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In a time when grocery prices keep climbing and the world feels increasingly uncertain, many families are asking a simple question: how can we stretch what we have further while building something that lasts ? In Episode #21 of The Coop, Anna sits down with Jessica Spiers (homesteading and homeschooling mother of nine) for a deeply practical conversation about how modern homesteading is stepping in to fill the gap left by traditional home economics. Jessica shares how the old principles of home ...
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re allowed to keep chickens, sell eggs from your backyard, build a shed, or start a small homestead business … this episode is essential listening. In Episode #20 of The Coop, Anna sits down with Jacob Lauser (lawyer, homesteader, and founder of Homesteaders.Legal) for a practical, no-nonsense conversation about the legal realities every homesteader should understand. Jacob shares his unique perspective as someone who has both practiced law and lived the homes...
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping outside and picking fresh, juicy fruit straight from your own trees (but felt intimidated by pruning, rootstocks, pollination, or where to even begin) this episode is for you . In Episode #19 of The Coop , Anna sits down with Susan Poizner, orchardist, author, educator, and founder of OrchardPeople.com , for a warm, practical conversation that takes the mystery out of growing fruit trees. Susan shares why most big-box store trees set beginners up for disappoint...
In this solo episode of The Coop, Homestead Living Editor-in-Chief Anna Sakawsky shares her personal story for the first time. From growing up as a city kid in Vancouver with almost no exposure to homesteading, to the stressful travel-agent days that sparked her desire for a slower, more connected life, Anna opens up about the path that led her here. She talks about how her travels abroad unexpectedly taught her to cook creatively and make do with what was available, and the early days with her ...
Eve Kilcher is no stranger to homesteading life. As a former star on Discovery Channel’s Alaska: The Last Frontier and a dedicated homesteader herself, she’s lived the reality of trying to balance it all: growing food, raising animals, and managing a homestead while also juggling the demands of modern life. In this honest conversation, Eve and host Anna Sakawsky talk about the gap between the romanticized version of homesteading we often see online and what it actually feels like day to day … es...
Bioregional herbalist Suzanne Tabert shares her lifelong passion for plant medicine, explaining how to align our bodies with nature's rhythms using local herbs. The discussion covers spring cleansing with plants like nettles and dandelions, summer herbs like hawthorn and tulsi for emotional support, and fall/winter roots for grounding and immunity. Suzanne also provides valuable advice on foraging safety and reliable herbal resources.
Don Tipping has been at the seed starting game a long time. He’s farmed and stewarded seeds at Seven Seeds Farm since 1997, founded Siskiyou Seeds in 2009, and now grows over 700 open-pollinated varieties, breeding for bio-regional strength in Southwest Oregon’s variable climate. He’s seen the industrial seed game up close: big companies sourcing globally, pushing flashy hybrids while workhorse open-pollinated lines get neglected. His work pushes back, prioritizing adaptation to local pests, wea...
Lisa Steele returned to her fifth-generation roots after Wall Street, launching Fresh Eggs Daily in 2009 to share natural, herb-based poultry care the old-timer way. Her book Gardening with Chickens showed that flocks and gardens can thrive together: chickens debug, fertilize, and till; gardens supply greens, bugs, and scraps. Ten years on, the updated 10th anniversary edition ( https://homesteadliving.com/gardening-with-chickens ) adds refined systems, small-space hacks, and lessons from a deca...
Sally Fallon Morrell, author of Nourishing Traditions, shares her journey to rediscovering ancestral diets and the work of Dr. Weston A. Price. She critiques low-fat, high-carb dietary guidelines, emphasizing the vital role of nutrient-dense foods like butter, raw dairy, and liver for fertility, strong bones, and overall well-being. The conversation also highlights proper food preparation, the dangers of seed oils, and the quiet revolution of families returning to traditional eating for improved health.
In this episode, Anna and Jill discussed: Why true balance is a myth How homesteading keeps us human Seasonal productivity vs. daily perfection Managing big goals with real-life constraints Brain-dumping, prioritizing, and building momentum Using a planner that reflects actual homestead life And much more …
In this episode of The Coop, you’ll learn: How Shaye defines homesteading (you’ll love this) Letting your definition evolve as seasons change: kids, business, capacity, and real life The overlap and differences between homesteading and homemaking What it actually means to “cultivate the beautiful life” in an ordinary week Using the five senses … music, scent, texture, light, and taste … to transform daily chores Simple non-negotiables: making the bed, cooking dinner, and “putting the kitchen to ...
In this episode of The Coop , you’ll learn: Why homesteading is mental first, physical second How to start where you are (sprouts > sourdough > chickens) Dirt, movement, sunshine: the real health stack Self-worth through meaningful tasks (and raising needed kids) How growing half your food changes budget and health Building community without the algorithm (gifts, trades, help) Duplication > domination: how small acts at scale tip systems Market leverage: how 10% shifts the food economy ...
In this episode of The Coop, you’ll learn: Carolyn’s incredible freeze-drying story Why YOU should be freeze-drying at home The seven simple steps to freeze-drying How to preserve everything from fruits to full meals with ease How to choose the right freeze dryer Save time and avoid mistakes with practical tutorials and checklists What other equipment you really need (or don’t) Creating healthy, shelf-stable foods for year-round family meals
