Snow Farms OK

Forgive us . . . actually forgive our interrupting dogs! There are so many stops and starts to this interview with Andrea episode. Russ and Andrea talk about starting an outdoor school, rabbits, and give an assortment of farm updates all while being interrupted by the dogs! Someday we will have a proper studio- but until then this is the content that will be created and shared! We hope you enjoy this episode and please reach out if you have any questions or comments. We would love to hear from you!

Join Russ and Andrea as we discuss our experience at Nicole Sauce's Spring Workshop in Tennessee. We discuss the pros and cons along with our thoughts on what we learned as well as the actionable items we will be addressing on our own homestead.

Part Two of our time spent at Nicole Sauce's Spring Workshop 2023 along with our final thoughts and actionable items.

In this episode Russ talks about the tools he used to replace our siding, their pros and cons, along with installing James Hardie siding. Below are affiliate links to our amazon store if you're interested in the tools. https://amzn.to/3kHB9V9    DEWALT 20V MAX* Caulking Gun / Adhesive Gun, 29-oz (DCE570D1) https://amzn.to/41CZCLJ   DEWALT DCS498B 20V Max Cordless Fiber Cement Shears (Tool Only) https://amzn.to/41zCEoR    DEWALT OEM 5140187-83 Replacement Conversion kit, Cartridge 10 oz

In this episode, Russ and I talk all about our feathered friends: Ducks and Geese. We meander through the joys of acquiring them, raising them up, housing them, feeding them, and how to utilize their eggs. There are pros and cons to having both of these types of birds on your farm, but the joy and delicious eggs that get in our bellies are totally worth it.

In this episode we discuss the different types of pigs: conventional, heritage breed, and my personal favorite: the Kune Kune pig. We have had to opportunity to raise all 3 types with lots of pros and cons from their housing needs to their diets. Pigs are fairly easy to raise, but we have found that they are really difficult to herd onto a trailer because they are so smart. There is nothing quite like raising up amazing bacon. One of the goals that we have for our homestead is to be able to process them ourselves. It is also great to be able to take our table scraps and old leftovers and have them be gobbled up by our Ewok like little piggies!

Russ and I talk beef cattle of all shapes and sizes. Russ details the pros and cons of the many different breeds and sizes, their fencing needs, their feed needs, and the market for the beef to customers. Three amazing books mentioned were: The Lasater Philosophy of Cattle Raising by Laurence M. Lasater Moving 'Em: A Guide to Low Stress Animal Handling by Burt Smith Temple Grandin's Guide to Working with Farm Animals by Temple Grandin Reach out if you have any questions, we are happy to help! [email protected]

Russ snuck this right past the podcast notes- (he is a grown man, he will do what he wants!!) and interviewed Andrea about several different things such as 75 Hard, homeschooling, life on the farm, daily tasks, and advice for younger moms thinking about homeschooling or homesteading. Enjoy! Book referenced:  75Hard by Andy Frisella The Independent Farmstead by Shawn and Beth Dougherty

Today I talked about leaving a written legacy for your children. Unfunded Federal liabilities and why they matter. Firearms for the Homestead. The importance of traditions. 

In this fabulous episode, we touch on our accomplishments for 2022 and goals that we have for this year. They may or may not be in an organized fashion, but don't expect one! Enjoy,  What are some goals that you have for yourself this year?

Random thoughts on America, controlling your destiny on your Homestead, and the beauty all around us.

Winter update of what's been going on, on the Homestead.  Replaced windows and sliding glass doors in the house and the shop.  About 80 percent done replacing the 1980's siding with James Hardee cement fiber board siding, board and bat style.  New dairy calf on the farm and looking forward to butter, cheese, cream, and raw milk soon.  22 Bresse chicks arrived in early January. Growing them out now. Loaded up the incubator with 54 eggs this week. Plan on buying another incubator next month to be able to incubate 81 chicks at a time.  Getting the winter greens going in the greenhouse, and getting ready for spring planting as well.  Dressing the fruit trees with compost, we'll prune mid-February.  The water catchment system is working pretty well so far. Hope to add another 5,000 gallons to it this year.  Land clearing on-going on the leased parcel. Hoping to cut and split 2 years worth of hardwood this spring to begin seasoning. Have a first aid class that we're hosting in mid-February being put on by a buddy for friends and family. Eager to see how the beehives come out of winter.

