In the last week I have had multiple occurrences of people sharing some wonderful stories with me about how they met, bartered, or exchanged some resources with other people - like real life, flesh and blood people, because of connections they made on our chat threads or here in the comments. Stuff like that is the bee’s knees in my books.
Of course, when things come in multiples, we must pay attention to the messages they bring. I thought it might be nice to open up a discussion thread for all of you. Maybe you have some sort of resource you’re trying to source. Maybe you have a service or product you’d like to barter something else for? Maybe you’d like to exchange some kid’s clothes or books or homeschool resources. Maybe you heard there’s a buying group somewhere you’d like to join or you want to start your own. Or, maybe you’re looking for a great recipe to emulate great old Aunt Margaret’s phenomenal Queen Elizabeth cake. Whatever it is, I turn this page over to you.
I’ll just be over here enjoying the chatter. Here’s to connection! ❤️
Dr Hubert Karreman and I are starting a mentorship program next week for folks who want to learn about pastured dairy, holistic livestock treatments and natural husbandry. We love this group of folks so much and we’d be honored to have y’all join us. More info right now is avail on @reverence_home on Instagram and next week we will have a dedicated website.
Love this! My husband operates a small creamery in Pennsylvania and our focus is high quality cheese from pasture raised/grassfed cows. (Some organic and some not).
Where is the creamery? Hue used to be a dairy vet in Lancaster for organic farmers. And we've brought our milk all the way up there to make cheese when the creamery we sell our milk to down in NC was shut down due to a boiler part. So grateful for the supportive words. They mean a lot.
Oh wow, how funny! We started in New Tripoli (Lehigh valley) as a farmstead model, but recently moved to a new space in Shoemakersville (berks county) and switched to buying in milk. It has certainly been an interesting ride so far!
I will be discussing this with my husband... I already found the cow I want, and I’m practically begging for my husbands ‘OK’ ❤️❤️ we recently got sheep and we want to do everything pastured and organic. I’m also really wanting to learn more about the regenerative approach!!
That’s wonderful. My very strong advice is to first learn about the cow, and don’t necessarily adhere to strict philosophies of 100% pastured and organic because it’s going to work against you in the beginning. What we teach is practical advice so that we can get to the ideal and not have major collapses along the way.
Yes, I’m literally learning that lesson with my sheep right now 🙈 they were raised very conventionally before we got them... BUT the cow I want is an A2/A2 cow that is grass fed, holistically/organically raised, though when she’s in milk they supplement her with non-GMO grain because OG is so expensive. And she’s been bred with an angus (I think) so we’d have a beef cow to eat, too 🤗
That's wonderful that you are starting out with such a great cow that is close to your goals! I'm happy for you! One of the things we try to impart to folks is that not all grass is equal to a cow, and the soils in the south and the fescue down here make it such that "grass-fed" can take a really long time to do well, and the cow of course needs to eat today. It's challenging when what folks call "native" grass (which is really a perversion, but it's pervasive) is literally poison to the cow. We've seen so many starving, rough-coated, mastitis-ridden, unhappy cows that were put at the alter of someone's ideals and not given what she actually needs. That is why we formed the mentorship program, because we were seeing the same problems over and over again. Starting with grass-fed genetics helps a whole lot! And that's why we breed and sell (live and in straws) Jersey bulls that have been raised to do this, particularly but not exclusively in the SE, and to sire cows that can eat pasture and do well. However, even so, a dairy cow and poor grass on tight, worn out soils (which pretty much all soils are in the south) can't thrive, no matter her genetics, without supplementation, not just energy, but also better roughage. Please know that I am a huge advocate of the benefits of grass-fed -- we've been 100% forage feeding for 15 years -- but it's a whole process of feeding the soil and feeding the cow in the meantime. It doesn't have to be grain, but a lactating animal needs real groceries.
I am so grateful that you are doing this. I have not found any pasture based dairy mentor in my area and there is so much I want to learn from you. Thank you!
This is exactly why we are doing it! It's a long and lonely road sometimes, and so much better when someone says, "this is normal" or "I've been here before." Thank you for your kind words.
I can't tell you how much that warms our hearts. This is a big endeavor for us, and we really are excited about connecting with folks. Thank you. It is a BIG deal for us and our ability to keep pioneering new ways forward with grass-based dairy and raising calves on cows.
Oh! We are practically neighbors and we would love to have you. You'd have a special advantage in the program because our community groups could occasionally meet locally on the farm!
My family needs prayers! We have a house/cottage we need to sell to get us to new Brunswick. If you know anyone who wants beauty and function in ontario please share our listing andball prayers are humbly accepted for a fast abundant sale! If you are in nee Brunswick...hoping to be neighbors soon! https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/25828205/1268-hughes-road-arden
If anyone in the U.S. has size 0/2, XS/S maternity clothes they are ready to part with, I'd love to take them off your hands and will happily pay for shipping! Or any newborn/baby clothes!
Also - first time mama to be here, planning a homebirth (due Feb. 10th.) I'd love to hear all of your tips, wisdom, "wish I'd knowns..."
Good of you to choose o home birth. Our four children were born at home and I can’t say enough about how special it it.
You are meant to give birth and your child is meant to be born.
No one needs to deliver her/him. Learn as much as you can
So that you understand and expect what is happening.
If it’s an option, stay in the bathtub as long as possible, go in and out, it really eases the pain of the contractions. Connect and trust your midwife. If you don’t, get a different one.
As a man, I can only share the experience on a much lesser level but can feel the intensity of the experience. Have become a little jealous of the depth and magnitude of it all.
Faith is a pre-requisite. You must know that it is meant to be and it will all happen according to God’s plan, whether you like it or not.
All of my three children were home births. For my first birth, I read a plethora of different books about water/home births etc. I also second Ina May's guide to birth. I watched a lot of films about home births etc and watch the documentary "the business of being born. I listened to my intuition and trusted my body. I walked a lot, ate healthy and did light weights. I was intouch with my primal self and trusted the process. Really listen to your intuition and also do not listen to other women's negative birth story's.
I second Ina May. Also Juliette de Bairacli Levy's wisdom, travels & writing. Nature's Children, many books for livestock, dogs & a bit on cats! Her personal story is wonderful. Mothering Magazine archives from circumcision to vax & more to open up questions & thinking. Organs- organ meats, turkey hearts, cow heart, hearts.. marrow, bone broths, butter- ghee all things cultured & fermented, eggs- yolks, for the child bearing (ma & pa) & nursing ma years!
I love Juliette! I love dipping into all her books from time to time just to remember that she was an original pioneer with regards to sunshine, cold plunges, moonlight, grounding - all the beautiful things!
Only an hour and a half into this (audio book Ina Mays Guide To Childbirth), but wish I’d listened to it for my first babe - used a Christian Hypnobirthing class and App for my second and it was incredible at preparing me to stay present, grateful, and realistic for that birth. Having my third in a birthing center (husband doesn’t have peace about home birth for these babes - thankfully I trusted his gut for the first since she had a rare condition that needed surgery immediately- TEF).
Best advice I got: enjoy all the feelings/symptoms, since you never know if it’ll be your only. 🩷
I would strongly recommend a strong backup plan in the event you need medical intervention. My first and third were born at home. Beautiful births. Third one was a dry birth. I had some vomiting and diarrhea during labor, but wasn’t sick as in having the flu or anything. Baby born fine but then right after birth, my cervix clamped down before my placenta was delivered. It became an emergent situation for me as I continued to lose blood into my uterus. The doc at hospital said I was dehydrated and that’s what happened. I don’t really understand the whole physiological process behind it. But, midwives gave me O2 and a shot of oxytocin and called the ambulance. I lost a lot of blood. Should have had a transfusion but I refused as it was 1990. I was a nurse and AIDS was still a concerning thing back then with blood supply. All I’m saying, is have a backup plan if needed. Home births are beautiful. The risk is low of any adverse events. Enjoy your pregnancy.
Congratulations on your upcoming first!!! And congratulations on doing a homebirth! If I had any tips to give, one would be to buy the Dr. Christopher brand of herbal "birth prep" tincture. His is a bit different than other brands and the difference is staggering. It really helps your body prepare for a quick birth and helps you to heal faster. You take it during 3rd trimester.
Can I send you a box of things at some point? I'm saving most of my baby stuff for my daughters, but I have a spare ring sling (Sakura Bloom brand) and might have some wool things to send over. ❤
Hi Caitlyn, I am working on putting together a list of things I will still need before baby comes, and just thought I'd check in and see if you were still interested in sending me the ring sling, or anything else! No worries if not, and if so, I will of course pay for the shipping! :)
Well I could have sworn I always used a tincture, but you're right - I just checked the internet and there's only capsules! It looks like the blend is exactly the same though, so you should be good to go! I think the secret to success in the Dr. Christopher blend is the fact that it has lobelia + pennyroyal + squaw vine; most blends don't have those.
Hi Caitlyn! I’ll definitely look for that tincture!
And it would be wonderful to get anything you no longer need, my email address is siebenaler.beth@yahoo.com if you want to send me a message and I can give you my address :) Thank you!
I'm slowly unpacking many ma & kids- baby things after years of good keeping. All holistic & lovely old wisdom inspired. Let's keep in contact about what I find if you may like to have what I have?
That would be great! I tried to see if there was a way to message you on here, but there was not (at least that I could find.) My name on facebook is Elizabeth Dorn, my profile picture is of my husband and I on our wedding, and I'm located in Hastings, MN, If you want to add me on there. Otherwise I could give you my email address.
We’re in western WA and looking to connect with like-minded people in our region to trade skills and goods and start a friendship with 😁 we’ve met some amazing people from on here in real life too, and we’d love to meet more. This community is such a blessing. Looking at you, Amanda and Cassandra!
I am in Western Wa. Whidbey Island. Would love to connect with others in real life. I have homeschool resources to pass on and we make the most of the 5 acres plus 20 leased acres to raised and produce our protein sources.
Hello Diana! I have never visited Whidbey, but that would be a fun trip sometime. We are actually just starting to homeschool our little girls; they are 2 and 4!
Thank you, that would be fun! I wonder if we should all try having a ‘slowdown meetup’ some place mid-way between all of us? We should email and all get to know each other! My email is flemingfamilyfarmwa@gmail.com, if anyone wants to email me and start something 😁
Hi western WA peeps! I’m on Decatur island & this time of year hop over to Anacortes every other week to vend my artwork wares at the Farmers Market there on Saturdays. If you find yourself there stop by my booth and say hello!
Hello Jess! We’d absolutely love to connect with you. That’s a big move, but should be a great change! Do you want to email me at flemingfamilyfarmwa@gmail.com and we can get something started? I think it would be lots of fun to have a meetup with all of us somewhere!
I'm looking for folks in the lower 48 who I can send a free sample sized (1 ounce) jar of egg yolk oil balm to, in exchange for a review on my website. Ingredients in the balm are: Egg yolk oil, pomegranate oil, and beef tallow. The egg yolks and tallow are from biodynamically raised critters. This is a deeply restorative balm that is wonderful for any purpose, from daily skin care to wounds, eczema, pet care, or anything else you can think of!
It's an oil made through a cold extraction of egg yolks. There are only two other people here in the USA who make it, and they use ethanol to extract the nutrients; which I do not agree with. Here's Wikipedia's take on it: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_oil
I use it as a daily facial moisturizer and love it! I would not say that there is any "best" application since the nourishing egg yolks do so much good for every purpose. I created this balm because I'm a minimalist with a big family. 😆 One day I woke up and realized we had three different lotions, two salves, two burn creams, two beard oils for my husband, and I had FIVE moisturizers/serums in my bathroom. No one ever knew what to use. So I made this! A deeply restorative + nourishing balm that works as a "go-to" for every need.
Holly, I'm just now seeing your comment on my thread; sorry about that! Would you be okay with receiving a half-ounce jar of egg yolk balm? I wouldn't mind testing out the shipping to AK once, to see how long it takes to get to you and how the package survives the trip.
I'm in La Cienega, near Santa Fe New Mexico. I have purchased a lovely, high vitality egg oil balm although the recipe differs with the use of jojoba oil instead of pomegranate oil. I am deep into high desert chicken ranching & all things chickens with gardens & a rabbitry under development. I would be happy to try your Egg Yolk oil balm & write a review🪺☀️🪺
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on my balm since you are already familiar with egg oil. Also, I grew up in Rio Rancho; about 45 minutes from where you are! I love NM so much and I often think of going back. The state slogan is true; it really is the land of enchantment.
I don't have a business email set up yet, so if y'all wouldn't mind emailing me your address at wheatsmithfarm@gmail.com then I will work on getting your sample mailed off!
We're in Southwestern Ontario. Would love to start an organic fruit buying club and also trade/buy used organic kids clothes and shoes. We raise our own organic meat, milk and eggs
I'm in Meaford and pick up my fruit from Glencolton Farm near Hanover. It comes from Palatine Fruit & Roses in Niagara. You might contact Palatine directly about a fruit buying club. They have a website.
Hello! My name is Christine. I just moved to Meaford (11th Line) 2 weeks ago. Would love to have you over for a cuppa something. I've already bottled a batch of honeysuckle cordial (as per Tara's recipe) and I've got a Phlox brew on the go!
Hi Louella and everyone! I am also in SW Ontario, near Aylmer. I have Weck group going, and we have a fruit club from Palatine too, if anyone is relatively close. Would love to organize a SW Ontario meet up sometime this fall????
Also in SW Ontario, looking to do the same - I'm urban right now, would love to connect with more farm folk. All of our food comes from local farms but have yet to make a large fruit purchase.
Also, we’ve planted over 13,000 trees in the last four years out here, many of which are fruit bearing for our zone. Although we aren’t producing much fruit yet, we will hopefully have an abundance in the next few years. If you’re in our neck of the Alberta woods, just something to keep in mind, as that will be another trade option we’ll have down the road. :)
There is a great holistic dentist in Kitchener, Ontario if anyone is looking- Sante family health. Similar to Tara, I’ve had 3 root canals removed and the infections properly cleaned out. My overall health has improved now that my body is not constantly fighting infection. Part way through the next stage of replacing the teeth!
Jen! It’s Sarah from EFAO! So nice to see you here! Naomi and I were able to give a real life hugs at the Manorun field day last week! Hurrah! Would love to connect more :)
Thanks for this recommendation Naomi. Just to make sure I got the right place, it's Dr. Farahani, right? I also have three root canals, all still in place but never thought I would find someplace in Canada to look at getting them removed. And the best part is, it's so close. I am in Guelph. I will definitely look into them.
Hello! Anyone from SW Montana? I am moving back there soon to help my mom on her small ranch where she raises sheep and a few cows. We are building a cabin on her back property, and will integrate ourselves with the land and animals over time, hoping to shift the grazing practices back to a more regenerative model. Also can't wait to adopt a mustang! Would love to connect with like minded rebels!
What a beautiful endeavor! We are in Rexburg Idaho. Not so close but our highway signs headed north have Montana cities on them. I am a WAPF Chapter Leader here and trying to start an urban market garden with rabbits and chickens.
So much change! Yes, Covid brought everyone here... My son and his wife cowboy on a ranch outside of Livingston. We love it up there. I hope you love Montana!
Hi Peggy! We are actually in Driggs! I have been here for 20+ years and it is bittersweet leaving, but excited for less winter. There seem to be a lot of great movements happening in and around the greater Teton area. I wish you lots of happy farming and connections!
Love the idea of trading services or provisions. My pal out in Nova Scotia (I’m just south of Calgary, Alberta), told me about an upcoming Canadian website called, “Barter It.” I don’t know much about it but it may be worth checking out:
I have a degree in Interior Design from Mount Royal in Calgary and am happy to exchange my services for you name it! Here’s my website, desperately needs updating but that task has dropped far down in the queue - I’m a farmer now too. 😉
Love this! I've been canning all week in my beautiful new jars thanks to a connection made here! And yesterday's peach BBQ was also inspired by you, Tara. I am so thankful for all you have inspired in my life! I'm in SW Wisconsin, homeschool mom, small farm life, soapmaker, and our church's kid min director part time. Looking to start raising out pork and chickens for friends to who share our standards for meat in order to try to keep the ever rising costs up. Hoping someday we can afford (and have a willing seller!) the pasture behind our house from my dad so we can consider beef, but thankful for now to be able to buy locally with confidence.
Hello Anna and Little Heathens Farm (and everyone)! I’m a Suzuki piano teacher and sourdough enthusiast in central WI (Marshfield) and I plan on homeschooling once my children are older. Will be starting with preschool this fall and would appreciate any advice anyone has on curriculum and/or homeschooling while still working part time. I love and support all things homesteading and becoming self sufficient, as well as keeping my Polish heritage alive and well. My Polish art email is AnnellasPisanki at icloud dot com and my Facebook page by the same name has more info on the folk art I create.
Anyone here in Charlotte, NC?! Always looking for a like minded friend!!!
Also- if anyone has any second hand wool baby clothes they are interested in selling, I’m having another baby the end of September and would love to see them!!
I'm a little over an hour north of you, also expecting (my 1st) in the end of September. Also searching for affordable wool baby clothes, so I can't help you there, but how nice a coincidence!
We’re outside of Greenville, SC, so we’re practically neighbors! Also obsessed with all the wool for my babies (and myself) but I’m praying to have one more (at least) so I’m not ready to part with it.
I HATE FB but there are some really awesome BST groups for wool on there. Also Sloomb has amazing Black Friday sales every year!
Oh I’ll have to check out Sloomb! I’m on those fb groups but boy the good stuff goes FAST!! my husband goes to Greenville all the time for work. My daughter and i talk about tagging along one of these days. I’ll have to let you know if we decide to go with him!
I have had some luck in the past making ISO posts in the fb groups. But yes - when we need something, it feels like I have to spend SO MUCH TIME on fb trying to find it.
My husband and I run a sheep/beef/goat/bees farm (www.beavertidesfarm.com or @beavertidesfarm)in NW Connecticut, right on the MA&NY border. We teach beekeeping & sustainable shepherding courses, have a beautiful cabin/tent for farm stays and much more. I’m always interested in trades of many kinds, in sharing experiences and connecting in other ways. Also love to help other local sheep/goat shepherds or beekeepers when I can.
Oooo! We are in southeastern MA and are always looking for farmstay type places when we travel around New England with our kids! We are aspiring homesteaders just looking for the land and opportunity. My husband has experience raising goats, pigs and chickens. Currently just doing rabbits since we are in a rental but we have 3 young kids who thrive in a farm setting and would love to connect and plan a visit!
Hi Ashley! That’s so wonderful! Feel free to send me a message at beavertidesfarm@gmail.com if you are coming this way sometime or just to connect. I have a 4&7 year old that love it when other kids come visit.
I am in Phoenix, AZ, USA. I am interested in discussing any topic from Tara/Troy/ their daughters. From vinegars, to bulk buying clubs and raw dairy or nose to tail eating. Would be great to connect with others. ☮️
Hi Sophia, I’m not too far from you up in Flagstaff. I haven’t seen anyone else from AZ on here yet. I’d be interested in knowing where you source your raw dairy from? I was looking on the Weston A. Price website and our local Sprouts carries raw milk from Fond du Lac. It’s A1 /2.
I follow golden rule dairy and they have drops at farmers markets and personal homes. I would love to continue this conversation offline and my 20-year old just moved to Flagstaff so, I will be up there monthly. Not sure how to exchange contact info (securely) on this thread. Thoughts?
We are about to harvest a few rabbits and I’m looking for the most delicious recipe if anyone has one they can share I would appreciate it! I’ve only ever cooked in the slow cooker with broth and seasonings and I’m looking for something different ❤️
We have thought about getting rabbits for quite awhile. We now have them but will not be culling- harvesting? for about 2-3 months. I also would greatly appreciate great recipes & butchering storage tips.
My sister raises and eats rabbit. Ingenious idea she uses. Freezes dressed rabbit in a circle that fits directly in her instapot unfrozen. Pre-planning for a quick meal setup.
I’m in Oxfordshire on a little plot of wildness with my family. We’ve got chickens. Working towards goats.
And I run an outdoor alternative educational setting in our little woodland too 😊
I have a little wholesale buying club for various bits and pieces. Finding it extremely hard to access wholesale Weck jars into the UK though. Anyone had any luck?
I was considering ordering but can’t find anyone local to share with, so for this year I’ll stick with jars that are easier to source. I consider this my practice year, to make small batches to see what I like and what works. Next year I might invest properly…
Thanks for this. The prices seem really good, even though it doesn’t appear to be wholesale. Have you purchased from them before?
I was like you last year, tentatively buying a few jars and seeing what I liked and how I would use them. They truly are wonderful jars, I absolutely love them. Time for a bigger investment!
Oh my goodness. My husband and I went to Scotland last year and it was so magical, I want to go back as soon as possible! And the people are so lovely and friendly! We're in Idaho, USA , right next to Yellowstone National Park, if you ever come this way.
So glad you enjoyed Scotland! It is a wonderful place to visit. Let me know if you need any advice for you next trip here :) I don’t know Idaho at all, Yellowstone looks amazing!
