Homestead Education Blog
Why Saying “Grocery Stores Don’t Feed Us, Farmers Do” Misses the Bigger Problem
This post may contain affiliate links where I earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Why Saying “Grocery Stores Don’t Feed Us, Farmers Do” Misses the Bigger Problem Unpopular opinion: The statement that “grocery stores don’t feed us, farmers do” is just as frustrating as the statement of, “why kill your food, when you can buy it at the grocery store.” But why does it frustrate me? It is because it has become a party statement that is being ignored. Most people don’t really care where their food comes from (red flag). This is also where my frustration comes from. Until you are the person that has stayed up all night with a farrowing sow, who then loses her whole litter, or spent hours of backbreaking work to plant hundreds of garden plants, you can never know what either of these statements truly means. Convenience of Food Food has literally become so easy to get, people have forgotten the hard work that goes into getting everything you eat to the local supermarket. And when less than 1% of the population in the United States is directly involved in farming (more in food production and transportation), those who are reminding everyone that food comes from the farmer, probably have little personal experience with farming. The scariest disconnect is that just 100 years ago, 30% of Americans were farmers and 50 years before that, 60% were feeding the country. This is only those who were involved in “commercial farming,” and not those who were personally sustainable. This means in only a couple of generations, the overwhelming majority of society has the convenience of never having to grow food. This has allowed for many advancements in society, but has also led to idle hands, obesity, diabeties, entitlement, and beleive in or not, more food insecutiry, as people do not now source or cook for themselves. This leaves millions of people residing in food deserts. Food desserts are inner city (and other area) locations that would run out of food in less than three days should supply chains shut down. Some places in less than 24 hours. And it’s not just that they physically can’t get food, they wouldn’t event know how to change that should they get the opportunity. This needs to be remedied So how do we change this? Similar to military requirements in some countries, could we consider food and ag requirements? It may have already been done, but remember, control the food, control the people. You can read more about that here. We can do something about that though! Put more emphasis on food education In schools At home Through groups (4-H, FFA, Grange, Scouts,Trail Life, American Heritaige, and grass roots efforts) Encourage communication farms and gardens Start vocational programs in your area Support the programs that are in place Look into local food options Take control of our food back! Feeding to feed ourselves will never go away and we need to take ownership in that, not entitlement. How would you like to say, the grocery store doesn’t feed me, I feed me? Our Homestead Science Curriculum is designed to give your child a better understanding of where their food comes from. This allows them to take ownership in providing food for the family whether that’s understanding what they are choosing at the grocery store, helping you tend to the garden, or gathering eggs from your chickens. Check it out here!
The Great Food Shuffle: Why Your Fridge Isn’t Empty, But Bellies Still Are
This post may contain affiliate links where I earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The Great Food Shuffle: Why Your Fridge Isn’t Empty, But Bellies Still Are Let’s face it, the apocalypse isn’t knocking on our door because of a potato shortage. We’re not facing a global famine due to a lack of crops. No, friends, the real issue is that we’re playing a giant, frustrating game of food Tetris, and we’re losing. We don’t have a hunger problem; we have a colossal food distribution problem, and it’s time we talked about it. Think of it: tractors churning out abundance, fields overflowing with produce, and yet, millions stare at empty plates. How does that math add up? Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. The Foreign Policy Food Fight: When Borders Become Barriers Let’s start with the elephant in the global pantry: foreign policy. Trade wars, sanctions, embargoes – they’re not just economic buzzwords; they’re food blockers. When countries squabble, food becomes a pawn, not a necessity, which leads to a food distribution problem. Consider this: According to the World Food Programme (WFP), conflict is a primary driver of hunger. In 2022, 258 million people faced acute food insecurity, with a significant portion living in conflict-affected areas. Blockades, disrupted supply chains, and the deliberate targeting of agricultural infrastructure turn fields into battlegrounds, leaving populations starving. Imagine a farmer in a war-torn region. Their crops are ready, but the roads are blocked, markets are closed, and fear reigns. Even if food is available elsewhere, it can’t reach them. It’s like having a fridge full of groceries but being locked out of your own kitchen. The Long Haul: When Food Travels More Than You Do Then there’s the epic journey our food takes. From farm to fork, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. We’re talking thousands of miles, across continents, on trucks, trains, and ships. And every mile adds to the cost and the risk of spoilage. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), about 14% of food produced globally is lost between post-harvest and retail. This translates to a staggering amount of wasted resources, enough to feed millions. In developing countries, inadequate infrastructure, such as poor roads and lack of refrigerated transport, exacerbates the problem. Imagine fresh produce rotting in a truck stuck in traffic for days, or grain spoiling in a leaky warehouse. It’s a tragedy of logistics. The Junk Food Jumble: When Calories Don’t Equal Nutrition In the developed world, we’re drowning in calories, but starving for nutrients. We’re surrounded by cheap, processed junk food that fills our bellies but leaves us malnourished. Think of it: the obesity paradox. People can be overweight and simultaneously suffer from nutrient deficiencies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition contributes to nearly half of all deaths in children under five. Processed foods, high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, contribute to a range of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. It’s like filling your gas tank with sugary soda – it might look full, but your engine isn’t going anywhere. The Rotting Reality: When Storage Turns Food into Waste Even when food makes it to storage, it’s not safe. Inadequate storage facilities, especially in developing countries, disrupt food distribution and lead to significant spoilage. Pests, mold, and temperature fluctuations can turn a bumper harvest into a pile of waste, preventing food from reaching those who need it. The FAO estimates that post-harvest losses can be as high as 30-40% in some developing countries. This breakdown in food distribution is a massive drain on resources and a major contributor to food insecurity. Imagine a granary filled with grain, only to have rats and insects destroy a significant portion of it. It’s like watching your savings disappear before your eyes. The Retail Rubbish: When Supermarkets Become Food Graveyards And then there’s the retail level, where food waste reaches epic proportions. Supermarkets, obsessed with perfect-looking produce and overflowing shelves, throw away mountains of perfectly edible food. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), an estimated 30-40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted. This includes food lost at the retail level, as well as food wasted by consumers. Imagine perfectly good fruits and vegetables being tossed into dumpsters because they’re slightly bruised or past their “sell by” date. It’s like throwing away money while people are starving. The Local Solution: When Community Feeds Community So, what can we do? The answer, in part, lies in localization. Supporting local farmers and food systems can help to shorten supply chains, reduce spoilage, and boost local economies. By buying directly from farmers, we can ensure that our food is fresh, nutritious, and supports our community. Farmers markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and local food initiatives are vital for building resilient food systems. Growing your own food, even in a small garden or on a balcony, can also make a difference. Composting food scraps, reducing food waste at home, and donating to food banks are all ways to contribute to a more equitable food system. The Bottom Line: A Call to Action We have the resources, the technology, and the knowledge to feed everyone on the planet. What we lack is the political will and the collective commitment to change the system. We need to advocate for policies that prioritize food security, invest in sustainable agriculture, and reduce food waste. We need to support local farmers and food systems, and we need to educate ourselves and others about the true cost of our food choices. It’s time to stop playing food Tetris and start building a food system that works for everyone. It’s time to recognize that hunger isn’t a lack of food; it’s a lack of justice. Let’s work together to change that. Grab my free local food guide HERE to learn the benefits of supporting your local food system!
