I grew up a country girl. I grew up living outside, working in the gardens, started butchering venison with my parents when I was 6 yrs old, helped my father with the firewood, and loved it all. I ended up marrying a city boy. We lived in town for a few years, small town, but still too close for me. I was given property when I was little, a piece of our family land. I am the 5th generation to live on the land. I only have 4 acres right now, but will be getting 3 more acres later. My husband decided he likes country living better too, so now for the most part, we live off the land as much as we can. I have huge gardens (three gardens that are 40'x40' each), I do a lot of vertical growing on cattle panels, and I am constantly canning our harvests as they come in. My husband brings in a nice amount of venison every year, and that gets used in various ways, canning chunks, sausage, jerky, hamburger, etc. We have fruit trees, berry bushes, grape vines, and for us, all this is our homestead. Might I also say, I am disabled with bad spinal arthritis and have a lot of trouble getting around. I was diagnosed at 42 and am now 59. Due to that, all my gardening is done in raised beds made from cinder blocks. Knowing what was coming, I began to build them early on when I could still handle them. I do want to give out some encouragement to others out there. Just because a person is physically challenged, they shouldn't give up and just say that they can't do this or that. That they can't garden because of this reason or that. You can still do it if you want, you just have to do things differently than others. If you can't bend over to garden like me, use raised beds so you don't have to bend. Position lawn chairs through your garden areas so if you need a break and have to sit down, one isn't far away. I do all this myself. The important thing is, get out there and do something. Raise as much of your own food as you can. Even if it is only some home grown lettuce in a pot, something is better than nothing. It not only is healthier for you, but if it brings back even a little more purpose in your life than you had before, and it helps feed your family. It is all worth it.
I understand. I too have spine issues. And cardio. I had my second Heart Attack Tuesday. I came home Friday night. Thank you JESUS AMEN 🛐🛐🛐. If you have a few extra minutes. I have trouble with cleaning my bathtub. Can you help me with suggestions??? I need it. Thank you. I TRULY APPRECIATE YOU. I'm 69. It hurts too much and I can't reach my tub completely. Thank you. FROM SE MICHIGAN 🙏🛐🛐✝️🀄🥀🌹❤️. I will start praying for you.
@@evalinawarne1337Try using liquid body soap. It doesn’t leave a buildup in the tub. Bar soaps have talc in them and will leave a residue behind. Taking showers instead of baths will eliminate the ring left behind after taking a bath with bar soap that contains talc. Rinse the shower and tub when you’re finished. It may not be perfect depending on your water but you will see a huge difference. Try it!
@@evalinawarne1337 I'm sorry I'm late at getting back to you. I think a long handled squeegee may help, or a sponge mop for cleaning the surfaces. I clean my walls while I am in the shower with a magic eraser, I can reach most of that with it, but the bottom and sides of the tub itself are harder to reach, and that is where the alternatives come into play for me. After I get out of the tub, then I use the sponge type mop to get all the lower stuff. I hope that helps. I'm glad that you came out okay from your heart attack, and that you got to come home. God is watching over you as He is for me too. Also, for scrubbing your toilet, take a bar of hard soap, not Dove or such, it is too soft and melts away to quickly. But take a bar of the harder soap and put it in an small onion type bag sleeve (not a large bag like that, but the same type material) and hang it in your tank on the back. Take a strong tape and take the top of the bag to the outside of the tank, but make sure your bar is in the water. That soap will help to wash away all the grime from your bowl every time you flush. Makes toilet cleaning a whole lot easier. Best wishes to you, and keep on going and doing what you love.
No matter what your children decide to do in the future, you have equipped them with valuable skills and knowledge that is hard to find these days. It will serve them well.
I was a farm kid who couldn't wait to leave, then after getting beat up by the world for twenty some years I was ready to come back. I was forty two when I got back and I'm 66 now. I retired at 63 and have been full time farming since then. I didn't know how much I would miss it.
RuthAnn Zimmerman from Homesteading with the Zimmermans is a great example of what you're talking about! I watch your channels, hers, and Lisa from Farmhouse on Boone. Anyway, RuthAnn and her husband were raised Mennonite, got saved, left the community around age 27 I think, and lived "normally" in the world for some years. They returned to the homesteading/farming lifestyle after they realized how unhealthy they were from eating "normal" food and how they wanted their children to be raised with the skills they grew up learning! RuthAnn's channel is one of the very best resources for learning this information from an unbroken chain of generational tradition and wisdom!
I grew up being a part time farm kid due to divorce and I absolutely LOVED being a farm kid but I married a city boy. We lived and raised our kids in a small town environment but no where near the farm life I had. As I've aged I've slowly started dragging my husband into "farm life". I grow huge Gardens and we now have chickens.
I’ve often wondered how the Hollar boys feel about their lifestyle. They certainly have more memory of CA. I can see the younger ones are very passionate about the farming life. Ben and Meg seem to be doing a great job of letting them all learn. I really enjoyed the thoughtful comments from all three men. Thank you.
Thank you all for sharing. Today, I don't know why anyone would want to go to a "big" city or eat manufactured anything. You all are blessed. Thank you for sharing.
What kids did you ever see that always loved doing chores. Our daughter when she was young couldn't be stopped from helping when she got older it wasn't quite the same. GOD BLESS from your Canadian friend.
Some day you guys will all be old, grey, balding grandpas (sorry Ben), and you'll look back on these stories fondly while enjoying your kids and their kids. Hopefully living the same lifestyle that you've all pioneered for them.
