agree! And parents don’t realize how different their children would be behaviorally speaking if they got more sleep, too!

[@emmayeager5864]

I love to see your "off-season" life ☺️

[@tracyzabelle]

I think there's some of us that just because we know we are supporting your Channel would watch you walking around drinking tea or coffee

[@diannamc367]

Or run those videos in the background while we walk around drinking coffee or tea🥰

[@LibraryAce]

I always love a good review of a new tea! 🫖

[@rainerounduphomestead8942]

I’ve always dreamed of homesteading full time. However, my husband grew up very poor and insists on me having a stable, consistent job, which I totally understand. So, we are getting our farm ready for full time homesteading, for when we retire. We’re expanding the garden this year. Last year, he built me a beautiful greenhouse. Can’t wait to start my seeds! We’ve raised chickens and ducks for a long time. By time we retire, all of our fencing and infrastructures will be set and paid for. My last two rescue horses are elderly, so when they pass, we’ll be changing the fencing for cattle, pigs or goats, we haven’t decided which route we want to go but, I’m studying in the classroom, for when the time comes 🤠 Thank you Jess, for all of your faith and encouragement

[@choirmom78]

I think I enjoy all your content because you share your spirit. You are a real treasure. 🙏❤🕊

[@virginiaallisonpeck2517]

❤❤❤

[@MsJay0913]

I think it's so interesting to hear how much you really have in common with people you share a common interest with.. I found your channel because of gardening, and then BAM! You're also into cooking, writing, and photography and your heart is moved by beautiful things/views.. Introverted but not shy alone in front of a camera... It's just amazing to me. 😊

[@kathyolivares6557]

I retired a year ago after 23 years in law enforcement. I always felt a calling to start a small business and a passion for homesteading. I started making jelly from prickly pear fruit and mesquite beans. It was really good! Our local feed store hosted a farmer’s market so I set up a booth and offered samples. I sold out! Everyone who tried it bought at least one jar! I was encouraged so I have been selling the jelly once a month at the market and am starting to get special orders when I’m not there. 🥰 I also have goats and am making and selling goat milk soap, which is also doing quite well. I keep taking the next small step and hope to keep learning and growing.

[@jackiestoppel4086]

The world is a better place with you in it. Thank you.

[@Mindy56743]

I am so glad that you are feeling better. I know the power of prayer and to be able to pray for someone is huge.

[@christinepfeiffer6365]

I love that you keep posting in the off season. I enjoy hearing your thoughts and processes as well as you and your family’s other interests and how overall they intersect. For example your beautiful pictures of the cows and chickens.

[@csprings71]

Biggest thing holding me back is me , wanting to start over in a new place , start a small business, and also be a content creator, just been lost for awhile... Jess brings hope and a break from my little world... thank you

[@s30123]

Severe ADD is a wild nemesis. You can do anything but you can't do anything. That is a very big challenge. Starting a food truck would be so fulfilling

[@arkrosebud1540]

You’ve been a great inspiration for very many of us who really don’t have a clue what we are wanting in this crazy life. I found you about two years ago and have learned a lot. Though my garden is not great, it does get better each time I try. Finances are my biggest struggle as a recent retired woman. I could really use some prayers to find the courage and strength to get my life in order and feel better about myself. I am so happy and proud of all you and your sweet man have accomplished. Glad to hear you are doing better young lady.

[@lorriegambrell7549]

I will pray for you! I just turned 65 and you said it with finding the courage and strength to get your life in order. I am recently released from 24-7 caregiving for my adult autistic son as he moved into supportive living. Even just a few container gardens is my goal for this spring!

[@kimgoren8895]

I am praying for you.

[@jennawinkelman8260]

Sending love and prayers.

[@SunshineBaubles]

Prayers for you. I turn 51 this month and feel like my life is out of order. I feel like there was more order years and years ago. Now, not so much.

[@coltrane3580]

Sending you prayers of abundance!

[@kathycannon4805]

I like the vlogs because you constantly have a narrative running in your head. I do too, and it’s so comforting somehow.