Oh wonderful- it sounds like you live in a beautiful area. Do you like it? Me, my husband and our 5 month old baby are in Perthshire. We lived in Edinburgh for a few years before here. It is a lovely city but we are glad to be back in the countryside now. How is your son enjoying it?
Ah, how marvellous to have a baby! Lucky baby! Mine are so big! Noah loves Edinburgh and has one year left to go. My other son is here with me and my husband but he will be off to Uni soon as well. We moved here from Bristol in September, and I am in the throes of simplifying, making local connections, and getting used to the entirely different lifestyle. We have 6 acres with woodland, a spring, a meadow, an orchard and veg garden. To zoom in on my area look for Brockweir on the map. What do you get up to in Perthshire?
Thank you, it is marvellous, he is such a joy. What an exciting change for you! Your area looks idyllic, and wonderful you have so much space! We have 2.5ac in Perthshire and over the last 2 years have planted a lot of fruit trees and a veg garden, the rest is woodland. My husband is in the middle of building a hen house, and we also want to build a larger larder to be able to keep more of our own produce for longer. We are both passionate about sourcing local organic food, and now about growing our own food. Do you have any plans for livestock? We would love to get sheep but that won’t be any time soon.
Your place sounds just perfect, and I like your idea of building a larger larder. I will need to put some thought to this if I develop a decent surplus. We don’t have livestock yet, the land is very overgrown and can easily feel overwhelming and sometimes the thought of one more responsibility feels too much. We kept hens in Bristol and we will probably get some hens or ducks soon, I just can’t decide on a system for keeping them. I’d want the set-up to be quite mobile. How lovely to be making a hen-house, what are your chicken plans? And how do you use your woodland?
I was offered a sheep the other day, funnily enough... plenty of neighbours have small flocks... we would need to invest in fencing and water and shelter but mainly we would both need to be 100% up for it. My husband works full time in a very intense job so I think it would all fall on me, and I feel as if I am still settling and also have some physical strengthening to do.
However I’m really hoping someone who unexpectedly needs a home for a donkey or a milk goat will turn up at the gate begging me to have them!!!
I’m a homeopath in North Georgia, US, and I can offer homeopathic consults in exchange for foodstuffs! Building community in such a way is so life giving! Wonderful idea, Tara!
Hi Sandy, we are in Newborn GA about an hour east of Atlanta down I-20.. in addition to our farm, I’m also a homeopath and herbalist, we should connect!
Hi Maya, it is wonderful to meet like minded people even if it’s just virtually! I’m in Hiawassee, we left the big city a few years ago and never looked back. I have a greenhouse so I’m lucky to have my own herbs and vegetables. I hope you’re able to grow some of your food, too!
I thought that was you here! And thank you 💚 Does fresh harvest deliver to your home? We are working with them to offer a special “Crystal organic farm box” coming this Fall!
I work at a shop in Suwannee that is a stop for Fresh Harvest. That’s where I found you! 🌻 A budding herbalist myself! I have dried calendula petals in olive oil and jojoba oil right now.
Hi Ruth! Yes I’m in Mullum 😊 Do you know if the Myocum dairy still allows people to go and help themselves? I know about Cleopatra’s bath milk but I’d love to avoid the plastic and get my own. I’d love to hear any info you have. Thanks 🙏
Hello Friends! I'm a beyond organic market gardener, homesteader, homeschoolin', barefoot, meat eatin', home cookin', earth lovin', free thinkin', wild woman cowgirl mama living in the hills of Southwestern Indiana. Anyone in my neck of the woods? I would love to connect, have a cup of tea, let our children run wild together, talk about the good stuff, inspire and be inspired........
I also love to write about this incredible life at https://earthsongfarm.substack.com/ - raising free range farm kids, feeding ourselves from our homestead, wranglin' animals, the beauty around me, and the deep connection and sense of place I have with this little slice of earth. Though I love spending my days in the garden, wrangling children & animals, and building up this homestead with my man, I aspire to make time for more writing in my life and someday publishing a book and growing my Substack. I dream big!
Sending all of you love, strength, courage, connection, and the power to be your best! What a joy to get a glimpse into the lives of such interesting folks!
Awww I’m jealous! I’m in Dartmouth and dreaming of moving to a place where I can have more space for animals. I’ve been trying to find a source for raw milk so I can start making my own cream and butter. I was recently told that I’m allergic to dairy.... but I suspect it’s likely the way it’s processed that I’m allergic to. I’d love to try and see how I do with raw milk. Let’s keep in touch for sure :)
That’s close enough! We should exchange info to meet up one day. :) what are you busy with this week in the summer season? I’m freezing raw butter and ice cream!
Yes, let’s. Sounds wonderful! Our jersey is dry and due in November, so no milk yet. We just moved here last month, so lots of building gardens and fences right now and making hay.
Thank you for this,Tara! I live with my husband and teen in far northern CA on the OR border in the beautiful Shasta Valley/Klamath River Basin. Two years ago we bought 40acres and are working on building a farm here. We have sheep, chickens and ducks, a garden... I’m an artist but also a weaver/spinner and herbalist. We are renovating our house by hand from the studs up and it’s a sloooow process. We do have a “rustic” trailer here that we’d love to have someone (or maybe a couple) stay in for work trade if anyone is interested... I so appreciate all the wisdoms I find on this little community you’ve built Tara!❤️
Hi Jane! I can’t figure out how to DM you so here’s my email...jenifer.kent@gmail.com so we can connect a bit more. There’s lots I can tell you about this area of N.Ca/S Or. ❤️
Hey Tara! Hope you are well. Thinking of you and yours often. Any folks here from Ireland? My name is Aoife, I'm a writer, photographer and artist in the South of Ireland. Would love to connect with folks who grow their own food and know that horse manure belongs on roses 😉
Any favorite resources for learning how to source a cow, fill out a cut sheet, etc? Went halvsies with a family on a cow only to have the farmer bail and refuse to give us our money back (citing hardships).
Tips for transitioning from 2 to 3 babies (3 and under)? Favorite family games with toddlers??
🩷 this community and thankful to you Tara for opening this chat up!
Ask for everything you can possibly get in detail. Be very clear and specify each organ individually that you want. If you want all bones and fat.. specify that rather than soup bones. I have found the more clear and detailed you are the more you are likely to get back. Just look up online parts of a cow if you don’t know exactly what you want.. make a list and then they will likely walk you through their own cut sheet and options for ground or stew meat etc. it isn’t hard as long as your communication is clear.
For the cut sheet, first couple times I spoke with someone at the processor and told them what we typically like and she walked me through what to select on the cut sheet. Always ask for the suet, bones, and any organs they can legally give you! That's typically not on the sheet but I use the comment box.
A fun game for the whole family is Spot It. There are different versions, some more geared to smaller kids. It comes in a small tin so it's easy to bring places with you and if the "real" game is too hard, it's easy to just work with kids to "spot" things. Also can play it solitaire. And fun for adults, too!
We have two little girls (2 & 4) and our favorite family game to play with them is dominos! They picked it right up and we have lots of fun. Slamwich is another they’re getting the hang of. We recently removed the TV, so it is books and board games only for us here now 😁
Iowa here. Putting in a second Weck wholesale order in the next month. Had people from south of the Ozarks in Missouri order the first go around. We have friends that travel up for chicken butchering that take them back to Missouri with them.
This might be something I'd be interested in! I live in the STL region of MO, so if I could meet your friends on their way back down that would be amazing. How can I contact you to get more details on putting in my Weck order?
Our friends live 6 miles south of Lynchburg, MO. I am not sure how open you are to getting jars from their farm, but it may be an easier option than meeting them on their travels. Sometimes traveling with children doesn't lend to exact timing for a meet up. : )
Tara, this is awesome. By the way, I’m publishing a post on Monday that mentions you and links to your Substack. Thanks for your generosity of spirit and guiding model. All, I’m writing from St. Louis, Missouri, USA, and would love to connect with others of like mind.
a long shot :) Moving from Kingston ON to Cumberland BC (Vancouver island) for a year, end of Aug and I need to ship a few boxes (NOT a lot-clothing mostly) Anyone driving there with a little room to spare? matrxmarilyn@gmail.com
I’ve done a scoby from from store bought too. In the store bought the scoby anre super tiny, but they anre there, annd will grow. I’ve also had a friend mail me a couple. There may be a local health store that brews their own kombucha too that could give you a scoby (or a mother).
Hi Barb! My husband and I are considering moving back to the northeast from Colorado. We visited your area a couple years ago because we were considering having our wedding at White Doe Farm. We thought it was a beautiful area of Vermont. Would you be available for me to ask you some questions about the area? Either here or on email. My email is brittany.m.ringler@gmail.com.
Hi Barb! We are also in VT, but up in Richmond, so not very close to you. Nice to know there are other Vermonters here. We also have a great community here but not everyone is as into all this stuff as I am!
Yes we have a 10 and an 8 year old. Right now they're both in public/government school but that may change. They go to a Forest School once a week. Let me know if you're ever up closer this way, it would be nice to connect. My email is turtlehiker@hotmail.com if that's easier.
I am in Rhode Island and am looking to connect with fellow Tara fans around my area. I was also recently diagnosed with Menieres disease and am looking for any and all helpful resources and information you all might have. Thank you Tara!
This is awesome! I love reading about everyone in this beautiful community ♥️
We are located in Southern Ontario, we homestead and homeschool! I wild forage all of my medicines and am about to officially launch my small apothecary where I will have offerings of tinctures, salves, soap, shampoo and the likes!! Hope to let you all know once it’s up and running @lumifarmstead 🤗
We are in need of new bed sheets. I am looking for recommendations for OEKO-TEX organic cotton sheets or organic European linen sheets. I want to make the jump to linen sheets, but I have seen so many reviews saying that the fitted sheet develops holes in it after not much use. I could also try and make my own sheets, as I sew, but I will do a cost compare after finding a good brand. So where do you all get your organic magic sheets? 😴
This is amazing!! We currently have some American Guinea Hogs that need butchered. We got a few in the freezer already this year but are so full and have no room. We have put them up for $2/lb live weight, but people want them butchered and we don't have the means or the time currently to do so. If someone wanted to come and bring things to butcher on our farm we would be OK with that as well. They are on pasture and are fed local, organic Non GMO grains. When we are in milk they get skimmed milk and all the goodies as well as extra eggs from our free range poultry. We are located in Northwest Ohio. Open to offers, barters etc.
Thank so much for this opportunity Tara! You will never know the full reach of the impact tou have had on thé lives of others. You have been a blessing for so many! I live 45 minutes north of Winnipeg, it would be great to connect with some like minded people near me in person. We settled on a small homestead 2 years ago, and do what we can while working full time and raising teenagers. Pigs, chickens and large garden. We are wanting to expand a little more each year.
