Farm life

Dedicated to the challenges and good things about farm life. Living and working on your own homestead is a dream for many, but it comes with its own set of struggles.

We candidly discuss the demanding aspects of self-sufficiency, from the relentless physical labor and the unpredictability of weather to the perpetual battle against pests and the challenges of maintaining equipment. We’ll explore topics like time management, isolation, and the need for resourcefulness, offering insights and strategies for overcoming these obstacles.

Join us as we navigate the highs and lows, sharing stories, tips, and experiences from fellow homesteaders. Whether you’re considering the homesteading lifestyle or are already knee-deep in your own adventure. Our posts at times a humorous resource for addressing the challenges and celebrating the rewards of homesteading.

Tag Archive for: Farm life

Growing lemons in Florida

12/09/2023/in American Guinea Hogs, Farm Animals, Florida Living, Homesteading, Nigerian Dwarf Goats/by Faith

When we bought the property that is now TnF Farms, we saw that there were some mature fruit trees on the property. We thought they may have been pears. No, they were lemons. The first late fall harvest, we were pretty excited. The lemons were big and bright yellow. We cut into one and it was full of seeds. We tried a couple of others and they were very seedy. Then we tasted one and discovered it wasn’t pleasantly tart, but punishingly bitter. No amount of sugar added to this fruit would make lemonade, lemon curd, or lemon bars.

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:

5 Monetization Strategies for Your Hobby Farm

12/04/2023/in Homesteading/by Jill

You’ve always dreamed about running your very own hobby farm – and you’re finally in a financial position that will allow you to make your dream come true. But how can you generate income from your farm? TnF Farms outlines tips on surveying possible farmland, forming an LLC, planting your first crops, and marketing your farm.

A well-deserved ribeye

11/17/2023/in Foodies, Let's Do Something/by Tim

Today was a good day. We sold some livestock and we’ve been doing some improvements to our property and construction for some of the new livestock we are getting. All this work makes for long days and fast moving weekends that are over too quickly. Today was no exception. We wrapped up a project by the outside lights of our garage and came in for the evening meal. I was pretty excited for a steak dinner. Faith was done and decided to just turn in early. So tonight I’m going to do a modified version of a great meal for 2 for less than $30. Instead, it’s a well-deserved ribeye dinner for one for less than $15.

Piglets born at TnF Farms

11/11/2023/in American Guinea Hogs, Farm Animals, Florida Living, Homesteading/by Tim

To our surprise, early this morning, she released her hostages. “Minnie” is a very stout female named for very short legs and when she’s not being instinctually protective of her babies, she is a sweetheart. Her past piglets have been very healthy and grow into muscular linebackers that integrate well into our herd. If you are interested in getting registered or unregistered piglets to start your own pig farm or to grow out, piglets should be ready for purchase as soon as mid-January of 2024. Please contact us to start the conversation of how you want your pig(s).

You need one of everything

11/04/2023/in Farm Animals, Florida Living, Homesteading/by Tim

Then the farm bug bit my wife and really sunk its teeth in. One of our neighbors really inspired her to farm way more than I ever imagined. All that existing farm stuff now needed to be repaired and modified to work with the new plan. Then we were off and going. Almost daily trips to Tractor Supply, Home Depot and Lowes, not to mention all the things being bought on Amazon. My dad and his brothers grew up on a farm. When one of my uncles came to visit and see our progress, he chuckled and said “You’re new farmers. You’re going to need one of everything.”

The Significance of NPIP Certification

11/02/2023/in Farm Animals, Homesteading, Poultry/by Faith

In poultry farming, there’s no question that the health and welfare of your flock are top priorities. Enter the significance of NPIP certification, a cornerstone of responsible poultry farming. NPIP, or the National Poultry Improvement Plan. This is a program initiated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The primary aim of monitoring and enhancing the overall health of poultry in the United States. Whether you’re an enthusiastic poultry hobbyist or a seasoned homesteader or farmer. This is essential to understand why obtaining NPIP certification for your chickens is a game-changer for both you and your flock.

Understanding Chicken Molting

10/20/2023/in Farm Animals, Homesteading, Poultry/by Faith

It’s an old wives’ tale, but a heavy molt means a bad winter is coming. As autumn sets in and leaves begin to fall, your chickens are also undergoing a seasonal change of their own: molting. Molting is a natural process in a chicken’s life cycle when they shed and regrow their feathers. Fall molting is particularly common among chickens, and understanding this phenomenon can help you provide the best care for your flock during this transitional period. In my post, I’ll discuss the reasons behind fall molting, the stages of molting, and how you can support your chickens during this time.

Firewood as a low cost heat source

10/19/2023/in Florida Living, Homesteading, Let's Do Something/by Tim

Last year we tried using our farmhouse fireplace to heat our entire home with our thermostat set in the 50s. With the exception of really cold nights, we made it without the use of our home’s electric heat. With our fireplace getting started in the morning and burning into the night, we consumed a lot of firewood. I really wasn’t prepared for how much we would use. This year, I’m way more prepared!

Dobby joins TnF Farms

09/24/2023/in Farm Animals, Florida Living/by Tim

One look at the giant ears, our new dog “Dobby” got his name from the elf character from the Harry Potter movies. The name Dobby really fits metaphorically. He’s still coming out of his shell and starting to trust that we are his forever humans. Dobby’s good nature and affectionateness radiate out as a dog that loves everybody that stops in at TnF Farms. He got his collar (clothes) from us the very next day after his adoption.