AcreageLife

10/31/2025

Shorter days, cold temps and stressed-out hens? 🐔❄️ Winter can put a real chill on egg production — but with the right care, your flock doesn’t have to take the season off.

Get expert tips to help keep those nesting boxes full, even when the thermometer drops.

https://acreagelife.com/hobby-farming/winter-egg-laying-challenges

10/31/2025

Side Hustles That Actually Work for Homesteaders

Homesteaders know how to make things stretch — and make things happen. 💪

Here are a few tried-and-true ways folks are earning a little extra from the land:

🐔 Meat birds — if you can get them to a good processor, it’s a great way to fill freezers and support your local ag community.

🧼 Soaps & candles — goat milk, beeswax, herbs… whatever your hobby, people love handmade (and natural/not filled with chemicals)

🐎 Horse boarding — only worth it if you’ve already got the space and fencing (and horse knowledge) But if you do, it’reoccuring monthly income.

🍞 Farm stand — no need for a Pinterest-perfect shed. Just something sturdy, weatherproof, and honest-to-goodness works. (So you dont always have to be at the stand, most work on the honor system- QR codes, venmo, etc) ALSO…
(Always check your local cottage-food laws before selling.)

👉 What’s your favorite homestead side hustle — or one you’d love to try next?

10/29/2025

Breed of the Week: Nubian 🐐
Category: Dairy / Dual-Purpose
Nickname: “The Long-Eared Dairy Queen” 👑

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Quick History
• Originated in 19th-century England by crossing British goats with African and Indian bucks.
• Named after “Nubia,” a region of North Africa where many of the imported goats came from.
• Valued for their adaptability and rich, high-butterfat milk.

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🇺🇸 Came to America
• Imported to the U.S. in the early 1900s.
• Quickly became one of the nation’s most popular dairy breeds for homesteads and 4-H projects.
• Loved for both milk production and their friendly, family-oriented temperament.

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Size & Build
• Does: 130–150 lbs | Bucks: up to 175 lbs
• Tall, elegant frame with long, droopy ears and a distinct Roman nose.
• Short, glossy coat that comes in nearly every color and pattern imaginable.

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Farm & Homestead Role
• Exceptional dairy goat—milk rich in butterfat, perfect for cheese, yogurt, or soap.
• Dual-purpose breed, also valued for meat and overall hardiness.
• Adaptable grazers and natural brush clearers—great for managing acreage.

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Temperament
• Gentle, affectionate, and highly social—great with kids and families.
• Intelligent but known to be a little dramatic (and talkative).
• Thrive in small herds with plenty of interaction and space to roam.

If you want a charming, talkative goat that produces rich milk and loves farm life as much as you do—the Nubian Goat is the perfect addition to your homestead!

10/29/2025

Think turkeys are just for the holiday table? Think again. On the farm, they’re curious, social and full of personality. From playful gobbles to “puppy-like” loyalty, these birds bring charm and humor to the homestead year-round. 🦃

Discover the charm of domestic turkeys beyond the holiday table. Tips on care, social habits and quirky behaviors make them entertaining farm companions.

10/28/2025

Winter is coming — is your barn ready? ❄️

From sealing drafts to adding insulation, a little preparation now can save you time, money and stress when temperatures drop. A well-prepped barn protects your livestock, feed and equipment, giving you peace of mind through the harshest months.

Prepare your barn for winter weather. Learn how to insulate, light, ventilate and protect your animals and equipment from cold and moisture.

10/27/2025

I can only teach you so much…

10/26/2025

You don’t need hundreds of acres to raise kids who love the land.
Even caring for a few chickens, rabbits, or a garden patch teaches lessons that stick for life.

📚 Studies show that when children help care for animals, they develop stronger empathy, better social skills, and a greater sense of responsibility.

“Children who have regular contact with animals tend to show greater empathy and prosocial behavior.” — NIH News in Health (2018)
🔗 Source: NIH News in Health

So whether it’s 3 hens in the backyard, a family dog, or goats in a small pasture, the work kids do on even a few acres helps grow something bigger — character.

10/26/2025

Annoyed is their love language when it’s feeding time

10/25/2025

LGD owners and future owners, this would be a great information session to attend! Great program!

10/25/2025

We love helping kids discover the beauty of homesteading, hobby farming, and all the simple joys that come with it!

We’re starting a new Farm & Homestead Learning Series made just for families — with fun, hands-on activities and coloring pages that teach where our food comes from and how farms work. 🐮🐔🌱

✨ Print it out and color away!

If your kids enjoy it, be sure to like and share this post so we know to keep creating more farm-inspired learning fun for your little ones! ❤️

10/24/2025

From simmering soups to shared stories, the kitchen has always been where comfort and connection come together. Discover simple ways to make your kitchen the true hearth of your home — filled with warmth, flavor and memories in the making.

Read more

Discover cozy kitchen ideas to bring comfort and connection home — from fall scents and baked goods to rustic seating and fresh indoor herbs.

10/23/2025

Breed of the Week: Jack Russell Terrier

Category: Working / Terrier
Nickname: “The Pest Patrol”

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Quick History
• Developed in early-1800s England by Rev. John “Jack” Russell to flush foxes during hunts.
• Bred for courage, speed, and stamina — traits that later made them invaluable on farms.

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🇺🇸 Came to America
• Arrived in the 1930s with foxhunters.
• By the 1970s, common in barns and stables for their pest-control skills and fearless work ethic.

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Size & Build
• Height: 10–15 in. Weight: 13–17 lbs
• Compact, muscular body with smooth or broken coat.
• Colors: mostly white with tan, brown, or black markings.

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Farm & Homestead Role
• Barn defender: Excellent at eliminating rats, mice, and other small pests.
• Sharp watchdog: Quick to alert to visitors or predators.
• Thrives with purpose: Needs open space and daily tasks to burn energy.

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Temperament
• Bold, clever, and tireless — always on the move.
• Highly intelligent but stubborn if under-stimulated.
• Deeply loyal and happiest when part of the action.

If you want a companion who’s small in size but mighty in determination — always ready to chase, dig, and defend the barn — the Jack Russell Terrier is the perfect fit for your homestead!