I'm so curious (and this may be random) but any contact lens wearers out there:
Is there a natural brand or alternative you use?
It feels a little strange to me to put a fake thing in my eyes, with fake solution.
I don't love glasses and am not sure about Lasik.
Also, what do y'all feed your pups? I've a very picky gal from the shelter. I've been making her food for awhile (I don't trust the commercial foods) but it doesn't always go so well
Would love recommendations for natural ways to feed our furry friends too
Thank you for this wonderful space and community Tara!:)
Hi Julie I’m an optometrist and this is a great Q. No ‘natural’ brands as they’re all made of plastic/silicone combos. Some of the newer ones have nano in them too. All I can suggest is glasses or natural vision improvement (naturaleyecare.com as a good place to start). Refractive surgeries are risky, especially LASIK. Search LASIK disaster - it can severely damage your corneas.
Hi Julie, I’m interested in your contact lens comment, and also keen to know others’ thoughts on this. I use hydrogen peroxide solution for cleaning and have done for years because it’s preservative free. I haven’t done much reading on this otherwise and happy to learn!
Hey Julie! Long time contact lens wearers and I switched to dailies because I heard they were better. But recently found out about PFAS (the dreaded forever chemicas) that are in most contact lenses. So now Im full time in glasses and just wear dailies for special occasions, also dont love glasses but it feels really good to be able to take them off and get sunlight into my eyes multiple times a day!
Thank you Tegan! Yes it seems this is an area where there aren't safe natural options and yes I think about contact lenses blocking that good sunlight!
Hi Julie - I started wearing glasses when I was 7 and switched to contact lenses when I was around 12. I had Lasik surgery when I was 40 or 41 and would not have done it if I knew then what I know now. I definitely would have tried some natural vision improvement strategies and embraced a mix of glasses and contacts depending on the situation. For now, I just find the lessons in a decision I made that I can't reverse. I hope you find a good solution that works for you!
Hi Alison, Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry it didn't work out the way you hoped and I admire the way you look at it. I have situations I try to find the lesson in too. Thank you for sharing.
Hi! I am in Idaho. I make a supplement to put on our dog's food - has a bunch of good stuff, but especially liver. you can put it on raw, homemade food, or regular food. My daughter is helping me create a little business with it. You can look at ingredients on cerberussnacks.com if you want!
Hi! I'm in Quebec too, although we are in a very urban area...Montreal. Maybe we can share resources ? I've found pastured raised animal and eggs but no luck with dairy so far...
I only know about local food within 50 km of me because I live in the farming area, but no luck with dairy for us either. You could check around the Wakefield area if you are ever there because they have an up and coming community there.
Hi ! its been a while since your post but Im from Woodland Hills. Looking to make more friends to support, inspire and learn from each other. Its been hard for me to meet people who share this intense desire to connect with our ancestral roots and farming community in such a big city. What part of LA are you?
Love this, thank you Tara! I am in Walnut Creek, CA. A city gal looking to incorporate more country life in her and meet folks who aspire to research and support local farms and markets. I shop at my local farmers market and also from a local farm in Martinez; however I am always open to referrals. I would also love to barter - I offer intuitive and grief writing classes for women and would love to barter in exchange for farm raised beef or local farm goodies: food, homemade body products, body and health services. Thank you!!
Hi Dina! I just replied to you and Rae above but I’m in Occidental in Sonoma County. We have a small farmstead and are just feeling our way along with growing food, raising/ harvesting chickens, and milking goats, but I love this community and would love to connect with like minded folks in the area. I often meet up with friends from the east bay in Petaluma if you have any interest!
Hi Molly! Great to meet you! I would love to meet up, Petaluma is a great spot. My email is dvarellasyoga@gmail.com if you want to email me and we can start a thread.
I'm in southern Texas (about two hours east from Mexico). I love to garden, can, and sew, and I always have extra okra and basil seed if anyone wants any.
I am from Rimbey Alberta, hoping to make any connections with anyone in my area! Also, I really want a jersey cow or heifer if anyone knows of one for sale. I would also love a Bison hook up, I am a massage therapist and would love to trade my services for food 😊 thank you Tara for starting this thread!
Dr Hubert Karreman and I are starting a mentorship program next week for folks who want to learn about pastured dairy, holistic livestock treatments and natural husbandry. We love this group of folks so much and we’d be honored to have y’all join us. More info right now is avail on @reverence_home on Instagram and next week we will have a dedicated website.
Love this! My husband operates a small creamery in Pennsylvania and our focus is high quality cheese from pasture raised/grassfed cows. (Some organic and some not).
Where is the creamery? Hue used to be a dairy vet in Lancaster for organic farmers. And we've brought our milk all the way up there to make cheese when the creamery we sell our milk to down in NC was shut down due to a boiler part. So grateful for the supportive words. They mean a lot.
Oh wow, how funny! We started in New Tripoli (Lehigh valley) as a farmstead model, but recently moved to a new space in Shoemakersville (berks county) and switched to buying in milk. It has certainly been an interesting ride so far!
anything in dairy is always a wild ride!
Where in NC are you?? We’re in upstate SC!!
I will be discussing this with my husband... I already found the cow I want, and I’m practically begging for my husbands ‘OK’ ❤️❤️ we recently got sheep and we want to do everything pastured and organic. I’m also really wanting to learn more about the regenerative approach!!
That’s wonderful. My very strong advice is to first learn about the cow, and don’t necessarily adhere to strict philosophies of 100% pastured and organic because it’s going to work against you in the beginning. What we teach is practical advice so that we can get to the ideal and not have major collapses along the way.
Yes, I’m literally learning that lesson with my sheep right now 🙈 they were raised very conventionally before we got them... BUT the cow I want is an A2/A2 cow that is grass fed, holistically/organically raised, though when she’s in milk they supplement her with non-GMO grain because OG is so expensive. And she’s been bred with an angus (I think) so we’d have a beef cow to eat, too 🤗
That's wonderful that you are starting out with such a great cow that is close to your goals! I'm happy for you! One of the things we try to impart to folks is that not all grass is equal to a cow, and the soils in the south and the fescue down here make it such that "grass-fed" can take a really long time to do well, and the cow of course needs to eat today. It's challenging when what folks call "native" grass (which is really a perversion, but it's pervasive) is literally poison to the cow. We've seen so many starving, rough-coated, mastitis-ridden, unhappy cows that were put at the alter of someone's ideals and not given what she actually needs. That is why we formed the mentorship program, because we were seeing the same problems over and over again. Starting with grass-fed genetics helps a whole lot! And that's why we breed and sell (live and in straws) Jersey bulls that have been raised to do this, particularly but not exclusively in the SE, and to sire cows that can eat pasture and do well. However, even so, a dairy cow and poor grass on tight, worn out soils (which pretty much all soils are in the south) can't thrive, no matter her genetics, without supplementation, not just energy, but also better roughage. Please know that I am a huge advocate of the benefits of grass-fed -- we've been 100% forage feeding for 15 years -- but it's a whole process of feeding the soil and feeding the cow in the meantime. It doesn't have to be grain, but a lactating animal needs real groceries.
I am so grateful that you are doing this. I have not found any pasture based dairy mentor in my area and there is so much I want to learn from you. Thank you!
This is exactly why we are doing it! It's a long and lonely road sometimes, and so much better when someone says, "this is normal" or "I've been here before." Thank you for your kind words.
My husband and I were just discussing yesterday about joining! We’re really excited about what you’re going to be offering!
I can't tell you how much that warms our hearts. This is a big endeavor for us, and we really are excited about connecting with folks. Thank you. It is a BIG deal for us and our ability to keep pioneering new ways forward with grass-based dairy and raising calves on cows.
Wow thank you for sharing this! I hope we are going to be able to join you in this. We are only two hours north of you in Willis, VA.
Oh! We are practically neighbors and we would love to have you. You'd have a special advantage in the program because our community groups could occasionally meet locally on the farm!
My family needs prayers! We have a house/cottage we need to sell to get us to new Brunswick. If you know anyone who wants beauty and function in ontario please share our listing andball prayers are humbly accepted for a fast abundant sale! If you are in nee Brunswick...hoping to be neighbors soon! https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/25828205/1268-hughes-road-arden
If anyone in the U.S. has size 0/2, XS/S maternity clothes they are ready to part with, I'd love to take them off your hands and will happily pay for shipping! Or any newborn/baby clothes!
Also - first time mama to be here, planning a homebirth (due Feb. 10th.) I'd love to hear all of your tips, wisdom, "wish I'd knowns..."
Hey Beth,
Good of you to choose o home birth. Our four children were born at home and I can’t say enough about how special it it.
You are meant to give birth and your child is meant to be born.
No one needs to deliver her/him. Learn as much as you can
So that you understand and expect what is happening.
If it’s an option, stay in the bathtub as long as possible, go in and out, it really eases the pain of the contractions. Connect and trust your midwife. If you don’t, get a different one.
As a man, I can only share the experience on a much lesser level but can feel the intensity of the experience. Have become a little jealous of the depth and magnitude of it all.
Faith is a pre-requisite. You must know that it is meant to be and it will all happen according to God’s plan, whether you like it or not.
And that’s ok.
Keep in touch with any questions or concerns.
God bless you 🙏
All of my three children were home births. For my first birth, I read a plethora of different books about water/home births etc. I also second Ina May's guide to birth. I watched a lot of films about home births etc and watch the documentary "the business of being born. I listened to my intuition and trusted my body. I walked a lot, ate healthy and did light weights. I was intouch with my primal self and trusted the process. Really listen to your intuition and also do not listen to other women's negative birth story's.
I second Ina May. Also Juliette de Bairacli Levy's wisdom, travels & writing. Nature's Children, many books for livestock, dogs & a bit on cats! Her personal story is wonderful. Mothering Magazine archives from circumcision to vax & more to open up questions & thinking. Organs- organ meats, turkey hearts, cow heart, hearts.. marrow, bone broths, butter- ghee all things cultured & fermented, eggs- yolks, for the child bearing (ma & pa) & nursing ma years!
I love Juliette! I love dipping into all her books from time to time just to remember that she was an original pioneer with regards to sunshine, cold plunges, moonlight, grounding - all the beautiful things!
“Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage” is a favorite of mine. “Maternity: coming face to face with your own shadow” is also very important ♥️
Only an hour and a half into this (audio book Ina Mays Guide To Childbirth), but wish I’d listened to it for my first babe - used a Christian Hypnobirthing class and App for my second and it was incredible at preparing me to stay present, grateful, and realistic for that birth. Having my third in a birthing center (husband doesn’t have peace about home birth for these babes - thankfully I trusted his gut for the first since she had a rare condition that needed surgery immediately- TEF).
