Homestead-ish – Details, episodes & analysis

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In this episode of Homestead-ish, we’re joined again by Jess Robison of Acton Food Forest, who returns to share how her approach to gardening has evolved in a new season of life, now as a mom of three!

Instead of trying to “do it all,” Jess has leaned into a more time-efficient, realistic, and sustainable way to grow food, one that works with her life, not against it.

We talk about what it looks like to let go of perfection in the garden and embrace practices that are not only easier, but often more aligned with nature.

Time-efficient gardening isn’t just about convenience, it’s about accessibility.

When we remove the pressure to do gardening “perfectly,” we open the door for more people to participate in growing food, reconnecting with nature, and becoming part of the solution!

🌿 Connect & Resources

Follow Jess on Instagram @actonfoodforest or TikTok @actonfoodforest

Weeds and What They Tell Us by Ehrenfried E. Pfeiffer

Connect with Kristin @growingpaines_

Connect with Devon @devonballardhudson

Follow Homestead-ish @homesteadish_pod

Share this episode with a friend who “doesn’t have time” to garden!

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Spring is waking up on the homestead, and in this episode Devon and Kristin share what’s happening in their backyards, from goat breeding updates to welcoming new baby chicks.

Then they dig into one of the most exciting parts of the gardening season: starting seeds indoors.

The conversation focuses on soil blocking, a method of seed starting that eliminates plastic waste and encourages strong root development. Devon and Kristin share their different approaches to soil blocking, the equipment they use, and how beginners can get started without investing in expensive tools.

They also discuss lighting setups, heat mats, watering techniques, seed depth, and when to start seeds in their Zone 7A climate. Along the way, they share practical lessons learned from years of trial and error...including why starting seeds too early can sometimes cause more problems than it solves.

Whether you’re a first-time gardener or a seasoned grower looking to refine your system, this episode offers simple, practical tips to help your seedlings thrive!

🌿 Connect with Us

Devon on IG @devonballardhudson

Kristin on IG @growingpaines_

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Please follow, rate, and share with a like-minded friend. It helps this small but mighty podcast grow.

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In this fun and heartfelt episode of Homestead-ish, Devon and Kristin sit down to chat about what’s happening on their homesteads this summer—from garden wins, to a new livestock guardian puppy, to pest problems (including a simple, game-changing squash bug egg hack you’ll want to try!).

But the real stars of this episode? Our kids! With five boys between us, ages 2 to 10, we hand over the mic to hear what life on a homestead is really like—from the good, the gross, to the adorable. 

We also open the floor to YOU—our amazing listeners! We’re gearing up for a special episode with Kristin’s Uncle Denny, a lifelong farmer and homesteader, and we want your questions. What do you want to ask someone who’s been growing food and raising animals for decades?

Tune in for summer updates, sweet (and chaotic) kid moments, and the perfect mix of homestead-ish honesty and humor.

Check out homesteadish_pod on IG, and as always you can find Kristin at growingpaines_ and Devon at devonballardhudson on IG!

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In this episode of Homestead-ish, we’re joined by our second guest and kindred spirit, the fantastic Jess Robison of Acton Food Forest, whose homesteading journey was sparked by a single, sun-ripened tomato. We explore how that one small gift turned into a multi-passionate lifestyle.

In our lively conversation we discuss everything from ADHD as a superpower, to what a food forest actually is, our "why" as politically progressive homesteaders, how to successfully navigate the infamous Goodwill bins, and more! 

Follow Jess on Instagram: @actonfoodforest

Check out homesteadish_pod on IG, and as always you can find Kristin at growingpaines_ and Devon at devonballardhudson on IG!

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Homestead-ish hits the road and attends the Homestead Festival in Columbia, TN. An annual two-day event, the Homestead Festival combines music with meaningful homesteading-related experiences. It features speakers, demonstrations, and vendors focused on sustainable living, including homesteading, farming, and related skills like herbal remedies and animal husbandry.

In this episode, recorded on the way home with our hearts full and our brains buzzing, we share a candid recap of the weekend: a play-by-play of our experience, standout speakers, surprising takeaways, hilarious mishaps, lessons learned, and more.

Listen and find out where Homestead-ish aligns (and doesn't align) with the mainstream Homestead movement! Thinking of going next year? We've got you covered with tips on how to prepare and get the most out of the experience. 

Links:

• thehomesteadfestival.com
• Get the Official (and also extremely comfy) Homestead-ish Tee on Etsy!
• Food Inc Documentary
• RuthAnn Zimmerman on IG
• Mandi Pickering of Wilk Oak Farms on IG
• Kaylee Richardson of the Honeystead on IG
• Natural beekeeping with Suburban Sodbusters on IG
• High Tunnels with mindfulfarmerarkansas.com            
• Darryl Patton, the Southern Herbalist

Check out homesteadish_pod on IG, and as always you can find Kristin at growingpaines_ and Devon at devonballardhudson on IG!

