200. Homesteading is a Mindset with Angela Ferraro Fanning of Axe & Root*

The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained

*This episode is a replay of Episode 64, initially published on October 22, 2021 under the title Homesteading is What You Make It

On today’s episode of The Good Dirt, we’re chatting with Angela Ferraro Fanning of Axe and Root Homestead, a six-acre farm in central New Jersey. Angela shares the story of how she went from being a graphic designer to a homesteader in 2012, when she told her husband she'd like to trade her job income for time outside growing food they would no longer have to buy. Now she finds herself balancing a life raising two boys with managing a working farm, as well as authoring a cookbook, a children's book series and hosting a homesteading podcast.

In this conversation, we discuss not only the benefits of growing your own food, but the many options available to the modern homesteader. Though the concept of homesteading appeals to a lot of people, the reality of shifting to such a lifestyle is often intimidating and seemingly full of obstacles. Angela explains that homesteading doesn't look the same for everyone, and doesn't have to be defined by what you see when you look out your window. She encourages her followers to begin with the smallest task, such as growing one plant, and taking that longing for connection to food and nature just one step at a time. It doesn't have to involve raising and harvesting your own animals, or all of your food, baking artisan bread or keeping bees. There are likely others in your area that can do all of that. Instead, she says to focus on what interests you, and rely on your community for the rest. The homesteading mindset is about hands-on, local, seasonal living.

Join us on today’s episode to hear more about the first steps that Angela took in growing her own food, how she got comfortable with the constant trial and error of homesteading, and how she’s slowly expanding her business through writing and online media.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Simplecast, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

• A day in the life of Angela
• The joys and challenges of farm life
• Getting back to basics and not relying on machinery
• Homesteading on a plant-based diet
• Sharing her story and expertise through writing, podcasting, and online courses

Guest Info

• Website
• Instagram
• The Definitely Not Simple Life Podcast
• The Harvest Table: A Collection of Seasonal Plant- Based Recipes Inspired by the Home Garden
• Little Country Cottage: An Autumn Treasury of Recipes, Crafts and Wisdom

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