Small-Space, Big Impact: Lessons from Paradise Lot in Urban Permaculture

https://youtu.be/SVcP3hiEIIw When Eric Toensmeier and Jonathan Bates first moved into their duplex in Holyoke, Massachusetts, they didn’t exactly have a garden paradise waiting for them. Their small tenth-of-an-acre lot was filled with debris—think broken concrete, asphalt, and poor soil. But despite those less-than-ideal conditions, they had a bold vision: to turn that rundown space into…

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September 13, 2024

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

How To Build A Cheap and Sturdy Cattle Panel Greenhouse

A cattle panel greenhouse is one of the most affordable and effective ways to extend your growing season while protecting crops from the elements. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to build a cattle panel greenhouse using cattle panels and pallets, or, if you prefer, just cattle panels alone. https://youtu.be/3eiizMNiLnI In the above…

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September 12, 2024

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

Low Cost Root Cellar Ideas to Store Your Harvest for Year-Round Freshness

A root cellar is an age-old method of storing fruits, vegetables, and other perishable goods, allowing homesteaders and gardeners to enjoy their harvest year-round. Root cellars maintain a stable temperature and humidity, creating ideal conditions for preserving the freshness and quality of your produce. Building a root cellar does not have to be expensive or…

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September 8, 2024

Product Reviews

DonSail Fruit Picker: Effortlessly Harvest Fruit from Tall Trees

https://youtube.com/shorts/ebbnVhg-5S0?feature=share If you're an avid gardener or just someone who enjoys harvesting fresh fruit from your backyard, having the right tools is essential. One such tool that's been a game-changer for many fruit enthusiasts is the DonSail Fruit Picker. In this blog post, I’ll give you an in-depth review of this fruit-catching basket, based on…

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September 7, 2024

Book Reviews

Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture by Toby Hemenway

https://youtu.be/ueylosxTVXE Are you dreaming of creating a flourishing, productive garden right in your backyard, no matter how small? Gaia’s Garden, written by Toby Hemenway, may just be the inspiration and guide you need. Whether you’re new to gardening or an experienced grower looking to work more harmoniously with nature, this book has something for everyone.…

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September 6, 2024

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

Can You Practice Permaculture Without Land?

Whether you live in an apartment or a house with no yard, permaculture can be a great way to connect with nature and live more sustainably. There are several things you can do to practice permaculture right where you are, here are a few ways to get started. Is Permaculture More Than A Garden? Permaculture…

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September 5, 2024

Product Reviews

This Elementi Fermentation Kit Just Makes It Easier

https://youtu.be/lUy2cQHfZ8c If you've ever been a little intimidated by the whole process of making your own fermented veggies, it seemed complicated, and you didn't want to deal with spoiled veggies. Enter the Elementi Fermentation Kit – honestly, it's a game changer! Easy to Use, Even for Beginners The first thing that drew me to this…

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September 4, 2024

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

Trusting in God’s Providence: Lessons from the Chinese Farmer

In our daily lives, we often encounter situations that we instinctively label as either good or bad. Yet, the story of the Chinese farmer offers a timeless lesson on the unpredictability of events and the deeper wisdom of withholding judgment. By reflecting on this story in light of Romans 8:28, we can gain a greater…

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September 3, 2024

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

End Of Season Garden Bed Preparation: 5 Strategies for A Thriving Garden Next Year

As the growing season winds down, it's time to start thinking about how to prepare your garden beds for the next year. Proper end-of-season preparation not only helps maintain soil health but also ensures that your garden is ready for planting when spring arrives. Here are five essential strategies for preparing your garden beds that…

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September 2, 2024

The Modern Homesteading Podcast

Modern Homesteading: Start Right Where You Are

On this podcast episode for the first time ever I'm replaying an older episode where I briefly tell my story of why I started homesteading and why you should consider homesteading right now, right where you are. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 254 – September 1, 2024 Listen To The Podcast When most people think…

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September 1, 2024

Product Reviews

Emergency Weather Radio With Lots Of Accessories: Stay Prepared and Stay Safe

https://youtu.be/G_QS8P8qvv8 My Go-To Gadget for Staying Safe and Connected: A Must-Have for Every Emergency Kit I recently got my hands on this Weather Radio, and I can’t recommend it enough. If you're someone who loves the outdoors or just wants to be prepared for anything, this little gadget is an absolute game-changer. NOAA Alerts: A…

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August 31, 2024

Product Reviews

The Pautou Apple Corer, Slicer, Peeler: A Handy Tool for Every Homestead Kitchen

https://youtu.be/JOeoDjJq8sc If you're someone who regularly works with apples, whether for making applesauce, dehydrating apple slices, or simply enjoying a freshly cut apple, the Pautou Stainless Steel Apple Corer, Slicer, and Peeler is a tool you might want to consider adding to your kitchen arsenal. After using it extensively, I can confidently say that it…

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August 29, 2024

Support the work of Redemption Permaculture at the Small Town Homestead and the Modern Homesteading Podcast

Allelulia on 10 Ways To Use Comfrey On Your Permaculture Homestead
You ve got me hooked. thank you so much for sharing your education with the world. You are a good…
Nadya on Jostaberry: A Homesteader’s Dream Berry for Permaculture Gardens
Thank you for this lovely overview. I was delighted to find a Jostaberry at our Edible Landscaping of Yamhill Co.…
Harold Thornbro on What Is A Permaculture Keyline Design?
Keyline design and swales or terraces both help manage water, but they do it a little differently. Keyline design uses…
Scott on What Is A Permaculture Keyline Design?
What's the difference between keyline and making sales, or making terraces?
Harold Thornbro on Why Do Beets Taste Like Dirt? Is It Normal?
LOL! Poetry

Faithful in the Busy Season
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
— Colossians 3:23 (ESV)

Spring has a way of waking up the homestead. After the slower rhythm of winter, the days suddenly fill with activity. Garden beds need prepared. Seeds must be planted at the right time. Fences repaired. Animals checked. Tools sharpened. Everywhere you look, there’s another task waiting.

The excitement of the season brings energy, but it also brings responsibility. Spring doesn’t wait for us to feel ready. The work simply arrives, and it’s up to us to step into it.

As I move from one chore to the next, I’m reminded of the words in Colossians 3:23:
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

The daily work of a homestead may seem ordinary—turning soil, hauling feed, fixing a gate, planting a row of seeds—but Scripture reminds us that no work done with the right heart is ordinary to God.

Each task becomes an opportunity to serve Him.

The garden rows we plant, the animals we care for, the repairs we make—these aren’t just chores. They are acts of stewardship. They are reminders that God has placed us in a place where our labor can reflect His goodness and provision.

Spring’s busyness teaches a quiet lesson: faithfulness in small tasks matters.

Just like a harvest begins with tiny seeds placed carefully into the soil, a life of faith is built through small acts of obedience done day after day.

Homestead Reflection

As the work of spring begins, I want to ask myself:
- Am I approaching my work with gratitude or with frustration?
- Do I see the daily tasks as burdens or as opportunities to honor God?
- How can I turn ordinary chores into acts of worship?
Because when work is done with the right heart, even the simplest task can glorify God.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the work You place before me. Help me to approach every task with a willing heart and a spirit of gratitude. Whether I am planting, repairing, feeding, or harvesting, remind me that my work is ultimately done for You. Teach me to be faithful in the small things, trusting that You bring the growth in Your perfect time. Amen.