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…
Weeks 20 & 21 at Farm 96: Winterizing Fruit Trees and Planting Garlic
I consider myself relatively intelligent and a decently handy person. My dad made it a point to familiarize me with the basic functioning of my childhood home and involved me in basic tasks like changing filters and completing repairs. I…
Week 19 at Farm 96: Fall Harvests from the Cold Frame
I’ve noticed that many people my age talk about wanting to travel the world. My friends from high school go on weekend trips to resorts and AirBnBs, seeking concerts and hiking trails and experiences galore. I’m happy for their joy,…
Week 18 at Farm 96: I bought a Gator UTV
By mid-September, the hemorrhaging of cash had subsided, there had been no significant unexpected expenses, and all of my projects had come in under budget. I was feeling pretty good about my situation, but I was increasingly frustrated by the…
Weeks 16 & 17 at Farm 96: Trash Picking and Preparing for the Frost
For the nearly six months that I was under contract to buy this house, I was certain that I would be the kind of homeowner who had it all together: fully unpacked in the first weeks, decorating decisions made, art…
Week 15 at Farm 96: Woodchuck & Wood Stove Woes
I’ve been flying high – the autumn leaves have been stunning, my solar panels are installed, and I’m really living my homesteading dream. So, naturally, this week was a huge downer with a lot of frustrations. Growing Food I had…
Week 14 at Farm 96: Solar Panels!
It was a huge week on the farm, so I’m not going wax poetic – I’ll just get right into it: Energy Independence Usually this category comes last – while just as significant a goal as the others, it’s not…
Weeks 12 & 13 at Farm 96: First Harvest, Second Firewood Rack
The weather has been lovely, the leaves are starting to turn, and I am finding a rhythm with the work of the farm. There is a fabulous repetitiveness to it all – novel tasks can only be accomplished in the…
Week 11: Planting the Orchard & Blueberry Patch
This week was a perfect storm of non-farm responsibilities: daily after-school meetings throughout the week and lots of time spent on call as an EMT over the weekend. When I’m on call, I try to limit how dirty I get….
Week 9 at Farm 96: Spreading Wood Chips & Baking Sourdough
It’s the last push before summer ends and the school year begins. Typically, my back to school to-do list involves meal prepping and lesson planning; this year is the same, but with the added pressure of trying to finish every…
Week 8 at Farm 96: Mini Splits & Yard Sale Treasures
As a teenager, I used to climb through my bedroom window to sit on the roof and look at the stars. I scarcely saw a meteor, but it was one of the rare times my suburban neighborhood was quiet, and…
Week 7 at Farm 96: The Orchard Begins!
For all the money that I spent on my perfect custom couch, I certainly haven’t been using it. I got a lot done this week! Here’s what I’ve been up to: Food Production My orchard has officially begun; I planted…