Here in Connecticut, we are on the cusp of the full spring bloom – much needed after such a dreary winter. As spring approaches its peak and a winter of planning comes to fruition, I feel like real progress is…
Weeks 37 & 38 at Farm 96: Boiling Maple Sap!
As I enter the busiest season for my job and other responsibilities, I find myself having to cram as much as possible into one or two days each week. I enjoy all of the roles that I take on outside…
Week 36 at Farm 96: Blizzards & Books
This has been by far the most snow-packed winter that I can remember. There might have been years that technically rivaled this one – 2011 and 2013 come to mind – but the impacts of the snow really amplify when…
Week 34 at Farm 96: Tapping Maple Trees
As a reminder, I organize my week’s accomplishments according to my ultimate goals for this homestead property. Here’s what I got done this week: Food Production The garden dreams are at their peak while the actual productivity is nonexistent. The seedlings that…
Weeks 32 & 33 at Farm 96: Ordering Chicks & New Kitchen Table
To write these updates (mostly for my own records, although I do hope that some aspiring homesteader out there is reading and enjoying these), I keep a list of tasks that I get done on each day – and of…
Week 31 at Farm 96: Buying a Chicken Coop & Staying Warm
I vividly remember the October 2011 snowstorm that cancelled Halloween and closed school for two full weeks. Our house was without power for nine days. The appliances were electric and the gas fireplace had an electric starting mechanism. We were…
Week 30 at Farm 96: Spring Orchard Expansion & Planning a Cold Frame
As a reminder, I organize my week’s accomplishments according to my ultimate goals for this homestead property. Here’s what I got done this week: Food Production I placed a very exciting order for spring permaculture additions from Stark Bro’s Nursery. I was…
Week 29 at Farm 96: Firewood & Firewood
I’ve talked and dreamed about living the wood stove lifestyle for years, and I’ve enjoyed nearly every second of the reality – finding firewood, processing firewood, loading up the firebox even early in the morning and late at night… it’s…
Weeks 27 & 28 at Farm 96: Sweet Potato Experiment and Overdue Organization
I had a blissful 12 days off from work for winter break. I really needed to relax – I’m a teacher, and the Thanksgiving to Christmas push was particularly brutal this year. But I didn’t spent much time lounging; every…
Week 26: 6 Months of Farm 96
It has officially been six months since I realized my lifelong dream to purchase a farm of my own. The goal is to build this property into a semi-self-sufficient homestead. Naturally, I have been heavily focused on all that needs…
My New Life as a Homesteader | Revisiting the Rules 6 Months Later
While sitting in the comfort of my apartment in anticipation of realizing my lifelong dream, I set a couple of rules for my ‘new life as a homesteader’. Now that it has been nearly six months since assuming the ‘homesteader’…
Weeks 23 & 24 at Farm 96: Finding Firewood and Constructing a Compost Bin
As a reminder, I organize my week’s accomplishments according to my ultimate goals for this homestead property. Here’s what I’ve been up to: Resource Acquisition & Preparedness At this point, my life basically revolves around firewood – finding it, splitting it, stacking…