two-oaks-farmstead

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Pay Off Debt Without Losing Your Sanity

Farm Raised Family | Financial Planning Series – Article 3 Pay Off Debt – Debt is one of those things that sneaks up on families. A credit card here, a medical bill there, maybe a tractor repair that just couldn’t wait. Suddenly, it’s not just about paying bills—it’s about trying to breathe under the weight of interest and due dates. The good news? You can dig your way out—and you don’t have to…

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Delicious Dairy on the Homestead: How to Milk, Make Cheese, and Store It

Dairy on the Homestead – Adding dairy to your homestead unlocks a whole new level of self-reliance. Whether you’re milking a single goat or managing a small herd of cows, fresh milk provides not only nourishment but the building blocks for butter, yogurt, cheese, and more. Here’s your beginner’s guide to home dairy—from teat to table. Dairy on the Homestead – 1. Choose Your Dairy…

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Masterful Expense Tracking: Know Where Your Money Goes

Farm Raised Family | Financial Planning Series – Article 2 Expense Tracking – Before you can save, budget, or pay off debt, you need to know exactly where your money is going. Sounds simple, right? But for many families—especially those juggling irregular farm income, fluctuating seasons, or side hustles—tracking expenses can feel like chasing chickens in the wind. The truth is, you can’t fix…

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Confident Care for Goats, Sheep, and Other Small Livestock

Small Livestock – Once you’ve got chickens clucking and your garden thriving, many homesteaders look to expand their barnyard with small livestock. Goats, sheep, rabbits, and even pigs can provide milk, meat, fiber, or income—and build your self-reliance in major ways. Here’s what you need to know before adding these animals to your homestead. 1. Small Livestock – Goats: The Mischievous…

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The Farmhouse Kitchen: How to Bake, Ferment, and Cook from Scratch-7 Highly Effective Tips

The Farmhouse Kitchen – A homestead kitchen is more than a place to cook—it’s the heart of self-sufficiency. From warm loaves of bread to bubbling jars of kombucha, learning to bake, ferment, and cook from scratch is a powerful way to reclaim your food and nourish your family. Here’s how to build a farmhouse kitchen that’s as practical as it is soul-satisfying. 1. The Farmhouse Kitchen – Why…

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From Garden to Pantry: Canning, Freezing, and Dehydrating Basics

From Garden to Pantry – One of the most rewarding parts of homesteading is preserving your homegrown harvest. Whether you’re facing a bumper crop of tomatoes or want to enjoy your herbs in winter, learning how to can, freeze, and dehydrate food is key to stretching your efforts year-round. Let’s walk through the basics of each method so you can stock a pantry that truly works for your…

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Teaching Kids About Money: Building Savvy Habits Early

Teaching Kids About Money – Saving money isn’t just a grown-up skill—it’s a family value. Teaching kids how to manage money sets them up for a lifetime of smart financial choices. And the earlier they learn, the better! The good news? You don’t need a finance degree or a lecture hall—just a little creativity, consistency, and conversation. 1. Teaching Kids About Money – Make Money Talk…

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Raising Chickens for Eggs and Meat: A Bountiful Beginner’s Guide

Raising Chickens for Eggs and Meat – Chickens are often the gateway livestock for new homesteaders—and for good reason. They’re relatively low-maintenance, space-efficient, and give back generously with eggs, meat, fertilizer, and pest control. Whether you’re raising layers, broilers, or a dual-purpose flock, here’s what every beginner should know. 1. Raising Chickens for Eggs and Meat – Start…

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Remarkable Rainwater Harvesting and Water Conservation on the Homestead

Rainwater Harvesting and Water Conservation – Water is life on a homestead—essential for gardens, livestock, and household use. Whether you’re off-grid or just trying to lower your water bill and environmental impact, learning to collect and conserve water is a foundational skill. Here’s how to get started with rainwater harvesting and smart water use on your homestead. 1. Rainwater Harvesting…

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Big Savings on Family Travel: Adventure Without the Overdraft

Big Savings on Family Travel – Family vacations create priceless memories—but they don’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Whether you’re hitting the road or hopping on a plane, planning ahead and using the right strategies can help you enjoy a getaway that’s big on fun and easy on your wallet. 1. Big Savings on Family Travel – Plan Ahead (and Be Flexible) Start early, but stay open. Book…

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Master the Art of Gardening: From Soil Prep to Harvest

The Art of Gardening – A thriving garden is the beating heart of a productive homestead. Whether you’re growing enough to feed your family or just trying to get your hands dirty, learning how to grow your own food—from seed to harvest—is one of the most empowering homesteading skills you can develop. Here’s your step-by-step guide to mastering the art of gardening. The Art of Gardening – 1.…

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Back to Basics: What Every Beginner Homesteader Should Know

Back to Basics – Homesteading is more than a lifestyle—it’s a mindset rooted in self-sufficiency, resourcefulness, and a deep connection to the land. Whether you’re on five acres or in a suburban backyard, you can embrace the homesteading life by starting with the right foundation. Here’s what every beginner should know to get started on the right foot. Back to Basics – 1. Start Small and Build…

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Shameless Saving on School Supplies and Activities: A+ Strategies for Budget-Conscious Parents

Saving on School Supplies – Back-to-school season shouldn’t feel like a second holiday shopping spree. Between supplies, new clothes, extracurriculars, and class fees, the costs add up fast. But don’t worry—there are smart, stress-free ways to keep your kids fully equipped and engaged without emptying your wallet. 1. Saving on School Supplies – Take Inventory Before You Shop Before you grab the…

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Turning Passion into Profit: Is Agritourism the Path Forward for Your Farm?

Turning Passion into Profit – Throughout this series, you’ve seen the possibilities—hayrides, farm stays, cooking workshops, and more. Agritourism is full of opportunity, but it’s not all harvest baskets and happy visitors. Like farming itself, it takes grit, planning, and the ability to pivot when the weather (or the guests) throw you a curveball. So how do you know if agritourism is right for…

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Marketing Your Agritourism Venture: Getting the Good Word Out for Growth

Marketing Your Agritourism Venture – You’ve built the experiences, raised the barn, grown the crops, and maybe even lit the string lights—but now it’s time to get people to the farm. Effective marketing is what transforms your agritourism idea into a thriving attraction. Fortunately, you don’t need a huge budget—just a smart strategy and authentic storytelling. Marketing Your Agritourism Venture…

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Sensational Seasonal Attractions: Corn Mazes, Hayrides, and Holiday Markets

There’s nothing like the charm of a crisp fall day on the farm—or the twinkle of holiday lights in a country barn. Seasonal attractions are some of the biggest draws in agritourism, offering memorable experiences that bring in high foot traffic, generate buzz, and create tradition for families in your community. Why Seasonal Attractions Work These experiences are time-limited, which creates…

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Frugal Food Hacks: Feeding Your Family Without Breaking the Bank

Frugal Food Hacks – Feeding a family on a budget might feel like trying to host Thanksgiving dinner every night—with leftovers only in the form of receipts. But with a little planning and a few strategic tricks, you can trim your grocery bill without sacrificing quality or taste. 1. Frugal Food Hacks – Meal Planning is Your Secret Weapon Think of meal planning as budgeting for your…