How do we preserve family, community, and truth in a culture that seems to be moving faster and faster away from them?

In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I sat down with my friend Rory Groves for a thoughtful conversation about modern culture, technology, family economy, and what many families are sensing right now: that something important has been lost.

Using the republished book Henry and the Great Society as a starting point, we talked about how modernization changed family life, community, work, and even the way we think about self-sufficiency. We also discussed why history matters and how looking backward can help us move forward with more intentionality.

This conversation touches on:

• Family economy and durable living
• The tension between independence and community
• Why intentionality matters more than ever
• Building culture for future generations
• Encouragement for families trying to live differently in uncertain times

I really appreciated Rory’s perspective and his heart for helping families think deeply about what it means to build a life that lasts.

Links Mentioned:
- Grab your copy of Henry and the Great Society here: https://homeward.press
- Find Rory's book, Durable Trades here: https://www.thegrovestead.com/product/durable-trades/
- Learn more about the Gather and Grow events here: https://gatherandgrow.us

🌿 Today’s episode is sponsored by Homestead Kitchen Magazine: Homestead Kitchen Magazine is our ad-free monthly print magazine filled with trusted recipes, seasonal living inspiration, gardening, herbalism, preserving, and practical homestead skills from experienced teachers and contributors. Carolyn also shares a monthly faith-centered reflection from the heart of the homestead. Grab your subscription here: 👉 https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-magazine

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MORE ABOUT US!

WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo

Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily

A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!

Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt

Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop

You know that every month, we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 subscribers? Each issue has seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, practical homesteading tips, and traditional wisdom from seasoned homesteaders. This magazine equips you to thrive on your homestead, whether you’re in the city, a suburban neighborhood, or on 40 acres. Subscribe today for just $9 a month.

After years of pushing hard on our homestead, we reached a point where we had to ask a tough question: Is everything we’re doing actually sustainable?

Last year, we intentionally slowed down. Not completely, but enough to take a step back and evaluate what was working and what wasn’t.

And what we learned changed how we’re approaching this year in a big way.

In this episode, we’re sharing the real-life changes we’re making on our homestead. The projects we’re moving forward with, the systems we’re simplifying, and a few things we’re choosing to let go of entirely.

Because here’s the truth most people don’t talk about... You don’t have to do everything to build a successful homestead.

🌱 In This Episode

• Why we took a slower year and what it revealed
• The homestead projects we’re focusing on in 2026
• What we’re scaling back and why it matters
• How our homestead is shifting into a multi-generational model
• The systems that were adding too much pressure
• What we’re doing differently this time around

🧭 Topics We Cover

• Simplifying dairy production
• Stepping away from pig breeding
• Turning over the main garden to the next generation
• Expanding the beef program
• Starting a family egg business
• Rebuilding the house exterior
• Resetting the orchard for long-term success

🧭 Mentioned in This Video
- Learn how much to plant for a year’s worth of food: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-grow-a-years-worth-of-food/
- Raising backyard chickens: https://homesteadingfamily.com/raising-backyard-egg-laying-chickens/
- Stocking your pantry the right way: https://homesteadingfamily.com/prepping-your-pantry-for-winter/
- Planting fruit trees: https://homesteadingfamily.com/growing-perennials-on-the-homestead/
- Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring this podcast. For first-time customers, use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15" for 15% off your first order of $100 or more: https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b

⏱️ Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction
1:22 - Azure Standard
5:29 - 2026 Projects

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MORE ABOUT US!

WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo

Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily

You know that every month, we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 subscribers? Each issue has seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, practical homesteading tips, and traditional wisdom from seasoned homesteaders. This magazine equips you to thrive on your homestead, whether you’re in the city, a suburban neighborhood, or on 40 acres. Subscribe today for just $9 a month.

I’ll be honest… when I first heard about freeze dryers, I thought they were a gimmick.

I didn’t want to spend money on an expensive appliance that would just sit there collecting dust.

But after using one in my own kitchen, I can tell you this clearly… I was wrong.

In this video, I’m sharing the 7 things I wish I knew before getting a freeze dryer. These are the lessons that would have saved me time, food, and a whole lot of frustration when I was first starting out.

If you’re wondering whether a freeze dryer is worth it, or how to actually use one in real life, this will help you make a much more confident decision.

I’ll walk you through:

• Why I thought a freeze dryer would be a waste (and what changed)
• The #1 factor that determines how your food turns out
• Why you need a simple workflow, not just a machine
• The packaging mistake that can ruin your food
• Why freeze drying isn’t as complicated as it sounds
• The best foods to start with (and what to avoid)
• How a freeze dryer can pay for itself faster than you expect

Freeze drying has helped me reduce food waste, simplify meal prep, and honestly… give me back weeks of my time every year. And that’s something I don’t take lightly.

👉 Want help getting started without the trial and error?