Best advice I got: enjoy all the feelings/symptoms, since you never know if it’ll be your only. 🩷
So excited for you!!
I would strongly recommend a strong backup plan in the event you need medical intervention. My first and third were born at home. Beautiful births. Third one was a dry birth. I had some vomiting and diarrhea during labor, but wasn’t sick as in having the flu or anything. Baby born fine but then right after birth, my cervix clamped down before my placenta was delivered. It became an emergent situation for me as I continued to lose blood into my uterus. The doc at hospital said I was dehydrated and that’s what happened. I don’t really understand the whole physiological process behind it. But, midwives gave me O2 and a shot of oxytocin and called the ambulance. I lost a lot of blood. Should have had a transfusion but I refused as it was 1990. I was a nurse and AIDS was still a concerning thing back then with blood supply. All I’m saying, is have a backup plan if needed. Home births are beautiful. The risk is low of any adverse events. Enjoy your pregnancy.
Congratulations on your upcoming first!!! And congratulations on doing a homebirth! If I had any tips to give, one would be to buy the Dr. Christopher brand of herbal "birth prep" tincture. His is a bit different than other brands and the difference is staggering. It really helps your body prepare for a quick birth and helps you to heal faster. You take it during 3rd trimester.
Can I send you a box of things at some point? I'm saving most of my baby stuff for my daughters, but I have a spare ring sling (Sakura Bloom brand) and might have some wool things to send over. ❤
Hi Caitlyn, I am working on putting together a list of things I will still need before baby comes, and just thought I'd check in and see if you were still interested in sending me the ring sling, or anything else! No worries if not, and if so, I will of course pay for the shipping! :)
So the only Dr. Christopher birth prep supplement I could find is in capsule form... is that it?
Well I could have sworn I always used a tincture, but you're right - I just checked the internet and there's only capsules! It looks like the blend is exactly the same though, so you should be good to go! I think the secret to success in the Dr. Christopher blend is the fact that it has lobelia + pennyroyal + squaw vine; most blends don't have those.
Hi Caitlyn! I’ll definitely look for that tincture!
And it would be wonderful to get anything you no longer need, my email address is siebenaler.beth@yahoo.com if you want to send me a message and I can give you my address :) Thank you!
I'm slowly unpacking many ma & kids- baby things after years of good keeping. All holistic & lovely old wisdom inspired. Let's keep in contact about what I find if you may like to have what I have?
That would be great! I tried to see if there was a way to message you on here, but there was not (at least that I could find.) My name on facebook is Elizabeth Dorn, my profile picture is of my husband and I on our wedding, and I'm located in Hastings, MN, If you want to add me on there. Otherwise I could give you my email address.
Yes, an email is good. I am rarely on FB. I do have an itty bitty Instagram account under rancho_zenzorro
I just sent you a friend request 😊 my email is siebenaler.beth@yahoo.com
I met someone from here in real life! Elizabeth, if you’re seeing this, hello again 👋🏻 Slowdown Farmstead folks United 💪🏻
I have told numerous people the story of our meeting! It was wonderful. Raw milk is always a great topic of conversation. So glad we met. Thanks Tara!
Same! I can’t get over the serendipity. Thanks Tara
We’re in western WA and looking to connect with like-minded people in our region to trade skills and goods and start a friendship with 😁 we’ve met some amazing people from on here in real life too, and we’d love to meet more. This community is such a blessing. Looking at you, Amanda and Cassandra!
I am in Western Wa. Whidbey Island. Would love to connect with others in real life. I have homeschool resources to pass on and we make the most of the 5 acres plus 20 leased acres to raised and produce our protein sources.
Hello Diana! I have never visited Whidbey, but that would be a fun trip sometime. We are actually just starting to homeschool our little girls; they are 2 and 4!
You would be welcome to come for a visit. Whidbey is a beautiful rural place, just a little bit out of the way but that’s what keeps it rural.
Thank you, that would be fun! I wonder if we should all try having a ‘slowdown meetup’ some place mid-way between all of us? We should email and all get to know each other! My email is flemingfamilyfarmwa@gmail.com, if anyone wants to email me and start something 😁
We love Whidbey Island 🧡 my father in law lives over there. We frequent it quite often.
Hi western WA peeps! I’m on Decatur island & this time of year hop over to Anacortes every other week to vend my artwork wares at the Farmers Market there on Saturdays. If you find yourself there stop by my booth and say hello!
western wa here too! south king county 😌
Also in Western WA! Currently in Kitsap, but will eventually be moving down south to Wahkiakum county. Would love to connect!
Hello Jess! We’d absolutely love to connect with you. That’s a big move, but should be a great change! Do you want to email me at flemingfamilyfarmwa@gmail.com and we can get something started? I think it would be lots of fun to have a meetup with all of us somewhere!
We used to live in skamokawa!! super interesting place.
Interesting for sure. Also beautiful! 😍
Hi Jess! Would love to connect as all with those in the area.
I’m in Western Wa! Pierce county to be more exact. 🧡
Oh, we’re in Thurston! Just south of Olympia. Where are you at?
Hi! I'm in rural NE Olympia, and would love to connect!!
Hello Jenny! That is awesome! Why don’t you send me an email at flemingfamilyfarmwa@gmail.com and let’s get to know each other 😊
Tumwater’s where I went to school 😁 I’ve never been to Graham, but you aren’t too far away. We should connect! How old are your kids?
Very cool!! We’re in Graham now, but used to live in Tumwater!
We should chat off Substack and maybe figure out a meet up if you’re interested? My email is flemingfamilyfarmwa@gmail.com 😁
I sent you an email 😁🧡
I would love to connect if you ever have time on a trip to Whidbey.
What part of Southern OR? Congrats on the move!
I'm looking for folks in the lower 48 who I can send a free sample sized (1 ounce) jar of egg yolk oil balm to, in exchange for a review on my website. Ingredients in the balm are: Egg yolk oil, pomegranate oil, and beef tallow. The egg yolks and tallow are from biodynamically raised critters. This is a deeply restorative balm that is wonderful for any purpose, from daily skin care to wounds, eczema, pet care, or anything else you can think of!
What is egg yolk oil?
It's an oil made through a cold extraction of egg yolks. There are only two other people here in the USA who make it, and they use ethanol to extract the nutrients; which I do not agree with. Here's Wikipedia's take on it: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_oil
I’m deeply interested. It sounds amazing. Is it recommended as a facial application? Is there a best/better application?
I use it as a daily facial moisturizer and love it! I would not say that there is any "best" application since the nourishing egg yolks do so much good for every purpose. I created this balm because I'm a minimalist with a big family. 😆 One day I woke up and realized we had three different lotions, two salves, two burn creams, two beard oils for my husband, and I had FIVE moisturizers/serums in my bathroom. No one ever knew what to use. So I made this! A deeply restorative + nourishing balm that works as a "go-to" for every need.
I would love to try this Caitlyn! However, I am in Alaska so not sure if you want to ship it all the way up here:)
Holly, I'm just now seeing your comment on my thread; sorry about that! Would you be okay with receiving a half-ounce jar of egg yolk balm? I wouldn't mind testing out the shipping to AK once, to see how long it takes to get to you and how the package survives the trip.
me too!
I'll give it a try
I would live to have some to pass on to my adult daughter. She deals with eczema.🤍
I'm in La Cienega, near Santa Fe New Mexico. I have purchased a lovely, high vitality egg oil balm although the recipe differs with the use of jojoba oil instead of pomegranate oil. I am deep into high desert chicken ranching & all things chickens with gardens & a rabbitry under development. I would be happy to try your Egg Yolk oil balm & write a review🪺☀️🪺
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on my balm since you are already familiar with egg oil. Also, I grew up in Rio Rancho; about 45 minutes from where you are! I love NM so much and I often think of going back. The state slogan is true; it really is the land of enchantment.
I would love to try as well!
I don't have a business email set up yet, so if y'all wouldn't mind emailing me your address at wheatsmithfarm@gmail.com then I will work on getting your sample mailed off!
I’ll try it!!
I would be interested in trying the oil!
oooh egg yolk oil, I've never heard of such a thing. I would love to try it!
Sounds interesting, I would love to try!
I’ll try it!
I’d love to try this!
I would love a sample if you are still open. I only know if Bigwoods and they sell out so fast.
Oh I’d love to try it!
Hi. I am interested. Will email you. Good luck with this business!
We're in Southwestern Ontario. Would love to start an organic fruit buying club and also trade/buy used organic kids clothes and shoes. We raise our own organic meat, milk and eggs
We are also in southwestern Ontario! We are looking to help start or join a fruit buying club as well!
I'm in Meaford and pick up my fruit from Glencolton Farm near Hanover. It comes from Palatine Fruit & Roses in Niagara. You might contact Palatine directly about a fruit buying club. They have a website.
Hello! My name is Christine. I just moved to Meaford (11th Line) 2 weeks ago. Would love to have you over for a cuppa something. I've already bottled a batch of honeysuckle cordial (as per Tara's recipe) and I've got a Phlox brew on the go!
Welcome to Meaford, Christine! I'm Christa! I live close to 9th line, also known as Grey Road 112. Would love to meet you! Text me 416.931.5789.
Glenolden is like 20 min from us! I didn't know they do bulk fruit!
*glencolton
Yes, talk to Christine Forand and she'll put you on the mailing list.
Send an email to azurehighlandshomestead@gmail.com and I'll see if I figure something out!
Hi Louella and everyone! I am also in SW Ontario, near Aylmer. I have Weck group going, and we have a fruit club from Palatine too, if anyone is relatively close. Would love to organize a SW Ontario meet up sometime this fall????
That's a great idea! Maybe we could find a sort of central location for everyone?
Also in SW Ontario, looking to do the same - I'm urban right now, would love to connect with more farm folk. All of our food comes from local farms but have yet to make a large fruit purchase.
Shoot me an email azurehighlandshomestead@gmail.com and I'll see if I figured something out!
Oh shoot I just daw this, I'm on and off my phone. Will send you an email and if we can work something out - great! Thank you.
Hey Louelle I’m in Sask but it’s hard enough finding organic kids clothes. I have lots and am always looking for more when they grow!
Hi, I’m also in SW Ontario. I’ll also send an email. I’d love to be hooked up with more people in the area.
Also, we’ve planted over 13,000 trees in the last four years out here, many of which are fruit bearing for our zone. Although we aren’t producing much fruit yet, we will hopefully have an abundance in the next few years. If you’re in our neck of the Alberta woods, just something to keep in mind, as that will be another trade option we’ll have down the road. :)
Where abouts in alberta are you?!
