Homestead Living: August 2025

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What’s Inside?

From Anna Sakawsky, Editor-in-Chief:

“We’ve met people at every stage of the journey—from those growing vegetables in a few raised beds and switching to natural products, to others producing enough food to feed their communities, running family businesses, and homeschooling their children. 

We’ve also connected with agricultural icons like Joel Salatin and Will Harris, who’ve built legacies not by chasing profit, but by challenging convention and proving that stewardship—not scale—is what truly matters.

Because let’s be honest—most of the time, it really would be easier to just buy your tomatoes or meat from the grocery store. It’s more cost-effective to farm conventionally, and more convenient to outsource the work of feeding your family altogether. No one chooses this life because it’s easy.

We choose it because there’s a deeper why that guides us.”

From quick (and delicious) pickles and the pigness of pigs to buying bulk meat shares, the August 2025 issue will inspire you to do the work of homesteading, for the work’s sake.

Here are the articles waiting for you inside this issue:

Growing More Than Food by RuthAnn Zimmerman

RuthAnn Zimmerman shares her family’s journey from a rundown Iowa farm to a thriving homestead, where raising animals and gardens became a foundation for building character, work ethic, and family bonds. Through stories of culture shock, animal adventures, and intentional living, she inspires readers to view homesteading as more than sustenance … it’s a path to countercultural resilience, strong relationships, and spiritual growth.

Respecting the Pigness of Pigs by Joel Salatin

Joel Salatin explores how honoring livestock’s natural design … through proper habitat, hygiene, diet, genetics, and low-stress handling … leads to healthier animals, sacred sacrifices, and even better-tasting meat. Drawing on decades of experience, he equips homesteaders to treat animals with dignity, fostering humane care that reflects compassion and elevates the homestead plate.

The Bovine Blue Book by Shawn & Beth Dougherty

Shawn and Beth Dougherty offer a 16-point checklist for selecting the ideal homestead dairy cow—from udder shape and health to grazing habits and temperament. With tips on avoiding pitfalls like over-medication or long-distance shipping, this article empowers homesteaders to choose resilient, grass-fed cows that turn pasture into nutrient-rich milk, boosting self-sufficiency and farm efficiency.

Greens for Every Season by Carolyn Thomas

Carolyn Thomas reveals expert strategies for growing, harvesting, and preserving greens year-round through succession planting, season extenders, and freeze-drying. From selecting cold-hardy varieties to creating nutrient-packed greens powder, her methods help homesteaders enjoy fresh salads, soups, and more in any weather, turning seasonal abundance into lasting, flavorful nutrition.

Naturally Sweet Summer Sips by Kate Whelley McCabe

Kate Whelley McCabe shares homemade beverage recipes sweetened with maple syrup, from electrolyte-packed switchel to spicy shrubs and iced mochas. Highlighting maple’s hydration benefits over white sugar, these quick, refreshing drinks help homesteaders beat the heat with healthful, flavorful sips that are perfect for garden breaks or family gatherings.

Quick Pickles by Melissa K. Norris

Melissa K. Norris delivers fast refrigerator pickle recipes for cucumbers and zucchini, including classic dill, bread-and-butter, and sweet-tangy spears. With tips for crisp results and flavor tweaks, these no-canning methods let homesteaders preserve small harvests easily, turning garden bounty into tangy snacks that connect to tradition and shareable joy.

Hydrosols 101 by Kristen Davidson

Kristen Davidson demystifies hydrosols … gentle, abundant plant waters from distillation … sharing uses for skincare, household cleaning, and internal wellness. With a step-by-step guide to making your own using a copper still, she empowers homesteaders to capture the full essence of aromatic herbs, enhancing daily routines with natural, versatile remedies that may even outshine essential oils in accessibility and wholeness.

Filling the Freezer by Michael Smith

Michael Smith guides homesteaders through buying bulk meat shares, from understanding hanging weights and cut lists to selecting farmers and maximizing savings. With sample beef and pork breakdowns, offal tips, and budget benefits, this practical approach builds food security, supports local producers, and fills freezers with high-quality, versatile cuts for nourishing, cost-effective meals.

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