My advice to kids is never stop learning, master everything. One option I didn’t hear is online college classes. They’re great! Tracing my Genealogy taught me more about history than anything I learned in school, especially the timelines of the wars. Ok my break is over… I finished putting up my back fence, now I have to get back to clearing more of my property. I have found my clippers, sawzall and wheelbarrow to be my most useful tools lately. Have a good one ✌🏻
Very interesting topic. I am from Ireland and have seen that firstly, what you feed them while they are young forms healthy bone structure and a good foundation for health in later life. What life they lead will ultimately become the focus of their lives. However, they have a life experience which will stand to them for all of their lives. Ben and Jason you Meg and Lorraine have given them an invaluable gift already by showing them it is possible to take the 'road less travelled'. They can choose. The choice is theirs, but from experience, having thinking human beings who understand the value of people and community is the most important thing in life.
🎉 The fact your kids have basically been raised homesteading, and all the tools you gave them to be off grid🎉 they are YEARS AHEAD of their peers with working knowledge. As you said, they will most likely return if they do leave. I think its a great gift you have all given your children❤❤❤
I liked hearing about how your kids feel about homesteading. I also thought it would be interesting to hear from your kids directly. I’m sure every year would change as they age. I never heard Ben talk about Buggy. She is the cutest. She seems to love hanging with Dad on chores. I think it would be interesting to know what your kids hobbies or interests are right now.
BEN is doing great with Buggie...he chats with her constantly ..seems to me he knows her very well actions speak louder than words...just watch when they are together he sure loves that wee girl...shouldn't have to voice what is so obvious to all..
Hello guys, I know exactly that type of splinter, Ben. When I was young in Oregon I worked in a sawmill then moved to to building mobile homes. Welcome to a taste of hemlock poisoning. Those old mobile homes and a good share of kiln dried wood is hemlock
You have given your kids the BEST education on life skills............. whatever they choose - they will at least have the ability to return to growing their own food.
You men are positive role models and you put your family first with everything including the food you raise that is chemical free to keep them healthy great job guys
My kids grew up on our dairy farm. Learn that hard work does pay off. Always learning new skills, self confidence, pride in their work home and family. Not to mention they grow their own veggies,fruit and meat to this day Interesting perspective of all of you. Blessings to you all and your families. 😊🇺🇲
Jason you have a great partner helping you on the homestead. The chicken tractor built seemed to be a big success. I would have loved to have some of those frijoles. 😊God Bless
Great podcast. As a child growing up with the grandmother who raised me. We would can a lot of food. I would say when i get older i will never do this. Well i am great full for all that i learned in those years. 15 years later i have taught my own kids to do the food preservation also. So i feel the more you teach them the better things will go for them.
I think in the future there will be a huge need for skilled trades people. The value of a college degree has gone down. Not the cost to get it but what you can get with it. There will always be careers that require it but a legit trades program has the same value. I always say the same thing about the boys in a homesteading family .... good luck finding a partner that can cook like your Momma did. These women know their way around a meal. My million dollar question is how many of these kids will select partners with similar upbringing? I bet a lot. But I can also see the kids wanting to travel before they settle down. I hope I get to see at least some of them start their own life adventures. Good podcast today Dads
Nice to see men talking about real stuff. My husband and I are retired and have a homestead in southern Manitoba Canada. I can relate so much to your conversation about quality food. It’s funny because while we eat dinner we end up saying how good it is. Now we say it every meal. We eat delicious food. We know how fortunate it we are.
My 3 Amigos! ❤❤❤ yeah! You should be on twice a week!❤❤❤ I love you guys ❤❤Nurse Judi in Scottsdale and Eucharistic Minister ❤❤Daily, prayers for you all 🙏🏻 ❤️
Al, my husband just installed our panels a little off of the recommended angle, and we spent $$$$'s every winter on gas for the generator. I didn't learn that until I was upgrading our system after 12years. The solar guy also explained to me that it's not the amount of panels that matters on collecting energy, it's the battery bank size. 😖
Ben, Great word, "doers". The homesteader family uses the term like-minded people. I agree with it and the term doer because I believe community works better with people who get things done. The kid's experience growing up homesteading is education and work ethic is priceless. Learning farming loss and how to cope with it is also a good lesson. Great talk, thanks.
We are in Northern Connecticut. We have had solar on our house for about 15 years. Best decision, it's made a huge difference. The husband worked in energy conservation so he knew exactly what he wanted for place. Our panels are in sun all day.
Believe me, all your children will be the product of how you treat them , your attitude on things. You'll really be surprised to see just how much influence you'll have on them.
This is a great podcast. It is very different for the youth these days to decide what to do in life. There are so many choices and different life styles now. My grandson graduated high school couple years ago, tried a semester of college and feels college has nothing to offer him. He does some odd jobs and part time jobs but doesn't feel pressure to make big decisions. I am glad he had this time to explode life a bit. 🎃💖🎃
We moved off grid 2 years ago but have been gardening and raising a small amount of protein in the past. When we moved our kids they were all in high school but somehow they sure love the reward but not always the work. However, they will grow up with the perspective of understanding of where their food comes from and seeing the value of that.
We have 30 solar panels at our house. It provides about 12 kW of power. We send 100% to the power company all day, but use what we need all night. We end up breaking even as far as what we pay for the panels and what we had been paying for power. As the price of electricity increases, we will be coming out ahead. We have ground mount panels because our home is not south facing, We do not worry about snow. We have had this system for 18 months.
