You Can Become a Stay-at-Home Homesteading Mama | Katie of Lost Oak Sheep Farm

I hear from countless women who have a dream of starting a homestead and making it their full-time lifestyle. Katie of Lost Oak Sheep Farm had the same dream, and she put her nose to the grindstone to make it a reality. In our conversation, we talk through what it looked like for Katie to leave her full-time career as a teacher and begin her life as a stay-at-home homesteading mama raising sheep with a baby strapped to her back. Whether the homesteading lifestyle seems like a far-off dream or it is your current reality, I know this chat with Katie will inspire you with what is possible!
In this episode, we cover:
- Why Katie decided to go full-time in raising sheep on her farm
- How Katie’s efforts to save her household money turned into homesteading
- The reality of what it looks like to go from two full-time incomes down to one
- How to make money raising sheep
- Navigating work on a homestead with young kids in tow
- Adjusting to a new definition of productivity as a stay-at-home mom
- How to start a homesteading journey if you don’t have a lot of land
- Embracing the learning curve of homesteading skills
- Using the skills from your education or career to serve you in your role at home
- Addressing the financial concerns around transitioning from a career to home
- Adapting to each new season and challenge life brings
- How many acres do you need to raise sheep?
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ABOUT KATIE
Katie is a homesteading wife, mama, and shepherdess who spends her days raising lambs, growing cut flowers, working on farm projects, preserving garden food, and trying to glorify the Lord through it all. Tapping into those skills of self sufficiency allowed her to step away from her career and into the role of a stay-at-home farm mom. As a former teacher, she now hopes to teach and encourage others to pursue the simple life.
CONNECT
Katie Carrico of Lost Oak Sheep Farm
Website: www.lostoakfarm.com/
Instagram: / lostoaksheepfarm
Facebook: / lostoakfarm
Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone
Blog: www.farmhouseonboone.com/
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[@aprilyeno1919]

Ladies, for me, the reason I love creators like you is EXACTLY because it is a “peek” into your lives. The honest way, Lisa, you present yourself and life is so inspirational and calming and joyful! And your guests clearly are “curated” because you’ve spent love and prayer to guide your choices and recognize that quality in others!!! I hope if you read comments again you see this one, speaking love into your life and gratitude into those like you. Community is so hard to find, but when you create one, those who are “lost” come knocking!! Pray for them, offer your nourishing content and if they choose not to drink it in, that’s on them. Send them on their way with a prayer! They need it more! God bless and see you soon ❤🙏🏻 Thank you for sharing.

[@snuggisthecute]

You mentioned putting your college degree to use even while homesteading (because she still teaches). Well, I can tell you, I'm working full-time in healthcare and my college degree is still useless as it has nothing to do with my current career lol! There are way too many useless college degrees available lol.

[@renevanzyl7084]

"What am I willing to sacrifice?" That's the crux/tipping point that is unique to each as it's based on personal value systems. And therefore, something that someone will have to decide for themselves. Great episode: we are also thinking or returning back to the farm. Episode suggestion: returning to farming/homesteading from living in the city😊

[@amossymindset]

This came at such a perfect time! We just moved to the UP from Nashville, where we had an urban farm, and now we currently living in a rental looking for our future homestead. I lost my job unexpectedly before we moved and now we are pregnant! I used to work as a chef then in tech so k never imagined I would be pondering and excited about being a stay at home mom but here I am! My husband is so excited for me to transition to this way of being & we are just going to make it work however we can. As someone who never saw their mother from all the hours she worked to out food in our table, I feel so blessed to be able to have this option. Now to listening to the podcast haha!💚🌿

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

So exciting!!!

