The Gorham Homestead Podcast: Keepin’ it Real with Dawn Gorham

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Send us Fan Mail A two-week break turns into a full-on homestead sprint, and we’re laying it all on the table, what’s working, what’s late, and what we’re learning the hard way. I share the real rhythm behind farm life in Tennessee right now: chicken processing with our first batch of birds, rabbits and breeding decisions, and why genetics can be both practical and weirdly exciting when you’re try...

Send us Fan Mail A Tennessee homestead can feel like Little House on the Prairie one minute and a high-tech control room the next, and today I’m giving you the honest, boots-on-the-ground update from the middle of it all. It’s Mother’s Day, I’m planting the garden and packaging chickens, and I’m trying to keep my head on straight while contractors come and go and the farm keeps moving. I walk thro...

Send us Fan Mail A government agency showed up on my property without a warrant, without consent, and without an order and I can’t just shrug that off. After a week packed with normal homestead chaos, that moment is the one still sitting heavy on my chest, because property rights and boundaries are not optional out here, especially for small farms and raw milk herd shares.  Before we get to the se...

Send us Fan Mail You can work hard, wake up early, and still feel like your homestead business has hit a ceiling. After Nicole Sauce’s spring workshop, we came home with that rare kind of clarity that only happens when you spend real time with doers: people building businesses, tightening systems, and taking action even when life is messy. We talk honestly about what flipped for us, from how we st...

Send us Fan Mail I disappeared for two years, and I didn’t mean to. Life just hit hard, fast, and nonstop and I needed to live it before I could tell it with any honesty. When I logged into my podcast host and saw people were still downloading the show every week, it stopped me cold. That’s when I knew this story matters, and that I needed to come back and say thank you.   The last two years have...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when life throws a series of unexpected events your way, and how do you adapt to maintain stability on a homestead? We share our personal journey through family milestones, particularly a recent wedding, while simultaneously navigating the challenges of my mother's health as she transitions to living with us. Amidst these personal shifts, the homestead faced a se...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered about the real dynamics between traditional farmers and modern homesteaders? Join me, Dawn Gorham, along with my special guest Stephanie Tallent, as we uncover the deep-seated tensions and profound shifts within the world of agriculture. We promise you'll gain valuable insights into how corporate influence has shaped contemporary farming practices, and how homes...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what it takes to ensure the safety of raw milk on a homestead? Join me on Keepin' it Real as I share my journey of learning to draw blood from our cows for regular disease testing, and our excitement as we await the A2 status results. You'll also get a close look at the challenges of managing maturing turkeys and a tough encounter with a steer and...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why the fixer-upper life could be your ticket to a fulfilling and resilient partnership? Join us on this episode of the Gorham Homestead podcast. First I share our latest homesteading adventures, from grappling with a major PVC pipe leak to celebrating a bumper crop of tomatoes. While we battle pests threatening our cucumbers and squash, we're also planning a sp...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how to juggle homestead life and vacation plans without a hitch? We've got you covered! This episode of Keeping it Real at the Gorham Homestead is packed with our personal stories and practical tips on managing a busy homestead while gearing up for an exciting family trip to Colorado. Get an insider's update on the raw milk industry, learn about the minimal...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how a small bottle of essential oil could revolutionize your daily routine? Discover the transformative power of essential oils and their fascinating history on Keeping it Real at the Gorham Homestead. I'll share personal stories from my own journey towards a more natural lifestyle, including how peppermint essential oil has become my go-to for headache...

Send us Fan Mail Ever tried to move a six-foot emu size fence without losing your sanity? Join me on this week's episode of Keeping it Real at the Gorham Homestead, where I recount the unexpected fencing project that momentarily sidelined our regular podcast schedule. Hear about the trials and triumphs of tackling this massive job with the help of a young assistant, and get a sneak peek into...

Send us Fan Mail Can herbs truly transform your life and boost your homesteading journey? Join us on this enlightening episode of Keeping it Real, the Gorham Homestead podcast, as we unravel the mysteries behind our latest beekeeping endeavors and share valuable lessons from our meat chicken processing experience. From the health of our new colony to the challenges faced with an older hive, we pro...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of natural healing straight from our Tennessee homestead on this week's episode of "Keeping It Real" at the Gorham Homestead. Ever wondered how a simple herb can speed up the healing of bones, wounds, and sprains? Join me, Dawn Gorham, as I share the incredible benefits of comfrey, from its cell-regenerating properties to its uses in teas and poul...

Send us Fan Mail Are outdated city ordinances suffocating the spirit of rural homesteading? On today's episode of "Keeping it Real, the Gorham Homestead Podcast," we unravel the intense battle of a young couple in Dickson, Tennessee, who are caught in the crossfire of a restrictive law prohibiting chickens within a thousand feet of another structure. You'll hear about their det...

Send us Fan Mail Hey there, Dawn Gorham here, and if you've ever felt the sting of a social media squall or found joy in a mason jar of home-canned strawberries, this episode of the Gorham Homestead podcast is your kind of story. From standing my ground on raw milk debates to sharing laughs over beekeeping acquisitions gone awry, I'm peeling back the curtain on homestead life - the sweet...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode, Dawn discusses women's preparedness and the unique roles and responsibilities that women have in prepping for their families. She emphasizes the importance of personal security, medical knowledge, nutrition, education, financial preparedness, building community, and embracing traditional gender roles. Dawn encourages women to prioritize their own safe...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode, Dawn Gorham provides an update on the happenings at the Gorham Homestead. She discusses breeding cows and the arrival of new calves. Dawn also shares the emotional decision to process one of the cows, Tara. She recounts the rescue of two baby calves, Valentine and Franny, and the scare they had with scours. Dawn talks about dealing with horns and the impor...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode, Dawn Gorham discusses the health benefits of animal foods. She emphasizes the importance of consuming nutrient-dense animal products and dispels myths about red meat. Dawn also shares tricks for incorporating organ meats into meals and highlights the benefits of pastured poultry. She explains the nutritional value of fish, shellfish, eggs, and dairy produc...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode, Dawn and Tee Gorham discuss their experience during the recent snowstorm, their preparations for future snowstorms, and the lessons they learned. They also talk about their pantry challenge, celebrating their daughter's birthday, and their plans for the garden and greenhouse. The Gorhams share their excitement about collaborating with Nicole Sauce on...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode, Dawn Gorham discusses the journey to real food and natural living. She shares the first three steps she took to improve her family's diet and health. The steps include kicking processed foods out, getting rid of bad fats, and fixing sugars and sweeteners. Dawn also emphasizes the importance of raw milk and provides insights into the backstory of paste...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode, Dawn and Tee Gorham discuss their experiences being snowed in on their Tennessee homestead. They talk about the challenges of being stuck together 24/7 and the importance of having separate activities. They also provide an update on their pantry challenge and share their improvisation in cooking meals with limited ingredients. The couple discusses the diff...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode, Dawn Gorham discusses the topic of keeping a family milk cow. She shares her personal experience and opinions on the matter, emphasizing that there are many ways to keep a milk cow and what works for her may not work for everyone. Dawn covers various aspects of keeping a milk cow, including calf sharing, breeding, weaning, equipment, feeding, potential ill...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode, Dawn and Tee Gorham discuss various topics related to their homestead and what's been happening around the homestead this week. They start by talking about their devastating news regarding two of their milk cows, their plans for breeding them and the challenges they have faced. They also discuss the issue of their livestock guardian dog escaping and t...