Homesteaders of America

You don't need a lifetime of farming experience to build a successful farm. Dana and Lauren Cavalea share how they went from corporate careers and zero agricultural background to growing a thriving direct-to-consumer meat business on more than 300 acres. Along the way, they discuss the realities of raising livestock, selling beef, expanding a farm business, and why adaptability, strong marketing, and faith have been just as important as hard work. If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to start farming from scratch, this conversation will encourage you to boldly take the first step!In this episode, we cover:- How two complete beginners unexpectedly became farmers on 130 acres- Buying their first cattle, pigs, and chickens with no farming experience- Learning hard lessons about livestock, butchering, and selling their first beef- Growing from 130 acres to more than 300 through strategic land purchases- Building a nationwide direct-to-consumer meat business- Selling beef shares, meat boxes, and working with other local farmers- The business skills every profitable farmer needs beyond raising livestock- Beef shares vs. individual meat boxes: the pros and cons of each model- What it really takes to ship frozen meat across the country- Using authentic storytelling and social media to grow a loyal customer base- Why flexibility, continual learning, and adapting have been key to their success- Following God's leading, embracing new challenges, and encouraging others to simply get startedView full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you to our sponsors!NutriMill.com | High-quality small kitchen appliance products that function well, are easy to use, and promote healthy eatingNewLightHealth.com | High-quality natural supplements and health products to simplify your wellness and support your family naturallyShareHealthcare.com | A Christian-based, health-sharing community where members come together to cover medical needsRESOURCES MENTIONEDHead over to Freedom Farms to see their full lineup of high-quality meat selections and more!CONNECTDana & Lauren Cavalea | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

Beloved HOA speaker and returning podcast guest RuthAnn Zimmerman is back to share what life looks like right now on her family’s 21-acre homestead in Iowa. We start with a glimpse into their summer rhythms—overflowing gardens, plenty of fresh milk, and kids’ morning chore routines—but quickly move into deeper ground. RuthAnn reflects on the beauty that homesteading has given her family beyond just homegrown food. She offers gentle encouragement for parents who feel stretched thin and reminds us that we don’t have to do it all. At the heart of it, RuthAnn shares why this lifestyle is about so much more than food— it's about faith, family, and building a legacy rooted in relationship.In this episode, we cover:A look at summertime on the Zimmermans’ Iowa homestead— garden abundance, milk cow abundance, and finding the balance between chores and downtimeKids having morning meltdowns? The simple morning routine RuthAnn’s kids never skip to support mood and energyWhat RuthAnn discovered about her true passions through book writing (spoiler: it’s not actually homesteading!)The real reason the Zimmermans started and grew their 21-acre homestead— it wasn’t just about foodEncouragement for young moms in the thick of it— you won’t always be in this season, and you’re right where you need to beA mindset shift for when life feels overwhelming: you don’t have to do it allWhy knowing your “why” matters in homesteading; knowledge alone won’t carry you throughHow homesteading can be the perfect foundation for building strong relationships with your kids, even when the tasks don’t feel funWhy gaining real-life skills is just as valuable (or more!) as gaining formal educationView full show notes and transcript on the blog + ⁠watch this episode on YouTube⁠⁠.Thank you to our sponsors!KubotaUSA.com | Providing the right equipment to keep us moving, shaping, and growing America's farms, fields, and constructionPremier1Supplies.com | Your one-stop shop for a variety of homesteading supplies and expert adviceRESOURCES MENTIONEDListen to RuthAnn’s previous episode on the HOA podcastPre-order The Heart of the Homestead through ChristianBook and use code RuthAnn to get 40% offCheck out the pre-order bonuses for The Heart of the HomesteadBrowse RuthAnn’s recipes hereCONNECTRuthAnn Zimmerman | Website | Instagram | YouTube | FacebookHomesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