We’re just south of Calgary.
Little far for us yet, I'm up in Dason Creek, hoping to do some experimenting with fruit trees ourself
Good luck!
There is a great holistic dentist in Kitchener, Ontario if anyone is looking- Sante family health. Similar to Tara, I’ve had 3 root canals removed and the infections properly cleaned out. My overall health has improved now that my body is not constantly fighting infection. Part way through the next stage of replacing the teeth!
Hi Naomi,
Nice to see a familiar name on here. Jen Seilern here from EFAO days. 😊
Yay, great to see you in here too! Hope the farm and family are well!
Jen! It’s Sarah from EFAO! So nice to see you here! Naomi and I were able to give a real life hugs at the Manorun field day last week! Hurrah! Would love to connect more :)
Thanks for this recommendation Naomi. Just to make sure I got the right place, it's Dr. Farahani, right? I also have three root canals, all still in place but never thought I would find someplace in Canada to look at getting them removed. And the best part is, it's so close. I am in Guelph. I will definitely look into them.
Yes that is him! It’s been a process, but he’s very knowledgeable and I trust him. You will be In good hands :)
Hello! Anyone from SW Montana? I am moving back there soon to help my mom on her small ranch where she raises sheep and a few cows. We are building a cabin on her back property, and will integrate ourselves with the land and animals over time, hoping to shift the grazing practices back to a more regenerative model. Also can't wait to adopt a mustang! Would love to connect with like minded rebels!
What a beautiful endeavor! We are in Rexburg Idaho. Not so close but our highway signs headed north have Montana cities on them. I am a WAPF Chapter Leader here and trying to start an urban market garden with rabbits and chickens.
Hi! I’m in Island Park!
We love Island Park! But it is changing like everywhere else isn't it? Enjoy the beauty up there!
So much change! Yes, Covid brought everyone here... My son and his wife cowboy on a ranch outside of Livingston. We love it up there. I hope you love Montana!
Sounds lovely Taiga! All the best to you in your endeavors.
And I love what you're doing here in Rexburg, Idaho, Peggy.❤
Hi Peggy! We are actually in Driggs! I have been here for 20+ years and it is bittersweet leaving, but excited for less winter. There seem to be a lot of great movements happening in and around the greater Teton area. I wish you lots of happy farming and connections!
I am not near you at all but I’m hoping to learn more about regenerative agriculture and silvopasture. Trying to figure everything out over here!!
Love the idea of trading services or provisions. My pal out in Nova Scotia (I’m just south of Calgary, Alberta), told me about an upcoming Canadian website called, “Barter It.” I don’t know much about it but it may be worth checking out:
https://www.barterit.ca/launchingsoon
I have a degree in Interior Design from Mount Royal in Calgary and am happy to exchange my services for you name it! Here’s my website, desperately needs updating but that task has dropped far down in the queue - I’m a farmer now too. 😉
https://deannathiessen.com/
Happy Saturday, friends.
Love this! I've been canning all week in my beautiful new jars thanks to a connection made here! And yesterday's peach BBQ was also inspired by you, Tara. I am so thankful for all you have inspired in my life! I'm in SW Wisconsin, homeschool mom, small farm life, soapmaker, and our church's kid min director part time. Looking to start raising out pork and chickens for friends to who share our standards for meat in order to try to keep the ever rising costs up. Hoping someday we can afford (and have a willing seller!) the pasture behind our house from my dad so we can consider beef, but thankful for now to be able to buy locally with confidence.
Hi Anna, we are Little Heathens Farm in south central WI. Nice to meet you!
Hello Anna and Little Heathens Farm (and everyone)! I’m a Suzuki piano teacher and sourdough enthusiast in central WI (Marshfield) and I plan on homeschooling once my children are older. Will be starting with preschool this fall and would appreciate any advice anyone has on curriculum and/or homeschooling while still working part time. I love and support all things homesteading and becoming self sufficient, as well as keeping my Polish heritage alive and well. My Polish art email is AnnellasPisanki at icloud dot com and my Facebook page by the same name has more info on the folk art I create.
Anyone here in Charlotte, NC?! Always looking for a like minded friend!!!
Also- if anyone has any second hand wool baby clothes they are interested in selling, I’m having another baby the end of September and would love to see them!!
I'm a little over an hour north of you, also expecting (my 1st) in the end of September. Also searching for affordable wool baby clothes, so I can't help you there, but how nice a coincidence!
My husband and I live in Charlotte NC! 28210 zip!
Omg really?! I’m 28211!!! We should chat!!!
No way? Practically neighbors! Lets connect via email. You can reach me at lesleyleedesessa@gmail.com
We’re outside of Greenville, SC, so we’re practically neighbors! Also obsessed with all the wool for my babies (and myself) but I’m praying to have one more (at least) so I’m not ready to part with it.
I HATE FB but there are some really awesome BST groups for wool on there. Also Sloomb has amazing Black Friday sales every year!
Oh I’ll have to check out Sloomb! I’m on those fb groups but boy the good stuff goes FAST!! my husband goes to Greenville all the time for work. My daughter and i talk about tagging along one of these days. I’ll have to let you know if we decide to go with him!
Oh yes!! We could totally meet up!
I have had some luck in the past making ISO posts in the fb groups. But yes - when we need something, it feels like I have to spend SO MUCH TIME on fb trying to find it.
My husband and I run a sheep/beef/goat/bees farm (www.beavertidesfarm.com or @beavertidesfarm)in NW Connecticut, right on the MA&NY border. We teach beekeeping & sustainable shepherding courses, have a beautiful cabin/tent for farm stays and much more. I’m always interested in trades of many kinds, in sharing experiences and connecting in other ways. Also love to help other local sheep/goat shepherds or beekeepers when I can.
Oooo! We are in southeastern MA and are always looking for farmstay type places when we travel around New England with our kids! We are aspiring homesteaders just looking for the land and opportunity. My husband has experience raising goats, pigs and chickens. Currently just doing rabbits since we are in a rental but we have 3 young kids who thrive in a farm setting and would love to connect and plan a visit!
Hi Ashley! That’s so wonderful! Feel free to send me a message at beavertidesfarm@gmail.com if you are coming this way sometime or just to connect. I have a 4&7 year old that love it when other kids come visit.
I would love to chat with you about all your farming practices! We have sheep, hoping to add cows and goats soon!!
Always happy to chat, Emily, feel free to shoot me a message on IG or email any time!
I am in Phoenix, AZ, USA. I am interested in discussing any topic from Tara/Troy/ their daughters. From vinegars, to bulk buying clubs and raw dairy or nose to tail eating. Would be great to connect with others. ☮️
Hi Sophia, I’m not too far from you up in Flagstaff. I haven’t seen anyone else from AZ on here yet. I’d be interested in knowing where you source your raw dairy from? I was looking on the Weston A. Price website and our local Sprouts carries raw milk from Fond du Lac. It’s A1 /2.
I follow golden rule dairy and they have drops at farmers markets and personal homes. I would love to continue this conversation offline and my 20-year old just moved to Flagstaff so, I will be up there monthly. Not sure how to exchange contact info (securely) on this thread. Thoughts?
Hmmm, I don’t know. I don’t think Substack has a messaging feature yet.
We are about to harvest a few rabbits and I’m looking for the most delicious recipe if anyone has one they can share I would appreciate it! I’ve only ever cooked in the slow cooker with broth and seasonings and I’m looking for something different ❤️
Marinate and grill! Orange and herbs like oregano are a good flavor with rabbit in my opinion
We have thought about getting rabbits for quite awhile. We now have them but will not be culling- harvesting? for about 2-3 months. I also would greatly appreciate great recipes & butchering storage tips.
Haussenfefer. German rabbit cooked with onions, beer and wine. Tastes really amazing.
https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/potted-chicken-rillettes. I make this with a couple smaller rabbits. Its our favorite use for rabbit
My sister raises and eats rabbit. Ingenious idea she uses. Freezes dressed rabbit in a circle that fits directly in her instapot unfrozen. Pre-planning for a quick meal setup.
Is there anyone else from the UK?
Hi 👋
I’m in Oxfordshire on a little plot of wildness with my family. We’ve got chickens. Working towards goats.
And I run an outdoor alternative educational setting in our little woodland too 😊
I have a little wholesale buying club for various bits and pieces. Finding it extremely hard to access wholesale Weck jars into the UK though. Anyone had any luck?
Is this site any good?
https://www.world-of-bottles.co.uk/Jam-jars-preserving-jars/Glass-jars-by-type/WECK-jars.html
I was considering ordering but can’t find anyone local to share with, so for this year I’ll stick with jars that are easier to source. I consider this my practice year, to make small batches to see what I like and what works. Next year I might invest properly…
Thanks for this. The prices seem really good, even though it doesn’t appear to be wholesale. Have you purchased from them before?
I was like you last year, tentatively buying a few jars and seeing what I liked and how I would use them. They truly are wonderful jars, I absolutely love them. Time for a bigger investment!
I’ve not tried this company - do let me know how it goes if you try them :-)
Hello! We’re in Scotland 🏴 Where are you about? Also keen to know if any others nearby.
Oh my goodness. My husband and I went to Scotland last year and it was so magical, I want to go back as soon as possible! And the people are so lovely and friendly! We're in Idaho, USA , right next to Yellowstone National Park, if you ever come this way.
So glad you enjoyed Scotland! It is a wonderful place to visit. Let me know if you need any advice for you next trip here :) I don’t know Idaho at all, Yellowstone looks amazing!
Hurrah! I’m down South on the England/Wales border. I sometimes visit my son who is at Uni in Edinburgh.
Oh wonderful- it sounds like you live in a beautiful area. Do you like it? Me, my husband and our 5 month old baby are in Perthshire. We lived in Edinburgh for a few years before here. It is a lovely city but we are glad to be back in the countryside now. How is your son enjoying it?
Ah, how marvellous to have a baby! Lucky baby! Mine are so big! Noah loves Edinburgh and has one year left to go. My other son is here with me and my husband but he will be off to Uni soon as well. We moved here from Bristol in September, and I am in the throes of simplifying, making local connections, and getting used to the entirely different lifestyle. We have 6 acres with woodland, a spring, a meadow, an orchard and veg garden. To zoom in on my area look for Brockweir on the map. What do you get up to in Perthshire?
Thank you, it is marvellous, he is such a joy. What an exciting change for you! Your area looks idyllic, and wonderful you have so much space! We have 2.5ac in Perthshire and over the last 2 years have planted a lot of fruit trees and a veg garden, the rest is woodland. My husband is in the middle of building a hen house, and we also want to build a larger larder to be able to keep more of our own produce for longer. We are both passionate about sourcing local organic food, and now about growing our own food. Do you have any plans for livestock? We would love to get sheep but that won’t be any time soon.
