Flock Plans, Wild Flowers and More; Homestead Happenings for September 19, 2025 - Ep 1083

Today, I am joined by The Tactical Redneck to discuss updates from the Holler Homestead. Featured Event: Oct 25-26 GSD Weekend at the Eversoles - Join the LFTN Telegram Group to RSVP

Today, we talk about what it takes to organize a real Farm to Table Dinner, as well as cover our usual Monday segments. Featured Event Chainsaw Milling Demo and PotluckSunday at 1 PMBasecamp Lodge, Lancaster, TN Join us for a hands-on chainsaw milling demonstration and community potluck! Bring a dish to share and see how we turn logs into lumber right here at the Holler. Event Details Sponsors AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTN – Helping entrepreneurs, homesteaders, and freedom-minded folks handle taxes the smart way.  HollerRoast.com – Fresh-roasted coffee for doers. Start your day with luxury and get to work. Farm To Table Dinner Tickets, Nov 15 | $125 Community Highlight LFTN Stocking Exchange Time is running out to sign up! We’ll assign your Secret Stocking Santa on November 1, so don’t miss out on this fun community tradition. Sign Up Here Tales from the Prepper Pantry Convenience meals this week: crockpot lamb ribs.  Drying the last round of fall herbs — mint, oregano, and holy basil.  Getting ready to fill the freezers with meat now that it’s almost cold enough to butcher.  Hoping for a venison this year.  Ground meat base for winter meals: beef, pork, and more pork. Weekly Shopping Report No shopping trip this week. Frugality Tip Did you know that if you put something in your online cart at Amazon (and some other online stores), when the price changes they notify you via email. So if you are looking to buy something but it is a little out of your budget, throw it in the cart and you just might be notified when it goes on sale. Also, when looking around on eBay, go ahead and click that heart, a lot of sellers will send you a discounted offer just for liking an item. So have a little patience and wait and see if you can save a few dollars on your next online purchase. Happy savings y'all ~Margo Operation Independence We opened up the Basecamp Airbnb — and one hour later it rented for four days! That single booking covered baseline expenses for the property (though not the mortgage). Still, a solid win toward independence. Main Topic: Organizing a Real Farm to Table Dinner Why We’re Doing One We wanted to show what real farm-to-table actually means — not marketing, not a photo op. A community meal built from what local farmers are actually harvesting right now, cooked by people who understand those ingredients. Why It’s Harder Than a Typical Event This isn’t catered convenience food. The chef has to process everything from raw ingredients, not pre-trimmed or par-cooked product.  Every ingredient is sourced directly from farms, not distributors.  Timing is critical — you plan the menu around what’s in season, not what’s available year-round from a big box store. This is NOT your typical farm-to-table experience. We’re not highlighting one or two local dishes and then filling the rest from Costco. Every ingredient — except the pepper and the coffee (which I roast) — comes from right here in Tennessee. No shortcuts. What Other Farm to Table Events Get Wrong Most are “farm to table” in name only — a token nod to local producers while relying heavily on imported or processed foods. They miss the deeper connection between local abundance, timing, and community. Steps to Organizing One Source the food: Build relationships with local growers and producers.  Find a venue: Needs to be accessible, scenic, and functional for cooking and serving.  Create a semi-flexible menu: Base it on what farmers actually have that week.  Explore legalities: Health codes, insurance, and any required permits.  Add extras: Things like a wild edible walk turn the dinner into an experience.  Sell the tickets: Clear messaging — you’re selling an authentic experience, not a restaurant meal.  Handle logistics the day of: Setup, cooking flow, seating, lighting, cleanup. Customer Experience How do you keep the night flowing smoothly and still make it feel personal?  How do you balance talking about the farms with letting guests simply enjoy the meal?  Scaling the Concept Could this become a recurring or seasonal event?  What lessons are you already learning for next time?  Make It A Great Week.  

  Today, I am joined by The Tactical Redneck to discuss updates from the Holler Homestead: baby kittens, baby ducks, baby rabbits?? and so much more. Featured Event: Chainsaw milling Demo and Potluck: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/2025/10/07/chainsaw-milling/ Sponsor 1: StrongRootsResources.com Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTN Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

  Join me for a group discussion with John Willis of Special Operations Equipment and Jack Spirko of The Survival Podcast. Featured Event: Oct 19 Chainsaw Milling Demo and Potluck: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/2025/10/07/chainsaw-milling/ Sponsors: DiscountMylarBags.com AgoristTaxAdvice,cin/LFTN Show Resources Special Operations Equipment TheSurvivalPodcast.com Living Free in Tennessee NicoleSauce.com HollerRoast.com  Main content of the show Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.  Community FreeSteading Group: https://freesteading.com/groups/living-free-in-tennessee/ Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Twitter: @nicolesauce IG: @nicolesauce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivingFreeInTN  Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