Join me for my FREE live freeze drying training where I walk you step-by-step through:

• The 7 steps to freeze drying (so you get it right the first time)
• How to afford a freeze dryer
• Practical ways it saves money
• How to actually make it work in your daily life

You can sign up here:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/freeze-drying-training

I’ll be there live teaching and answering your questions.

If you’ve been thinking about freeze drying, this is one of those skills that can truly change how you preserve food and manage your time at home.

For more information, check out the accompanying blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/things-i-wish-i-knew-before-getting-a-freeze-dryer/

LINKS MENTIONED:

- Freeze Drying FREE Webinar: https://homesteadingfamily.com/freeze-drying-training
- Freeze Drying the Harvest book: https://homesteadingfamily.com/hl-freeze-drying-the-harvest
- Freeze Drying Archives on our website: https://homesteadingfamily.com/category/preserve/freeze-drying/
- How to Store Freeze Dried Food: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-store-freeze-dried-food/
- Thanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring this episode of Everyday Homesteading. If you want to replace your linens with cleaner, more sustainable options, use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026" for 15% off your order: https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens/

TIME STAMPS:
0:00 - Introduction
1:50 - American Blossom Linens
4:35 - Main Topic

You know that every month, we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 subscribers? Each issue has seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, practical homesteading tips, and traditional wisdom from seasoned homesteaders. This magazine equips you to thrive on your homestead, whether you’re in the city, a suburban neighborhood, or on 40 acres. Subscribe today for just $9 a month.

If you’ve ever felt like you need to learn everything before starting a garden, you’re not alone.

In today’s episode, we’re simplifying the process and showing you how to start a garden without getting overwhelmed.

Gardening is a journey. And the truth is, you don’t need perfect soil, perfect seeds, or perfect knowledge to begin. You just need a few key principles and a willingness to learn as you go.

This episode is all about helping you take that first step with confidence.

In this episode we cover:

• Why your first garden should be a practice garden
• The 5 essential elements for a successful garden
• What beginners often overthink (and can safely ignore)
• How to build confidence through small, simple steps

Resources Mentioned

• Check Out the Traditional Skills Academy: https://traditionalskillsacademy.com
• Grab your Homestead Kitchen Magazine subscription here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/podcast-magazine
• To track the sun, use the SunSeeker app

You don’t need to have it all figured out to start gardening. Just get something in the ground. Learn as you go. And remember… this is your practice garden. 🌱

For more information and other helpful blog posts, check out the accompanying post to this podcast: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-start-a-garden/

Time Stamps

0:00 - Introduction
1:28 - Chit Chat
11:11 - Homestead Kitchen Magazine
13:58 - Main Topic

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MORE ABOUT US!

WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo

Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily

A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!

Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt

Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop

You know that every month, we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 subscribers? Each issue has seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, practical homesteading tips, and traditional wisdom from seasoned homesteaders. This magazine equips you to thrive on your homestead, whether you’re in the city, a suburban neighborhood, or on 40 acres. Subscribe today for just $9 a month.

Are your chicken eggs coming into the house dirty, especially during mud season?

In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, Carolyn is joined by Amy, cofounder of Good Egg, to talk about how to keep eggs clean starting in the coop—and how to properly handle fresh eggs once they’re in your kitchen.

We’re covering everything from nesting box strategies to the right (and wrong) way to wash eggs, plus how storage methods affect shelf life. If you’ve ever wondered whether to wash your eggs, how long they last, or how to keep them cleaner in the first place, this episode will give you clear, practical answers.

In this video, you’ll learn:

- How to keep eggs clean in the coop (even during mud season)
- The difference between clean, dirty, and washed eggs
- What the egg bloom is and why it matters
- How to wash eggs safely without pulling bacteria inside
- The best ways to store fresh eggs for longer shelf life
- Whether you’re new to backyard chickens or have been raising hens for years, these simple systems will help you bring cleaner eggs into your kitchen and use them more efficiently.

- Read the full blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-keep-eggs-clean/
- Learn more about Good Egg products and use coupon code "15OFFHSFAMILY" for 15% off your purchase: https://goodeggstuff.co/hsf
- Grab my FREE guide for preserving eggs here: https://classes.homesteadingfamily.com/PreservingEggs
- Thanks to Farmhouse Teas for sponsoring this episode. Click the link to check out all of Homesteading Family's favorites, and be sure to use coupon code "HSPODCAST" for 10% off your order: https://homesteadingfamily.com/FHTeas-Favorites

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
2:42 - Farmhouse Teas
6:20 - Main Topic

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MORE ABOUT US!

WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo

Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily

A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!

Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt

Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop

You know that every month, we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 subscribers? Each issue has seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, practical homesteading tips, and traditional wisdom from seasoned homesteaders. This magazine equips you to thrive on your homestead, whether you’re in the city, a suburban neighborhood, or on 40 acres. Subscribe today for just $9 a month.

How do you get your kids excited about gardening, especially if you’re still learning yourself?

In this episode of Everyday Homesteading, I’m joined by Luke Hammond from Dirt Academy Kids to talk about why gardening is one of the most powerful tools we have for raising capable, grounded kids.

