Soap facts, farm interns, and relationship marketing


Hello Reader,

In case you noticed you received this email on Thursday and nothing on Tuesday, that's because I decided to go back to our once-a-week homesteading newsletter on Thursday, which we had done for 10 years until April of this year. I thought people would prefer getting emails on Tuesday and Friday, but I was wrong. If you're one of the people who hated twice-a-week homesteading emails, I'm sorry. We are back to every Thursday now.

While making soap and teaching soap making classes for many years, several of the same ideas and misconceptions keep coming up. If you've ever wondered if you can make soap without lye and why some bar soaps dry out your skin, read these surprising facts about soap.

Have you thought about having interns on your farm? I hope my five tips for working with farm interns will help you avoid some of the issues I've encountered over many years of having interns on our farm.

Have you heard of relationship marketing? If you have any desire to sell things from your homestead, your ace in the hole is relationship marketing. It's one area where we can beat big biz hands down. Learn what it is, how to do it, and why it makes a difference.

📄Hash Brown Casserole

If you're harvesting potatoes right now, this hash brown casserole is a great use for them. It’s delicious for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. It can also be made with frozen hash browns, but if you can't find any without unpronounceable ingredients in your store, it's better to shred your own fresh potatoes.

🏡On the homestead and in my life...

My husband Mike is holding things down on the homestead while I am in Texas meeting with Goats 365 members, visiting farms, and hosting a hands-on workshop where members get to practice important goat skills. Next week I'll be in the DFW area attending a YouTube conference. I would love to have a meetup with you in Irving if you live in the area. Click here or reply to this email to be added to the invitation list.

Happy homesteading!

​
Deborah
and the ThriftyHomesteader Team

📚Want to Learn Even More?

  • Did you know we have a Youtube Channel with over 700 videos? From goat care to soapmaking, cheesemaking, and more—you’ll find practical, real-life tips to support your homesteading journey.
  • Looking to dive deeper? Visit the Goat Academy—your go-to resource for online courses on everything from goat health and nutrition to soapmaking, gardening, composting, and starting a homestead business. Whether you’re just getting started or want to level up your skills, there’s a course for you.
  • Need ongoing guidance and community support? Goats 365 is our membership program that gives you full access to six comprehensive courses, live Q&A sessions, and an engaged group of goat owners who are learning and growing together—365 days a year.

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Deborah Niemann @ Thrifty Homesteader

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