The Lonestead Podcast: Recent Episodes
Liz the Goat Witch
In her first podcast this former California raised city girl shares her story and lessons as she builds a 10 acre aspiring homestead alone by herself in deep east Texas. Daily life she is surrounded by cows, goats, and fowl. Oh my!
Liz covers a wide variety of topics from animal care to hard learned life lessons in a kitchen table casual style while encouraging others to start their journey of self sufficiency no matter how small the step.
Follow her on instagram at US: LadyNerdLiz or just the tags #foxrunfarmstead and #lonestead
Facebook go and like "The Lonestead Podcast" page and see more of daily life on Fox Run Farmstead.
Drop her a question. She will do her best to give accurate answers.
In the meantime ya'll, dont stop growing.
All my nineties babies out there know what movie I'm referencing.
Today we're talking about onion as we continue our garden classic series.
Will resume next week on garden favorites series after this interlude of how to work your livestock safely and effectively.
After leaving my previously established homestead to start over with my husband and a brand new area here are some insights about what I wish I knew when I was starting my homestead initially.
This episode the types of quashes are compared and contrasted in not only cultivation but culinary purposes as well.
It's hot on tiktok saying that the government is manipulating egg supply to elevate prices....which is possible I guess.
Rather than don my tinfoil hat, this time, I share the economic and biological reasons for the egg increase and why even backyard hens are slacking off egg production when needed most.
We wrap up this parasite series with some methods of action how dewormers work and some products that you can utilize at your own discretion.
I'm not a vet, I'm not a Dr. You choose what you do with you body and with your livestock. Don't sue me.
Education purposes only.
After much adieu last organism in our parasite series is blood flukes. These next level internal nightmares could not have been more better made to wreak havoc on a body but even they have weaknesses.
Next episode! Learn about the traditional and modern methods of dealing with these lil nasties.
We get under the skin and into the digestive tract to find our next parasite in the series: round worms.
After hiatus we continue the parasite series. We finish up external parasite with sucking/biting lice, mites, and fleas.
Talking about ticks and how they really dont have any benedfits. They just bad lil dudes.
I haveyet to meet somebody that had positive feelings towards mosquitoes. Nobody likes them. They bite, we scratch, and the perpetual struggle of man vs nature continues seemingly without purpose. What if i told you even though mosuitoes have been a harbinger of death they also are resposnsible for much of the lush nature scape we see every day. Learn more in this epsiode of "The lonestead podcast"
Support the podcast Via venmo/cashapp by sending donations to "ETXGoatWitch"
find me on tiktik at "etxgoatwitch"
There is also online shop of soap and quilts.
https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/index.html
https://www.epa.gov/mosquitocontrol/bti-mosquito-control
https://fishcaring.com/what-fish-eat-mosquito-larvae/
https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases/index.html
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/west-nile-virus
https://www.organiclesson.com/kill-mosquito-larvae/
www.sciencedirect.com
watch this video. absolutely amazing. be warned of little ears though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz_DslzN2IA
sharing some practical and very doable options for managing these unprecedented hard times.
end of the day all one needs to determine what they need for themselves or loved ones what lengths they are willing to do to achive them.
Starting a new series that covers parasites with chiggers i dispell somce myths and throw some hard science facts even though im sure ive mispronounced a few words.
This episode we have the very special guest Cardiff from TikTok's "CBabbGo" and we talk about branding cattle and the differences in the methods we use individually.
Cardiff is a veteran, small business owner, and 5th generation Texan rancher.
He sells some fantastic coffee and stellar knives at Bravamano.com
Use the discount code "GOAT" (case sensitive) for 10% off your purchase.