We dive into:

• Why so many adults who garden today had childhood garden experiences
• The real-life skills kids learn in the garden
• How gardening helps improve kids’ health and their relationship with food
• The challenge of teaching kids while you’re still learning
• A simple, structured way to bring kids alongside you

Luke also shares how Dirt Academy Kids is helping families bridge the gap with a hands-on gardening curriculum designed specifically for kids.

If you’ve ever wondered how to bring your kids into the garden without frustration, this episode is for you.

Watch or learn more with the accompanying blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/how-to-get-your-kids-excited-about-gardening/

👉 Learn more about Dirt Academy Kids here: https://dirtacademykids.com

Thanks to our sponsor, Azure Standard. For first-time Azure customers, use coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15" for 15% off your first order of $100 or more: https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b

Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction
0:52 - Azure Standard
2:14 - Main Topic

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MORE ABOUT US!

WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo

Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily

A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!

Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt

Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop

You know that every month, we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 subscribers? Each issue has seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, practical homesteading tips, and traditional wisdom from seasoned homesteaders. This magazine equips you to thrive on your homestead, whether you’re in the city, a suburban neighborhood, or on 40 acres. Subscribe today for just $9 a month.

What happens when your child grows up… and chooses to stay?

In this episode of the Everyday Homesteading podcast, I’m joined by my oldest daughter, Rachel, as we share the story behind her and her husband’s decision to stay close to home and build a tiny house right here on our homestead.

We’re talking about what it really looks like to build a life near family in today’s world—from navigating independence and boundaries to learning how to work together as separate households with a shared vision.

Rachel also shares honestly about her experience growing up on a homestead, what made her want to stay, and what it’s been like adjusting to off-grid living (including the parts that aren’t so glamorous).

If you’ve ever wondered what multi-generational homesteading could look like—or if it’s even possible—this conversation will give you a real, behind-the-scenes look.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Rachel and her husband chose to stay on the homestead
• What it’s like building and living in a tiny home on family land
• The reality of off-grid living (and the biggest adjustment!)
• How we’re creating independence while living close together
• A new take on the “family economy” and shared homesteading life
• Why communication is the foundation of making this lifestyle work

Read the full blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/why-our-daughter-chose-to-stay-close-to-home/

Thanks to American Blossom Linens for sponsoring this podcast! If you'd like to give their products a try, use the coupon code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY2026" for 15% off your entire order (one time use per customer), and know they have a two-year warranty on all their products!: https://homesteadingfamily.com/s-american-blossom-linens

TIME STAMPS:
0:00 - Introduction
1:00 - Chit Chat
4:29 - American Blossom Linens
6:28 - Main Topic

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MORE ABOUT US!

WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo

Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily

A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!

Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt

Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop

You know that every month, we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 subscribers? Each issue has seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, practical homesteading tips, and traditional wisdom from seasoned homesteaders. This magazine equips you to thrive on your homestead, whether you’re in the city, a suburban neighborhood, or on 40 acres. Subscribe today for just $9 a month.

Canning safety can feel overwhelming, especially when you hear all the warnings and conflicting advice out there. But what if it’s actually much simpler than you think?

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the three things you absolutely must get right for canning safety so you can preserve food with confidence and peace of mind.

We’ll talk about:

• Why so many people feel afraid of canning
• The truth about botulism and real risk
• How pH determines whether you water bath or pressure can
• Why processing time matters more than you think
• The biggest mistakes to avoid (including unsafe methods still being taught today)
• How to confidently know your food is safe on the shelf

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?”—this episode will give you the clarity you need.

👩‍🌾 Get the FREE Confident Canner Pack here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/confident-canner-podcast

To learn more, visit the accompanying blog post here: https://homesteadingfamily.com/canning-mistakes-to-avoid/

🌿 Thanks to Azure Standard for sponsoring today's podcast. If you're brand new to Azure, get 15% off your first order of $100 or more with code "HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15": https://homesteadingfamily.com/main-azure-standard-b

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MORE ABOUT US!

WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: http://bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo

Grow, Preserve & Thrive with us!
Visit us on our blog: https://www.homesteadingfamily.com
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/homesteadingfamily
Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadingfamily
Rumble: https://rumble.com/HomesteadingFamily

A few highlights you don't want to miss are our FREEBIES!!

Healthy Healing at Home – Learn how to confidently use herbal medicine in your home with this FREE 4 video workshop: https://homesteadingfamily.com/HHHyt

Your Best Loaf – A Free 4 video workshop teaching you how to make great bread at home, every time, regardless of the recipe you are using: https://homesteadingfamily.com/free-bread-workshop

You know that every month, we send out a physical magazine to over 10,000 subscribers? Each issue has seasonal recipes, fresh inspiration for your kitchen, practical homesteading tips, and traditional wisdom from seasoned homesteaders. This magazine equips you to thrive on your homestead, whether you’re in the city, a suburban neighborhood, or on 40 acres. Subscribe today for just $9 a month.