On today’s podcast, I’m joined by Robin Follette from A Life In The Wild. Robin and I talk about her 45-acre homestead in Maine and the things she is doing to find balance on the homestead and live a self-sufficient life.
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Homesteading in the Modern World
Modern homesteading is more than just a return to farming or simple living; it’s a lifestyle that fosters self-sufficiency, sustainability, and a deep connection with the land. Recently, on the Modern Homesteading Podcast, homesteader Robin from A Life in the Wild shared her story, offering a glimpse into what it means to live on a modern homestead.
Her experiences, from raising livestock to hunting and fishing, provide valuable lessons and inspiration for those looking to embrace a more self-reliant lifestyle.
The Journey to Homesteading
Robin’s homesteading journey began with a major lifestyle shift. After growing up in Maine and living in a city where she wore business suits and high heels, she found herself yearning for a simpler, more rural life. When the opportunity to move to a tiny town of just 60 people came, she and her husband embraced it fully.
The couple purchased 45 acres of land, surrounded by woods and water. Over the years, they’ve lived with a wide variety of animals, grown a large garden, and even engaged in market farming. But as her children grew up and left home, Robin discovered the need to scale back and focus on what truly mattered—quality over quantity.
Going Big, Then Scaling Back
At first, Robin and her family went big, raising everything from goats to cattle, pigs, chickens, ducks, and turkeys. However, they soon realized the challenges of maintaining so many animals, both in terms of time and money.
Scaling back wasn’t just a necessity, but a new phase in their homesteading life. Now, they focus on a more manageable quarter-acre garden, high tunnels for year-round growing, and raising only a few key livestock like Cornish Cross chickens and turkeys.
Scaling back has allowed Robin to focus on the essentials without becoming overwhelmed. It’s a reminder that homesteading isn’t about having the biggest farm or the most animals. It’s about balance and finding what works best for your land, your family, and your goals.
Growing, Hunting, and Foraging
One of the most fascinating aspects of Robin’s homestead is how much of their food comes from hunting, fishing, and foraging. They don’t rely solely on the garden or livestock.
- Thayer, Samuel (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 368 Pages – 05/15/2006 (Publication Date) – Foragers Harvest Press (Publisher)
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Living in a heavily wooded area, they harvest wild game like deer, bear, and even rainbow trout from their own pond. The foraged blackberries and mushrooms add a unique flavor to their meals.
Hunting and foraging also help Robin avoid the need for raising large livestock like cows. The family processes much of their own meat, including deer and bear, and Robin has even started doing her own bear sausage. By integrating wild food sources into their diet, they ensure that they’re eating healthy, local, and sustainable foods.
The Importance of Adapting
One of Robin’s key messages for any aspiring homesteader is the importance of adaptability. Homesteading requires flexibility—whether it’s managing a shorter growing season in northern Maine or finding new ways to use garden space when the needs of the household change.
Robin uses high tunnels to extend her growing season, and she’s transformed one of her tunnels into a space for drying firewood and even growing grapes.
The ability to adapt is critical when faced with unpredictable weather, changing family needs, or evolving homesteading goals. This mindset can make homesteading both sustainable and enjoyable for the long haul.
Sharing Knowledge
Throughout her homesteading journey, Robin has been committed to sharing what she learns. Inspired by well-known figures like Eliot Coleman, she started her blog, A Life in the Wild, to document her experiences and help others learn from her successes and mistakes.
Whether it’s a recipe for cooking wild game or a tip for growing year-round in a cold climate, Robin emphasizes that knowledge-sharing is key to the homesteading community.
One simple truth that drives her work is that real-world experience is often more valuable than book knowledge. Reading blogs, listening to podcasts, and even joining online homesteading groups can shorten the learning curve for beginners. It’s all about learning from others and not being afraid to make a few mistakes along the way.
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- Coleman, Eliot (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
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Finding the Right Balance
Robin’s story highlights the importance of finding the right balance on the homestead. For some, this might mean scaling back livestock or focusing more on gardening. For others, it might mean hunting for food and foraging wild edibles. Each homestead is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
The goal is to enjoy the process of growing your own food, raising animals, and becoming more self-sufficient. It’s not about perfection or living up to someone else’s idea of homesteading. As Robin shared, “Real homesteaders don’t have to do it all. It’s about what works best for you.”
Getting Started: Advice for New Homesteaders
For those just starting out, Robin has a few key pieces of advice:
- Start Small: You don’t need 50 acres to begin homesteading. In fact, many homesteaders use only a small portion of their land. Start with a small garden or a few chickens and build up from there.
- Learn from Others: Whether it’s a neighbor, a friend, or an online group, find someone who can mentor you. Hands-on experience is invaluable.
- Embrace Mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes when they’re learning. Don’t be discouraged if things don’t go as planned—just adjust and try again.
- Adapt and Evolve: As your needs change, your homestead will change, too. Be open to scaling back, trying new methods, or even eliminating projects that no longer serve your goals.
Homesteading offers a unique opportunity to connect with the land, grow your own food, and live more sustainably. Robin’s journey shows that it’s not about how much you do or how many animals you raise. It’s about finding joy and purpose in the process while continuously learning and adapting.
For anyone dreaming of a simpler, self-sufficient life, there’s no better time to start than today.
Resources and things mentioned in this episode:
- Mother Earth News Online Summit
- Homestead Front Porch Facebook Group
- Eliot Coleman’s resources can be found on his website at FourSeasonFarm.com