My dad had a tractor and plowed gardens including our huge one, he was the gardener, and now I have the same home and yard. It's only an acre, but it now has a 20x60 high tunnel and a very long chain link fenced-in chicken run. But I'm looking at a new place that is 40 acres. The city has come out to meet my rural homestead and I'm going back to the country.
I grew up on a dairy farm… I did not understand how blessed I was then. As an adult with my own children, I didn’t even dream that I would want my own homestead. Today, with my first grandchild, I would love to have my own homestead to be able to give the experience to my grandchildren. Blessings to you all!!
When Al said his daughter is used to the food, it rang true to me. My daughter is in the middle of her first year of college and she finally appreciates all the home grown, home cooked meals. It used to be that she would complain that I wouldn't get her fast food or that we rarely ate out. Now the home cooking is what she misses most.
Hey good talk. Kids are the future. I miss Olivia on Al's site. When she was younger she was fun. Guessing as a teenager she doesn't want to be on camera to much. No problem but it's nice to see kids involved with the homesteads. Oh by the way. For all the cold weather lovers, it's -8c and snowing in Albetta now. Not normal but this year that's what we have. Thanks for the show
Always looking forward to the Friday, Homestead Shop Talk Podcast. Enjoy each of your channels as well. Y'all keep em coming and I'll keep watching (and listening)
I love if/when you guys put a camera on your cap or strapped to your chest so I can see what you see. Better than watching from a distance on a tripod. When you are building or repairing something I really want to see how you do it. Thanks guys. I really love listening to your podcast channel. You are 3 very nice guys. God bless!
I enjoyed this podcast. It will be interesting to see which way your children go. My thoughts are they will stay in the homesteading mode. To be in the rat race they will understand real quick why y'all left it. They will see their freedom eaten away bit by bit each day. I agree that college isn't for everyone. If you want to be a Dr.,Vet, Lawyer, Engineer....yes. But for the most part a good trade will serve you very well. It will be interesting Ben, how your two oldest enjoy the working world the next couple of months. Thanks for sharing and until next Friday, have a Blessed week.
Wow, what a topic for today. It takes me back to growing up with my parents and 3 siblings. In many ways i wanted to follow in his footsteps. My dad was military from Kansas when he got stationed in Michigan where he met my mom. Then when they could afford or chose 4 acres in the country we all moved. Myself a
This was another great topic, guys. Ben, I loved it when you kissed Buggy good night and I realized that all 3 of you are girl dads. So sweet. My son did the hot dog headaches too. ❤️🌹 NJ
I raised both Cornish Cross and Red Broilers. One loss first day Red broiler. One loss within a week with Cornish Cross. I have a coop and fence around it. Much healthier birds with ALL feathers on both. Too much stress in the chicken tractors. They fight for water and food in a cramped enclosure. Remember...you are what you eat. If your animals are stressed they are full of adrenaline. Not healthy for humans to eat.
Our son grew up in the woods with chickens, turkeys & horses but by high school wanted to see the Big City. He became a world traveler... very urban focussed BUT ultimately met a home grown woods girl... and NOW they are house hunting... back in the woods.. with a priority on room for a garden & chickens. Etc. Both tried the city but NOW want to move back to the woods.. 🐔 🐥 🥚 🦃 🏡 🌳🌲
I've watched Al's daughter eat beaver meat and Jason's daughter help with butchering and Ben's daughter taste spicy peppers. I think their up bringing has been exemplary. Good show.
Was a single mom, raised my kids in the country.Had chickens, milked a Jersey cow & they were always outside with me. They’re both in their 40’s & have raised their children in the country also. Both have full time jobs so not into “homesteading “ much, but the kids have woods to explore, etc.
It's amazing how all your kids are doing in whatever way they're participating. I wonder if more kids would want to do this lifestyle if they didn't have the opportunity. Time will tell.....maybe do a podcast with kids for their opinions. I grew up in the suburbs, we had a rose garden and weeding was horrible. Moving to SC from FL after the 2004 hurricane season chased us up to the hills! We found y'all after researching chickens- found "the Chicken Man" a.k.a. Justin Rhodes. We follow y'all you tube channels! Thanks for all you do for the Homesteading community!
Great chinwag, about food, I grew up on a homestead and I never saw any difference between our eggs and the the ones in the city, actually last year a friend of the wife sold her some homestead eggs, I didn't care for them, haven't purchased anymore. Homesteading is a better option today than it was in 73 when I left home. I still find it startling when I travel up to the old community where I grew up . . . I lived the life of small farms on their last gasps. Everyone had a farm, cows, sheep and horses . . . today there isn't one and most of the land is covered with spruce as if my past never existed. Cheers.
My kids are adults now, and all three have figured out how to eat real food, one has her own small home in the city and the front yard is garden. My eldest also has figured out how to find real food, volunteering at a food coop, and creatively accessing organic food. They all appreciate cooking from scratch and are physically active, hike, camp and the youngest dreams of getting some land and tiny home- I think she and her husband will get there. They were raised with gardens though we were no longer raising chickens or goats as when I was a newlywed. My stomach doesn't tolerate preservatives anymore.
