Florida Panhandle Homesteader

About Tim

Trying to have as much fun as possible with life! I'm originally a sales engineer from the upper Midwest. My wife and I relocated to the Florida panhandle to homestead away from the snow and cold. We started TnF Farms as a hobby to sell the excess food we produce.

Entries by Tim

Should You Grow Ryegrass?

01/20/2024/in American Guinea Hogs, Farm Animals, Homesteading, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Nubian Goats, Poultry/by Tim

Beyond its role as a forage crop, rye grass plays a crucial role in environmental conservation. Its ability to prevent soil erosion, particularly on slopes or vulnerable terrain, has made it a preferred choice for cover cropping. As a cover crop, ryegrass forms a protective layer over the soil, reducing the risk of erosion and promoting soil health. Additionally, its quick growth makes it an effective ground cover in lawns and pastures, providing an aesthetically pleasing green carpet. Whether utilized for livestock feed, erosion control, or ornamental landscaping, ryegrass stands out as a resilient and adaptable grass species with multifaceted benefits.

Benefits of Barn Cats

01/18/2024/in Farm Animals, Homesteading/by Tim

When we moved into our current homestead and started TnF Farms, both of us were surprised by how common rodents were outside. We had some ground activity that seemed consistent with moles or voles near our house. The locations where we kept livestock automatically attracted rodents like field mice and rats. For the most part, I’m a live-and-let-live kind of person when it comes to wildlife. I usually try for the most natural approach or give nature a little time to find the balance. We do have our fair share of earth snakes, oak snakes, and black racers on our property. They certainly did their part to control the rodents. But cats turned out to be the game changer. Click to find out our story.

Tomahawk Steak from Porterhouse

01/06/2024/in Florida Living, Foodies/by Tim

Faith had other evening plans. It’s been a long week and the year is about to wrap up. I think I deserve a little something special for dinner. Porterhouse Meat Market had some great choices in their fresh cuts. My job has taken me all over the country and the world. I’ve eaten some amazing steaks, but I’ve never had a Tomahawk steak in my entire life. Tonight is going to be the night I prepare one and eat it.

Super easy beer bread

12/28/2023/in Foodies, Let's Do Something/by Tim

Long ago, I was at a gathering hosted by a great friend of mine named Rob and his wife, Laura. She had this amazing almost cake-like bread served with a garlicy-herb dip. I was hooked after the first chomp. This bread was moist, rich, and had a wonderful “chew”. Laura revealed that I loved “beer bread”. Beer bread was a new concept for me. If you don’t consider yourself much of a baker, beer bread can make you look like a refined, baking champion. Check out our post on making a very easy bread that is amazing!

St George Island

12/24/2023/in Florida Living, Let's Do Something/by Tim

We have the philosophy of work hard, play hard. Since it was a nicer day, we decided to take our Christmas spirit to St. George Island. This small island is an easy drive from our homestead, located just off of the forgotten coast. Many visitors come to St. George Island simply to unwind and enjoy a peaceful, laid-back atmosphere.

Ranching in the Sunshine State

12/18/2023/in American Guinea Hogs, Florida Living, Homesteading/by Tim

Ranching in the state of Florida holds a unique and enduring place in the history and culture of the Sunshine State. Florida’s ranches have a rich heritage dating back centuries and continue to play a vital role in the state’s agricultural and economic landscape. Let’s look into the fascinating world of Florida ranching, from its historical roots to its modern practices, while also exploring its economic significance, cultural impact, and the challenges it faces.

Porterhouse Meat Market

12/14/2023/in Florida Living, Let's Do Something/by Tim

Walking into a small-town business like Porterhouse is always an experience. The door’s entrance bell dings when we walk in. A moment later, Fawzi stepped out from the back and with a sincere smile greeted us like friends. You just don’t get that in some random grocery store or even the specialty stores in bigger cities. We catch up from the last visit and make small talk for a while. Eventually, I made my way to the back of the store to check out his fresh cuts.

Building our Goat Tote

12/07/2023/in American Guinea Hogs, Farm Animals, Florida Living, Homesteading, Let's Do Something, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Nubian Goats/by Tim

It’s soon 2024. Perhaps you’ve been living under a rock. Let me prep you before you emerge from ignorant bliss. Everything costs more. Too much more. For some items the pricing is ridiculous. I have been on the lookout for a livestock trailer. For months, I have cruised Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace and have concluded there are 2 kinds of used livestock trailers available in the open market right now:

Fort Clinch State Park

11/25/2023/in Florida Living, Let's Do Something/by Tim

Fort Clinch State Park is a Florida state park located on Amelia Island, in the northeastern part of the state. The park is known for its well-preserved 19th-century fort, Fort Clinch, and its beautiful natural surroundings. It’s a journey from TnF Farms but with great investment, comes great reward.

TnF Farms Breakfast Pizza

11/19/2023/in Foodies, Let's Do Something/by Tim

If you have spent any time in the upper Midwest, you know about a gas station chain called Casey’s. Casey’s pizza is surprisingly some of the best breakfast pizza I’ve ever had. The crust and sauce go together perfectly and they don’t skimp on toppings. Plus they offer grab and go slices if you’re going through at a meal time. Someone asked me recently what I missed about South Dakota. Definitely not the snow and cold, but Casey’s breakfast pizza for sure! Casey’s breakfast pizza is pretty easy to replicate. The other day we decided to create our version of breakfast pizza to quell my cravings for a slice of Casey’s. It was pretty good. We made some tweaks this go-around with a friend of ours over.