Relocating to the Rural Homestead: Farm Life Ahead
Barreling Away from Frederick: Embracing the Homestead Life
brace yourself, folks! we're ditching Frederick this summer, and let me tell ya, it ain't gonna be a cakewalk.
People tie me to this city, though. When they think about Frederick, they picture me. Funny, I didn't grow up here, but I've made a darn good home since '01. We raised our kids here, and my husband, he grew up here too.
The end of good things eventually comes, and it's high time for us to kick-start our new adventures.
Life on the Farm 🌱🐔
Wanna take a wild guess where we're moving? It's the very place where my parents call home, where they raise chickens and grow amazing gardens. You may be familiar with Truffula Seed Produce, my sis' enterprise here. Well, that's our destination, baby!
I reckon it's not a traditional farm, so I don't want to belittle the title. It's really just a homestead on five acres, with around an acre devoted to gardens, chickens, and a big high tunnel. We've always called it "The Farm," a name that stuck when my parents moved out of the DC suburbs a decade ago.
The rest of the sprawling acres are occupied by my parents' old farmhouse (built in the late-1800s), a summer kitchen converted into an apartment, a three-bedroom house, and a cute log cabin. The cabin will likely serve as the backdrop for my future food photography, with incredible lighting and exposed log walls—actually, where I shot my video for America's Best Cook on Food Network.
But wait a minute, we won't be occupying that cabin. Our family of four wouldn't fit in so comfortably in a one-bedroom digs, no matter how charming it is!
My granny is moving into assisted living, leaving her house empty. When they all moved out there, the plan was to keep it as a family property, a homestead of sorts. You might think of it as a community compound, where we all pitch in to keep things running.
Fortunately, things are good between us and the parents. Lucky us!
It means we'll enjoy on-site childcare, courtesy of my folks. (Must be jealous!)
Expect to see a whole new wave of farm-to-table style posts from me once we move in, and I'm psyched about it! I'll work hard to keep my content relatable despite the unique circumstances, still keeping my focus on everyday life.
I won't be abandoning my day job. My office is only about half an hour away, which spells an enjoyable country drive!
We'll have access to all the produce my mama grows. Her veggies are the bee's knees. Maybe I'll even venture into gardening myself, or do a little farming. Or maybe I'll stick to cooking—life's about choices, right?
Times, they are a-changin'!
Embracing the Homestead Lifestyle
Embracing homestead living means stepping into a world where families prioritize self-sufficiency and grow their own produce. This lifestyle fosters independence and lets families rely less on external food sources.
The connection with the local community is crucial, too. Homestead events like farm-to-table dinners, seasonal harvest festivals, and workshops keep people engaged and united[1][2].
Living on a homestead offers flexibility to pursue personal interests, like selecting specific crops to grow or livestock to raise[3]. Plus, it's a chance to contribute to the community, share knowledge, and foster a culture of learning[1][2].
If you're into farming and gardening, you'll handle crop production, livestock management, and gardening techniques like composting, crop rotation, and natural pest control to ensure a thriving homestead[1][4].
Whether it's hosting volunteer days, providing educational workshops, or sharing knowledge one-on-one, there's always room to engage the community and build a supportive network[1][2].
With a strong emphasis on farm-to-table practices, homestead living ensures that meals are fresh and healthy, sparking a deeper appreciation for food and fostering a more sustainable way of life[1].
Stepping into our new home on a homestead, we'll have five acres to explore, with an acre dedicated to gardens, chickens, and a high tunnel. As we settle in and get accustomed to our new lifestyle, I may even venture into gardening myself to nurture produce from the soil.
Plunging ourselves into the homestead life, we look forward to #embracinghomesteadlifestyle as we strive for self-sufficiency and grow our own produce, enjoying the benefits of a thriving garden and connecting with the local community through events and shared knowledge.
