The Florida Homesteader Podcast

There’s a side of Florida you won’t find along the interstate or inside a theme park. It’s down sandy roads, beneath sprawling oaks and towering pines, and along trails best experienced from the back of a horse. In this episode of The Florida Homesteader Podcast , Jamie Bateman sits down with Kathy Wolfe of Wolfe’s Born to Ride to talk about horses, trail riding, Florida’s natural landscape, and a...

Thinking about starting a homestead in Florida? Or are you already homesteading and looking for ways to improve your soil, grow more sustainably, and work with nature? In this episode of The Florida Homesteader Podcast, Jamie Bateman sits down with Joel Salatin, farmer, author, and regenerative agriculture advocate, to explore what homesteading and regenerative farming look like in Florida. From t...

What happens when you start with an overgrown piece of Florida land, a vision, and the willingness to figure things out as you go? In this episode of The Florida Homesteader Podcast , we sit down with Tina Reynolds, whose story, From Nothing to Everything , was recently featured in the pages of The Florida Homesteader . Tina and her husband, Jimmy, arrived in Putnam County on January 1, 2021, look...

What started as a desire to provide healthy food has grown into something much bigger. In this episode of The Florida Homesteader Podcast , we sit down with Spencer Askew of Azure Standard to talk about the mission, faith, and people behind a company that has become a trusted resource for families seeking healthier food and more intentional ways of living. Spencer shares more about Azure Standard&...

New World screwworm is a name many livestock owners hoped would remain part of Florida’s past—but its resurgence has brought renewed attention to the importance of knowing what to watch for and how to protect our animals. In this episode of  The Florida Homesteader Podcast , we sit down with Dr. Jeff Saunders to talk about New World screwworm, the threat it can pose to livestock and other warm-blo...

What if we stopped thinking about a garden as simply a place to grow food? In this conversation, Frankie Flowers shares his unconventional approach to growing crops that can serve a purpose far beyond what ends up on the dinner table.  From plants grown specifically for chop-and-drop, animal feed, food forests, soil building, and garden fertility, Frankie challenges the traditional way we think ab...

Sometimes the place we feel most at home isn't where we expected to be. In this episode of  The Florida Homesteader Podcast , we sit down with  Amie Cochran , whose story,  Too Country for the City , reminds us that home is about more than a location—it's about living a life that reflects your values, your family, and your calling. Join us as we talk about homesteading, faith, family, and...

This week we're sharing a conversation from another podcast where Jamie Bateman, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of  The Florida Homesteader , was invited to be a guest. In this episode, Jamie shares the story behind the magazine, the mission that inspired its creation, and the heart for encouraging Florida's small farmers, homesteaders, and rural communities. From preserving traditional ski...

What happens when a family decides there's more to life than busy schedules and the daily grind? In this episode of The Florida Homesteader, we visit Hideaway Homestead to hear the story behind their journey, from dreaming about a different way of life to building a thriving Florida homestead centered on family, faith, and purpose. Join us as we walk the property, learn about the lessons they&...

The unmistakable whistle of a bobwhite quail has long been part of Florida's rural heritage, but today it's becoming harder to hear. In this episode, Colt Wells shares his passion for quail conservation, wildlife habitat, and preserving the traditions that have shaped generations of Floridians. More than a conversation about hunting, this episode explores stewardship, family legacy, and th...

What happens when a simple desire to create cleaner products for your family grows into a nationally recognized business? In this episode of  The Florida Homesteader Podcast , we're joined by  Emilie Toups , founder of  Toups & Co. Organics , to share the incredible story behind one of today's most trusted names in tallow-based skincare and clean beauty. Emilie shares how her family st...

Have you ever had a homesteading project turn out completely different than you expected? In this episode of  The Florida Homesteader Podcast , we're sharing our journey into raising meat birds - a journey - that actually began with a case of mistaken identity! What we thought were future egg layers turned out to be meat birds, and that unexpected surprise taught us valuable lessons about raising...

In Part Two of our conversation with Rob Hampton, we continue the remarkable journey that began in the fields of rural Florida. After growing up picking peas and watermelons and learning the value of hard work alongside his great-uncle, Rob's path led him into the United States Marine Corps, through college, and into a career dedicated to helping others succeed. Along the way, the lessons he l...