[@saintamerican6105]

this is one of my favorite episodes thank you :) she mentioned 1 on 1 time with GOD amen!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@FarmhouseHarvest]

The longer I live, the more I’m convinced, life is a strange time warp! ❤

[@roszcutler9724]

I’m not a big podcast listener Lisa especially if there really long, but I walked early and decided to sit and knit and listen and glad I did. Coming from all the experience I’ve had growing up on a farm and having one it’s great to know you younger farmers/homesteaders are out there especially now with the craziness out there. You learn from each other. Sometimes I wish I was younger so I could get a milk cow. My hope is if my grandchildren ever go the homestead route the Lord willing we’ll be here to support them and teach them what we learned or direct them to you. 😊 I enjoyed your podcast with Katie ( not positive about her name) what a sweet gal! God bless you both

[@TheMsbourreau]

Such a perfect timing, thank you so much ladies! We live in Canada and just moved from a suburban home to a 129-acres (30-acres cleared land) property and my dream is to build a homestead and stay home with my 17 month old (and his future sibling). We both have extremely stable jobs with good benefits, but it's not the life we want. Thank you again for sharing a part of your life to help us see what's possible 😊

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

That is awesome!

[@frillyunicornpoo2529]

I would definitely recommend looking into Wiltshire sheep, if you don't want wool Sheep, they shed themselves, and I'm fairly certain they are a breed that haven't been bred and changed. Very yummy meat! We breed them on our homestead

[@aimeec-b6253]

Yes to ALL OF THIS!!! And thank you for talking about it. I don’t see much content on this. I’ve also got a 2yo and a baby while homesteading (I also found you through your solly wrap video). I’m now 40, injuries from the army, and very little help from family, so it’s definitely not easy. Nevertheless totally worth it. I think ultimately we look for ways to just get the priorities done. Grit. Determination. (and watching less tv and social media). All that being said, Good job to both you ladies!!

[@Debra309]

Oh Lisa, I LOVE your videos. Why people have to be so poopy is beyond me. I have never ever felt you to be anything other than credible with a longing to help others. Thank you and your family for all you do. Maybe the poopy people need to read their Bible. 😇

[@zinab2blessa]

This is so beautiful. Community is an important thing. I hope God blesses me with a marriage and children one day❤️

[@RP-cn8si]

Listening while making your bagels! Thanks for all you do, Lisa :)

[@chris4370]

May be my favorite podcast yet, I can relate to Katie so much down to the 2 little boys! So many similarities! I am moving soon to 40 acres and was very interested in getting sheep, thanks for this! Couldn't have come at a better time

[@Lmr6789s]

I so want sheep so that's so interesting. They are better for making cheese with as they give double the amount of milk solids compared to cows. Would love an episode more about keeping and raising sheep!

[@Homestead.Healing]

I've never enjoyed listening to podcasts or watching youtube videos longer than about 15 minutes, but I love your podcasts and your videos on your other channel, too!

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Thanks for listening

[@karimills1378]

I love all of your podcasts and this one is no exception! Thank you for such great content.

[@rough-hewnhomestead5737]

THIS may be my new favorite of your many awesome interviews! I enjoyed every single word...especially Katie's advice to read your Bible! Also... I'm from WV and that gorgeous KY accent is music to my ears! God bless you both, Lisa and Katie!

[@kaitlynslice673]

Love this encouragement❤️

[@malloryhuffstickler6667]

Loved this episode! ❤

[@michellezevenaar]

Child care is so expensive! For many mothers the only reasons they are still working is to be able to still build up pension and to be able to see other adults. Financial you could only be making like 100 a week after all the costs associated with working as a mother.

[@snuggisthecute]

Yes, you're right. I wonder if it's worth it once we actually retire...

[@daphblue]

I’m blessed to be able to work from home now after having my baby. Someone else in my office with a baby is doing it too. Otherwise we both would’ve had to quit. She can’t find an affordable daycare that has openings in our city, and I never planned on daycare bc I’ll eventually be a homeschool mom and my boss knows it

[@snuggisthecute]

@@daphblue Praise God! I pray all goes well for you. It's a beautiful thing.

[@daphblue]

@@snuggisthecute thank you that’s so sweet! And honestly, praise God for my good husband

[@snuggisthecute]

@@Angvb14 Sounds about right! I bet some ppl in my family would be making negative wages lol. Is pension a factor for you? Do you have a Roth account or anything?