We are back in the saddle again talking about fences- both to keep the animals in and certain animals out along with a brief chat about cows both mini size, medium size, and large as well. We are looking forward to sharing our knowledge with you and to get back into the twice a week habit again. What is your favorite way to contain your animals?

Russ and I talk about different ways to source food for farm animals. From growing your own to acquiring grains to simply raking leaves for your animals. Food can come from just about anywhere when you have farm animals to take care of- as long as you can think outside the box! Some ways we are doing this is Billy Bond's chicken tractor on steroids and growing more fodder trees to get tree hay. We hope you learn something with this "short" episode. 

In this episode, we are kicking off Season Two: Animals on the Farm by talking about infrastructure for the animals, containing smells (its the neighborly thing to do), setting up butcher dates for your animals to process, medical care, and not passing up on a hot deal. We are so excited and looking forward to this season with y'all as we had a 3 week break! Let us know if you have any comments or questions! Thanks for listening.

1. Cattle acquisition 2. Time lines on getting grass finished versus grain finished market weight 3. Schedule your appointment a year out 4. Freezer space requirements 5. Double wrap your steaks and roast 6. Cut sheet how to's. Watching (or having your customers watch) Hand Crafted on amazon Prime is a great start. 7. Amount of roasts to keep 8. Steak Thickness - 1.5 inches to 1.75 inches 9. Hamburger - 80/20 blend is my standard. The hows and why of this 10. Organ meat  11. Bones - value for you 12. 21 day hang for tenderness 13. Labeling - Farm Name, Weight of package, Cut of meat in package 14. Picking up from butcher and dropping off with customer

What are your foundational principles? How do you encourage a flourishing society in your home, your community and your nation? Thoughts on fatherhood, leadership, Stoicism, community, and being a great husband.

In case our amazing listeners haven't noticed, our ending tag line is : Every day is an opportunity to learn something new. How do we learn new things on the farm or in our every day lives? Many, many different ways! First of all, you need to figure out your learning style. Then don't be afraid to fail because you will. These are just some of the areas or ways that we learn: -podcasts -YouTube, Rumble, Odessy -Facebook Groups -Books: old, new, and used (Thriftbooks is an awesome opportunity!) -Finding a mentor whether it be in person or online -Makerspaces -Local Community College or your Local FFA instructor -USDA agent -Master Gardener Groups -Conferences (like Back to the Land or Self Reliance) -Coworkers or Neighbors -Your Tribe and Extended Family Here is a small list of our favorite books: -Temple Grandin's Guide to Working with Farm Animals -Moving 'Em: A Guide to Low Stress Animal Handling by Burt Smith -No Risk Ranching: Custom Grazing on Leased Land by Greg Judy -The Lasater Philosophy of Cattle Rasing by Laurence M. Lasater -The New Self-Sufficient Gardening by John Seymour -Forging The Hero -Farm and Workshop Welding by Andrew Pearce -The Contrary Farmer by Gene Logsdon -Polyface Micro by Joel Salatin Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Russ and Andrea discuss the finer points of the farming and homesteading worlds which also can be found in the day to day routine as a human: not being a jerk! Many old timers are still stuck in their old ways, and we have to realize that this is okay. If they want to sell their livestock at the auction house and miss out on a 17% profit margin, that is their choice. You can ask why someone does something the way that they do, but never tell that it is wrong. The number one lesson that Russ and Andrea have learned: don't be a jerk herding livestock. This stresses the humans and the animals out which benefits no one. Always be generous with your neighbors, share your veg, eggs, meat, and kimchi with them. It is these neighbors that you can count on when you need to herd livestock or just hang out by the campfire! Enjoy.

This past weekend, we three piled into the Prius to Camden, Tenn to meet and listen to some of our favorite content creators in the permaculture/prepper/homesteading worlds. Some of the presenters included: Toolman Tim Cook, Dana McLendon from Tactical Response, Billy Bond from Perma Pastures Farm, Thecia Willis (a fellow Oklahoman) from Ellis Family Farms, Jack Spirko from The Survival Podcast, Joel Ryals and his awesome dogs from Fortress K9, TAG from Life Done Free (check out Freesteading.com for other like minded peeps), Ken Eash, John Bush from Live Free Academy, Michael Whisler from EasyPeasy Garden Solutions, Niti Ball from The Food Church along with Nicole Sauce from Living Free in Tennessee (the outstanding event coordinator) and John and Amanda Willis who graciously hosted this event at their shop: Special Equipment Operations. 

