Let’s Do Something!

Tim with is favorite baby goat. Little Miss FrappeWe’ve learned at the TnF Farm that homesteading means embracing a lifestyle where there’s always something to do, plan, build, repair, or rethink. It’s a rewarding but endlessly demanding journey that requires dedication, hard work, and a deep connection to the land. However, even amidst the sweet life of farming, there comes a time when you need an escape.

Homesteading is a 24/7 commitment, and the to-do list seems never-ending. From tending to livestock and maintaining crops to fixing fences and tackling unexpected challenges, the work is both physically and mentally demanding. There’s a sense of responsibility that comes with this way of life, and it’s essential to honor it.

Work hard, play hard

Yet, just like any other profession or lifestyle, it’s crucial to find moments of respite. Escaping from the daily grind of homesteading allows for rejuvenation and balance. It’s a chance to recharge both the body and the spirit. Whether it’s a short getaway to explore a nearby mountain biking trail or body of water, a weekend outing, or a leisurely evening spent vegging out, these moments of escape are invaluable.

Escapes also provide an opportunity to gain fresh perspective. Stepping away from the farm allows you to see things from a different angle, discover new ideas, and return with renewed enthusiasm and creativity. It’s a chance to reflect on your goals, evaluate your practices, and make improvements.

Moreover, these escapes help strengthen the connection to nature, which is often the driving force behind homesteading. Experiencing the great outdoors, even outside the farm, reinforces the appreciation for the natural world and reaffirms the homesteading commitment to sustainability and self-sufficiency.

Join us as we build, play and repair stuff. Sometimes its the wrong way. Mistakes are some of the best learning experiences.

Growing a Year-Round Vegetable Garden in the South

Let’s be honest, if you live in the South, you’ve probably already heard someone brag about how they pick tomatoes well into December or harvest collards before a single frost has even shown its face. And guess what? They’re not lying. Gardening in the South is an absolute dream when it comes to growing vegetables all year long. With the right mix of know-how, timing, and just a bit of sweat equity, you can turn your backyard or, heck, even your patio into a never-ending food supply. Imagine biting into your own fresh cucumbers in July, roasting sweet potatoes from your garden in November, or making a winter soup using kale you just picked that morning. It’s more than possible. It’s a lifestyle. Let’s walk through exactly how to grow a thriving, year-round vegetable garden in the South, from seed to supper.

The ink has dried in this chapter of our journal

Faith and I relocated from the Jacksonville area to rural Tallahassee, Florida in the fall of 2021. We worked jobs we thought were very boring and repetitive. The two of us wanted to chase a little more adventure and what we saw as an uncomplicated life. This drew us to an area known as the Big Bend part of the state. Average people can still buy a decent chunk of land in the state of Florida without being celebrity rich. We dreamt of starting a hobby farm where we would produce our own high-quality, real food. Be a little more self-sufficient and live a more outdoor, agricultural lifestyle as well.

How to Start a Thriving Gardening Business

If you’ve got a green thumb and a dream of turning your love for plants into a profitable venture, starting a gardening business in your community might be your next big move. But before you start handing out business cards and digging up flower beds, you need a solid plan. Gardening businesses can flourish in local communities, but success isn’t just about knowing how to keep plants alive—it’s about building relationships, managing logistics, and understanding what your neighbors actually need.

Boneyard Beach Big Talbot Island

Boneyard Beach is a picturesque and unique natural attraction located approximately 30 miles from Jacksonville, Florida. It’s not a single, specific beach, but rather a term used to describe certain sections of shoreline in the area that have bleached skeletons of oak trees that lining the beach, giving it the appearance of a boneyard. Boneyard Beach is infamous for its hauntingly beautiful landscape, characterized by this presence of weathered, sun-bleached tree skeletons, driftwood, and other debris that has washed ashore.

Retro hit: Intelligent Qube

I’m so old, I started out on a ColecoVision which had an expansion that played Atari 2600 games. I later moved up to the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System featuring Rob the Robot and the Zapper gun. Much to my frustration, the Zapper never shot that dang dog that laughed at me in Duck Hunt. I had a Sega Genesis in college and later the original PlayStation. All my gaming consoles have been sold, traded, or broken except for my PlayStation.

I found a website that features online games of the classics. It’s been a while, but I can barely make it to stage 2 playing through my browser with a keyboard and mouse. If I break out IQ on my PlayStation, you’re toast!

Lichgate on High Road

Lichgate on High Road is a popular location for events, weddings, and nature enthusiasts who appreciate the picturesque setting and the history of the property. It has also been recognized as a historic site due to its cultural and natural significance. The property is typically open to the public, and visitors can enjoy its serene and enchanting atmosphere.

Super easy beer bread

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

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.

Porterhouse Meat Market

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

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:

WE ENJOY BEING SHUTTERBUGS

Our animals had so much personality. You can see why we always had a camera out. Click an image to enlarge.

LET’S BE FRIENDS!

We’re social on social media. Some would say downright friendly.

SITEMAP

Located in Saint Johns, Florida, we enjoy blogging about our experiences with humane and sustainable farming practices. TnF Farms’ website contains information about non-GMO farm-fresh eggs, raw goat milk, cheese, yogurt, fudge, ice cream, and American Guinea hog pork production.

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