Everything great ever created started with something very small. In order to save you time, energy, and even possibly a life being intentional with even the most basic of training. this appiles to your pets, livestock, and even the other people aroudn the homestead.
we all love our homesteads and the joys that they bring but sometimes you still need to get away whether its for family engagements or just rest and relaxation. This episode i cover the ways to help travling away from home a little easier and your worries light.
whether you are purchasing or leasing a piece of property its good to know what youre getting into. This episode i bring of points to consider prior to putting down cash on a place to homestead.
soil analyis
https://soiltesting.tamu.edu/
fidnign local extenstion office
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search
My favorite tree is in full bloom this time of year and it is a great addition to most any homestead. Fast growing, multipurpose, and tasty the mulberry tree is one hard to beat.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/mulberries
https://youtu.be/ZVU-Qe7PxDY
Even thouhg we love, mostly, all of our animals it does not mean we should keep every soft wet nose or fluffy butt that come across our homestead. Today i talk about what "culling" is and what is common criteria used to select which animals need to be sent along their journy to new pastures.
Quick episode over the wild edibles and medicine that can be found right now wide spread across north America and specifically around my homestead.
Disclaimer: never eat any wild foods unless you know if they've been exposed to dangerous chemicals and if you ingest them that is your own volition. I'm not a physician. Don't sue me 😁
Susan Weeds "wise woman's herbal for the childbearing year"
www.foragingtexas.com
https://www.foxrunfarmstead.com/
Lets dairy animal on your homestead. Yes the romantic image of a maid bringing fresh cream for consumption may be a dreamy thought but the realtiy can be an overwhelming amount of work, waste, and of course milk.
with everything going on I share my thoughts on the coming months and helpful hints for navigating them with grace.
With recently discovering dry canning my whole food preservation plan has changed. This easy entry into food preservation method requires no specialty equipment and can provide shelf stable food storage for years even as a beginner.
Having bakcyard chickens is a great option to get fresh eggs but unless your family really enjoys scrambled eggs one can be easily overrun. I touch base over some managable recipes, preservation techniques, and other non food uses for eggs.
Until next time thats all yolks.
https://www.livescience.com/50834-eggs-nutrition-facts.html
https://www.inspiredtaste.net/25943/homemade-mayonnaise-recipe/
https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/eggs-meat/water-glassing-eggs-for-long-term-storage/
http://prepared-housewives.com/preserve-eggs-with-mineral-oil/
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/angel-food-cake-recipe-1938726
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/creme-brulee-recipe-1916827
Special guest and friend of the show J. Ryan Chastain lends his expertise and knowledge abour horses. We discuss horses' (and mules) place in history and in midern homesteading. Ryan has podcasts of his own ifyou wanna listen "Behind the Horses Eyes"
can find him on Tiktok at jryanchastain
to find more lonestead content follow me on tiktok at ETXgoatwith or facebook page at fox run famrstead.
Keep growing yall.
This episode I cover ways to handle death on the homestead in personal and practical ways.
Weve covered how conception occurs in mammals but what about all the way that breeding can be done. From the old fashioned to high tech i cover in this episode the options on how to expand your herd.
This episode I share how to safely make some money from the homestead. Leanr to protect yourself, where to sell your product/services, and why i plan to use the sale barn for my future livestock sale.
Find me to ask questions or comments
Tiktok EtxGoatWitch
IG LadyNerdLiz
FB Fox Run Farmstead
unitl next time, keep growing
Its been a few months and a lot has changed but episodes will returning on a weekly basis. this episode is just a warm up to get me comfortable behind the mic again.
This new season of the podcast will feature interviews from resident experts, friends of the show, and of course more puns.
Thank you fro growing with me.
Tiktok: etxgoatwitch
IG: ladynerdliz
FB: fox run farmstead
more of a loose freeform episode as i cover how important community is and the difference a good mentor can make.
Quick play by play of forms of food preservation. Will go in depth in each topic on later dates.
i am not a gardener so if a plant is doing well at Fox Run its likely a weed...or lemon nalm. this delicious herb has take over an entire garden best prompting to start new and different ways to you it.
It is officially summer here in East Texas by calender and by the "walk out your door and instant sweat weather". Winter and summer are not to different in how to handle just on oppsote spectrums.
REcnetly i had to take a step back and prevent full blown homesteader burn out hence why there was a several week break in publishing these lovely(i hope yall think they are at least) podcast epsisodes.
Burn out is not just soemthing that occurs on the homestead but in carrers, relationships, or any area where you are exterting effort. I go over factors that contribute to burnout, the signs you may be having issues, and how to remedy the situation.
Keep in mind i am a nurse and homesteader but noa licensed therapist or MD. if you are experiencing any thoughts of hurting yourself or others please seek care immediately.
I am sharing my experiences and opinions and they should not be taken as treatment or diagnosis.
basically dont sue me. your actions are your own.
https://www.verywellmind.com/stress-and-burnout-symptoms-and-causes-3144516
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/5-ways-to-get-out-of-the-burnout-cycle/
Betterhelp.com
This much delayed episode is all about the internets favorite topic cats. you love them and they toelrate you. Yes they are adorable, inteeligent, and sometimes cuddly creatures they are also very efficient hunters that can save you time and money on the homestead.
Episode deciated in memory of Purrcival.
Caring for adult cats
https://www.kirkwoodvets.com/cats/feeding-adult-cats/#:~:text=Outdoor%20cats%2C%20pure%20carnivores%2C%20eat,is%20all%20they%20are%20eating.
Cat Care and Litters
https://icatcare.org/advice/cat-birth/
Why do cats act so weird
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI8NsYIyQ2A
BIRTHDAY SHOUTOUT TO FRIEND OF THE SHOW DESIREE!
May your smile be every bright adn your pup loving.
Many happy birthday blessing this year and for the many yet to come.
I cover what went down during the highly unusual snow storm that hit much of the United States but was especially devastating to many Texans.
Did some things well and was proud of my preps as I managed to keep everybody safe and warm. Thankfully Fox Run did not have nearly the level of hardships that so many people across the states had to deal with but it did open my eyes to ares that i needed to improve on.
The final episode in the the animal reproduction crash course we cant about to prevent reproduction.
Neutering animals has many practical benefits and can be done easily with help from your vet or seasoned cowhand.
I say balls a lot in this one. Have fun.
disclaimer i am not a trained vet and the purpose of this podcast is for education purposes only. tlak to you vet about which breeding plan and practices work best for you. They are YOUR animals and YOUR responsibility.
some sources for yall:
Coslick’s and bruhner stitch -
https://www.lib.umn.edu/publishing/works/textbooks
Large animal surgery notes
Holy Balls! Castration video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qhdWjnnRNY
Why Spaying Beef Heifers Makes Sense, By Heather Smith Thomas | Oct 03, 2013 https://www.beefmagazine.com/cattle-genetics/why-spaying-beef-heifers-makes-sense
This episode we talk about my gateway animal into the agricultural life starting when i was jsut a wee lass. BUNNIES!
as a belated valentines day episode i talk about how proliferative and beneficial rabbits can be on your homestead. As a source of healhful and green sourced meat they really can be a great asset or introduction to the self sufficent lifestyle.
THE BENEFITS OF RABBIT MEAT
https://www.loeul-et-piriot.com/en/benefits-and-guarantees/benefits-of-rabbit/#:~:text=An%20excellent%20source%20of%20vitamins,than%20chicken%20or%20pork.
Breeding and Reproduction of Rabbits
By Diane McClure, DVM, PhD, DACLAM, Animal Resource Center Veterinary Services
Last full review/revision Aug 2020 | Content last modified Sep 2020
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/rabbits/breeding-and-reproduction-of-rabbits
Hares Can Get Pregnant While Pregnant By Sarah Zielinski
SMITHSONIANMAG.COM
SEPTEMBER 23, 2010
Why Spay or Neuter my rabbit? Some Scary Numbers...
by Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/scary.html#:~:text=A%20single%20female%20rabbit%20can,average%20litter%20size%20is%20six.
In the second episode of the animal reproduction crash course series we cover avian copulation and egg developement.
Yes. I say penis. Get over it.
Its SCIENCE!
First episode in the crash course in animal repro series.
From my experience in people healthcare and livestock i am regularly amazed at how little people understand the miracle of creaitng new life.
This episode i do my best to give a comprehensive explanation of conception, breedings, and stats for most common large animals on the homestead.
Please free to send me your questions as this will be an ongoing series covering conception, healthy pregnancy, post delivery safety, and ways to prevent unwanted breedings.
