Voices From the Homestead—Part ONE
Facing Hard Questions Together
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Welcome to “The Sunny Side” where we’ll chat about all things homesteading! My name is Liz Threlkeld and I have been homesteading with my family in small forms or large fashions for most of my life. From growing gardens to DIY projects, to cooking and preserving, to raising and processing our own meat animals, we’ve learned a thing or two along the way. I’m excited to get to share some of this life with you. Ready? Let’s grow!
Howdy, Friends!
As we celebrate freedom as a nation, let’s also turn inward to explore the kind of liberty that comes not just from living off the land, but from having the courage to ask hard questions and answer them with integrity. I’ve decided to bring in some local voices to weigh in on those tough subjects we presented in the last two articles.
Tradition, Innovation & Sustainability
How do I feel about leveraging technology on the homestead?
“Technology has been a powerful tool in every part of our operation—from building an online store that drives most of our sales to using GPS and digital tracking systems for planting, haying and herd management. It helps us streamline daily tasks, make informed decisions and stay connected with a broader community of producers, educators and resources. Nearly every part of our work today is shaped and supported by some form of technology.” ~ Amy Bachman, Bachman Family Farms
Am I giving credit to those who have taught or inspired me?
“I’m a big believer in giving credit where credit is due. When someone moves me, I don't hesitate to give thanks and pass the gift along. It gives a spark of inspiration the wings to bless the world.” ~ Jess Bray, Blue Mountain Farm
Am I homesteading out of fear or proactive living?
“We seek to be community-sufficient as small-scale farmers in an urban context. We share commonalities with homesteaders because we want to grow as much of our own food as possible and be less dependent on food supply systems, but the reality is that we are stronger together in community for support and collaboration. We always want to be proactive to do our part in making our community more resilient to challenges that will come our way.” ~ Matt Hakola, Ragtag Resilience
Photo Credit: Jess Bray
Honesty & Fairness in Trade
Am I hoarding a resource that could be shared or traded?
“I love to see people achieve success, whether it’s big or small. I have shared and taught several friends on how to ‘can,’ sent info on kitchen tools to make tasks easier. Life is hard, so helping people out here or there will make a happier environment. However, I might hoard the exact location of my sand plum bushes.” ~ Tamela Wooderson, The Farmer’s Wife
Health & Lifestyle
Do I include my family in my homestead adventures to foster closer relationships?
“Each member of the family has their favorite niches in homesteading that they embrace. Finding age-appropriate projects, they can be given a lot of freedom which encourages them to make it their own. Bigger chores, like twice daily milking our cow, is quality time that they love to spend with me. Conversation flows so easily to the rhythm of filling the pail with milk and memories!” ~ Megan Cartlidge, Elm Acres
Could small lifestyle changes, like spending more time in the sun and soil, have unexpected benefits for my health?
“Every time I step outside in the sun, harvest from the garden or feel the dirt between my fingers, I’m reminded that our bodies crave what is real and rooted. Simple acts like these reconnect me to something ancient and instinctual—a rhythm of life that modern living often strips away. Over time, I’ve realized that these small habits don’t just benefit physical health; they create a quieter mind, a stronger spirit and a deeper sense of gratitude. They remind me that health isn’t found in rushing toward convenience, but in slowing down enough to live fully present in each day.” ~ Carrie Beth Winfield, Bee Farmee
While I deeply believe that every voice has value, I’m reminded that the quiet, unspoken work of thinking—the wrestling with questions before answering them—often carries even more weight. In a world eager for snippets, may we be a community that honors not just what we say, but how deeply we’ve thought before we say it.
Happy pondering,
Liz Threlkeld
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