[@stephanieritz9165]

About the limited time issue and prioritizing things you want to do. I find that bullet journaling is very helpful for this. I can have a list of projects I want to try, then assign a month to it. If it doesn't work that month, bullet journaling has methods to shift it to another time. It's a great way to gather your thoughts and organize them, so it doesn't seem so overwhelming. I particularly find the future log and monthly log very helpful. It's also a great way to store notes for different topics, though honestly, I use Google Keep for this instead of my bullet journal. I always have my phone around, so I can write a quick note of ideas. Anyway, just a thought for you dreamers who have tons of ideas but limited time.

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Thanks for sharing!

[@caitlinhanson8631]

I LOVE my bullet journal! I would be lost without it!

[@janetgrooms]

Thanks Lisa for all that you do I love love all your content I’m almost 72 and sooo enjoy it ♥️♥️♥️ and I know your true blue ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Thank you so much!!

[@susanclair8623]

Great podcast as always

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

Thanks for listening

[@annabelwade5472]

Love your podcast Lisa! Can you share about the curtains you have in the background (the tan material and the brown rod)? They’re exactly what I’m envisioning for my living room and would love to hear what the materials are or even where you got them. Thanks!

[@rebeccaknudsen6190]

My grandparents homesteaded, and they had to make so many improvements to get a land deed. Where I live in the 1940s and 50s there was an irrigation project here in the Washington dessert. People bid on many farms and if your name was drawn you could purchase the farm. Such hard-working people! I wanted to know what kind of sheep she has?

[@Lmr6789s]

People always say chickens are a Great entry animal which is true but ducks are also amazing. I find them hardier, they lay eggs very consistently, taste delicious and I've heard as I don't have ducks any more for now that you can train them to not go in your garden.

[@blessthelordomysoul1]

Lisa, I thought you mentioned in one of your Farmhouse videos that you were interviewing Jessica from Three Rivers Homestead. I can't find it.

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

This episode will be coming out in the next few weeks!

[@princessgemz271]

I just have a question about vacations and time away. Who do you get to help watch the animals for those times? I ask because we only have chickens at the moment but we’ve even wanting to grow our homestead but are not sure about vacations.

[@Simplefarmhouselife]

My sister lives very close so we trade chores when either of us travels.

[@caitlinhanson8631]

Growing up with milking cows, this was the hard part! When the cows were dried up it was easier, finding someone to feed and check on animals is easier than finding someone who will milk them for you.

[@jessicacarlson347]

Ok where is this video about wearing your baby on your back??? I’ve tried to do even seemingly simple chores with baby on the front and there’s just too much bending involved.

[@crownandcountryside]

Comments like that make me mad, too

[@mdabutaher5802]

❤❤❤ দ্বীনের পথে চলে আল্লাহর কে ভালোবাসো

[@judyhead6602]

Sure! Anyone can stay at home if you have a WORKING SPOUSE. This is unrealistic for most couples today and impossible for singles. Totally unrealistic.

[@justamags]

It takes a lot of sacrifice and work. Even if this isn't seemingly obtainable or realistic to your personal situation, you shouldn't be so negative to the information being shared for the rest of us who are working towards this lifestyle. "Comparison is the thief of joy."

[@renevanzyl7084]

Both of them are working on the homestead/ making an income while also living the kind of life they want. The difference is that they don't just have a career, they are making their living and living it fulltime (farm work is full time). They had to sit down and calculate if it was feasible and what sacrifices would be required of them. It might seem unrealistic to you from your value viewpoint and doing a financial calculation of the life you want to live and what you would have to sacrifice, but it will not seem that way to others, which is why there are people that choose it.

[@thepuffinpanda9139]

Keep making excuses and you'll never accomplish anything.

[@ashleyjones6888]

I don't understand why so many people have this need to point out that not everything is doable for everyone. That should go without saying. OBVIOUSLY we all have different circumstances and limits. Traveling the world is unrealistic for many people, but not all. Living completely off the grid is unrealistic for many people, but not all. Just because your life is different than someone else's, doesn't mean they can't talk about it and share their experiences with people. This comes off as bitter and jealous.

[@RoseMoon-zy4jq]

Yes, the intro intrigued me, because it gave me the impression she was doing everything all on her own. After hearing she is married it changed my perception. Regardless, both these ladies are still amazing at everything they manage to accomplish as SAHM's, but it definitely requires the help & support of a wonderful husband!