The Udder Truth: Raw vs. Pasteurized Milk: The Truth About Why We Choose Raw (And Why You Might, Too)
This post may contain affiliate links where I earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The Udder Truth: Raw vs. Pasteurized Milk: The Truth About Why We Choose Raw (And Why You Might, Too) Ok, homestead and crunchy mama friends, let’s talk about something a little…controversial. Raw milk. The creamy, unpasteurized, straight-from-the-cow (or goat, or sheep) beverage that sends shivers down the spines of conventional health authorities. But here’s the thing: we’ve been drinking it for six years, and frankly, we’re thriving. So, let’s dive into the udderly amazing benefits of raw milk, shall we? Now, I’m not a doctor. (Thank goodness, because I’d probably prescribe sunshine and dirt therapy.) But I am a homeschool mom, a previous food safety specialist, and a whole food enthusiast. I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of real, unprocessed food. And raw milk? It’s a powerhouse. The Pasteurized Problem First, let’s address the elephant in the dairy aisle: pasteurization. This process, designed to kill harmful bacteria, also kills beneficial bacteria, enzymes, and alters the very structure of the milk. It’s like nuking a garden to get rid of a few weeds – effective, but you’ve also destroyed the entire ecosystem. Pasteurization denatures proteins, making them harder to digest. It also destroys lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose. So, surprise, surprise, many people who are “lactose intolerant” actually have a problem with pasteurized milk, not lactose itself. Our Raw Milk Revelation We stumbled upon raw milk six years ago. We were knee-deep in homesteading, trying to source the most nutrient-dense foods for our family. My husband, bless his soul, was struggling with elevated liver enzymes and borderline high cholesterol. We were also grappling with what we thought was our 7-year-old’s (2 years old at the time) lactose intolerance. Let me tell you, the lactose intolerance thing was a rollercoaster. We’d tried everything: lactase pills, dairy-free alternatives, you name it. But nothing worked. In fact, after he drank lactaid, he would have extreme ADHD type reactions. He would become overly hyper and not be able to focus on anything. It was awful. So, we thought we were doomed to a life without creamy goodness. Then, after buying our first cow and trying low-temp pasteurization (eventually switching to raw), we were skeptical, but desperate, we decided to give it a try. And guess what? Our “lactose intolerant” son drank it with absolutely no issues. None. Nada. Zilch. It wasn’t just him. My husband’s liver enzymes started to normalize, and his cholesterol improved dramatically. Mine, too, plummeted almost 200 points. We’re talking about real, tangible, measurable changes. Anecdotal Evidence (And a Little Sarcasm) Now, I know what the skeptics are thinking: “Anecdotal evidence isn’t science!” True. But sometimes, real-life experiences are more convincing than a pile of lab reports. And let’s be honest, science is constantly changing its mind anyway. Remember when eggs were the devil? Now they’re a superfood. (Make up your mind, science!) I also have two friends who swore they were allergic to milk. They’d get hives, stomach cramps, nasal drainage, the whole shebang. But after trying raw milk, they were astonished to find they could drink it without any problems. It’s like magic, but the kind of magic that involves healthy cows and happy guts. The Benefits of Raw Milk (According to Us) So, what makes raw milk so special? Here’s a rundown of the benefits we’ve experienced: Improved Digestion: The live enzymes and beneficial bacteria in raw milk aid in digestion, making it easier for even those with lactose intolerance to enjoy. Enhanced Nutrient Absorption: Raw milk is packed with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that are more readily absorbed by the body. Boosted Immune System: The beneficial bacteria in raw milk support a healthy gut microbiome, which is crucial for immune function. Improved Skin Health: Many people report clearer, healthier skin after switching to raw milk. Increased Energy Levels: Raw milk provides a sustained source of energy, thanks to its high nutrient content. Reduced Allergies: As mentioned earlier, many people with dairy allergies find they can tolerate raw milk. Improved Cholesterol and Liver Function: As seen in my own family, raw milk can have a positive impact on these vital health markers. The Safety Question (And a Bit More Sarcasm) Of course, the biggest concern with raw milk is safety. But here’s the thing: we’ve been drinking it for six years, and we’ve never had a single issue. We source our milk from our farm where we prioritize cleanliness and animal health. Yes, there’s a risk of contamination with any food, including pasteurized milk. But the risk is often exaggerated. And let’s be real, you’re more likely to get sick from a contaminated bag of spinach than a well-managed raw milk operation. (Spinach, you’re on notice.) Finding Raw Milk If you’re interested in trying it, here are a few tips: Find a local farmer: Look for farms that sell raw milk directly to consumers. Check your state laws: Raw milk regulations vary from state to state. Ask questions: Don’t be afraid to ask the farmer about their practices and animal health. Start slow: If you’re new to raw milk, start with small amounts and gradually increase your intake. The Bottom Line Raw milk isn’t for everyone. But for us, it’s been a game-changer. It’s a whole, unprocessed food that has nourished our family and improved our health in countless ways. So, if you’re looking to ditch the processed and embrace the real, consider giving it a try. You might just be surprised at what you discover. And if you are still scared, well, more for me! Grab my local food guide HERE to learn more about the benefits of a local food system!