Bird reproduction and egg development is next episode.
i talk how poeple can catch diseases and swap germs from cows. Touch on some world famous and highly influencing dieases from the past such as the plague. Also share bout a few cases of zoonosis ive personally experienced and then how to prevent getting sick in the first place.
Protect yourself. wash your hands and dont touch you face.
Were talking baout dogs on the homestead yall.
Dogs have been man kinds best friend and partner in crime for eons and this continues even now in the agricultural world.
I touch base on the history of the canine impact in our lives, my own doggos, and what you need to know to make the most of your partner on the farm front.
Walk down memory lane of 2020 here at Fox Run of proud change and growth. Also, covering how I made and will keep the resolutions for 2021.
I dont pretend to be runing a fortune 500 company or that homestead sale cover all my needs but it is at least SELF SUFFICIENT.
This epsiode i cover how i manage my three types of incomes and how cash really is king.
Dave Ramsy financial model has been a fantastic influence. Ramsay's lessons have helped me make responsible decisions as i grow my cottage industry business.
dealing with disappointment is a factor we all must come to accept in life. If you have a life worht living you have expectations and its just facts that we dont get what we always want. Especially in the world of ag.
I am finishing up school, prepping for work full-time, and right now taking care of two properties. So I am just strung out and on my last little preserves of energy.
I'm going to skip this week and bring you a good quality product that y'all deserve next week.
I appreciate your patience and your support. until next time - liz
I talk about emotional hygiene and how to maintain a relatively stable emotional state when dealing with animals, jobs, amongst other things that apply to business and just your life in general.
so this was an experiment I'm in my car part in the background noise but bear with me. if it's tolerable let me know and I will continue that stuff so I can bring you quality programming. thank you
Sorry yall for missing out on last weks podcast. technicaly difficulties prevented me from getting an epsiode out.
This week im talking pigs and why they are not weclome on my homestead. Seriously, i will never have them. Its not even legal for me to get them but let me tell youa ll the reasons why they wont be a part of my production aside from you know the whole kosher thing.
Sources:
Hogs in video game refences
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xbQ2WbTp0E
History of pigs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WkjHyKHyX4
Cost of a pig
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtYLay2DtZI
*homesteady
Raising pig on the homestead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_8jXhRuaoU
Pig farming basics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qaMT-Otj2A
African swine flu death
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/01/opinion/china-swine-fever.html
Pig to human disease
https://iacuc.wsu.edu/zoonoses-associated-with-swine/#:~:text=Erysipelas%2C%20leptospirosis%20and%20streptococcosis%20are,close%20contact%20with%20infected%20pigs.
Pig vaccine schedule
https://www.bi-vetmedica.com/species/swine/industry_support/show_pig/learn/vaccination_timinginsmallpigsandsows.html
This episode i give an intriduction to the now trendy past time of foraging.
Good rule of thumb, if the goat wont eat it, you probably shouldnt either.
Once it was a matter of survival and now hot shot resturants will will source local forage materials. With good pair of shoes and willingness to learn foraging is an important notch in being self reliant.
If you can feed yourself thats a huge source of security and peace of mind.
Good books for reference of identification:
The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable
de Baïracli Levy, Juliette
Botanica: The Illustrated A-Z of Over 10,000 Garden Plants and How to Cultivate Them HF Ullmann, Brand: h. f. Ullmann
Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification by Thomas J. Elpel
Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods
by Thomas Elias and Peter Dykeman
Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not So Wild) Places
by Steve Brill and Evelyn Dean (MY FAVORITE)
Today I cover the issue that can come with goat births and how to help remedy the situation if possible.
disclaimer i am not a vet and these are my personal experiences. Do not take my show as medical advice. Talk to your vet regarding your animal's medical care. Don't sue me.
just a little creepy encounter i had out in the woods.
i dont mention it in here but i havent gone back in there alone.
Idk what it was. still creepy and broke me of wandering alone out there.