Your place sounds just perfect, and I like your idea of building a larger larder. I will need to put some thought to this if I develop a decent surplus. We don’t have livestock yet, the land is very overgrown and can easily feel overwhelming and sometimes the thought of one more responsibility feels too much. We kept hens in Bristol and we will probably get some hens or ducks soon, I just can’t decide on a system for keeping them. I’d want the set-up to be quite mobile. How lovely to be making a hen-house, what are your chicken plans? And how do you use your woodland?
I was offered a sheep the other day, funnily enough... plenty of neighbours have small flocks... we would need to invest in fencing and water and shelter but mainly we would both need to be 100% up for it. My husband works full time in a very intense job so I think it would all fall on me, and I feel as if I am still settling and also have some physical strengthening to do.
However I’m really hoping someone who unexpectedly needs a home for a donkey or a milk goat will turn up at the gate begging me to have them!!!
Hi! American expat living in Cornwall.
Hi Susie, good to hear from you. Cornwall is lovely and I visit quite often.
New York / Connecticut
I’m a homeopath in North Georgia, US, and I can offer homeopathic consults in exchange for foodstuffs! Building community in such a way is so life giving! Wonderful idea, Tara!
Hi Sandy, we are in Newborn GA about an hour east of Atlanta down I-20.. in addition to our farm, I’m also a homeopath and herbalist, we should connect!
I'm in North GA as well...just north of Gwinnett County! It's nice to "see" locals here!
There’s quite a few of us!! That’s a happy thing!
I love it! Nice to “meet” you here 😉
Yes, that would be great! I’m in Hiawassee so a bit far from you but still in the neighborhood!
Hi Sandy! I’m in Gwinnett Co. Glad to know a fellow slowdown farmstead follower is ‘nearby’.
Hi Maya, it is wonderful to meet like minded people even if it’s just virtually! I’m in Hiawassee, we left the big city a few years ago and never looked back. I have a greenhouse so I’m lucky to have my own herbs and vegetables. I hope you’re able to grow some of your food, too!
Hi Maya, nice to see ya here! 👋🏼
Hi Jeni! I wish I was closer to you! I love your farm and get my daughter to pick up when she comes home from college.🌻🤍
I thought that was you here! And thank you 💚 Does fresh harvest deliver to your home? We are working with them to offer a special “Crystal organic farm box” coming this Fall!
I work at a shop in Suwannee that is a stop for Fresh Harvest. That’s where I found you! 🌻 A budding herbalist myself! I have dried calendula petals in olive oil and jojoba oil right now.
Ah wonderful, what a beautiful small world it is indeed and I love calendula medicine, so bright and sunny and wonderful ♥️♥️
Any Aussies here from Northern NSW? I’d love to get in touch for great sources of meat and raw dairy, maybe even start a co op 😊
Hi Sophie! I'm also in NNSW - Byron Bay. There are few places to source raw dairy here. not sure how close by you are...
Hi Ruth, wondered if you ever saw my reply? 😊
Hi Ruth! Yes I’m in Mullum 😊 Do you know if the Myocum dairy still allows people to go and help themselves? I know about Cleopatra’s bath milk but I’d love to avoid the plastic and get my own. I’d love to hear any info you have. Thanks 🙏
Hello Friends! I'm a beyond organic market gardener, homesteader, homeschoolin', barefoot, meat eatin', home cookin', earth lovin', free thinkin', wild woman cowgirl mama living in the hills of Southwestern Indiana. Anyone in my neck of the woods? I would love to connect, have a cup of tea, let our children run wild together, talk about the good stuff, inspire and be inspired........
I also love to write about this incredible life at https://earthsongfarm.substack.com/ - raising free range farm kids, feeding ourselves from our homestead, wranglin' animals, the beauty around me, and the deep connection and sense of place I have with this little slice of earth. Though I love spending my days in the garden, wrangling children & animals, and building up this homestead with my man, I aspire to make time for more writing in my life and someday publishing a book and growing my Substack. I dream big!
Sending all of you love, strength, courage, connection, and the power to be your best! What a joy to get a glimpse into the lives of such interesting folks!
Looking for a Weck buying club in Texas. I'm in the north central area but have car will travel. 😉
We are in Granbury! Would also love to join in on the buying club and meet up with anyone in the area.
Go drop your email in my main comment! I’ll coordinate a get together!
Also, would definitely join said Weck buying club.
I'm in Benbrook!
Where are ya? I’m in DFW. Would love to meet up with you.
Ooh!! I’m in south DFW!
anchoressentials@gmail.com
I posted just now trying to consolidate DFW folks. Go drop your email, and I’ll start a convo- we can all coordinate getting together!
I have a signal chat started with Texas people from here if you're interested.
https://signal.group/#CjQKIHTGM10wx-uBQhyWAaEAWLZk_WMbbx2RHSBuDId1sTOVEhAklAZo99z9f2M-YDpCOOMV
It says group link isn’t valid.
Had to reset it. Here's the new one: https://signal.group/#CjQKIHTGM10wx-uBQhyWAaEAWLZk_WMbbx2RHSBuDId1sTOVEhAklAZo99z9f2M-YDpCOOMV
Lovely 😊 idea thoughtfulness! Who is from PEI in here who follows Tara? Want to add more to our awake, healthy, homesteader clan 💞
Not from PEI... but close by in Nova Scotia :)
Me too! Where in NS? I’m in the Valley
I’m in Dartmouth.. we should exchange info and all meet up someday:)
That would be fun! My email is h.knapp28@hotmail.com 😊
Where in NS? It would be lovely to meet you. What are you busy with this week during summer? I’m keeping up with making raw butter and ice cream. :)
I’m in NS too! Cumberland County.
Awww I’m jealous! I’m in Dartmouth and dreaming of moving to a place where I can have more space for animals. I’ve been trying to find a source for raw milk so I can start making my own cream and butter. I was recently told that I’m allergic to dairy.... but I suspect it’s likely the way it’s processed that I’m allergic to. I’d love to try and see how I do with raw milk. Let’s keep in touch for sure :)
Email me suz.ballah@gmail.com and let’s chat there maybe :)
Have you tried A2/A2 milk? That might be something else to consider.
That’s close enough! We should exchange info to meet up one day. :) what are you busy with this week in the summer season? I’m freezing raw butter and ice cream!
Yes, let’s. Sounds wonderful! Our jersey is dry and due in November, so no milk yet. We just moved here last month, so lots of building gardens and fences right now and making hay.
Email me at lazydairyfarmer@gmail.com so I won’t loose you ladies. :)
Thank you for this,Tara! I live with my husband and teen in far northern CA on the OR border in the beautiful Shasta Valley/Klamath River Basin. Two years ago we bought 40acres and are working on building a farm here. We have sheep, chickens and ducks, a garden... I’m an artist but also a weaver/spinner and herbalist. We are renovating our house by hand from the studs up and it’s a sloooow process. We do have a “rustic” trailer here that we’d love to have someone (or maybe a couple) stay in for work trade if anyone is interested... I so appreciate all the wisdoms I find on this little community you’ve built Tara!❤️
Hi Jane! I can’t figure out how to DM you so here’s my email...jenifer.kent@gmail.com so we can connect a bit more. There’s lots I can tell you about this area of N.Ca/S Or. ❤️
Hey Tara! Hope you are well. Thinking of you and yours often. Any folks here from Ireland? My name is Aoife, I'm a writer, photographer and artist in the South of Ireland. Would love to connect with folks who grow their own food and know that horse manure belongs on roses 😉
Hey Aoife
Not Ireland, just southern England, but that’s not so far away as these Americans and Canadians!
Oooh actually not far at all. Thank you so much for commenting. Just subscribed to your Substack x
Any favorite resources for learning how to source a cow, fill out a cut sheet, etc? Went halvsies with a family on a cow only to have the farmer bail and refuse to give us our money back (citing hardships).
Tips for transitioning from 2 to 3 babies (3 and under)? Favorite family games with toddlers??
🩷 this community and thankful to you Tara for opening this chat up!
Following because I need to know too! We purchased our first half cow for pickup in September, and I have no clue what I’m doing.
Ask for everything you can possibly get in detail. Be very clear and specify each organ individually that you want. If you want all bones and fat.. specify that rather than soup bones. I have found the more clear and detailed you are the more you are likely to get back. Just look up online parts of a cow if you don’t know exactly what you want.. make a list and then they will likely walk you through their own cut sheet and options for ground or stew meat etc. it isn’t hard as long as your communication is clear.
For the cut sheet, first couple times I spoke with someone at the processor and told them what we typically like and she walked me through what to select on the cut sheet. Always ask for the suet, bones, and any organs they can legally give you! That's typically not on the sheet but I use the comment box.
A fun game for the whole family is Spot It. There are different versions, some more geared to smaller kids. It comes in a small tin so it's easy to bring places with you and if the "real" game is too hard, it's easy to just work with kids to "spot" things. Also can play it solitaire. And fun for adults, too!
We have two little girls (2 & 4) and our favorite family game to play with them is dominos! They picked it right up and we have lots of fun. Slamwich is another they’re getting the hang of. We recently removed the TV, so it is books and board games only for us here now 😁
Iowa here. Putting in a second Weck wholesale order in the next month. Had people from south of the Ozarks in Missouri order the first go around. We have friends that travel up for chicken butchering that take them back to Missouri with them.
This might be something I'd be interested in! I live in the STL region of MO, so if I could meet your friends on their way back down that would be amazing. How can I contact you to get more details on putting in my Weck order?
Our friends live 6 miles south of Lynchburg, MO. I am not sure how open you are to getting jars from their farm, but it may be an easier option than meeting them on their travels. Sometimes traveling with children doesn't lend to exact timing for a meet up. : )
I could probably meet them in Lynchburg. I have family down in that area.
nicolecgutman@gmail.com
Thank you! I have pick up my weekly food order today, but should be able to email you this evening.
The second Weck wholesale order is tentatively set for 9-1-23. Email if interested and I can send you info.
Tara, this is awesome. By the way, I’m publishing a post on Monday that mentions you and links to your Substack. Thanks for your generosity of spirit and guiding model. All, I’m writing from St. Louis, Missouri, USA, and would love to connect with others of like mind.
a long shot :) Moving from Kingston ON to Cumberland BC (Vancouver island) for a year, end of Aug and I need to ship a few boxes (NOT a lot-clothing mostly) Anyone driving there with a little room to spare? matrxmarilyn@gmail.com
Tara, thank you for this opportunity.