What is the Difference Between a Homestead and a Farm?
This post may contain affiliate links where I earn a commission at no additional cost to you. What is the Difference Between a Homestead and a Farm? The difference between a homestead and a farm is a big topic with no one clear answer as to what category you fall into or how the government views your operation. What I can clearly quantify is that the federal government states that the definition of a farm is any agricultural operation that has or plans to make $1000 in a year in agricultural products. In many cases, a small farm can make $1000 from the sale of one beef cow, a truck load of hay, or regular milk customers. I would then need to ask if that truly makes an operation a commercial endeavor or if that should simply be considered a sustainable homestead. I consider our agriculture endeavor a commercial homestead, in which I will explain what each of these means below. However, if I were working on programs with the USDA, I would be considered a small farm. And to make things a little more complicated, there are no clear statistics on how many small farms are out there, as most people do not know what constitutes one or consider their farm income substantial enough when they live on an off-farm income. Hobby Farm or Hobby Homestead Many people get wrapped up in what a homestead is because they associate it with the Homestead Act of 1862 and covered wagons heading down the Oregon Trail. Well, that’s not even where the name originally comes from either. Homesteading is staking a claim (buying, settling, homesteading) on a piece of property and then using that property for some level of sustainability. Meaning, the property provides for the owner through food, fiber, or income. A hobby farm or homestead, first off, usually does not meet the $1000 income threshold to qualify as a farm. In fact, in many cases, it is actually financially burdensome because there are expenses associated with maintaining land and animal care. If there are no or few sources of income, then the costs of the farm are considered a choice through the form of a hobby. This is great if you are ok with it too! Farms can be a lot of fun and no one thinks twice about your neighbor collecting model cars as their hobby. The main difference between a farm and homestead in this case, is that many times hobby farms in the true sense may have no tangible returns. This could include horses for leisure riding. You gain great joy from them, but not cash income or food. A hobby homestead is probably going to have multiple activities happening at once that have some form of tangible returns. Even if the homesteader is not selling products, they are probably benefiting in the form of non-monetary income. This includes food from gardens or eggs, making soap from goat milk, or baking sourdough bread. Sustainable Homestead A sustainable homestead, or even just a homestead, provides a large amount of the operator or family’s needs. This is a small to medium-sized piece of property that is used for cultivating gardens, crops, and livestock or other sustainable practices to support the family. The support will come in the form of both cash income and non-monetary income. I see this a lot where a family will raise a couple of pigs for the year, sell one and put the other in the freezer. They will then use the lard for cooking and candles, but use the income from the other pig for living expenses or to feed next year’s pigs. Either way, the family is benefitting from the homestead, but probably not receiving a substantial enough income to not still work in town, but may be considered a farm by federal standards. This is a great option for single income families to stay comfortable. Small Farm or Commercial Homestead (Farmstead) Both of these operations are making an income. And usually if you ask them what they farm, they are going to have a direct answer for you. Such as, I’m a hay farmer or a cattle rancher. Some of these entities are even making enough income to be their full-time jobs and even diversify into next level production like opening butcher shops for their livestock products. The main difference between the two is that small farms often produce little other products besides their main source of income. Sometimes this is even a full monoculture operation. If other agricultural practices are happening on the farm, they are in the form of a small garden or a child’s project for the local fair. Where a commercial homestead or farmstead, you are going to see more of the sustainability in action. This means that the operation is feeding the family (often through a permaculture style system) while simultaneously making a profit. Commercial Farm Commercial farms are large operations that are generally monoculture or linear in nature. Meaning they grow only one crop or grow one crop to support another, like corn for dairy cows. Many of these farms are still family owned, and sadly many have at least one household member that works off the farm to provide medical insurance or steady income during off season for the farm. These farms are more likely to receive government subsidies (should they qualify), have large loans for equipment, and use chemicals and synthetic fertilizers, which is the model that has been set over the last 50-75 years. Many of these farmers struggle to make ends meet as they are in a tough cycle (though now all of them). Many of these farmers will dabble in small amounts of homesteading to meet their personal food needs. There are also corporately owned farms that are run by managers, not owners. In some cases, the owners are not even a single person, but an entity. These farms have a lot of expendable income, but are more reluctant to make some of the changes people are calling for out of fear of reducing their bottom line. What kind of farm do you have? If you are ready to start yours and do not know where to start, check out my homestead business page for ideas and guides!
