Homestead Shop Talk

Jason, Al, and Ben discuss their recent experiences with homesteading, including the challenges of cold weather, a charcuterie class they hosted, and their plans for tapping maple trees. They share insights on meat processing, the joy of learning new techniques, and the camaraderie built through shared experiences in homesteading. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various aspects of farmi...

Jason, Al, and Ben discuss their recent experiences with winter weather, including unexpected snowfalls and the challenges of sledding. They also delve into animal care, particularly focusing on the health of Al's pig, Sweet Potato, and the impact of winter on their livestock. The conversation shifts to the complexities of sourcing animal feed, weighing the pros and cons of bulk versus bagged grai...

Jason, Ben and Al reflect on their New Year's celebrations, discuss the challenges of cold weather on their homesteads, and share experiences with animal health issues, particularly a prolapsed rectum in pigs. They also delve into breeding decisions for their pigs, the importance of organization in their homesteading projects, and the recent uptick in chicken sales after the holiday season. They d...

Jason, Al, and Ben reflect on their holiday experiences, including Christmas dinners and winter weather challenges. They share stories about their homesteading projects, equipment updates, and the impact of sickness during the holiday season. The conversation also touches on hunting season reflections and the challenges of managing livestock and equipment in winter conditions. In this conversation...

Jason, Al, and Ben reflect on their experiences over the past year, share holiday greetings, and discuss the challenges and joys of homesteading during the winter months. They delve into the guilt associated with downtime in content creation, the difficulties posed by cold weather, and the progress made on various building projects. The conversation also touches on animal behavior in winter, egg p...

Jason, Ben and Al discuss their Christmas traditions, the challenges of content creation during rainy weather, and a humorous story about a surprise delivery of wood chips. They also share wildlife encounters, health tips for winter, and insights into managing solar power systems during the colder months. In this conversation, the speakers delve into various topics including the intricacies of bat...

Al, Ben and Jason discuss their Christmas tree traditions, the impact of recent weather changes, innovations in snow removal with a new snowblower, and the challenges of managing livestock, particularly pigs. They share personal anecdotes and practical tips for homesteading during the winter season. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various aspects of farming, particularly focusing on the...

Jason, Al, and Ben share their Thanksgiving experiences, discussing the various dishes they prepared and enjoyed. They reflect on the evolution of Black Friday shopping, reminiscing about camping out for deals in the past. The conversation shifts to livestock management as they discuss winter preparations for their animals. Finally, they delve into the topic of beaver encounters on Al's property,...

Jason, Al, and Ben share their Thanksgiving traditions, culinary adventures, and the challenges of cooking a whole pig for Friendsgiving. They discuss their experiences with family gatherings, the joys of cooking, and the lessons learned from their homesteading lifestyle. The conversation also touches on their recent trip to a Renaissance Fair and the challenges faced with equipment maintenance, p...

Jason, Al, and Ben discuss the seasonal changes in their homesteading activities, focusing on butchering workshops, the quality of pork, DIY projects, and the challenges of content creation during the winter months. They reflect on their experiences with community engagement through workshops, the importance of maintaining a clean and organized workspace, and the balance between work and personal...

Jason, Al, and Ben discuss their recent activities in homesteading, including weather conditions, pig farming experiments, and butchering classes. Ben shares insights from his pig butchering class, highlighting the camaraderie among participants and the challenges of teaching. Al recounts his experience butchering turkeys and pouring concrete for a cattle chute, emphasizing the importance of prope...

Jason, Al, and Ben discuss various topics related to homesteading, including upcoming workshops, a bizarre discovery of a dead moose in Al's pond, the confirmation of a pregnant cow, and the ongoing development of infrastructure for cattle. Jason shares his experiences with tree service work and processing pork, highlighting the challenges and rewards of homesteading life. In this conversation, th...

Jason, Al, and Ben discuss their favorite movies, delve into Al's recent fencing project, and share experiences about the changing weather as winter approaches. They explore the challenges of working on a homestead, including dealing with rocky soil and the importance of planning for seasonal changes. The conversation highlights the balance between family life, homesteading tasks, and the impact o...