You're raising your children WELL. Ben, our taste buds change again around 19-21. If I get unclean food. I get nausea. Headache's. I have to be VERY CAREFUL.. Great topic. Thank you for praying with me. Tues. Night, I did have an heart attack. All is WELL. I came home Friday night from the hospital. Thank you JESUS for BLESSING each of us. I love watching each of your family VLOGS and FRIDAY SHOPTALK.. Thank you. Keep up the fantastic wisdom you each share with us. GOD BLESS YOU, BLESS YOU ALL in JESUS'S NAME AMEN ❤️🛐✝️ FROM SE MICHIGAN ✨💖🛐🛐🛐✝️🀄 keep smiling 👍💖
My mother grew up on a farm during the depression. But she said she wasn't aware of how bad it was for others because they were able to eat so well, like steak and eggs for breakfast. Ben, I would love to attend one of your classes. Maybe next year.
Interesting. Kids are grown and have gone their own ways just the way we did. The most interesting one is the one that has gone to live in Europe forever. Making a life over there. We had no choice in the decision. Equipping a child is all you can do unfortunately. Best of luck to each of you. Your reality is just around the corner! ❇❇❇
The important thing is to have it available for them to return if and when they want to. We have had the kids come and go a couple of times. Currently the oldest is back and helping with projects again.
Jason, I bet whatever your daughter does it involves creativity. I remember corn husk doll mud pie tea parties. Her imagination is fire. What if she becomes an independent film maker?
I'm glad your chicken tractor workshop went so well Jason! Yup, the older kids might not like the farm life so much but the younger ones do! Thanks for saying that Ben. My boys were 4 and 5 when we moved to our hobby farm and they really like having the "big yard". They go to public school and we don't force them to do chores but they do like eating the animals and climbing trees. They help with the chores once a week. One of our boys really likes the animals. They don't think it's different from other people but when a few of their friends come over they start to realize how different their "home" is. The visiting kids love all the room to run around in. They like seeing our animals and the barn. They think it's great! We hope one of the boys will stay on the farm after we are gone. It's been great to have chickens and ducks and a goat and a bunny! We free range our chickens and ducks when they are grown. We raise meat chickens. We like the better food! It's great putting a pig or two in the freezer. One is in college and the other is a senior in high school. One has his driving license and the other has his learner's permit. They pretty much grew up here. I hope they see the benefit of raising their own food. I think it does taste better! They are lucky in that a Foundation is paying for everyone that goes to community college from their high school. They don't have to go into debt. I hope your last two spaces get filled for your pig butchering workshop Ben! Thanks for this video guys!
Time does speed up the older we get, I only wish I was able to get back to country living like I grew up with before real-estate got so expense. Good job guys, your on the right path. I went to college, twice! If I knew what I know now, I would have gotten more hands on trades and back to the land ASAP. But I'm at an age (61) that a more realistic path will need to be figured out, and we all walk our own path and make choices to get where we are today. Cheers
Wow what a topic for today. It takes me back to my life growing up with my parents and 3 siblings. My dad was military from Kansas when he came to be stationed in Michigan where he met and married my mom. When my sibling and myself were from age 5 to 1, my parents moved us to a 4 acre piece of land that over the years turned into a farm. But i wanted to follow my dads footsteps so i joined the military like my father. Looking back now doesn't seem real because in the long and short of it, i went to college and became police and firefightedr, PSO. I guess i made that choice because i was influenced by my associates and friends. Wow, looking back, I'm so grateful to my parents because when i left home they had taught me i could do anything i chose because my parents were the greatest. When i left home, i left with skills most of my friends never had the opportunity to learn. All of you great men, all 3 of you, from me watching your videos you are all teaching your children how i learned from my parents. I can see that now. I'm 69 years old and all 3 of my sons followed their grandfather and myself. My 3 sons all went military and the only difference is they made the military their careers. I love listening to your videos. You are all very thought provoking. God Bless you all and your children are going to do great because you taught them and allowed them choices. THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER GREAT EPISODE. ❤
Fortunate children that they get to learn & work along with their parents & friends! Like the childhood I remember but as a girl with older brothers I was mostly learning inside chores. Today I wish I had driven a tractor & learned to build things. But I can still learn those things on a small scale. Great talk, guys!
I grew up a country girl. I grew up living outside, working in the gardens, started butchering venison with my parents when I was 6 yrs old, helped my father with the firewood, and loved it all. I ended up marrying a city boy. We lived in town for a few years, small town, but still too close for me. I was given property when I was little, a piece of our family land. I am the 5th generation to live on the land. I only have 4 acres right now, but will be getting 3 more acres later. My husband decided he likes country living better too, so now for the most part, we live off the land as much as we can. I have huge gardens (three gardens that are 40'x40' each), I do a lot of vertical growing on cattle panels, and I am constantly canning our harvests as they come in. My husband brings in a nice amount of venison every year, and that gets used in various ways, canning chunks, sausage, jerky, hamburger, etc. We have fruit trees, berry bushes, grape vines, and for us, all this is our homestead. Might I also say, I am disabled with bad spinal arthritis and have a lot of trouble getting around. I was diagnosed at 42 and am now 59. Due to that, all my gardening is done in raised beds made from cinder blocks. Knowing what was coming, I began to build them early on when I could still handle them. I do want to give out some encouragement to others out there. Just because a person is physically challenged, they shouldn't give up and just say that they can't do this or that. That they can't garden because of this reason or that. You can still do it if you want, you just have to do things differently than others. If you can't bend over to garden like me, use raised beds so you don't have to bend. Position lawn chairs through your garden areas so if you need a break and have to sit down, one isn't far away. I do all this myself. The important thing is, get out there and do something. Raise as much of your own food as you can. Even if it is only some home grown lettuce in a pot, something is better than nothing. It not only is healthier for you, but if it brings back even a little more purpose in your life than you had before, and it helps feed your family. It is all worth it.