What Would Losing the Department of Education Mean?
This post may contain affiliate links where I earn a commission at no additional cost to you. What Would Losing the Department of Education Mean? We are an educated nation. We are a nation that puts value on education. We are a nation that relies on the public school system as child care to allow us to earn a living. Our nation supports kids with disabilities and meals for struggling families through public schools. Losing such a core federal department feels wrong on every level! And that is what the system of public reliance and overstepping federal control wants you to think. History time! The Department of Education wasn’t even founded until 1979 by President Jimmy Carter. Before then, the federal government’s role in education was to provide state funding. These funds were used for primary education, and they had provided funding for the land grant agricultural universities and their research through the Morrill Act of 1862, as well as a few other acts over the years. Federal school involvement had a big (and sometimes considered negative) impact on rural schools following Theodore Roosevelt’s Country Life Commission changes in 1908. At this time, the population of people living in urban areas surpassed the number living rurally. It was believed that the people moving to cities were primarily the educated youth, therefore only leaving behind the uneducated. This led the Country Life Commission to implement school districts in hopes of organizing rural education. The hope was that students were educated and then taught agriculture and homemaking, more young people would stay home in the country. This would have been great, had vocational agriculture continued as a primary focus in schools for longer than just a generation or two. Instead, what it did was destroy rural communities by preventing students from being supported by small towns and subcommunity individual values. This often made schools further away from students, making it where they could not attend or had to neglect their farm responsibilities. This put further strain on families and the state of rural education. Taxation without representation I have heard statements insinuating that agencies like the Department of Education were unconstitutional in the first place because they were not originally outlined by the constitution or the Bill of Rights. This actually is not the case. More correctly, is that the founding fathers left many parts of this type of government purposefully ambiguous in order to accommodate growth of the nation through the executive decisions to help the general welfare of the people. However, what has been widely forgotten by the majority of the population (or possibly, purposefully swayed), is that the states were intended to have more power and that the federal government should be there for issues related to international affairs, defense, interstate issues, and unity. The states should handle everything else. What has ended up happening, is that with education being handled at the federal level, is that not everyone agrees with how public education is handled. Hence the reason there are so many homeschool families now! When large populations of citizens are unhappy with how a department is being handled, but do not have a “loud” enough voice to make changes, it officially becomes taxation without representation, which IS unconstitutional. How the abolishment of the Department of Education will affect students If the department of education is dismantled, all federal funding that is earmarked for education will be distributed to the states (much like it is now), but the states will be able to decide how the money should be spent. This HUGE when considering how diverse each state is. They have different climates, geography, agriculture, cultural diversity, and values. So when decisions are made at the state level, the education is more tailored to the students that will receive it and the taxpayers will have more say over how the funding is spent. There will be more accountability with each student holding a higher ratio of funds to importance. There are many programs that aren’t directly related to education, but are facilitated through the Department of Education or people believe are handled through the Department of Education. These programs are either going to be handled by more appropriate departments or will simply continue to be handled by their current department. Below, I will go over a few of those questions. What about college loans and grants? They aren’t going anywhere. They will be handled by the Department of Treasury. This is a more efficient way of handling these programs, cutting out a bunch of middlemen. If there is any concern about veterans not receiving GI Bills, don’t worry, that is handled by the Department of Veterans Affairs anyway. Any specialty grants and loans will be handled through the department that they correspond with. Such as the programs to help students into medical or veterinary fields will be handled by the Department of Public Health. How will underprivileged kids eat? Many people are using the scare tactic that if the Department of Education is dismantled, low-income