Homestead Living: September/October 2026

Description

What’s Inside?

From Anna Sakawsky, Editor-in-Chief:

“We talk a lot about stewardship in the homesteading world, usually in the context of managing our land and resources wisely. But good stewardship is about more than using what we have efficiently or sustainably. It goes beyond tending the soil beneath our feet or making the most of what our land provides. At its heart, stewardship is about how we manage and care for the things entrusted to us, and that includes far more than land and resources.”

From the science of seed saving to herbal remedies for children, the September/October 2026 issue of Homestead Living will help you consider what you’re growing … not just the temporary things you’re growing in your garden or on your homestead, but the eternal things you’re cultivating as well.

Here are the articles waiting for you inside this stunning issue …

From Farm to Freezer by Jason Contreras

A step-by-step guide to processing your own meat chickens at home. Jason Contreras walks through equipment, setup, dispatching, scalding, plucking, eviscerating, chilling, and bagging so you can fill the freezer with birds you raised yourself … efficiently and with confidence.

A Pragmatic Approach to Culling by Joel Salatin

Why difficult decisions are essential for healthy, productive livestock. Joel Salatin explains how intentional culling (based on age, health, temperament, and production) protects the long-term health of the herd and keeps the farm from becoming a costly nursing home for underperforming animals.

Milk Fever: The Silent Danger After Calving by Katie Millhorn

How to recognize, treat, and prevent this life-threatening condition before it’s too late. Katie Millhorn explains the stages of milk fever, early warning signs, and practical treatment and prevention steps so homesteaders can protect fresh cows and avoid the heartbreak of sudden loss.

The Science of Seed Saving by Don Tipping

What you need to know to successfully save seeds from your garden. Don Tipping explains the difference between self- and cross-pollinating plants, annuals and biennials, and wet- versus dry-seeded crops, while sharing practical steps and isolation guidelines so gardeners can preserve healthy, true-to-type seeds year after year.

Growing Hearts and Minds in the Garden by Marcus Bridgewater

The surprising ways gardening supports childhood development and learning. Marcus Bridgewater shares how inviting children into the garden builds observation skills, vocabulary, fine motor control, an understanding of consequences, and a genuine sense of purpose and care for the living world.

Fall Planting for a Spring Harvest by Bevin Cohen

The best vegetables, grains, and cover crops to sow before winter arrives. Bevin Cohen shares which crops thrive when planted in fall so gardeners can secure deeper roots, sweeter harvests, and an earlier start to the next season.

Feeding a Family On the Go by Kate Schat  

Healthier grab-and-go foods for school, work, and adventuring off the homestead. Kate Schat shares practical, portable snack ideas and recipes (like homemade granola bars, ranch dip, and freezer-friendly pizza pockets) that keep a family fueled with real food without relying on junk.

Cooking Through the Chicken by James Barry  

Tips for preparing, cooking, and using every part of the bird. James Barry shows how to get more flavor, nutrition, and value from a whole chicken … covering roasting, broth, organs, skin, and rendered fat so nothing goes to waste.

Putting Up the Apple Harvest by Melissa K. Norris  

A dozen ways to preserve apples and stock your winter pantry. Melissa K. Norris shares practical methods (from canning applesauce, pie filling, and apple butter to dehydrating, freeze-drying, and cold storage) so you can stretch a seasonal harvest into year-round meals and snacks.

Herbal Remedies for Children by Dr. Patrick Jones  

Safe, practical ways to use medicinal plants for common childhood ailments. Dr. Patrick Jones outlines clear safety guidelines and shares reliable herbs for colic, colds, earaches, sore throats, sleep, bug bites, and rashes so parents can comfort little ones with confidence.

The Alchemy of Relief by Suzanne Tabert  

A natural approach to managing arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain. Suzanne Tabert explains the mechanisms behind joint and nerve pain and shares practical herbal, dietary, and lifestyle strategies that help homesteaders find lasting relief without relying solely on pharmaceuticals.

The Ancient Art of Oxymels by Kaylee Richardson  

Time-tested herbal remedies made from honey, vinegar, and plants. Kaylee Richardson shares how to craft simple, versatile oxymels that double as everyday kitchen staples and gentle supports for digestion, immunity, and seasonal wellness.

Homesteading as a Single Mother by Mindy Morgan  

Practical wisdom for building a home-based life, even as a single parent. Mindy Morgan shares hard-won mindset shifts and practical strategies that make it possible to homestead, homeschool, and earn an income without waiting for perfect circumstances.

Growing Up Rooted by Rachel Thomas-Entz  

The lessons, challenges, and lifelong gifts of growing up on a family homestead. Rachel Thomas-Entz reflects on a childhood of early mornings, shared chores, and deep connection to the land … showing how the hard work and rhythms of homestead life shape resilient, capable adults.

*NOTE: Purchase of this single issue will NOT start a monthly subscription to Homestead Living. You can do that right here 😉