Hello! I’m trying to find a kombucha scoby for my friend who lives in New York - any ideas would be gratefully accepted 😘😘
You can grow one from raw store bought kombucha. I’ve done it. If you do a search online you should find some directions. Good luck :)
I’ve done a scoby from from store bought too. In the store bought the scoby anre super tiny, but they anre there, annd will grow. I’ve also had a friend mail me a couple. There may be a local health store that brews their own kombucha too that could give you a scoby (or a mother).
Not sure why all the miss spelled words? Sorry
We’re in Vermont! Rupert/Pawlet/Danby/Dorset area. We have a wonderful community here! Always looking for more ways to connect.
I’m in MA! We love Vermont ❤️
Hi Barb! My husband and I are considering moving back to the northeast from Colorado. We visited your area a couple years ago because we were considering having our wedding at White Doe Farm. We thought it was a beautiful area of Vermont. Would you be available for me to ask you some questions about the area? Either here or on email. My email is brittany.m.ringler@gmail.com.
Sent you an email!
Hi Barb! We are also in VT, but up in Richmond, so not very close to you. Nice to know there are other Vermonters here. We also have a great community here but not everyone is as into all this stuff as I am!
Hi! Maybe we can connect sometime! Do you have kids or happen to homeschool?
Yes we have a 10 and an 8 year old. Right now they're both in public/government school but that may change. They go to a Forest School once a week. Let me know if you're ever up closer this way, it would be nice to connect. My email is turtlehiker@hotmail.com if that's easier.
I am in Rhode Island and am looking to connect with fellow Tara fans around my area. I was also recently diagnosed with Menieres disease and am looking for any and all helpful resources and information you all might have. Thank you Tara!
Hi! I’m in Plymouth, MA! Would love to connect.
sweet! my email is my full name @gmail.com
Anyone else in Nova Scotia? I try to share what I learn on here with my friends all the time, but none of them seem to be following....
Hi, Jillana!
I'm in NS. We live in the St. Margaret's Bay area near Tantallon.
I’m near Oxford in Cumberland county. We should have an NS meet up!
Dawn, what’s your email?
Let’s do that! My email is Jillana.burgess@gmail.com
An NS meet up would be amazing!
Hi! ☺️👋
Hi Suzanna!
Thank you Tara for this great idea! 🩷 actually curious to know if there are any other people from Sweden here?
Yes! I’m swedish!
Yay! Hej, kul att connecta med andra svenskar 🌸🙏
var bor du?
Jag bor i en by i västergötland! Du då? 😃
i Rhode Island
Love your writing and thinking ❤️❤️❤️
This is awesome! I love reading about everyone in this beautiful community ♥️
We are located in Southern Ontario, we homestead and homeschool! I wild forage all of my medicines and am about to officially launch my small apothecary where I will have offerings of tinctures, salves, soap, shampoo and the likes!! Hope to let you all know once it’s up and running @lumifarmstead 🤗
We are in need of new bed sheets. I am looking for recommendations for OEKO-TEX organic cotton sheets or organic European linen sheets. I want to make the jump to linen sheets, but I have seen so many reviews saying that the fitted sheet develops holes in it after not much use. I could also try and make my own sheets, as I sew, but I will do a cost compare after finding a good brand. So where do you all get your organic magic sheets? 😴
Hi Emily, I haven't tried these brands yet, but came across them doing the same search for new bedding. You might want to check them out too. https://obasan.ca/ and https://www.silkandsnow.com/en-ca/
Look up www.dazedbutamazed.com It’s where our sheets are from. Great company!
No personal experience, but I've considered American Blossom Linens when we have cash todedicated to that!
I’d love the insight on this too 🩷
This is amazing!! We currently have some American Guinea Hogs that need butchered. We got a few in the freezer already this year but are so full and have no room. We have put them up for $2/lb live weight, but people want them butchered and we don't have the means or the time currently to do so. If someone wanted to come and bring things to butcher on our farm we would be OK with that as well. They are on pasture and are fed local, organic Non GMO grains. When we are in milk they get skimmed milk and all the goodies as well as extra eggs from our free range poultry. We are located in Northwest Ohio. Open to offers, barters etc.
Hello Tiffany, I reached out to Will and I have not hear back and I'm wondering if this is still available.
Hello Tiffany, I am located in Central Ohio. Is this offer still available? Please reach me by email and we can discus further. masehnchang@proton.me
Thank so much for this opportunity Tara! You will never know the full reach of the impact tou have had on thé lives of others. You have been a blessing for so many! I live 45 minutes north of Winnipeg, it would be great to connect with some like minded people near me in person. We settled on a small homestead 2 years ago, and do what we can while working full time and raising teenagers. Pigs, chickens and large garden. We are wanting to expand a little more each year.
Daughter Francoise is just South of Winnipeg. She also subscribed to Slowdown
I’m at Clearwater Bay, on.
Hello all!
I'm so curious (and this may be random) but any contact lens wearers out there:
Is there a natural brand or alternative you use?
It feels a little strange to me to put a fake thing in my eyes, with fake solution.
I don't love glasses and am not sure about Lasik.
Also, what do y'all feed your pups? I've a very picky gal from the shelter. I've been making her food for awhile (I don't trust the commercial foods) but it doesn't always go so well
Would love recommendations for natural ways to feed our furry friends too
Thank you for this wonderful space and community Tara!:)
Hi Julie I’m an optometrist and this is a great Q. No ‘natural’ brands as they’re all made of plastic/silicone combos. Some of the newer ones have nano in them too. All I can suggest is glasses or natural vision improvement (naturaleyecare.com as a good place to start). Refractive surgeries are risky, especially LASIK. Search LASIK disaster - it can severely damage your corneas.
Thank you so much for this Sonja!
Hi Julie, I’m interested in your contact lens comment, and also keen to know others’ thoughts on this. I use hydrogen peroxide solution for cleaning and have done for years because it’s preservative free. I haven’t done much reading on this otherwise and happy to learn!
Hey Julie! Long time contact lens wearers and I switched to dailies because I heard they were better. But recently found out about PFAS (the dreaded forever chemicas) that are in most contact lenses. So now Im full time in glasses and just wear dailies for special occasions, also dont love glasses but it feels really good to be able to take them off and get sunlight into my eyes multiple times a day!
Thank you Tegan! Yes it seems this is an area where there aren't safe natural options and yes I think about contact lenses blocking that good sunlight!
Hi Julie - I started wearing glasses when I was 7 and switched to contact lenses when I was around 12. I had Lasik surgery when I was 40 or 41 and would not have done it if I knew then what I know now. I definitely would have tried some natural vision improvement strategies and embraced a mix of glasses and contacts depending on the situation. For now, I just find the lessons in a decision I made that I can't reverse. I hope you find a good solution that works for you!
Hi Alison, Thank you for your reply. I'm sorry it didn't work out the way you hoped and I admire the way you look at it. I have situations I try to find the lesson in too. Thank you for sharing.
Hi! I am in Idaho. I make a supplement to put on our dog's food - has a bunch of good stuff, but especially liver. you can put it on raw, homemade food, or regular food. My daughter is helping me create a little business with it. You can look at ingredients on cerberussnacks.com if you want!
That's amazing! Thank you for sharing. Good wishes for you business!
West Quebecers! We grow food and medicinal herbs and would love to connect with some local folks. We are interested in solar off grid living.
Hi! I'm in Quebec too, although we are in a very urban area...Montreal. Maybe we can share resources ? I've found pastured raised animal and eggs but no luck with dairy so far...
I only know about local food within 50 km of me because I live in the farming area, but no luck with dairy for us either. You could check around the Wakefield area if you are ever there because they have an up and coming community there.
Anyone in the Los Angeles area?
Hi ! its been a while since your post but Im from Woodland Hills. Looking to make more friends to support, inspire and learn from each other. Its been hard for me to meet people who share this intense desire to connect with our ancestral roots and farming community in such a big city. What part of LA are you?
Love this, thank you Tara! I am in Walnut Creek, CA. A city gal looking to incorporate more country life in her and meet folks who aspire to research and support local farms and markets. I shop at my local farmers market and also from a local farm in Martinez; however I am always open to referrals. I would also love to barter - I offer intuitive and grief writing classes for women and would love to barter in exchange for farm raised beef or local farm goodies: food, homemade body products, body and health services. Thank you!!
Hi Dina! I just replied to you and Rae above but I’m in Occidental in Sonoma County. We have a small farmstead and are just feeling our way along with growing food, raising/ harvesting chickens, and milking goats, but I love this community and would love to connect with like minded folks in the area. I often meet up with friends from the east bay in Petaluma if you have any interest!
I’m in Big Sur! Still kinda far but I found my CA gals!
Hi Molly! Great to meet you! I would love to meet up, Petaluma is a great spot. My email is dvarellasyoga@gmail.com if you want to email me and we can start a thread.
I am from the Bay Area, California. Would love to chat with anyone about anything! Specifically looking for someone to split a cow with!
I am in the Bay Area, Rae! In Walnut Creek, how about you?
Hey Dina! I'm in Point Reyes Station!
Hi Dina and Rae! So happy to see this. I’m up in Occidental near Bodega Bay. Any interest in meeting up??
Oh I love Pt. Reyes!
Hi Bay Area folks! Just move up farther north (Yreka) but lived in the Bay (Oakland and Petaluma) for many years.😊
Anyone near Austin Texas?
Tara, you have such an amazing heart ❤️
I'm in southern Texas (about two hours east from Mexico). I love to garden, can, and sew, and I always have extra okra and basil seed if anyone wants any.
I am from Rimbey Alberta, hoping to make any connections with anyone in my area! Also, I really want a jersey cow or heifer if anyone knows of one for sale. I would also love a Bison hook up, I am a massage therapist and would love to trade my services for food 😊 thank you Tara for starting this thread!
Hey Nicole,
You may want to check out this website she’s like minded from Alberta and sells bison as well as many other meats and produce
https://backwoodsbuffalo.com/?fbclid=PAAaZRUJdMyO16XgyWN0sT-qxW50UtvsLsJrDrrCTNz9YcZEdf0ByH1AmoL8c_aem_AdBTDWN0zx8bEo2QyX-qPI6_f2Y8lANzqc6UdB3fdB6P2z8PCt-OpIse7b0x5RqHYqE
I’m near Kansas City, MO and have a small homestead with my husband and young boys.
Hi! I’m in the Kansas City area as well, but on the Kansas side and with two young girls!
Hi Jenny! I live quite a ways away from you (over near STL) but it's nice to see another Missourian here!
We’re out in the country west of Atlanta. Looking for sheep milk and sheep yogurt. Thank you, Tara, for your thoughtful and inspiring writing!
Hi! We are in Ga too, east of Atlanta.. don’t know if any sheep products over your way but will keep an ear out ;-)