I understand. I too have spine issues. And cardio. I had my second Heart Attack Tuesday.
I came home Friday night.
Thank you JESUS AMEN 🛐🛐🛐. If you have a few extra minutes. I have trouble with cleaning my bathtub. Can you help me with suggestions???
I need it. Thank you. I TRULY APPRECIATE YOU. I'm 69.
It hurts too much and I can't reach my tub completely.
Thank you. FROM SE MICHIGAN 🙏🛐🛐✝️🀄🥀🌹❤️. I will start praying for you.
@@evalinawarne1337Try using liquid body soap. It doesn’t leave a buildup in the tub. Bar soaps have talc in them and will leave a residue behind. Taking showers instead of baths will eliminate the ring left behind after taking a bath with bar soap that contains talc. Rinse the shower and tub when you’re finished. It may not be perfect depending on your water but you will see a huge difference. Try it!
@@evalinawarne1337I clean mine with a long handle floor mop kept in bathroom for the purpose. Take care
@@evalinawarne1337 I'm sorry I'm late at getting back to you. I think a long handled squeegee may help, or a sponge mop for cleaning the surfaces. I clean my walls while I am in the shower with a magic eraser, I can reach most of that with it, but the bottom and sides of the tub itself are harder to reach, and that is where the alternatives come into play for me. After I get out of the tub, then I use the sponge type mop to get all the lower stuff. I hope that helps. I'm glad that you came out okay from your heart attack, and that you got to come home. God is watching over you as He is for me too. Also, for scrubbing your toilet, take a bar of hard soap, not Dove or such, it is too soft and melts away to quickly. But take a bar of the harder soap and put it in an small onion type bag sleeve (not a large bag like that, but the same type material) and hang it in your tank on the back. Take a strong tape and take the top of the bag to the outside of the tank, but make sure your bar is in the water. That soap will help to wash away all the grime from your bowl every time you flush. Makes toilet cleaning a whole lot easier. Best wishes to you, and keep on going and doing what you love.
No matter what your children decide to do in the future, you have equipped them with valuable skills and knowledge that is hard to find these days. It will serve them well.
I was a farm kid who couldn't wait to leave, then after getting beat up by the world for twenty some years I was ready to come back. I was forty two when I got back and I'm 66 now. I retired at 63 and have been full time farming since then. I didn't know how much I would miss it.
I was also and I never thought that I would ever want that lifestyle but wow!! I am truly wanting my own homestead!
❤
RuthAnn Zimmerman from Homesteading with the Zimmermans is a great example of what you're talking about! I watch your channels, hers, and Lisa from Farmhouse on Boone. Anyway, RuthAnn and her husband were raised Mennonite, got saved, left the community around age 27 I think, and lived "normally" in the world for some years. They returned to the homesteading/farming lifestyle after they realized how unhealthy they were from eating "normal" food and how they wanted their children to be raised with the skills they grew up learning! RuthAnn's channel is one of the very best resources for learning this information from an unbroken chain of generational tradition and wisdom!
I grew up being a part time farm kid due to divorce and I absolutely LOVED being a farm kid but I married a city boy. We lived and raised our kids in a small town environment but no where near the farm life I had. As I've aged I've slowly started dragging my husband into "farm life". I grow huge Gardens and we now have chickens.
Buggy will have her own pile of kids and being a perfect mix of Ben and Mega. That is one homesteading girl!
Love these! Keep 'em coming! Blessings to all of you and your families!
I’ve often wondered how the Hollar boys feel about their lifestyle. They certainly have more memory of CA. I can see the younger ones are very passionate about the farming life. Ben and Meg seem to be doing a great job of letting them all learn. I really enjoyed the thoughtful comments from all three men. Thank you.
Thank you all for sharing. Today, I don't know why anyone would want to go to a "big" city or eat manufactured anything. You all are blessed. Thank you for sharing.
What kids did you ever see that always loved doing chores. Our daughter when she was young couldn't be stopped from helping when she got older it wasn't quite the same. GOD BLESS from your Canadian friend.
Some day you guys will all be old, grey, balding grandpas (sorry Ben), and you'll look back on these stories fondly while enjoying your kids and their kids. Hopefully living the same lifestyle that you've all pioneered for them.
This is so interesting. Buggy won’t know anything else.
My advice to kids is never stop learning, master everything. One option I didn’t hear is online college classes. They’re great! Tracing my Genealogy taught me more about history than anything I learned in school, especially the timelines of the wars. Ok my break is over… I finished putting up my back fence, now I have to get back to clearing more of my property. I have found my clippers, sawzall and wheelbarrow to be my most useful tools lately. Have a good one ✌🏻
Very interesting topic. I am from Ireland and have seen that firstly, what you feed them while they are young forms healthy bone structure and a good foundation for health in later life. What life they lead will ultimately become the focus of their lives. However, they have a life experience which will stand to them for all of their lives. Ben and Jason you Meg and Lorraine have given them an invaluable gift already by showing them it is possible to take the 'road less travelled'. They can choose. The choice is theirs, but from experience, having thinking human beings who understand the value of people and community is the most important thing in life.
🎉 The fact your kids have basically been raised homesteading, and all the tools you gave them to be off grid🎉 they are YEARS AHEAD of their peers with working knowledge. As you said, they will most likely return if they do leave. I think its a great gift you have all given your children❤❤❤
I liked hearing about how your kids feel about homesteading. I also thought it would be interesting to hear from your kids directly. I’m sure every year would change as they age. I never heard Ben talk about Buggy. She is the cutest. She seems to love hanging with Dad on chores. I think it would be interesting to know what your kids hobbies or interests are right now.