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Sometimes the best way to learn a new skill is from someone who has recently taught themselves! In this episode Devon interviews Kristin on her first year as a "beek" (that's beekeeper slang for new beekeeper, lol). 

Kristin shares her lessons learned and things to consider when considering keeping bees including equipment must haves vs "nice to haves", what she wishes she would have known getting started, and more!

Resources:

Complete Beekeeping Short Course 

As always you can connect with Kristin on IG @growingpaines_ and Devon @devonballardhudson

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Kristin and Devon chat with their very first pod guest, wild edible mushroom identification expert, Tim of Hoosier Forager! Tim is a wealth of knowledge, and no subject is off limits. Tune in to learn how to get started foraging, how to forage safely and responsibly, Tim's favorite foraging finds, how foraging might help us heal our planet, and more! 

Connect with Tim on IG @hoosierforager

Shop Tim's foraged goods at Hoosier Forager Outpost

Love Tim's content? Buy him coffee!

A Few of Tim's Super Helpful Instagram Posts (which we reference in the pod):
Shagbark - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA67KtAOJQc/?igsh=MXV3YzZlb3c1YTZ0Ng==
Enoki vs Galerina - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzCkXOCrGrL/?igsh=ODViYndrNHA0b2V2
Freezing Chicken of the Woods- https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxX1YxdukWg/?igsh=MWUyZm0xZjRvcW85YQ==
Buffalo Chicken of the Woods - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CujkOn_vLh4/?igsh=MXFtcjJ5NGRmcGFkbw==
Winter Oyster ID - https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1e7RVjLLRK/?igsh=aXgyc2M1dmZqajF4
Morel ID - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DI4sjARuTN0/?igsh=ZGszY3BzMjc5dWNw
Reciprocity Example - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DC9lCIeOl-2/?igsh=MTRzM2pwcWE0eDgzMw==
Spore Print - https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1CkhmAL97z/?igsh=MW5kcDIwOTZqNGd6cw==

As always you can connect with Kristin on IG @growingpaines_ and Devon @devonballardhudson

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It's the most wonderful time of the year...for gardeners and homesteaders!! After a long winter, Devon and Kristin discuss what's going on around the homestead and share their top gardening sustainability hacks. Grow your own food more sustainably from seed to harvest!  Plus, we discuss our plans to attend the Homestead Festival in Columbia, TN this June!!

Connect with us:

Follow our podcast on IG: @homesteadish_pod

Connect with Kristin on IG: @growingpaines_

Connect with Devon on IG: @devonballardhudson

As mentioned in this episode, check out @blossomandbranchfarm on IG

What kind of composting is right for your home? Take the quiz: What Kind of Composting is Best for Your Home?

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Welcome to the Homestead-ish  Podcast!

Join us - Kristin and Devon - as we reconnect with nature and each other through the homesteading movement. In every episode, we share our journey of rediscovering the skills of our great-grandparents, uncovering sustainable practices, and learning how to heal our planet one step at a time. Perfect for non-traditional enthusiasts eager to cultivate traditional skills and meaningful connections, this podcast offers a space for everyone to engage. Tune in and become a part of our community dedicated to preserving our natural resources for generations to come. Don't miss out—subscribe now and start your homestead-ish adventure with us!

Follow our podcast on IG: @homesteadish_pod

Connect with Devon on IG: @devonballardhudson

Connect with Kristin on IG: @growingpaines

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Season 2 is here! 🌱

After a long winter, Kristin and Devon are back behind the mic reflecting on what the season has taught them and why small acts of homesteading can feel especially meaningful in uncertain times.

In this episode, they share honest updates from their homesteads, including:

• Kristin’s ongoing home build on her forested land (and the patience it’s requiring)
• Devon’s journey growing Basil & Blossom Co. and navigating winter health and energy
• The very relatable mystery of chickens who simply… stop laying eggs in winter
• Living seasonally and honoring winter as a slower, restorative time
• Why planting, tending, and creating can be quiet acts of hope
• How to stay grounded without disconnecting from what’s happening in the wider world

Together, they explore the tension many of us are feeling right now — wanting to stay informed and engaged while also protecting our peace and capacity.

This conversation is an invitation to:

✨ find rest without guilt

✨ tend something small and meaningful

✨ and remember that hope often looks like showing up anyway

As Madeleine L’Engle wrote, “Planting onions that spring was an act of faith in the future…”

We’re glad you’re here for Season 2. 💛

🌿 Connect with Us

Devon on IG

Kristin on IG

Basil & Blossom Co’s Kombucha Kitchen

Devon on Substack

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Please follow, rate, and share with a like-minded friend. It helps this small but mighty podcast grow.