Hello Reader, Thereās something about stepping out of your usual environmentāeven for just a few hoursāthat can shift everything. This summer, weāre offering a series of small, half-day meditation retreats here at Antiquity Oaks Farm, just outside Cornell, Illinois. Theyāll be held from 9:00 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of each month (May through August), and the first one is coming up this Saturday. These mornings are simple by design. A chance to slow down, get out of your head a bit,...
9 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hello Reader, Want to go to Portugal with me and visit farms? Iām starting to map out a small-group trip (just 8ā12 people) for fall 2026 or spring 2027, and itās shaping up to be a really special blend of learning and relaxing. Weāll spend a week visiting a variety of farmsāgoat dairies, homesteads, vineyards, and moreāwhile also enjoying the slower pace of life, great food, and time to just soak it all in. A friend of mine who lives in Lisbon will be helping us connect with local farmers...
11 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 3 min read
Hello Reader, Yesterday, I was on Zoom with a friend who moved to Portugal a couple of years agoāand by the end of the conversation, we had the beginnings of something Iām really excited aboutā¦ A small-group farm tour in Portugal. This is still taking shape, but hereās what I know so far: Iām planning a one-week trip in fall 2026 or spring 2027 (avoiding the rainy season), with a very small groupājust 8 to 12 people. Weāll visit a mix of farmsāgoat dairies, homesteads, vineyards, and...
14 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hello Reader, This weekās newsletter covers some of the most common goat keeping challenges, from does rejecting kids and figuring out when to wean baby goats to dealing with mites and understanding why a dewormer may not seem to work. Plus, thereās a simple ricotta recipe that came from an unexpected kitchen surprise. When a Doe Rejects Her Kid: How to Encourage Re-Bonding Goat rejection can feel heartbreakingābut itās not always the end of the story. Whether itās caused by disbudding,...
18 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
Hello Reader, Sheep can be a great addition to a homestead, especially if youāre looking for animals that are relatively easy to care for. In this article, I share the basics of getting started, from choosing the right breed to feeding and health considerations. Itās a helpful overview to give you a realistic idea of what to expect. Chicken lice are a common concern for flock owners, but theyāre usually manageable with the right approach. This article explains how to identify lice, prevent...
21 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hello Reader, One of my favorite herbal books for beginners is Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide. Learn more about this book, which includes complete instructions for making teas, syrups, oils, salves, tinctures, poultices, and more. Beekeeping can be a rewarding addition to your homestead, but it helps to understand the basics first. This article shares practical insights on what beekeeping really involves, from equipment and costs to choosing your first bees. Itās a...
28 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hello Reader, Goat keeping doesnāt always go as planned, and some situations can leave you with more questions than answers. In this weekās newsletter, Iām sharing practical insights on stillbirths, castration, buck management, and tattooing to help you better understand whatās happening and what to do next. Don't forget to click the 'Subscribe' button below any video to stay updated with our latest releases! ā¶ Did My Goatās Baby Die Because I Was Too Slow? (The Truth About Stillborn Kids)...
29 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
Hello Reader, Storms are always a little scary on the homestead because losing electricity is pretty normal for us, but weāre prepared with a generator and a battery-operated backup sump pump. Or at least we thought we were prepared. Illinois had a horrible storm Friday night, with tornado sirens going off and of course lost electricity. The generator failed, so Mike volunteered to sleep in the barn with Jennifer, who was getting close to giving birth. Without electricity the baby monitor...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
Hello Reader, Goat keeping doesnāt always go as planned, and some situations can leave you with more questions than answers. In this weekās newsletter, Iām sharing practical insights on stillbirths, castration, buck management, and tattooing to help you better understand whatās happening and what to do next. Don't forget to click the 'Subscribe' button below any video to stay updated with our latest releases! ā¶ Did My Goatās Baby Die Because I Was Too Slow? (The Truth About Stillborn Kids)...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
