This weekend Tim and I ventured to Washington County to attend the Southern Adirondack Homestead Festival. Although I have raised and shown sheep for the last 30 years. The farm is becoming more than just a backyard sheep farm which is exciting and scary all at the same time. When looking at different options to expand the farm I wanted to learn more.
Saturday morning kicked off with Jill Wignger doing the keynote address and if you haven't already picked up a copy of her book you need to it is available on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3WkyqRJ #paidad) . I have been reading the book for the past week and there is so much that has resonated with me. While I might not be what some think of as a homesteader when you learn about the homesteading mindset we do align with it. Hearing Jill talk about the grit that you need to have to be a homesteader and the tension that will occur as you embrace the lifestyle was inspiring.
We went to a canning demo. Last fall we canned applesauce and a pear jam but never really had done that before. This class was eye-opening to the things that can be canned like meats. We also learned some best practices that we were not aware of. While we do not grow crops we have in the past done a local CSA and had an abundance of vegetables.
Poultry processing was another great class. We raised and processed turkeys last year and before we left I ordered meat birds. Learning the best way to process birds efficiently was something we both needed and now feel more confident in getting into meat birds.
Sunday morning we took the Sourkaurt class which is something that Tim is interested and started experimenting with. Next time he makes some I will video it and have him explain the process. Sourkaurt is good for the gut and has natural probiotics in it.
Overall we had a great weekend with like-minded people learning about how we can do more with the farm and also things that are just better for us. One thing that we did learn was that we need to learn more about bees before we get them so that project is one for next spring. We can't wait to share more of our journey with you.
***As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases****