HOMESTEAD LIVING: November/December 2025

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What’s Inside?

From Anna Sakawsky, Editor-in-Chief:

“This inaugural double issue is all about hearth, home, and celebrating the holidays in true homesteader fashion—from cozy cooking and baking to decorating your chicken coop to creating a warm, welcoming space that’s uniquely yours. This issue  invites you to indulge in the simple comforts that anchor us through the coldest months of the year, and remind us why we do what we do. Because homesteading is about more than growing and preserving food; it’s about building a home-centered life rich in meaning, beauty, and connection.”

From cookie swapping and winter gardening to our 2025 Holiday Gift Guide, the November/December 2025 issue will inspire you to make the most of the gorgeous autumn season and the coming holidays!

Here are the articles waiting for you inside this first incredible double issue!

Cultivating A Beautiful Life by Shaye Elliott 

Shaye Elliott shows that homesteading isn’t only about output … it’s about ambiance, delight, and the “everyday magic” you can weave into meals, rooms, and routines. With practical, budget-friendly ideas and a deeply rooted faith in the purpose of beauty, she invites you to curate a home that nourishes our bodies, lifts our spirits, and makes ordinary days feel special.

The Fight for Food Freedom by Joel Salatin 

Joel Salatin makes a rousing, common-sense case for “food freedom,” arguing that neighbor-to-neighbor cooking and on-farm value-adding should be as legal as a backyard pickup game … without industrial red tape. His Food Emancipation Proclamation vision would unlock real choice, revive rural livelihoods, and let families buy wholesome food from people they know and trust.

Rebuilding a Home by Shawn and Beth Dougherty

When a fire destroyed Shawn and Beth Dougherty’s beloved farmhouse, their family and community rallied to rebuild … transforming loss into a living testament of love, skill, and grace. Through timber framing, plastering, and patient teamwork, they discovered that true restoration isn’t just about walls and wood, but about humility, gratitude, and the unbreakable strength of family.

A Beginner’s Guide to Meat Rabbits by Abigale White

Abigale White shares her decade-long journey raising meat rabbits, a practical and sustainable livestock option for any size homestead. From housing and feeding to breeding, health care, and humane processing, she shows how these quiet, efficient animals can fill your freezer year-round … providing abundant protein, self-reliance, and legacy for future generations.

Shelf-Stable Meat by Carolyn Thomas

Carolyn Thomas shows you how to turn this year’s harvest into long-lasting, grab-and-go protein with three grid-proof methods … pressure canning, dehydrating (hello, jerky!), and home freeze-drying … complete with safety tips, step-by-steps, and smart storage. Practical, confidence-building, and delicious, her approach helps you stock resilient pantries, avoid food waste, and put hearty meals on the table even when the power’s out.

Winter Gardening by Niki Jabbour

Gardening expert Niki Jabbour shares how to keep your garden growing through frost, snow, and short days with simple tools like cold frames, mini hoop tunnels, and deep mulch. From kale to carrots, she reveals how the right crops and season extenders can turn fall beds into thriving winter harvests … bringing homegrown flavor to the table year-round.

Tapping Maple Trees for Syrup by Kate Whelley McCabe

Kate Whelley McCabe shares a clear, beginner-friendly guide to transforming backyard maples into liquid gold. From identifying trees and drilling taps to boiling, filtering, and bottling, she breaks down every step of small-scale syrup making … proving that anyone, with a few tools and some patience, can harvest nature’s sweetest reward.

Bringing Christmas to the Coop by Lisa Steele

Homesteading expert Lisa Steele shares how to bring a little holiday magic to the chicken run with festive décor and edible ornaments. From popcorn garlands and veggie “tree treats” to wreaths, lights, and cozy touches, she shows how small seasonal gestures can brighten winter days … for both you and your flock.

Gifts From the Garden by Jill McSheehy

Jill McSheehy celebrates the art of giving homegrown, handmade gifts … showing how even a humble jar of jam or packet of saved seeds can carry deep meaning. With ideas for preserved harvests, herbal creations, baked goods, and thoughtful gift baskets, she reminds us that the most memorable presents grow from time, care, and love of the land.

Homestead Living’s 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

Our curated gift list celebrates craftsmanship over clutter … featuring durable tools, heirloom seeds, clean home goods, rugged workwear, wellness essentials, and skill-building classes that actually enrich daily homestead life. From the barn to the kitchen (and even the bookshelf), these handpicked brands and exclusive savings make it easy to give presents with purpose that serve your people long after the wrapping’s gone.

The Azure Standard Story by Anna Sakawsky

Discover how a small Oregon family farm grew into the nation’s largest distributor of organic and non-GMO foods … all without abandoning its roots. Through one family’s health crisis, a radical shift toward clean farming, and decades of integrity-driven work, Azure Standard became a movement making healthy food accessible to every home in America.

Homemade Holiday Favorites by Victoria Pruett

From pillowy cloverleaf rolls to jewel-bright cranberry sauce and a from-scratch green bean casserole, Victoria shows how reviving timeless techniques turns a holiday menu into a love letter … rich with memory, flavor, and intention. Whether you’re swapping better ingredients or growing your own, her approachable recipes invite you to slow down, cook with care, and serve the stories that make your family’s table feel like home.

The Return of the Cookie Swap by Melissa K. Norris

Melissa K. Norris revives the nostalgic joy of the Christmas cookie exchange … where neighbors gather to share sweets, recipes, and real connection. With heartfelt storytelling, simple hosting tips, and three irresistible cookie recipes, she reminds us that the holidays aren’t about perfection, but about slowing down, baking with love, and savoring moments that last longer than the cookies do.

Venison for Lunch or Dinner by Kate Schat

Homesteader Kate Schat shares hard-won wisdom from years of cooking wild game … teaching how to handle, prepare, and serve venison that’s tender, flavorful, and family-friendly. From hearty Venison Au Jus sandwiches to make-ahead Big Game Round Steaks, her recipes turn lean, humble cuts into rich, satisfying meals that celebrate skill, thrift, and self-sufficiency at the holiday table.

Herbal Syrups for Cold & Flu Season by Kaylee Richardson

Herbalist and beekeeper Kaylee Richardson shares her favorite time-tested syrups for soothing seasonal ailments … made from herbs, roots, and raw honey straight from the kitchen apothecary. With blends like Elderberry-Reishi and Warming Thyme-Oregano, she shows how everyday ingredients can become comforting, immune-boosting remedies that reconnect us to the healing traditions of home.

Evergreen Herbs for Winter Wellness by Bevin Cohen

Herbalist Bevin Cohen reminds us that nature’s pharmacy never sleeps … even in winter. In this guide to juniper, pine, and wintergreen, he shares how to turn evergreens into teas, oils, and tinctures that ease aches, boost immunity, and soothe the spirit. With simple recipes and ancient wisdom, he shows how true wellness begins right outside your door.

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