What shapes a person long before they become a leader, mentor, or role model? In Part 1 of this special two-part conversation, Jamie Bateman sits down with Rob Hampton to discuss the experiences, values, and lessons that helped shape him into the man he is today. Growing up in an agricultural family, Rob learned the importance of perseverance, hard work, determination, responsibility, and respect—...

Welcome to Academy at the PARC, a unique learning environment located in the heart of Florida's Heartland. In this video, you'll get an inside look at a typical day on campus—from morning arrival and assembly to hands-on learning experiences, student activities, and the vibrant community that makes Academy at the PARC a special place to learn and grow. Set on a 40-acre campus in Sebring, F...

This week, we're taking a short break from our regular podcast schedule, but we wanted to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you for listening, subscribing, sharing episodes, reading the magazine, and supporting our mission to celebrate and connect Florida's homesteading community. Whether you've been with us since the beginning or just recently joined us, we're grateful you&#39...

In this episode of The Florida Homesteader Podcast, we sit down with Beckie from Bottoms Up Acres to talk all things goats, county fairs, and homestead life in Florida. From getting started with just a few goats to raising successful show animals and mentoring local families, Beckie shares the realities of caring for goats in Florida’s heat and humidity, preparing animals for show season, and the...

What diseases could unknowingly be brought onto your farm? 🦠 In this episode, host  Jamie Bateman  sits down with  Doctor Jeff Saunders  to discuss biosecurity in agriculture, bird flu (avian influenza), hantavirus, wildlife risks, rodents, livestock exposure, and the hidden ways dangerous diseases can spread onto farms and homesteads. From backyard chickens and cattle to gardens and agritourism,...

Turn your backyard into a thriving food oasis! In this episode of  The Florida Homesteader Podcast , host Jamie Bateman sits down with urban gardening expert  Elise Pickett  from The Urban Harvest, to talk about growing food in Florida, even in the smallest spaces. Elise started with small Florida yard just a few miles from the Gulf and turned it into a full-on food oasis and now she’s teaching ot...

Canning is more than just preserving food, it’s preserving memories, heritage, and a way of life. In this episode, host Jamie Bateman sits down with her mother, Charlotte Cooper, Homestead Test Kitchen Director, to explore the heart behind canning and why this time-honored tradition still matters today. From learning at her grandmother’s side to teaching the next generation, Charlotte shares how c...

Sometimes the best conversations happen right there on the front porch… In this solo episode of  Front Porch Talk on the Homestead , Jamie slows things down and invites you into a simple, honest conversation about what’s happening on the homestead this season—from the wins to the lessons learned along the way. She also shares how we can all take small, meaningful steps toward supporting local farm...

What if the thing you never planned… was exactly what you were called to do? In this episode, hosts Emily Bateman and Taylor Leonardo sit down with a very special guest, our own Jamie Bateman , the CEO, founder, and editor-in-chief of The Florida Homesteader s we turn the tables and dive into the story behind it all. From a single photo opportunity to building a platform that highlights the heart...

In this episode of The Florida Homesteader Podcast, host Jamie Bateman sits down with  Wesley Joyner , a sixth-generation Floridian, cattleman, and agricultural leader, to discuss the importance of Florida agriculture, cattle farming, and the future of land stewardship in a rapidly growing state. Wesley brings a unique perspective shaped by both his professional career as Senior Vice President at...

In this episode of the Florida Homesteader Podcast, Dr. Jeff Saunders breaks down the hidden dangers of avian influenza (bird flu) and other livestock diseases, and how they can impact not just chickens, but cattle, goats, horses, and other farm animals. Dr. Saunders explains: • How diseases like avian influenza spread rapidly through wild birds, livestock, and contaminated environments • Why wild...

In this episode of  The Florida Homesteader Podcast , host  Jamie Bateman  talks with  Joann , owner of CBbees, about the story behind  The Farmers Pantry in Avon Park, Florida and how it all began.  Joanne shares the story of how a simple idea turned into a place where local farmers, growers, and makers can come together and thrive. What started as a vision to support small, local businesses has...