Apparently, we as a society learned nothing two weeks ago about rushing to be the first to present what we think really happened, to build our political agenda into a tragedy, and to move the conversation away from sympathy for those impacted to angrily debating the details of the assault by car and gun, the supposed intentions of the perpetrator – who is deceased by the way and cannot actually confirm or deny – and other completely unrelated things, such as if LDS are or are not also Christians. We’ve lost the plot. BUT statements are not supportive. This is where the anchor question comes in: What is the right thing to do? Featured Event: November 15 Farm To Table Dinner – Join us for a one-of-a-kind evening at the Holler Hub. Fresh food, good people, and real community. Reserve your spot here Thank you to today’s sponsors: StrongRootsResources.com InvestableWealth.com – The Wealthsteading Podcast The outrage cycle: how online reactions to tragedy move immediately to blame, politics, and division. Binary programming: left vs. right, us vs. them — why it’s become the default setting and how it trains us to react in anger. A personal story about tomatoes: clinging to a narrative even when it doesn’t make sense, and what it took to question mine. The anger signal: that flash of anger is not permission to post — it’s your primary sign to pause and ask what the right thing to do is. Practical tools: Admit when you’ve been wrong. Give crises time to develop before hot takes. Share your opinion with care — or hold it until the right time. The better way: you don’t change the world by yelling louder. You change it by stepping out of the game and refusing to feed the machine. Make it a great week!

  Today I am joined by the Tactical Redneck to discuss selling our first ram for another flock, the payoff of homemade “convenience” meals, growing mushrooms for realsies, and more.Featured Event: Self Reliance Festival: SelfRelianceFestival.com Sponsor 1: StrongRootsResources.com Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com/LFTN Ram selling experience and the failed ear tag I get by with a little help from my friends! Mushroom Room - Northspore plus my own grow lights North Spore Martha Tent:  Harvesting Herbs and Drying them Tomato wall is close to the end Rabbit plan: 2 to the boys, and 2 to the freezer for the farm sitter Myles’ limp and trimming nails Weather this week as great for fall seedlings Dingo story and weekend class update Boys on 3rd of 4 paddocks at Basecamp - 1at time through so the fence lines will adjust Tapping the homemade “convenience meals” Roast Duck from Hoff Grid Meat Co Terracing around the swim spa Basil needs processing Duck egg Biochar is back in the holler Holler Neighbors/Community: Eversoles were by for the class Tour update at Caney Fork Farm Finances: Ram $$ went into the cow jar Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

Today I am interviewing Tag from Life Done Free on the Living Free Podcast. He will share strategies for system-proofing your life and we will take your questions. Want to meet Tag in person? He is speaking at The Self Reliance Festival Oct 4-5: SelfRelianceFestival.com. Connect with Tag: https://lifedonefree.com/ Connect with us! TheLivingFreePodcast.com LivingFreeinTennessee.com SelfRelianceFestival.com @nicolesauce on instagram @LFTN on youtube @lftngroup on Telegram

Today I am joined by the Tactical Redneck to talk about flock management, getting ready for a homestead sitter, frolicking in the herb garden and more! Featured event: Biochar Meeting and Small Engine Class: LivingFreeinTennessee.com Sponsor 1: StrongRootsResources.com Sponsor 2: DiscountMylarBags.com Promo the weekend Promo SRF Community - meetup Sunday and class Saturday Caught the rat in the coop - leg caught Boy sheep cleared the 1st paddock well at basecamp Processing the rabbits 2 at a time Breeding the grey one Dingo in tomorrow so we can fill in the failed pond and do other things Frolicking herb collection - winter is coming Visitors this weekend - reset for both Getting set for a homestead sitter Watercress patch looks great right now Peppers are basically done Goldenrod is ready Wildflower bouquet season Duck setting eggs Coyote story Finances: Ram for sale for breeding inquiry Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce. It makes a great Christmas Gift! Community Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Advisory Board The Booze Whisperer The Tactical Redneck Chef Brett Samantha the Savings Ninja Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

Today I am interviewing Spags from MWPP and The Great American Preparedness Tour and Alan Booker from The Institute of Integrated Regenerative Design to talk about building community.  Sponsor 1: Above Phone: https://abovephone.com/?above=104, Coupon Code LiveFreeTN for $50 off Sponsor 2: SelfReliaanceFestival.com Connect with all of us: Spags at MWPP The Great American Preparedness Tour Institute Of Integrated Regenerative Design Make it a great week! GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.  Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link

Ever feel like you are watching the world burn? That is exactly how the Media wants you to feel. Today, Sue Zoldak joins me for a chat about this, Charlie Kirk, and other important things. We will also cover our usual Monday segments. Connect with Sue ZoldakAgency.com Featured Event: Small Motors Maintenance And Repair Class, Saturday at 10 am in Lancaster, TN: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/event/small-engine-maintenance-and-repair-class/ Sponsor 1: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Sponsor 2: The Wealthsteading Podcast, InvestableWealth.com LFTN Stocking Exchange  – Sign Up Today: https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/2025/09/08/lftn-stocking-exchange/ Tales from the Prepper Pantry Fed guests with premade charcuterie sets. Have lamb for sale — just a few sheep left. Gathering herbs for winter remedies and tea blends. Weekly Shopping Report None this week. Frugality Tip None this week. Operation Independence Kicked off a new Resilience Series on the blog: How can we build through hard times? First post is up: Systems Over Everything Main topic – This is a discussion with Sue Zoldak and myself about the Charlie Kirk Assassination, the subsequent reaction and the role media played in it. Most of our discussion centers on the bigger picture problem, as well as what we can do to from here. This is not a play by play break down of the shooting, but rather a discussion about confirmation bias, the incentives of the media and social media, mental health, building community and more. Make It A Great Week.   GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.    Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link