In this episode, Kate Tietje, founder of Earthley Wellness, shares her inspiring journey from a mom experimenting with herbal remedies to leading a thriving natural wellness company. Kate shares how her daughter’s health challenges sparked her passion for herbalism, the rapid growth of Earthley, and her commitment to clean, effective products. Discover her top herbal remedies for cold and flu season, favorite herbs like calendula and ginger, and tips for incorporating natural wellness into your life. Whether you're an herbalist, a homesteader, or simply curious about holistic health, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration. Tune in to learn how Earthley is revolutionizing natural wellness with transparency and education!In this episode, we cover:Kate’s journey into herbalism, inspired by her daughter’s health challengesHow Kate started Earthley Wellness, from blogging to launching her first productRapid growth of Earthley Wellness and its milestones since 2015Impact of the 2020 pandemic on the demand for natural remediesIncredible testimonials from customers about Earthley’s life-changing productsDiscussion of Earthley’s top-selling products and how they can help your family: Good Night Lotion, Feel Better Fast, and Elderberry ElixirChallenges faced by Earthley, including FDA scrutiny and media criticismKate’s self-taught herbalism journey and her favorite educational resourcesRecommended herbs for cold and flu season: elderberry and mulleinKate’s top two favorite herbs: calendula and ginger, and their versatile usesEarthley’s commitment to clean, additive-free products through the “Revive and Restore Promise”Kate’s book Natural Remedies for Kids and how it can serve your familyClosing thoughts on empowering consumers with education and holistic wellnessView full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible!KubotaUSA.com | Providing the right equipment to keep us moving, shaping, and growing America's farms, fields, and constructionPremier1Supplies.com | Your one-stop shop for a variety of homesteading supplies and expert adviceABOUT KATEKate and Ben are parents to 6 children, ranging from 16 years down to 6.5 years. They are a homesteading, homeschooling family who have an extensive garden, including herbs! They love teaching their kids to enjoy and be good stewards of the Earth, on and off the job. Kate loves medical freedom, sharing natural remedies, developing real food recipes, and gentle parenting. Her goal is to teach you how to live your life free from Big Pharma, Big Food, and Big Government by learning about herbs, cooking, and sustainable practices. Kate is the author of Natural Remedies for Kids and the owner and lead herbalist at Earthley.RESOURCES MENTIONEDCheck out Earthley’s many offerings on their websiteSome best-selling products: Good Night Lotion, Feel Better Fast, Elderberry ElixirHerbalism books and authors:- Books by Rosemary Gladstar- Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susun S. Weed- The Herbalist's Way: The Art and Practice of Healing with Plant Medicines by Nancy & Michael Phillips- Books by Matthew Wood- Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine by David Hoffman- Natural Remedies for Kids by Kate TietjeRecommended for cold and flu: elderberry syrup DIY kit, elderberry tincture, DIY elderberry recipe, Cough B GoneEarthley’s Revive and Restore PromiseCheck out Kate’s blog filled with education and recipesCONNECTKate Tietje | Website | FacebookEarthley Wellness | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | PinterestHomesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

If you have had the privilege of hearing Jill speak at one of our events in the past, you know what a powerhouse she is when it comes to all things homesteading. Not only is she an expert in a variety of homestead pursuits – market gardening, cut flower gardening, sourdough, and more – she is a very creative and intentional businesswoman. And she does it all on only four acres! If you have a desire to use your small acreage to provide both food AND income for your family, don’t miss this episode. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, so buckle up! In this episode, we cover: How Jill is maximizing her four-acre farm to provide food for her family year-round and to produce a full-time income Building a strategic business from your homestead that allows you to leave the 9-5 The one time management strategy that allows Jill to balance business, motherhood, homeschooling, homesteading, and more Why Jill almost gave up on baking sourdough and how she made the process work for her busy life The heart behind Jill’s online marketplace for homesteaders and gardeners What tools Jill actually uses in her garden and the ones she can do without Tips for planning out your high tunnel garden Why cut flower gardening turned out to be a highly profitable business endeavor for Jill’s farm Encouragement for the small-scale homesteader View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsors! Earthley.com | Clean, natural, and affordable herbal remedies and body care that support health and wellness naturally Nutrimill.com | High-quality small kitchen appliance products that function well, are easy to use, and promote healthy eating ABOUT JILL Jill Ragan is a small farmer and online educator, balancing life as a wife and mother of four beautiful children, three girls and one boy. Her journey into growing food began when she saw a largely unmet need in our society; with broken food systems, unfortunate waste, and an overall lack of connection to our Earth. She started growing food for her family instead of sourcing it from the grocery store, reducing waste as much as possible, and learning how to compost. Shortly thereafter, Jill began teaching others how important it is to do the same for themselves. She started documenting the simple changes she was implementing to contribute to the health of our planet and has since grown an extensive following on YouTube’s Whispering Willow Farm channel. Jill now grows food full time on a much larger scale on her family’s tiny but mighty home farm. She teaches others daily and takes advantage of any opportunity to demonstrate how even the smallest environmental action can make a significant impact. With passion and personality, Jill is committed to sharing her hard-earned knowledge with anyone and everyone she can. RESOURCES MENTIONED Join us at our annual Homesteaders of America event in October 2025 CONNECT Jill Ragan of Whispering Willow Farm | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

We get questions all the time about how to find local community with a shared mindset around homesteading. After asking the same question in her community, Samantha decided to make the first move and create the network she was looking for. Not only has she grown a thriving local homesteading community in her area, she teaches people all across the country to do the same. This episode will inspire you with a reminder about why camaraderie is so important and will equip you with the practical steps to build a network of your own. In this episode, we cover: How Samantha started a movement in her county to connect homesteaders Why building strong in-person community is vital in our current day What is a farm crawl and why is it beneficial to a community? Overview of what kind of team it takes to create and run a local homesteading organization The personal growth that takes place as the leader of a community organization What does it take to start a homestead collective in your own community? View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. ABOUT SAMANTHA Samantha is passionate about helping local homesteaders in her area tap into the tools and resources that they need in order to build stranger, more self-sufficient, and resilient communities that can’t be overrun by government regulations and restrictions. Samantha is committed to pointing families towards food freedom and creating opportunities to cultivate deeper connections through the work she does at Frederick County Homesteaders. ABOUT FREDERICK COUNTY HOMESTEADERS Frederick County Homesteaders proudly serves our homesteading and farming community by connecting farmer to farmer and farmer to consumer. Our mission is to revitalize agriculture within the Valley through community interdependence, education, and good clean fun! RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out the Frederick County Farm Crawl CONNECT Frederick County Homesteaders | Website | Instagram | Facebook Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

