Building A Homestead From A Cornfield, Dairy Goats, and The Importance Of Community: Guest Ashley Burton

On Today’s Podcast Episode, Harold has a conversation with Ashley Burton from Mulberry Branch Farm about her homesteading journey, dairy goats, and her involvement in helping organize the Indiana Homesteading Conference. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 200 – May 1, 2023 Listen To The Podcast Ashley and her Husband started their homesteading journey 13 years…

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May 1, 2023

The Modern Homesteading Podcast

Educating, Inspiring, and Connecting Homesteaders with Guest Rhonda Fowler

On this episode of the Modern Homesteading Podcast, Harold talks with guest Rhonda Fowler. She is the Founder of the Indiana Homesteading Conference and has a passion for educating, inspiring, and connecting homesteaders to help them obtain a more sustainable lifestyle. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 198 – April 24, 2023 Listen To The Podcast…

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April 24, 2023

The Modern Homesteading Podcast

Building a Gardening and Permaculture Based Small Business with Guest Kerry Brown

On this episode of the Modern Homesteading Podcast, Harold talks with guest Kerry Brown about his journey building a gardening and permaculture based small business, and the things that contributed and helped him along the way. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 197 – April 17, 2023 Listen To The Podcast Kerry Brown is a native…

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April 17, 2023

Product Reviews

Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filtration System

Clean, safe drinking water is an essential aspect of daily life, and the Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filtration System promises to provide just that. This comprehensive review will delve into the features and benefits of the Big Berkey filtration system and assess whether it's worth the investment. We will cover installation, maintenance, and performance, and…

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April 14, 2023

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

How To Grow Borage And Why You Should

Borage is an incredibly useful annual herb to grow in an organic garden. It can work well in mixed beds and borders, alongside perennials, and even in your kitchen vegetable garden. Borage is one of my favorite permaculture-friendly plants for those who wish to garden in a sustainable, wildlife-friendly, and organic way. In this article,…

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April 14, 2023

The Modern Homesteading Podcast

A Few Useful Perennials You Can Multiply Through Division

On This Episode of The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Harold and Rachel Talk About Useful Perennials You Can Grow On Your Homestead That Multiply Through Division To Expand Your Garden. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 196 – April 11, 2023 Listen To The Podcast A Few Useful Perennials You Can Multiply Through Division What are Crowns…

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April 11, 2023

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

Jostaberry: A Homesteader’s Dream Berry for Permaculture Gardens

If you're looking for a versatile and resilient berry plant for your homesteading or permaculture garden, look no further than the Jostaberry. This hardy plant, a cross between a black currant and a gooseberry, offers a unique flavor and abundant harvests, making it an ideal choice for any garden. In this article, we'll explore the…

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April 1, 2023

Blog - Homesteading, Permaculture, Gardening

Creating Fertile Soil with Lasagna Gardening: A Step-by-Step Guide to Sheet Mulching

Sheet mulching is a key strategy in an organic permaculture garden. But if you are new to gardening in a sustainable way, you might be a little confused about sheet mulching and exactly what this strategy entails. So why is sheet mulching a good idea, and how can you adopt this approach in your own…

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March 29, 2023

The Modern Homesteading Podcast

A Beginners Guide To Building Guilds On Your Permaculture Homestead

On This Episode of The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Harold Talks About Plant Guilds. What They Are, The Benefits Of Guilds, and How To Build Them On Your Permaculture Homestead. The Modern Homesteading Podcast, Episode 195 – March 28, 2023 Listen To The Podcast What Is A Guild? A plant guild is a grouping of plants…

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March 28, 2023

Book Reviews

The Resilient Farm and Homestead by Ben Falk

"The Resilient Farm and Homestead" by Ben Falk is a comprehensive guide to creating a sustainable and resilient homestead. The book provides a wealth of practical information on everything from permaculture design principles to renewable energy systems and water management. Falk draws on his extensive experience as a designer, builder, and homesteader to provide a…

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March 27, 2023

Book Reviews

The Good Life: Helen and Scott Nearing’s Sixty Years of Self-Sufficient Living

"The Good Life: Helen and Scott Nearing's Sixty Years of Self-Sufficient Living" is a book that tells the story of a couple who lived a self-sufficient lifestyle for six decades. Written by Helen and Scott Nearing, the book chronicles their journey from city life to a simple, sustainable lifestyle on a homestead in rural Vermont.…

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March 22, 2023

Product Reviews

Bootstrap Farmer 72 Cell Air Prune Seed Starting Trays

Bootstrap Farmer 72 Cell Air Prune Seed Starting Tray is a high-quality product designed to meet the needs of professional and hobbyist gardeners alike. This product offers a unique approach to seed starting, which involves air pruning the roots of the seedlings. This technique results in healthy and strong root systems, which are crucial for…

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March 22, 2023

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

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Lessons from the Hive
“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
— Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

Today I spent some time watching the activity around my honey bee hive. It seemed like every bee had a purpose. Some were leaving the hive in search of nectar and pollen. Others were returning with their legs covered in golden pollen. There was a constant flow of movement—busy, organized, and productive.

As I stood there watching, I was reminded that none of those bees were working for immediate reward. They weren’t gathering nectar to enjoy it that afternoon. They were working for something larger than themselves. Every trip, every flower visited, every load carried was contributing to the health and future of the hive.

It made me think about my own life.

So much of what I do on the homestead feels like that. Planting seeds. Building soil. Repairing fences. Pruning fruit trees. Many of these tasks don’t produce immediate results. They require faith that the effort invested today will bear fruit tomorrow.

The Christian life is often the same.

Galatians 6:9 reminds me not to grow weary in doing good. Sometimes I want to see results right away. I want the garden to grow faster, the project to be finished sooner, or the answer to prayer to come immediately. But God often works through seasons of patient faithfulness.

The bees don’t quit because they haven’t made honey yet. They continue their work day after day, trusting the process God designed for them. Likewise, God calls me to remain faithful in the work He has given me, trusting that in His timing there will be a harvest.

Watching that hive today reminded me that small acts of obedience matter. A prayer offered. A kind word spoken. A task completed. A seed planted. None of it is wasted when it is done for the Lord.

One day, the harvest comes. The honey is stored. The fruit ripens. The prayers are answered. But until then, God calls me to keep working faithfully.

Reflection Questions
- Am I growing weary in an area where God is calling me to remain faithful?
- What “small acts” of obedience might God be using to accomplish something much larger?
- Where do I need to trust God’s timing instead of demanding immediate results?
Prayer

Lord, thank You for the lessons You teach through Your creation. As I watched the bees today, remind me that faithfulness matters even when results are not immediately visible. Help me to work diligently in the tasks You have given me and trust that You are bringing a harvest in Your perfect timing. Keep me from growing weary and strengthen me to continue doing good. Amen.