......by the way #BigFootisTexan
Its getting colder in the heart of East Texas. Tried calling my northern friends to come get their weather but they said I can keep it, what great friends LOL
With the change of seasons means daily life with change and new circumstances arise that i need to prepare for. This episodes covers what im currently doing to prep for oncoming cold.
winteriscoming
From nursery rhymes to modern video games geese are a easily recognizable and iconic creature.
Wonderful, protective parents and great additions to the homestead.
Used for meat, eggs, or simply guard animals geese are a wonderful options and one of the staples I raise here on Fox Run.
If you are on a farm, ranch, homestead, or just by yourself in an apartment the world, especially how it is right now, can get you down. This is especially felt when pouring your energy into a job or building your homestead where lots of other lives depend on you.
Can be difficult to maintain that good overall health that keeps you level enough to handle days (most of the time) without snapping.
This episode i share how i have managed to stay sane during the quarantine and just managaing day to day life as a lonesteader.
Side note: I touch base on a very helpful online counseling option. The link for that is:
https://www.betterhelp.com/
(i do not receive paid support by from better help. They truly are just a great option)
This episode was done as per request from follower on IG (follow #foxrunfarmstead).
Not exactly homestead related per say but very much an influence in who I am and how i got to be a homesteader. Initially with cosplay, then renaissance faires, culminating in doing 1860s historical reenactment events I was able to test my skills and learned my limits on the short test runs of roughing it. In some cases providing everything myself including the clothes on my back for events.
Let me tell you, nothing makes one appreciate the little luxuries in life like a hot shower or soft bed after wearing 4 layers of garments while crashing in canvas tent for 3 days in backwoods of Louisiana.
Pro Tip: Dont follow the sounds of banjos.
This episode I go into how to address medical emergencies effectively for WHEN they happens.
Reality is they will happen whether its a house cat or an entire herd of heifers something will require immediate medical attention and you need to be prepared for it.
Boils down to know your vet and know your animals. Stay calm and handle your sh*t in the moment. you can cry later.
I share my largest learning experience so far of Navi's recovery after being attacked by a dog.
first interview in wha ti hope to be many to come of my fellow homesteaders, I interview an old friend that ended up in the agricultural and homesteading life as well!
Josh is a Californian lonesteader rebuilding a family ranchette and i have the joy to catch up and pick his brain a little bit.
Enjoy.
Essential pieces that have helped be a lot on my journey of self sufficiency.
These arent just for the ranch life but relevant for apartment life to.
Pro Tip: zip ties. always have zip ties
Covering one of my favorite topics and largest reason for me loving this homestead life I talk today about goats.
They are adorable, smart, personable, and very crafty. After chickens goats are bout the best creature for starter homestead.
Just be prepared to laugh and occasionally wring their necks, after all, kids will be kids.
Took a step into the unknown and went to the sale barn.
I did not come home with a calf and was very proud of myself!
Fun experience and definitely gave me a jumping off point to delve deeper into this amazing community of Ag and Livestock.
Quilting at its core is about bringing mixed pieces together to create a beautiful and functional piece of art that makes one feel at ease.
My love of sewing really comes together when it comes to making #PrettyAndPractical projects such as quilts. From baby blankies to queen sized commissions I've learned quite a bit and had a lot of fun along the way of my two decades of sewing (eek gads im old).
Chickens are a great way to spread your wings when it comes to homestead animals. This episode i lay out a brief history of chickens and how my eggs-perience has gone so far. Its not always perfection around the cluck. At times it does get most fowl but little compares to seeing happy chickens in the yard.
-Liz, the Bird Nerd
(all the puns intended)
Lonesteading requires discipline and time management.
This episode recorded at 10pm relays what my daily schedule is like and why I recorded so late.
Homesteading life work with a full time city job and still work the 10 acres leaves my life very full day with short nights but my heart is always full.
Spoiler: Once you have a homestead every night is a school night.
Today I go into defining what lonestead and farmstead are after going into origins of homesteading.
Quick introduction on how I went from a California town famous for its meth production to deep East Texas raising grass fed beef and pygmy goats.
I go into the greatest influences that helped shape my world view and values.
(No religion or politics. I promise)