children will get their two free meals a day (that are sometimes their only meal). I have good news! This program is handled by the Farm Bill along with Food Stamps, WIC, and a few other welfare programs. I think those should be reevaluated as well, but you can read about that in my blog about why we should be growing our own food. Will kids with disabilities lose their support? No! And I say this emphatically because I have an autistic son. I know how important these services are to families, especially those without good insurance or that need to work full time. These will be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services under section 3 of the proposed law. These programs include EIPs, 504s, Early Intervention, and free special education. What about Indian education? Have you ever chatted with native americans about how they feel about government involvement? Because, guess what, they don’t want us involved. Don’t worry, it’s going to the Department of the Interior, anyways. There are several programs to support Indian education, but they aren’t going anywhere. Are students’ civil rights going to be protected? They are going to be handled better! This is because the Department of Justice will investigate and enforce them. This department can fix these problems rather than the Department of Education turning it into a bureaucratic issue. Are states going to start funding homeschooled students? With money going to the states, many states are considering school choice bills or educational savings accounts. This allows students to spend their allotted tax money on charter programs, a school outside of their district, private schools, publicly funded home education programs, and in some states homeschooled students. There are a few ways in which these funds can be accessed. One is through tax credits. States will still receive all their current funding to keep programs running as is, but parents can get tax breaks. In the long run, public schools may need to reallocate how they operate as more funds become less available due to less taxes being paid toward the programs. However, schools still get state funding through programs like the lotto and federal vocational education bills. The second way is through state grants that are awarded to qualifying families to use toward educational materials. Currently, many states already have these programs in place as they are for all students, not just homeschooled ones, for tutoring, extracurricular activities, interest-based learning, and enhancement programs. Many of these programs have nothing to do with the Department of Education and are funded through Covid grants, rural development, and inner city initiatives. And finally, the most controversial one, is complete school choice (with the money following). This would allow all or most of the funds a state allocates for a student to follow or be used by the student’s family for educational purposes. This means that (as of 2025) an average of up to $17,700 would no longer go to a school district if a student did not attend public school. That amount could go towards private school tuition, including religious institutions as mandated federally. Or they could be allocated in part directly to families for homeschool expenses or other non-accredited programs like farm schools. However, the money is not just handed over, they are administered through agencies that oversee how the funds are spent through approvals and receipts. This would hurt the public system the most. But primarily in the short run. In the long run, the money is still there and would be diverse through communities through new programs becoming available in response to educational freedom. Sidenote from a homeschooler Contrary to popular belief, many homeschool families are not completely behind school choice programs. This is because they do not want the eventual government control that will come from accepting educational funding. In tandem with these programs, states have introduced legislation like “Make Homeschool Safe,” that puts additional laws on home schooling that have nothing to do with educational requirements. Laws like required vaccinations that are the reasons that many families have opted out of public schooling. As homeschoolers, we are not against that option of additional funding, especially for families that can not afford curriculum or have special needs children. We just want to make sure the laws are not overstepping and that we can opt out of the funding if we don’t want the control as well. So, is the Department of Education going away? Maybe. As of writing this on March 5, 2025, the Department of Education has not been abolished. If the executive order is signed, it would still need to be passed through Congress due to the nature of this department. But since both the House of Representatives and the Senate have a republican majority, there is a high chance that this is something we could see one day soon.
Episode 135: What should I feed my kids when questions of what is in our food plasters the news?
The questions of “what to feed my kids” is coming up more and more as information about what is in our food is plastered all over the news.