BEN is doing great with Buggie...he chats with her constantly ..seems to me he knows her very well actions speak louder than words...just watch when they are together he sure loves that wee girl...shouldn't have to voice what is so obvious to all..
Even though it’s way to late for me to think about homesteading. I love watching each of your channels. Keep it up! 🥰
College was an awesome experience for me. It afforded me a way to go 2000 miles from home. I wouldn’t trade the time in Wyoming for anything.
Hello guys, I know exactly that type of splinter, Ben. When I was young in Oregon I worked in a sawmill then moved to to building mobile homes. Welcome to a taste of hemlock poisoning. Those old mobile homes and a good share of kiln dried wood is hemlock
When I turned 18 I joined the army. Traveled the world. No regrets. When my time was up I went back to my old life,
You have given your kids the BEST education on life skills............. whatever they choose - they will at least have the ability to return to growing their own food.
Ben.. you're amazing... just be YOU. If I were younger I'd be there. 👍
You men are positive role models and you put your family first with everything including the food you raise that is chemical free to keep them healthy great job guys
Good morning, Al, Ben, and Jason! This podcast is the highlight of my week. Please keep them coming.
My kids grew up on our dairy farm. Learn that hard work does pay off. Always learning new skills, self confidence, pride in their work home and family.
Not to mention they grow their own veggies,fruit and meat to this day
Interesting perspective of all of you.
Blessings to you all and your families. 😊🇺🇲
Hey Gang 👋 Allways nice to see the Three Musketeers👍
God's Good Blessings to you and your beautiful family's keep up the great work love U guys XOXOXO
You all are so handsome! Thank you for the podcast!❤❤❤
Jason you have a great partner helping you on the homestead. The chicken tractor built seemed to be a big success. I would have loved to have some of those frijoles. 😊God Bless
Great podcast. As a child growing up with the grandmother who raised me. We would can a lot of food. I would say when i get older i will never do this. Well i am great full for all that i learned in those years. 15 years later i have taught my own kids to do the food preservation also. So i feel the more you teach them the better things will go for them.
Great podcast gentleman. Thanks for sharing your lives, experience and journey with us. This is great! Take care and have a good week everyone!❤️
I think in the future there will be a huge need for skilled trades people. The value of a college degree has gone down. Not the cost to get it but what you can get with it. There will always be careers that require it but a legit trades program has the same value. I always say the same thing about the boys in a homesteading family .... good luck finding a partner that can cook like your Momma did. These women know their way around a meal. My million dollar question is how many of these kids will select partners with similar upbringing? I bet a lot. But I can also see the kids wanting to travel before they settle down. I hope I get to see at least some of them start their own life adventures. Good podcast today Dads
Enjoyed the video. Love the way y’all are raising your kids.
Nice to see men talking about real stuff.
My husband and I are retired and have a homestead in southern Manitoba Canada.
I can relate so much to your conversation about quality food.
It’s funny because while we eat dinner we end up saying how good it is.
Now we say it every meal. We eat delicious food.
We know how fortunate it we are.
You are On topic nice to hear Ben Talk about His boys we don't see them much Little Buggy has CHANGED your Entire Farm❤❤❤
Ben looks like Buggy wants in on the action
My 3 Amigos! ❤❤❤ yeah! You should be on twice a week!❤❤❤ I love you guys ❤❤Nurse Judi in Scottsdale and Eucharistic Minister ❤❤Daily, prayers for you all 🙏🏻 ❤️
Al, my husband just installed our panels a little off of the recommended angle, and we spent $$$$'s every winter on gas for the generator. I didn't learn that until I was upgrading our system after 12years. The solar guy also explained to me that it's not the amount of panels that matters on collecting energy, it's the battery bank size. 😖
We are at 8000ft in the mountains of Colorado. Totally off grid.
Ben, Great word, "doers". The homesteader family uses the term like-minded people. I agree with it and the term doer because I believe community works better with people who get things done. The kid's experience growing up homesteading is education and work ethic is priceless. Learning farming loss and how to cope with it is also a good lesson. Great talk, thanks.
You always can send food packages to them😂
We are in Northern Connecticut. We have had solar on our house for about 15 years. Best decision, it's made a huge difference. The husband worked in energy conservation so he knew exactly what he wanted for place. Our panels are in sun all day.
GOOD TALK
Regarding workshops; people will arrive as strangers, but they will leave as friends.
Another great podcast ! Thanks!😊 guys
Believe me, all your children will be the product of how you treat them , your attitude on things. You'll really be surprised to see just how much influence you'll have on them.
I love this weekly podcast, thank you.
Mini truck hay wagon rides.. good idea!
This is a great podcast. It is very different for the youth these days to decide what to do in life. There are so many choices and different life styles now. My grandson graduated high school couple years ago, tried a semester of college and feels college has nothing to offer him. He does some odd jobs and part time jobs but doesn't feel pressure to make big decisions. I am glad he had this time to explode life a bit. 🎃💖🎃
Love your chats. I thought it would be "man" stuff but no. I am interested in your chats each week. Good job guys!! And thanks.
We moved off grid 2 years ago but have been gardening and raising a small amount of protein in the past. When we moved our kids they were all in high school but somehow they sure love the reward but not always the work. However, they will grow up with the perspective of understanding of where their food comes from and seeing the value of that.