In this episode, Russ touches on the metaphorical and practical sides of fences. He also covers the various fencing types that match up with the various farm animals we have had experiences with and like. We hope that you learn something about containing your critters!

Today I discuss the order of attack to work towards self reliance in a hurry.  1. Get out of Debt 2. Firearms - What to buy, how much ammo, red dots 3. 90 days of food and household necessities 4. Strengthen your relationships 5. Start growing your own food 6. Look at Problem Solving as a First Response

In this episode, we touch base on creating your community whether it be in a new place or an old place. Sometimes there are seasons in life, like the one Andrea is in now, where community is set on the back burner because of tiny toddler or a new homeschooling adventure. Other times community can be found at the local volunteer fire department or the legion hall. Whatever you do, make sure you are kind, offer extra, and lend a helping hand. Our best friends live just down the road and sometimes one or the other will pop over and they get sucked into a project: today it was greenhouse doors! 

Reasons and encouragement to answer the bell. Homesteading is hard, you're going to fail. Learn from it, and keep going.

In this episode, Russ and I discuss the "list" of qualities that we were looking for when it came to choosing a partner. His list included things like kindness and grit while I was looking for someone who had a great work ethic but could also make me laugh. Sometimes you have to do hard things and if you can laugh with each other, it makes those hard times just a bit better. We hope you enjoy this episode and please leave a review and hit that subscribe button! Happy Monday, y'all!

Pros and cons of joining the military. The story I mentioned from @indian_bronson is linked below. Whatever you decide to do, go do cool stuff. https://indianbronson.substack.com/p/how-to-enlist-the-right-way?s=03

Short episode encouraging young men to work hard, be productive not busy, and no matter how many times you get knocked down keep getting back up. 

Thoughts on the Energy Crisis in Europe Alternative heating methods. Minimize the space you heat or cool. Household inflation hedges. Reduce, Re-Use, Wear it Out. Be a Producer not a consumer.

Most farmers dislike selling their products to anyone- they just like going and working their land and animals. We talk tonight about how this needs to change in order to make a much better profit, keep a solid customer base, and get the best products into those hands. Farmers need to tell their story to anyone who will listen via Instagram, Facebook, a blog, or even a podcast! Listen, learn, and ask questions if you need to!

Russ and I talk about our getting out of debt journey that included jobs in Rhode Island, Oregon, and then Texas. Lessons were learned, but the biggest one is that if you and your partner aren't on the same path - the trip will be filled with lots of potholes! Lessons were learned (the shoes, the Porsche, and used baby clothes are a must) and there many laughs along the way. Enjoy.

1. Energy prices in Europe and implications on how that might affect the US. 2. Solar as a hedge against inflation. 3. Food storage versus food production 4. How to affect real change in your local community.

Failure is the greatest teacher. Fail fast has been a foundational tenet in Silicone Valley for a while. Try a whole lot of things, learn, make mistakes, learn, repeat.  Where ever you find yourself get started now. Russ covers what you can do to be more self sufficient in an apartment versus a suburban house with a 1/4 or 1/2 acre lot versus a rural homestead with 5 or more acres. He discusses both what food you can grow as well as the different types of livestock that you can raise in each setting. There is chatter about predator pressure and how to start a raised bed garden on the cheap. Just remember to start. Fall forward fast!  Please ask questions and let us know where you're at in the process.

In this pilot (starter) episode, we talk about our lives from past to present day on our farm in Oklahoma. We chat about the animals that we have had or currently have including cows, pigs, geese, chickens, and dogs! There is talk of swales, a beginner fruit orchard, and assorted greenhouses in various states. There is also the beginning of a great raccoon story where I (Andrea) brag about my amazing skills has a night hunter. Our basic reason for creating this podcast content is to share our adventures- both positive and negative- as well as the lessons we have learned raising animals and getting them into our bellies. P.S. There is also talk of the C word (the dreaded Rona) and the shut downs. Enjoy and we hope that you like what you hear- excuse the rain and dog sounds!