Ep 26: Homesteading on an Acre or Less (Yes, Even Livestock) w/ Cassidy Cornell

In Episode #26 of The Coop, Anna sits down with Cassidy Cornell (suburban homesteader, backyard farmer, author of The One Acre Homestead, and McMurray Hatchery team member) for a practical, encouraging conversation about raising food (and livestock) on a smaller scale.Cassidy shares her journey into homesteading and how she’s been able to raise chickens, meat birds, ducks, quail, rabbits, and goats on a modest property. She offers clear, experience-based advice on choosing the right animals, managing limited space, and avoiding the biggest mistakes new small-space homesteaders often make.Anna and Cassidy dig into breed recommendations for high egg production versus efficient meat birds, the unique needs of ducks and quail, whether rabbits and goats make sense in tighter spaces, and how to design systems that maximize food production without overwhelming your time or property. They also talk about the importance of community sufficiency (sourcing what you can’t raise yourself from local producers) and the value of staying realistic about your current season of life.Whether you’re working with a quarter-acre suburban lot, dealing with zoning restrictions, or simply want to get more from the land you already have, this episode delivers practical ideas and genuine encouragement. You don’t need a large farm to start producing real food.