Really great content today . Really enjoyed it
You'll be fine just do what you do
I grew up on a homestead, left at 21, married, kid, never went back, but I always had a garden, I could never get away from that part.
Again really enjoyed your podcast
We have 30 solar panels at our house. It provides about 12 kW of power. We send 100% to the power company all day, but use what we need all night. We end up breaking even as far as what we pay for the panels and what we had been paying for power. As the price of electricity increases, we will be coming out ahead. We have ground mount panels because our home is not south facing, We do not worry about snow. We have had this system for 18 months.
My dad had a tractor and plowed gardens including our huge one, he was the gardener, and now I have the same home and yard. It's only an acre, but it now has a 20x60 high tunnel and a very long chain link fenced-in chicken run. But I'm looking at a new place that is 40 acres. The city has come out to meet my rural homestead and I'm going back to the country.
I grew up on a dairy farm… I did not understand how blessed I was then. As an adult with my own children, I didn’t even dream that I would want my own homestead. Today, with my first grandchild, I would love to have my own homestead to be able to give the experience to my grandchildren.
Blessings to you all!!
A trade for sure. They make great money! 🇨🇦
When Al said his daughter is used to the food, it rang true to me. My daughter is in the middle of her first year of college and she finally appreciates all the home grown, home cooked meals. It used to be that she would complain that I wouldn't get her fast food or that we rarely ate out. Now the home cooking is what she misses most.
Hey good talk. Kids are the future. I miss Olivia on Al's site. When she was younger she was fun. Guessing as a teenager she doesn't want to be on camera to much. No problem but it's nice to see kids involved with the homesteads.
Oh by the way. For all the cold weather lovers, it's -8c and snowing in Albetta now. Not normal but this year that's what we have.
Thanks for the show
Good day Alberta. Boston Massachusetts 73 F or 23 C Sunny today.
Y’all are easy to watch, you exuberance humbleness!!
Your videos are great! Great topics!
Always looking forward to the Friday, Homestead Shop Talk Podcast. Enjoy each of your channels as well. Y'all keep em coming and I'll keep watching (and listening)
I love if/when you guys put a camera on your cap or strapped to your chest so I can see what you see. Better than watching from a distance on a tripod. When you are building or repairing something I really want to see how you do it. Thanks guys. I really love listening to your podcast channel. You are 3 very nice guys. God bless!
I enjoyed this podcast. It will be interesting to see which way your children go. My thoughts are they will stay in the homesteading mode. To be in the rat race they will understand real quick why y'all left it. They will see their freedom eaten away bit by bit each day. I agree that college isn't for everyone. If you want to be a Dr.,Vet, Lawyer, Engineer....yes. But for the most part a good trade will serve you very well. It will be interesting Ben, how your two oldest enjoy the working world the next couple of months. Thanks for sharing and until next Friday, have a Blessed week.
God bless
Great topic. Well done.
Wow, what a topic for today. It takes me back to growing up with my parents and 3 siblings.
In many ways i wanted to follow in his footsteps. My dad was military from Kansas when he got stationed in Michigan where he met my mom. Then when they could afford or chose 4 acres in the country we all moved. Myself a
This was another great topic, guys. Ben, I loved it when you kissed Buggy good night and I realized that all 3 of you are girl dads. So sweet. My son did the hot dog headaches too. ❤️🌹 NJ
I loved this conversation.
I raised both Cornish Cross and Red Broilers. One loss first day Red broiler. One loss within a week with Cornish Cross. I have a coop and fence around it. Much healthier birds with ALL feathers on both. Too much stress in the chicken tractors. They fight for water and food in a cramped enclosure. Remember...you are what you eat. If your animals are stressed they are full of adrenaline. Not healthy for humans to eat.
Our son grew up in the woods with chickens, turkeys & horses but by high school wanted to see the Big City. He became a world traveler... very urban focussed BUT ultimately met a home grown woods girl... and NOW they are house hunting... back in the woods.. with a priority on room for a garden & chickens. Etc.
Both tried the city but NOW want to move back to the woods.. 🐔 🐥 🥚 🦃 🏡 🌳🌲
I've watched Al's daughter eat beaver meat and Jason's daughter help with butchering and Ben's daughter taste spicy peppers. I think their up bringing has been exemplary. Good show.
always enjoyable
Was a single mom, raised my kids in the country.Had chickens, milked a Jersey cow & they were always outside with me. They’re both in their 40’s & have raised their children in the country also. Both have full time jobs so not into “homesteading “ much, but the kids have woods to explore, etc.
It's amazing how all your kids are doing in whatever way they're participating. I wonder if more kids would want to do this lifestyle if they didn't have the opportunity. Time will tell.....maybe do a podcast with kids for their opinions. I grew up in the suburbs, we had a rose garden and weeding was horrible. Moving to SC from FL after the 2004 hurricane season chased us up to the hills! We found y'all after researching chickens- found "the Chicken Man" a.k.a. Justin Rhodes. We follow y'all you tube channels! Thanks for all you do for the Homesteading community!
Great podcast 😊
I get headaches from eating hotdogs as well and have since I was a young boy.
Great chinwag, about food, I grew up on a homestead and I never saw any difference between our eggs and the the ones in the city, actually last year a friend of the wife sold her some homestead eggs, I didn't care for them, haven't purchased anymore. Homesteading is a better option today than it was in 73 when I left home. I still find it startling when I travel up to the old community where I grew up . . . I lived the life of small farms on their last gasps. Everyone had a farm, cows, sheep and horses . . . today there isn't one and most of the land is covered with spruce as if my past never existed. Cheers.