As homesteaders, we know the importance of preparing our homes and families physically for an uncertain future. In this conversation with Pastor Mike, we dive into the importance of spiritually preparing for the days ahead too. Pastor Mike shares how preparation is rooted in scripture, how occult activity is more dangerous than we may realize, how we can impact our communities, and more. This conversation with Pastor Mike covered a lot of ground, and we know it will be an encouragement to you. In this episode, we cover: Mike’s intense journey from atheism to Christianity What led Mike and his family to move to New York City to preach the gospel Why Christians should prepare for dark days ahead Biblical examples of God preparing his people for future hardship Options for homestead-minded families in big cities Finding security in God’s will more than in our preparedness What it looks like to grow an online platform that produces income and makes an impact Miraculous stories of deliverance from demons and witchcraft How we often underestimate the danger of the occult A season of vindication and validation is coming View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. ABOUT MIKE Mike Signorelli wears many hats - content creator, pastor, YouTuber, author, philanthropist, and speaker. He is a dynamic and inspiring individual who has touched millions of people worldwide through his online content. His humble beginnings growing up in the projects of Hammond, Indiana, led him to pursue higher education and eventually to answer the call to preach and lead. Aside from his work as a content creator, pastor, author, and philanthropist, Mike is also a sought-after speaker who travels the world speaking at church gatherings, large conferences, tent revivals, and festivals. Mike's unique blend of talents and passions makes him a truly remarkable individual. His ability to inspire and connect with people from all walks of life is a testament to his unwavering commitment to communicating the message of Jesus on every platform he has, both online and in person. Mike and Julie have two daughters, Everly Faith and Bella Joy. They currently reside in New York City. RESOURCES MENTIONED The Breakers Creator Academy Video: 10 Items to Remove Right Now Video: Why God Removes People Video: Ex-Witches Expose Demonic Agendas ⁠Inherit Your Freedom: Break Generational Curses and Reclaim the Future God Has for You⁠ by Mike Signorelli CONNECT Mike Signorelli | Website | YouTube | Instagram | FacebookHomesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

I’m so glad to have Stacy Lyn Harris joining me again on the podcast for an honest conversation about what it’s like to run successful businesses while in the trenches of motherhood. What does it look like to bring our children along with us in our work? How do we manage to stay productive while meeting the needs of small children? How have our businesses changed throughout different seasons of our families? For any parent who is committed to giving your family your best and building a business you are proud of, may this vulnerable conversation be an encouragement to you. In this episode, we cover: What it was like to start a business as a homeschooling mother of seven How to get your children involved in working together on your dreams Creating a culture in your home that motivates your children to help with the work Reevaluating your strategy as an entrepreneur through shifting seasons of motherhood Two important strategies for entrepreneurs to be more productive Knowing when and how to bring on extra help in your business Why it is so valuable to remember that your spouse is your first business partner Letting go of our schedules and expectations in order to embrace what life brings View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you to our sponsor! Premier 1 Supplies is your one-stop shop for all things homesteading! Visit Premier1Supplies.com to browse their catalog. ABOUT STACY LYN Southern lifestyle guru, television host, celebrity chef, best-selling author and speaker Stacy Lyn Harris wants her readers to pull up a chair, hear some funny and poignant stories, and incorporate her unfussy, delicious recipes into their special occasions and daily life. After all, like the title of her new cookbook states, food is the "Love Language of the South." "I don't go to my home and kitchen expecting perfection," Harris writes in "Love Language of the South." "It's simply the place I go to return to what matters most: my family, my faith, and spending my days at home in the South. Time I spend cooking is time spent loving. And that's why I call it my love language." In addition to being a best-selling author of three books and host of "The Sporting Chef" on The Outdoor Channel, Harris is also the founder of the popular Stacy Lyn Harris blog. The Alabama native and mother of seven has grown a following with her simple approach to sourcing and preparing meals – often including wild game and ingredients from her garden. With multiple cookbooks and cooking shows celebrating Southern charm, lifestyle and seasonal, fresh protein, Harris is just getting started bucking the ordinary. She's showing the world that Southern culture is more than bless your hearts with a side of sweet tea. It's also a family Sunday dinner of crispy fried chicken with a side of caramel cake so simple that even her newlywed self could execute it to perfection. RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out Stacy Lyn’s cookbooks CONNECT Stacy Lyn Harris | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest