Farm Fresh Homestead | Homesteading, Organic Gardening & Living Off the Land
Mary Boyd | Farming & Homesteading Expert
37 episodes
22 hours ago
Mary Boyd welcomes you to Farm Fresh Homestead — the ultimate podcast for anyone passionate about homesteading, sustainable living, organic gardening, and small-scale farming. Whether you live in the suburbs, countryside, or a city apartment with a small backyard, this how-to podcast offers practical advice to help you grow your own food, raise animals ethically, and live a more self-sufficient life.
Each episode dives into step-by-step guidance on urban homesteading, backyard farming, and building your own thriving mini-farm using eco-friendly, 100% organic methods. From composting and soil preparation to natural pest control and year-round harvesting strategies, you'll gain the skills to make your land — no matter how small — truly productive.
We’ll also explore the ethical, nutritional, and environmental benefits of backyard chickens, permaculture design, and farm-to-table cooking. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned homesteader, Mary brings you expert interviews, success stories, and weekly inspiration to help you reconnect with the land and reclaim your independence.
Subscribe to Farm Fresh Homestead and start living the natural, resilient way — wherever you are in the world.
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Mary Boyd welcomes you to Farm Fresh Homestead — the ultimate podcast for anyone passionate about homesteading, sustainable living, organic gardening, and small-scale farming. Whether you live in the suburbs, countryside, or a city apartment with a small backyard, this how-to podcast offers practical advice to help you grow your own food, raise animals ethically, and live a more self-sufficient life.
Each episode dives into step-by-step guidance on urban homesteading, backyard farming, and building your own thriving mini-farm using eco-friendly, 100% organic methods. From composting and soil preparation to natural pest control and year-round harvesting strategies, you'll gain the skills to make your land — no matter how small — truly productive.
We’ll also explore the ethical, nutritional, and environmental benefits of backyard chickens, permaculture design, and farm-to-table cooking. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned homesteader, Mary brings you expert interviews, success stories, and weekly inspiration to help you reconnect with the land and reclaim your independence.
Subscribe to Farm Fresh Homestead and start living the natural, resilient way — wherever you are in the world.
Join the Carters on their homesteading journey as they cultivate a life of self-sufficiency and sustainable living amidst nature's challenges. As they navigate the gravel drive to their homestead, they encounter the weather and wildlife that brings both trials and triumphs. From coyotes singing in the distance to the bonds formed with unexpected allies, every experience shapes their connection to the land. In this episode, discover how the lessons of yesterday's storms prepare the Carters for today’s resilience and community. Morning arrives with new insights, revealing who truly belongs in their evolving world. Tune in to explore themes of organic gardening and the heart of homesteading.
Welcome to this episode of Farm Fresh Homestead, where we explore transforming shiitake logs into a sustainable backyard harvest! Discover the art of backyard farming through this complete guide that turns a single hardwood log into a steady food source. We’ll delve into the safe workflow of selecting the right wood, drilling a clean diamond grid, and sealing the log with thin wax caps to ensure optimal growth. Learn how to create an effective moisture routine, monitor readiness with key indicators, and maximize your harvest for farm-to-table meals. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting with organic living, this episode offers crucial tips for enhancing your small-scale farming practices. Join us as we empower you to utilize your space for thriving, organic production and enjoy the abundant rewards of your hard work – all while embracing eco-friendly methods!
In Episode 2, we transition from readiness checks to executing a robust first flush in your backyard farming journey. Dive into the white-ring test, weight trends, and bark feel to set precise soak times tailored to log size and growth stage, ensuring optimal airflow. You'll learn the timing for harvest, quick chilling methods, and grading for quality. Protect your garden from slugs, deer, and green mold by hardening the site, and explore how to map a multi-year rotation that includes essential rests and batch cadence. A detailed case study reveals practical application with dates, weights, and remedies for common challenges. Create a simple yield log system that transforms your notes into actionable insights for next season's success. This episode is crafted for those living the homesteading life and striving for sustainable living, even in small yards.
Dive into the world of shiitake log farming with our latest episode on sustainable living and backyard farming. We provide you with clear, step-by-step instructions to start your own shiitake log yard, whether you have a spacious garden or a tiny backyard. Episode 1 guides you through the first phase, covering everything from defining success in your sustainable journey to choosing the right hardwood in late winter, and meticulously laying out tools and techniques. You'll learn how to drill a diamond pattern at the optimal depth for successful growth, properly seat and seal your plugs, and create the right moisture plan for maximum yield during the first season. Expect no guesswork in this informative hour; just actionable advice aimed at those living the homesteading life and keen on self-sufficiency. By the end of this episode, you'll be ready to establish your first log or stack of logs, tracking results efficiently — no waste involved. Join us and transform your outdoor space into a productive sanctuary with effortless farming methods that align with eco-friendly living.
Turn a small patch of ground into a year-round harvest with this farm fresh, homesteading masterclass. In this 6-chapter guide, you’ll learn how to build an herb spiral from the ground up — choosing the perfect location, stacking stones into a beautiful frame, filling with nutrient-rich soil, planting herbs by water gradient, and keeping them productive through every season. Whether you’re working with a sprawling backyard or a tiny patio, this backyard farming method transforms limited space into a thriving, self-sustaining herb garden. Clear steps, practical tips, and seasoned advice make this your go-to resource for fresh, flavorful harvests all year long.
Episode 2 moves past the beginner stage and dives into the deeper connection between skilled beekeeping and thriving gardens. Across Chapters 4 to 6, you’ll learn how to safely introduce a nuc of bees to a prepared hive, ensuring a smooth transition that sets the stage for strong colony growth. You’ll master the art of weekly inspections — from reading brood patterns to spotting early signs of pests, disease, or nutritional gaps — all without stressing your bees. Beyond hive health, this episode focuses on how your bees directly impact your fruit and vegetable harvests. Discover how strategic hive placement can increase tomato set, boost cucumber and squash yields, and improve pollination for apples, berries, melons, peppers, and more. Learn how seasonal nectar flows influence garden productivity, why certain crops benefit from higher bee visitation, and how to adjust your colony management to match planting and harvest cycles. You’ll also gain practical tips on ensuring your bees have access to diverse forage, supplementing during floral gaps, and protecting both the hive and your garden from harmful chemicals. With the right approach, your apiary won’t just produce honey — it will become the beating heart of a healthy, productive ecosystem that feeds you year after year.
Step into the world of beekeeping with this immersive, start-to-finish beginner’s guide. In Episode 1, you’ll learn how to assemble your Langstroth hive, install foundation frames, and prepare for your first colony. Packed with practical tips, real-world advice, and step-by-step instructions, this episode gives you the confidence to start your own backyard apiary. Whether you’re a curious first-timer or ready to order your first bees, this is your roadmap to a thriving hive.
If you’ve ever dreamed of collecting fresh eggs from your own hens, this is the survival-focused guide you need. In this no-fluff, real-world walkthrough, an experienced chicken keeper takes you step-by-step through choosing the right breeds, setting up a reliable feeding schedule, keeping your coop clean, and managing flock health. This isn’t an Instagram fantasy — it’s the reality of raising chickens for farm fresh food, sustainable living, and backyard farming success.
When the rain falls, most people watch it wash away. But with a simple rainwater harvesting system, you can turn every storm into free, reliable water for your homesteading needs and sustainable living practices. In this complete step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to set up gutters, install a downspout diverter, add a mesh filter, and store clean water in a secure barrel for your organic gardening and backyard farming endeavors. This is not theory — it’s a real, practical method that works in rural areas, urban homesteading scenarios, or in preparation for emergencies. With the right setup, you’ll save money, protect your natural resources, and gain peace of mind, all while embracing a self-sufficient lifestyle. From picking the best collection spot to maintaining your water purity for years, this guide walks you through every step in plain, simple language. No special skills are required — just a roof, a little time, and the will to keep your water where it belongs: with you in your journey towards resilient living.
Take control of your food supply with this essential guide on raised vegetable gardening. In this hands-on episode, a seasoned homesteading expert will walk you through the process of building a sturdy 4×8 raised bed, layering it with nutrient-rich soil, and planning effective crop rotation for sustainable living and year-round harvests. From selecting safe, affordable materials to harvesting your first tomatoes, every chapter blends practical instruction with personal experiences, making it feel like a neighbor is helping you grow your own food. Whether you’re aiming for self-sufficiency, healthier eating, or enhanced food security, this is the ultimate blueprint for backyard farming you can trust.
Start your self-sufficient garden with crops proven to thrive without constant upkeep. Real survival gardening for new and experienced homesteaders—no wasted time, no wasted space. Learn how to grow the easiest vegetables and fruits that feed your family with real-life advice, planting schedules, step-by-step methods, and honest lessons from years of trial and error. Unlock error-proof harvests and food security every season. Practical strategies from homesteading, survival, and how-to experts. What would you have done in their shoes?
This comprehensive guide traces the evolution of homesteading from the myth of isolated self-sufficiency through the power of community networks, infrastructure planning, financial management, and small-space innovations, into a regenerative era where soil health, water systems, and biodiversity restoration drive net-positive impact. It explores teaching models—from apprenticeships and internships to homeschool integration—before casting forward to a future of AI, robotics, IoT, VR/AR learning, biotech, vertical farming, and advanced renewable energy that will enable resilient, technology-enhanced homesteads aligned with climate adaptation and global food security.
Discover the essential truths behind modern homesteading—from land and infrastructure to skills, budgeting, and legal must-knows. This intimate, first-person narrative delivers 10 chapters of real-world advice on choosing land, mastering off-grid power, raising animals, preserving food off-grid, navigating regulations, and thriving through physical and mental challenges. Learn practical systems, insider tips, and proven strategies to transform your dream of self-reliance into a sustainable reality. What would you do first on your homestead journey?
DescriptionChallenge everything you think you know about food, tradition, and resilience with this cinematic, in-depth journey through the art and heart of raising cows for meat. Experience a homesteader’s trials, triumphs, and hard-won lessons—where every season demands grit and every meal holds the taste of legacy. This immersive documentary reveals practical wisdom and emotional moments that will change how you see the land, yourself, and the food on your table.What would you have done in their shoes?
Discover the art and science of raising pigs for meat on your own terms. This Smithsonian-style, homesteading guide delivers the full journey—land prep, pig care, nutrition, health, humane processing, and community building—over 20 cinematic chapters. Challenge the conventions of industrial food with hands-on, ethical practices that regenerate land, strengthen communities, and fill your table with the honest bounty of homegrown pork. It’s a guide, a story, and a toolkit—a complete education for those ready to reclaim their food independence and rural skills.What would you have done in their shoes?
Discover the transformative journey of turning land and livestock into a resilient livelihood. “Raising Goats for Meat: An A–Z Smithsonian Storytelling Guide” illuminates every step of homesteading, from the first muddy fencepost to the last market day—and the grit, setbacks, and wisdom gained along the way. This practical how-to, narrated with warmth and first-hand experience, dives deep into daily routines, hard lessons, and the joy of sustainable self-sufficiency. What would you have done when the goats got out? When disaster struck? When the harvest failed? Join us for heartfelt stories, actionable guidance, and the true meaning of resilience in rural life.
Experience a transformative journey into the world of meat rabbit husbandry—where quiet skill and thoughtful stewardship deliver not just fresh protein, but a new kind of self-reliance and abundance. Through 20 in-depth chapters, discover every step: choosing the right breed, engineering the perfect hutch, optimizing feed and care, mastering humane practices from breeding to harvest, and unlocking the ecological, economic, and ethical rewards unique to rabbits. More than a how-to, this is a story of reclaiming power, building legacy, and finding agency right in your backyard.
Discover the timeless art of raising chickens for meat — from selecting the perfect breed to the final harvest, this cinematic, step-by-step guide brings homesteading wisdom to life for the modern backyard beginner. Told in the warm tone of a seasoned farmer, this 20-chapter journey breaks down everything: ethical butchering, organic feed recipes, daily growth schedules, and hands-on tips that challenge the factory-farming norm. If you’ve ever wondered how to take control of your food, embrace sustainability, and revive lost traditions — this is your call to action. Are you ready to raise your own real food — and pass it down? So if you think you've heard it all — you haven’t. Hit follow on your favorite platform and leave us a comment, because the next story might just change the way you see everything. Don’t miss a single twisted turn.
You thought raising chickens was just about eggs? Think again. This warm, step-by-step guide takes you from fluffy chicks to seasoned hens, covering every letter of the alphabet with practical wisdom, backyard know-how, and heartfelt lessons from the homesteading life. Whether you're just starting or looking to deepen your self-sufficient journey, this cinematic, second-person audiobook is packed with everything you need to build a flock—and a lifestyle—that lasts. Discover how raising chickens can reconnect you to the land, reduce your waste, and inspire a future of intentional, farm fresh living.Are you ready to collect more than just eggs—are you ready to collect meaning?
Most people talk about growing their own food — but few truly understand what it takes to eat, plan, raise, and preserve through all four seasons. This is the complete roadmap for a one-year homestead cycle in the Caribbean: from droughts to floods, planting to preserving, and soil to soul. What happens when the rain doesn’t come? How do you store six months of cassava without a fridge? And what does it take to build a system that keeps feeding you even if you get sick, lose power, or face a crisis? If you’ve ever dreamed of true self-reliance — this is the deep dive you’ve been waiting for. Would your system survive a hard year? Or just a good season?
Farm Fresh Homestead | Homesteading, Organic Gardening & Living Off the Land
Mary Boyd welcomes you to Farm Fresh Homestead — the ultimate podcast for anyone passionate about homesteading, sustainable living, organic gardening, and small-scale farming. Whether you live in the suburbs, countryside, or a city apartment with a small backyard, this how-to podcast offers practical advice to help you grow your own food, raise animals ethically, and live a more self-sufficient life.
Each episode dives into step-by-step guidance on urban homesteading, backyard farming, and building your own thriving mini-farm using eco-friendly, 100% organic methods. From composting and soil preparation to natural pest control and year-round harvesting strategies, you'll gain the skills to make your land — no matter how small — truly productive.
We’ll also explore the ethical, nutritional, and environmental benefits of backyard chickens, permaculture design, and farm-to-table cooking. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned homesteader, Mary brings you expert interviews, success stories, and weekly inspiration to help you reconnect with the land and reclaim your independence.
Subscribe to Farm Fresh Homestead and start living the natural, resilient way — wherever you are in the world.