[@StephyKristine]

I know exactly what you mean. It's like, she's thinking out loud and sharing with us? Lol, if that makes sense. It's so honest and refreshing!

[@katmacie2369]

I think a lot of us creative types do this but most don't discuss it out loud.

[@eva.z.]

Thank you Jess for all of your hope and thanksgiving and encouragement. It's such a joy to be able to share that with you for a moment

[@WelcometomyCapeCodlife]

Dreaming. Over the past few years I’ve been turning my backyard into a hobby homestead. Every season I expand my dream because in a few years I hope to retire. I have 6 hens and many raised beds and 2 Green stalks (thanks for the discount!). Last year I started a KZbin channel documenting this journey as well as utilizing the unique resources of my area picking beach plums, taking clams and oysters and crabbing. Of course if you do all these things you need to cook all this food so I’m doing cooking videos as well. I would like to see my channel grow. I jokingly refer to it as my retirement plan. I enjoy creating content and at the very least I’ll have some legacy videos for the family. I’ve learnt some much about content creation this year and yet there is so much more to learn . I remember when I figured out how to upload a thumbnail, I was ecstatic. It’s the small victories. Jess thanks for the joyful inspiration!

[@LLAMA-LLAMA]

That’s funny, I watch the most gardening content during the late fall and winter because that’s not only when I’m jonesing to garden but it’s when I focus on learning about what I’m growing the following season and plan. Its so nice to see that you’re feeling better, we can really see your spirit shining again. Thanks for bringing us along today and for always being such an inspiration to us all.

[@sherrybacon8041]

I am so excited Bri is back!!! I feel like you would know this maybe? She is going to garden again. Maybe you all could help her with seeds, plants starts, compost, homemade beds ect. I am just so happy she came out on the other side ♥️♥️♥️

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Yes, I’m so glad she’s deciding to share on social media. She is a very wise and precious woman with so much to offer people. And yes, I’ve been aware and involved throughout the last year and have just respected her privacy and kept anytime I spent off social media.

[@grandmasewhappyhomestead187]

@@RootsandRefugeFarm praise the Lord for you and many others who have been there for her and her family. They have been on my prayers and thoughts a lot over the last year. And that's when I pray and Trust that the Lord will put people in their pathway. Thank you for being one of the many blessings to them

[@deborahavary5185]

@@RootsandRefugeFarm Jess Sweetheart, you and your Precious Loving family are SO LOVED!!! Y'all are so Loyal and True Loving friends 💜 Y'all have SO much RESPECT for everyone. I Pray GOD WILL BLESS y'all A HUNDREDFOLD for every good deed y'all do. Thank y'all so very much for sharing so much with us. GOD IS SO GOOD 😊 I Thank GOD 🙏 for each and every one of you!!! A Beautiful Loving Spirit filled community. Have A Beautiful Blessed Peaceful night.

[@amytheamateurherbalist]

Love the idea of coming together to support and build each other up-something that is much needed in this world!! "Hope and Fear cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay". -Maya Angelou

[@greatestchampion]

Thank you for this video! My husband and I are 1 year into our first home/farm. I’m from Los Angeles and moved to the heart of Virginia. We are VERY green to homesteading. I started a KZbin channel(not this account) and Jess you are constantly and inspiration. Our dream is to creat a place to train up pastors with $0 cost. We want our farm to be a retreat for current pastors as well as a place to gather and encourage/sharpen those in ministry. We would appreciate y’all keeping us in prayer.

[@airwrecka213]

“When you’re in survival mode you can’t hope.” Thank you Jess, I am coming out of my survival mode now and I am ready to live in a way that I thrive. Some of the things you’ve said about knowing how bad it was until you’re better have really resonated with me. On the other hand, I am also thankful that I went through something like that while young so I can savor how good it is now! And set myself up to thrive in the many years I have coming😊

[@lindastokes9217]

I have all kinds of ideas❤, love when you simply share your heart! It leaves me hopeful. I was sick with a respiratory virus, and my immune system is acting crazy. So right now I’m dealing with weird skin issues,… so surviving is the goal. Thanks for the hope!

[@pink071602]

Jess, both you and Acre Homestead have inspired this middle aged lady to dive deep into canning after a 30+ year hiatus, planning a small garden (I don’t have much space), and helping me feed my family better food. You’re teaching this Grandmom a bunch of new things. I thank you.

[@cindyfrabott5871]

Same!

[@poppyelrod7188]

Same here!! Only, I haven’t been on hiatus, I’m just learning.

[@michellenoel2725]

FYI, you are always the content that keeps me watching! The person that you are and the messages you give are more that the thing you are teaching us! I do love gardening, but that’s not why I watch every video you put out. The thing that’s stopping me in following my dreams is confidence, confidence to move past the fear! Thank you for hanging out with us today, love you Jess! So happy you are on the other side of the sickness and thriving in your health! ❤❤❤

[@SoilandMargaritas]

I love this! I started loving your content way back then… I got here because of the gardening but I stayed for everything else, I don’t have cows nor any desire to have any in the near future but I remember when we were all waiting for your updates on IG about one of your cows giving birth… you are the niche.

[@nancyhewetson9517]

So true!!

[@FiveCanadianAcres]

"You are the niche", love this, so true!!

[@charlesbrooks5003]

Yep

[@oldruggedcrossfarm]

Gotta tell ya. I have just had KZbin autoplaying your channel all day every day since the middle of December. 🤣 My kids just call it Jess's Farm Channel. It's my favorite thing.

[@jonescreekfarm9084]

Things that hold me back are usually one of three things: Time, money, or skill. All of which can be fixed with the first. With time, I can acquire more skill and money. Usually my dreams are so big that I get overwhelmed by them, wondering how I’m ever going to get there. Right now the current goal/dream is opening my soap shop/farm stand. I had no construction skills but since having a large shed delivered, I’ve learned to do insulation, drywall and currently I’m installing flooring. All new skills I’ve never had before now.

[@melsolomon8256]

The thing that is holding me back the most is my health. I am now in physical therapy. While I'm working on it, I try to work towards my goals.

[@Rebecca.Robbins]

Jess, I guess ultimately I want to inspire people to make things with their own hands. I want to be able to support my family with my KZbin channel. I’m working my face off to do it! I can’t niche down to a specific thing. Mostly I post about weaving and vanilla making with some bread making, baking and gardening thrown in for good measure! I think my “problem” is that it just takes time. I have LOVED this video. You are so inspiring! ❤️

[@patricedunckley4005]

Inspiring people to make things with their own hands - that’s the niche. You don’t need to be attached to what they make to do that, just give them examples of making, which you are doing. 😮nice work!

[@audacitytosurvive]

Maybe you're a maker. That's what I call myself.

[@MelissaCPate]

Been trying to write a book and you described me to a T . thank you for sharing this Jess I needed this

[@lindseyspaulding8767]

I want to have a community garden which partners with local schools to help maintain and plant the garden. Then once a week, I want to have a harvest celebration with the community and teach a cooking class to show how to use the fresh produce. I think it would be amazing for the community to sit down over a fresh dinner and just enjoy each other's company.

[@iamslbc]

Content focus is SEASONS. Seasons in life, gardening, food preparation and preservation, animal husbandry, family and community. How do they balance? How do they integrate on the calendar and clock?

[@natashaharkins8716]

Next month it'll be a year since I quit my job that was doing nothing for me except adding to my guilt and feelings of unworthiness. I came home for my marriage, my boys, and myself. It's taken me that entire time to rid myself of those feelings and to start to dream again. My dreams are a beautiful garden, chickens in the yard, and happy children running around this year. I want to be able to get back to being happy with simplicity instead of stressed with the pressures of the world. Thank you for giving space for even those simple dreams. 💙

[@sarahshuman996]

My dream is to own a market garden

[@GreenWitchHomestead]

I can not thank you and Morgan both enough for that KZbin series. It got me started !! And helps all the time

[@michelewhite1150]

I am not a homesteader, you inspired me to grow food a few years ago. I will and do watch your content as often as you post and I watch everything you post because of you cx

[@nmdispatchlady]

Jess, this right here is exactly why I love this channel, Yes even having been a gardener most of my 60 something years I still learn so much from you. Not just in the garden but how to live well. I have lived in the struggle for survival for so long that I have had to learn how to ENJOY living not just getting thru. Not going to say that I am there yet but every time I tune in to watch you "chasing ducks" or a myriad of other things, I get a little more about how to do that. So very glad that you are feeling better and it shows! God bless

[@FiveCanadianAcres]

Thank you for sharing your off-season, so many golden nuggets to consume :) Also I am so glad you are feeling better, your spirit seems so light and joyful! I watched your series with Morgan, it was helpful as there aren't many KZbinr's giving advice that are from the homesteading niche (which I feel is a special little niche on KZbin, the viewers aren't your typical KZbin viewers). I would love to see your tips for filming in the garden and around the homestead. Also what your editing process looks like, that seems to be the most time consuming part. I am working on my youtube channel, I really want to help those in colder areas working with a short season. We can grow so much more than many people think!! But there are gardening "rules" we have to bend and sometime break to achieve the most we can :)

[@coltrane3580]

That is a great idea! There is such a need for that.

[@FiveCanadianAcres]

@@coltrane3580 Thank you :) I am hoping to fill a little of that need!

[@ourhomesteadclassroom]

I would also like to see some of this behind the scenes filming/editing content.

[@lindawoody8501]

I have a suggestion - if you wish to take wildlife photos of the waterfowl on the pond, maybe buy a portable tent type of duck blind that hunters use and hide within - you have to wait for a few days so the ducks won't think the thing is a threat and are used to it. You also have to go in when the ducks will not notice you walking in. There will be a hidden flap you can hide behind and the camera lens out to take the pictures. Or make a natural type blind with vegetation but that is messier. I used to stand behind large trees to take pictures of ducks herons and geese.

[@asc3998]

I would like to have a huge productive garden, learn how to preserve it & share it with others. I want to become more self sufficient, learn to cook better, sew, how to use power tools, do home repairs, do little DIY projects... Jess nailed what's holding back - I've been living in survival mode for so long. Everything seems impossible right now. I can't make decisions, even ones as simple as choosing a grow light, seeds, seed companies... Jess has been an inspiration in so many ways. Things that she's mentioned about gardening & so many other things are transferable to do many other areas of life. It's because of her, this channel, this community that I planted a garden last year, that I've taken baby steps in other areas. Yes, I slip back, become overwhelmed & give up over & over, but I wouldn't have anything to slip back from if not for here. Thank you all!

[@pamelapruitt2558]

"Hope is everything" Amen and Amen. I went thru a severe depression 8 years ago. After a year of therapy, I started to hope again. I have no big dreams. In fact, at my age, my dreams have been fulfilled. I have my faith and I have a wonderful husband. I have a home and a garden. I have everything I need and ever wanted. And I thank Jesus every day for his abundance. I hope and pray that all of you are as blessed as I feel.

[@angelaminutolo5112]

I love this vlog,we had a dream( my hubby and I) we wanted to move into our RV full time so we could travel and have unlimited time with our special needs daughter.Well we made our dream come true in August..We are now wintering in S TX( from Michigan) and absolutely loving our life.I have my greenstalk to garden in,I still bake my own bread and cook all of our meals....we are living our best life,both being retired in our early 50's and going wherever we desire...follow your dreams,no matter how big or small they are.

[@rose77778888]

My dream is a resource center/refuge for people who need to escape horrible situations. A place to heal, learn skills, gain knowledge. I know that I don't have the resources, for any of it, except for living on people, and teaching what I can. And I still have a lot of healing to do myself. I see a coalition of different ministries from around the area. Some to teach, some to help with funding, most definitely a board of directors, and advisors. Seriously I just want to love on the people, feed them, and teach them how to grow, and preserve food, and how to cook from scratch.

[@theblueblazebeyond4766]

My experience of being a creator and being around many creative people is that they are drawn to SO MANY mediums ....(hey, squirrel!) whether it is gardening, photography, video creation, needle crafts, wild crafting, etc. .... sometimes it is challenging to pinpoint ONE thing. So your love of gardening is only one aspect of what draws people to your channel. Do what you love - love what you do. Be in the moment and embrace it!

[@ourhomesteadclassroom]

I feel so seen and understood in this community's comment section. 🐿

[@choirmom78]

Yeah...it has been so nice to get a Roots and refuge fix just about every day. 🌻

[@marigoldmeadowsfarm7495]

I’ve always let finances steal my dreams. Please friends, don’t do that. When we moved to central Ky we prioritized everything. I’m still working through my list. I thank you Jess for creating content, encouraging those of us who thought we couldn’t until we knew we could. I’m thankful God let me pray for you in your hours of need. I’m thankful I could stand in the gap for you when all you could do was watch TV & snuggle babies because I’ve been there. This is my first season in 30 years that I’m not in an RA flare. When we share our love and prayers with someone the blessings coming back will take our breath away …. like that sunset you photographed. We. Bless. You!!! Thank you, debby

[@kathymcmc]

I'm sorry you have RA. I have PsA. Psoriatic Arthritis is RA's sister but gets crappy skin too. The strange weather is really messing with me this year. Fatigue is crippling. Good luck.

[@marigoldmeadowsfarm7495]

@@kathymcmc I’ve added you to my prayer journal. In my family autoimmune disease & hemochromatosis (genetic iron overload) are on both sides of my family so I understand the yucky skin part. I am so very sorry. My daddy’s nails would split & crack Way up into the bed of his finger nails. He was a hard worker so it wasn’t until he got sick & was forced to retire that he was able to play in the soil & pursue wood working & furniture making. He kept work gloves handy, always wore long sleeved shirts in the sun & wore a brimmed hat. I wish I were that faithful…I am trying to remember sun protection. Be safe and keep living life to the fullest!!!

[@augustagootee6254]

Matigold meadows farm would like to learn how prioritize finicial. Rt now so many things between dad funeral my son medical and all thebother typical plus a farm. And how awesome u live central ky so do we ....maybe we are close. We been on survival mode it was very hard even to write poem for my dad funeral bc I was struggling so much with everything happening. But I did get wrote took me all night but I was determined. Bless u jess for sharing this some how the lord knows when I need some pep talk about life and sorting it all out. And somehow u always hit spot on bless u

[@vipdecalsinteriors8433]

I struggle with direction because I am "too" passionate. I love the garden and garden planning, I love animal rescue, I love my chickens, I love creating projects for my daughter, I love decorating a space, I am definitely an amateur, but I love photography, I love looking at homes and dreaming of their potential which drove me to get my real estate license, I love cooking, I researching and finding the best products/techniques/methods for a given task, I love community. I am overall just a really passionate person and I feel lonely in that. I find it hard to find those who match my level of interest in anything that I enjoy. My family and friends are supportive, but nobody shares the passion with me. Honestly, that's what I love most about your channel. When I watch your videos, I feel like I am hanging out with a friend that shares my passions! It has even made me consider starting a channel of my own simply as an outlet for my love, dedication and passion for these hobbies....no, not hobbies, rather way/purpose of living.

[@ashleynichols8185]

I accomplished my 1st dream last year, after two years of going to college online, quitting my job of 9+ years, making my husband become the single income source of our family during those 2 years. GOD knew I was worried, being out of school over 10 years, having three small girls, taking care of our home, not bringing in a second income to help. But I did it, now I have a wonderful online from home job and I'm helping our family financially again and now I can find a new dream🥰 GOD is good and wants the best for us always!