Ep. 53 Picking Up Rocks and Sharing Stories

Ep. 53 Picking Up Rocks and Sharing Stories

Author: Jason Contreras June 28, 2024 Duration: 53:54
In today’s episode Al wears a sweatshirt while the other guys are dying in the heat. Jason and Ben deal with the June drought on the Homestead. Al’s first ever tornado warning. Ben continues to wait for parts for his mini split while the heat wave heats up. Jason shares that he sold two Kune kune piglets. The guys talk about pig breeding schedules. Jason shares about a new side project to help prevent break-ins. He prepares to leave for Iowa. He is still working on his PowerPoint and talk for the event. He’s been busy getting the farm ready to leave for the event. Al braves the heat this week and gets the waterlines done. Ben tells a story of building a waterfall with boulders and it reminds Jason and Al of similar stories from their past. Ben weighs in on all his produce harvest. He is stoked with the results. He has his pigs in the forest on a single wire. He Smoked a delicious rack of ribs this last week.  The guys talk about why it’s so hard to sit still. See below for links! Sow the Land: https://www.youtube.com/@SowtheLand Lumnah Acres: https://www.youtube.com/@LumnahAcres Hollar Homestead: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHollarHomestead  

Grab a cup of coffee and pull up a stool. Homestead Shop Talk feels less like a formal broadcast and more like the weekly conversation happening in a well-used workshop, hosted by Jason Contreras, Ben Hollar, and Al Lumnah. Each brings the distinct perspective of running their own homestead, meaning topics swing naturally from the deeply practical to the broadly philosophical. You’ll hear them troubleshoot a failed crop, debate the best tools for a barn repair, and share hard-won lessons on balancing this demanding lifestyle with family and creative pursuits. The discussion often veers into the realities of content creation, as each host documents their journey online, but the heart of this podcast is about building something tangible and meaningful with your own hands. It’s for anyone who dreams of greater self-sufficiency, whether on acres of land or in a suburban backyard, offering camaraderie and unvarnished advice instead of glossy perfection. Tune in for honest talk about soil, structures, and the slow, rewarding work of crafting a life deeply connected to what you value most.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Homestead Shop Talk
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 87 Do They Know Something We Don't [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:15
Jason, Al, and Ben discuss the challenges of dealing with extreme weather conditions, including heavy rain and snow. They share their experiences with plowing and snow management, as well as their ongoing project of buil…
Ep. 86 Brainstorming Different Homestead Problems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:25
Jason, Al, and Ben discuss various topics related to homesteading, including the controversial glyphosate, weather patterns affecting their farms, the challenges of YouTube content creation, and the intricacies of animal…
Ep. 85 Frostbite to Sunburn Weather This Week [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:21
Jason, Ben and Al discuss the unpredictable weather patterns affecting their homesteads, share updates on various projects including a walk-in cooler and tractor troubles, and delve into the challenges of managing water…
Ep. 84 Back from Texas, Sausage making and a Moose [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:18
Jason, Al, and Ben discuss their recent experiences, including Jason's trip to Texas for the APPA Conference, where he learned about pasture poultry production and enjoyed some delicious barbecue. They also delve into Ja…
Ep. 83 I Think Changes Are Coming [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:56
Jason, Al, and Ben discuss their recent experiences with homesteading, including the challenges of cold weather, a charcuterie class they hosted, and their plans for tapping maple trees. They share insights on meat proce…
Ep. 82 Biggest Expense on the Homestead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:42
Jason, Al, and Ben discuss their recent experiences with winter weather, including unexpected snowfalls and the challenges of sledding. They also delve into animal care, particularly focusing on the health of Al's pig, S…
Ep. 81 The Week in Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:12
Jason, Ben and Al reflect on their New Year's celebrations, discuss the challenges of cold weather on their homesteads, and share experiences with animal health issues, particularly a prolapsed rectum in pigs. They also…
Ep. 80 What if We Did Get Together [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:26
Jason, Al, and Ben reflect on their holiday experiences, including Christmas dinners and winter weather challenges. They share stories about their homesteading projects, equipment updates, and the impact of sickness duri…
Ep. 79 The Last One of the Year [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:02
Jason, Al, and Ben reflect on their experiences over the past year, share holiday greetings, and discuss the challenges and joys of homesteading during the winter months. They delve into the guilt associated with downtim…
Ep. 78 Holiday Christmas & Wild Chickens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:19
Jason, Ben and Al discuss their Christmas traditions, the challenges of content creation during rainy weather, and a humorous story about a surprise delivery of wood chips. They also share wildlife encounters, health tip…