Look forward to you guys every week 😊
My kids are adults now, and all three have figured out how to eat real food, one has her own small home in the city and the front yard is garden. My eldest also has figured out how to find real food, volunteering at a food coop, and creatively accessing organic food. They all appreciate cooking from scratch and are physically active, hike, camp and the youngest dreams of getting some land and tiny home- I think she and her husband will get there. They were raised with gardens though we were no longer raising chickens or goats as when I was a newlywed. My stomach doesn't tolerate preservatives anymore.
I do miss the NC hunting season! I love working at Country Butcher shop during hunting season!
Well done you three. Love your chats.
You're raising your children WELL. Ben, our taste buds change again around 19-21.
If I get unclean food. I get nausea. Headache's. I have to be VERY CAREFUL.. Great topic. Thank you for praying with me. Tues. Night, I did have an heart attack. All is WELL.
I came home Friday night from the hospital. Thank you JESUS for BLESSING each of us. I love watching each of your family VLOGS and FRIDAY SHOPTALK.. Thank you. Keep up the fantastic wisdom you each share with us. GOD BLESS YOU, BLESS YOU ALL in JESUS'S NAME AMEN ❤️🛐✝️ FROM SE MICHIGAN ✨💖🛐🛐🛐✝️🀄 keep smiling 👍💖
My mother grew up on a farm during the depression. But she said she wasn't aware of how bad it was for others because they were able to eat so well, like steak and eggs for breakfast.
Ben, I would love to attend one of your classes. Maybe next year.
I grew up on a farm until I was 10 and always wanted to go back but never had the chance.
when the cornish cross start dying as they get heavier it's because they're prone to heart attacks
Love you guys!! ❤
Good podcast.
ty..xoxo ❤
Interesting. Kids are grown and have gone their own ways just the way we did. The most interesting one is the one that has gone to live in Europe forever. Making a life over there. We had no choice in the decision. Equipping a child is all you can do unfortunately. Best of luck to each of you. Your reality is just around the corner! ❇❇❇
The important thing is to have it available for them to return if and when they want to. We have had the kids come and go a couple of times. Currently the oldest is back and helping with projects again.
Jason, I bet whatever your daughter does it involves creativity. I remember corn husk doll mud pie tea parties. Her imagination is fire. What if she becomes an independent film maker?
I'm glad your chicken tractor workshop went so well Jason! Yup, the older kids might not like the farm life so much but the younger ones do! Thanks for saying that Ben. My boys were 4 and 5 when we moved to our hobby farm and they really like having the "big yard". They go to public school and we don't force them to do chores but they do like eating the animals and climbing trees. They help with the chores once a week. One of our boys really likes the animals. They don't think it's different from other people but when a few of their friends come over they start to realize how different their "home" is. The visiting kids love all the room to run around in. They like seeing our animals and the barn. They think it's great! We hope one of the boys will stay on the farm after we are gone. It's been great to have chickens and ducks and a goat and a bunny! We free range our chickens and ducks when they are grown. We raise meat chickens. We like the better food! It's great putting a pig or two in the freezer. One is in college and the other is a senior in high school. One has his driving license and the other has his learner's permit. They pretty much grew up here. I hope they see the benefit of raising their own food. I think it does taste better! They are lucky in that a Foundation is paying for everyone that goes to community college from their high school. They don't have to go into debt. I hope your last two spaces get filled for your pig butchering workshop Ben! Thanks for this video guys!
Love the podcast hopefully your kids will keep up the homesteads
Time does speed up the older we get, I only wish I was able to get back to country living like I grew up with before real-estate got so expense. Good job guys, your on the right path. I went to college, twice! If I knew what I know now, I would have gotten more hands on trades and back to the land ASAP. But I'm at an age (61) that a more realistic path will need to be figured out, and we all walk our own path and make choices to get where we are today. Cheers
Wait til your 70, Ben. :)
Wow what a topic for today. It takes me back to my life growing up with my parents and 3 siblings. My dad was military from Kansas when he came to be stationed in
Michigan where he met and married my mom. When my sibling and myself were from age 5 to 1, my parents moved us to a 4 acre piece of land that over the years turned into a farm.
But i wanted to follow my dads footsteps so i joined the military like my father.
Looking back now doesn't seem real because in the long and short of it, i went to college and became police and firefightedr, PSO.
I guess i made that choice because i was influenced by my associates and friends.
Wow, looking back, I'm so grateful to my parents because when i left home they had taught me i could do anything i chose because my parents were the greatest. When i left home, i left with skills most of my friends never had the opportunity to learn.
All of you great men, all 3 of you, from me watching your videos you are all teaching your children how i learned from my parents.
I can see that now. I'm 69 years old and all 3 of my sons followed their grandfather and myself. My 3 sons all went military and the only difference is they made the military their careers.
I love listening to your videos. You are all very thought provoking. God Bless you all and your children are going to do great because you taught them and allowed them choices.
THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER GREAT EPISODE. ❤
Fortunate children that they get to learn & work along with their parents & friends! Like the childhood I remember but as a girl with older brothers I was mostly learning inside chores. Today I wish I had driven a tractor & learned to build things. But I can still learn those things on a small scale. Great talk, guys!
Meg is going to have to train 4 daughter in laws. Cooking 101
solar is common in our area. but then lots of people are off grid... like us. spring for water so no pump needed!