Jason, Al, and Ben share their experiences from the past week, including breakfast routines, busy homesteading activities, and a successful butchering class. They discuss community engagement, unexpected opportunities with chickens, and challenges faced with basement mold. They also explore heating solutions for the upcoming winter and reflect on community preparedness in light of recent events. T...

Jason, Al, and Ben discuss the recent weather challenges they faced, including high winds and impending frost. They share experiences from their homesteads, including preparations for winter and the impact of a recent flood in Asheville. The conversation highlights community resilience, the importance of local businesses, and the joy of seasonal activities like apple picking and pork processing. T...

In this episode Jason, Al, and Ben discuss the aftermath of a recent hurricane that impacted their homesteads and the surrounding community. They reflect on the challenges faced by those affected, share personal experiences of damage and recovery. The conversation also touches on weather patterns, animal husbandry, and the ongoing projects each host is working on as they navigate the challenges of...

In this episode, we discuss our experiences during Hurricane Helene, challenges of power outages, water supply, and the community's resilience in the face of natural disasters. They share personal stories of survival, neighborly support, and the importance of preparedness. The conversation also touches on the aftermath of the storm, including the extensive rainfall and flooding, and the efforts to...

In this episode we talk about our week on the homestead and answer your questions! Sow the Land: https://www.youtube.com/@SowtheLand Lumnah Acres: https://www.youtube.com/@LumnahAcres Hollar Homestead: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHollarHomestead Homestead Shop Talk is a weekly audio podcast hosted by Jason Contreras (@sowtheland), Ben Hollar (@thehollarhomestead) and Al Lumnah (@lumnahacres). Thre...

In this episode of the Homestead Shop Talk podcast, Jason, Al, and Ben discuss various topics related to homesteading, including weather conditions, food experiences, health changes, and their recent conference experiences. They share insights on animal husbandry, upcoming classes, and the importance of family visits. The conversation highlights the joys and challenges of homesteading life, emphas...

In this episode, Al, Jason and Ben discuss their recent activities and projects. They talk about buying freezers, the challenges of finding space for them, and the possibility of investing in a walk-in freezer. They also discuss the weather and how it affects their homesteading activities. Ben shares his progress on building his house, including laying blocks. Al talks about quitting sugar and the...

In this episode, Al, Ben and Jason discuss their recent experiences and activities. They talk about the weather, a homesteading event they attended, and some challenges they faced on their homesteads. They also mention a lightning strike that damaged their electric fence and share their thoughts on coyote issues. Additionally, they mention an upcoming speaking engagement at a homesteading conferen...

In this episode, Al, Ben and Jason discuss their recent dinners and upcoming workshops. They also talk about weather conditions and Al's recent well pump issues. The conversation then shifts to the possibility of change in the food system, with a focus on RFK's views on healthcare and the influence of corporations. The hosts express their opinions on the potential for change and the need for indiv...

In this episode, the fellas discuss upcoming events and share updates on their homesteading projects. They talk about the challenges of dealing with excessive rain and the impact it has on gardening and outdoor projects. They also discuss their preferences for weather conditions, including their desire for snow in the winter. The hosts share their experiences with butchering pigs and the process o...

In this episode 60, Jason, Al and Ben discuss various topics including the recent weather, the use of dishwashers and microwaves, and the concept of a dumbwaiter. They also talk about Jason's kitchen renovation project and the use of Rubio Monocoat for finishing the countertops. In this part of the conversation, Jason and Al discuss various topics including the progress of Jason's kitchen renovati...

In this episode, Jason, Ben and Al discuss the upcoming hurricane and the unpredictable weather patterns they've been experiencing. They also talk about their recent activities, including clearing land, chipping wood, and castrating pigs. Jason shares his progress on renovating his kitchen, including installing new floors and painting cabinets. In this part of the conversation, Jason discusses the...