TOP TOOLS FOR HOME BUTCHERING - What do you really need?

Today we’re talking home butchering with Andy & Doug from Hand Hewn Farms. What tools are necessary (hint - if you’re going frugal the list is short), what tools are helpful, and what gadgets really aren’t very helpful at all. Home butchering can save money plus you get the cuts you want - and you make sure you keep all of the parts you want! But it’s not for the faint of heart. Having proper tools is a big part of your success. Spoiler alert: Their #1 tool is a good knife - and not what you would expect. I was surprised to hear them say they prefer a knife made of high carbon steel which is exactly what Gene makes at Common Ground Bladesmith! If you want a quality knife to use around the homestead - that will double as a really good butchering knife, too - check out his selection! https://commongroundalaska.com/product-category/common-ground-bladesmith/ We also chatted a bit about the 2-day course they will be teaching this year at the Alaska Homestead Expo. They will be sharing how to butcher large game and livestock with a demonstration on butchering a pig from snout to tail. Enjoy the podcast and be sure to grab your expo tickets because it’s a show you do not want to miss! https://commongroundalaska.com/alaska-homestead-expo/

Today I had the opportunity to talk with James from Pluck Seasonings. I met James this summer at the Modern Homesteading conference and got to not just try Pluck but I also got to learn about the passion and mission behind his product. Want to know what makes his seasonings great? They are made with organ meat. Seriously. Pluck is like seasoning salt on steroids because they use only the best salt, responsibly sourced herbs and spices - and organ meat. Now if you’re like me and have been hearing all your life how you should be eating organ meat but aren’t quite ready to jump into liver and onions then this might be just the right answer for you. However, this isn’t a sales pitch for James’ business. I learned so much and was so encouraged listening to James as he told his story and helped me truly understand the “why” behind organ meats. Give it a listen and let us know what you think. And check out Pluck: eatpluck.com

Oh my word - what a WONDERFUL conversation I had with Ellen today and I can hardly wait to share it with you! If you have any desire to garden in Alaska, you need to listen to this podcast because it’s packed with time-tested Alaska gardening wisdom! Note: If you’re listening to the podcast, you may want to jump over to YouTube to watch this one because there are some really good graphics in it but even if you just get the audio, you’re sure to be encouraged! Also, Ellen is leading a 6-week gardening course starting in February that is going to help you “grow” in skill and passion. Think of all the food you’ll learn to grow! Link to Palmer Class: https://commongroundalaska.com/product/regenerative-gardening-in-alaska-palmer/ Link to Wasilla Class: https://commongroundalaska.com/product/regenerative-gardening-in-alaska-wasilla/ Space is limited in both so be sure to sign up in plenty of time!

In this podcast, Kelli Foreman shares her experience of first becoming a dairy farm in Alaska, then moving to a Grade A Dairy, then moving back to the raw milk space. If you want to be encouraged about farming in Alaska, this is a podcast you do not want to miss! Kelli owns a small farm in Kodiak called The Last Small Farm (formerly Kodiak Goat Dairy). She is also one of the keynote speakers at the Alaska Homestead Expo this April! Kelli not only shares her farm story, but she gets personal and talks about the importance (and health benefits) of real food and supporting local farms. This was one of my favorite podcasts to record and I think you’ll find yourself smiling and encouraged every second of the way! Also, if you want to hear Kelli some more, you can find her at the Alaska Homestead Expo where she will deliver a keynote titled: The Realities of Farming in Alaska: Stories That Will Make You Think. You can learn more about the expo and get your tickets here: https://www.tixtree.com/e/2025-alaska-homestead-expo-893d3c7f872c Also, be sure to check out Kelli’s Instagram page @alaskagoatdairy

In today’s podcast, we talk with Darryl Patton AKA The Southern Herbalist (and also 2025 Alaska Homestead Expo speaker). Although he now specializes in herbal remedies using southern plants, Darryl is a former Alaskan and he knows Alaska plants! Today’s topic is Chaga - we’ve all heard of it but there are many unknowns. Darryl shares his favorite ways to use chaga (from a continuous tea brew for everyday health to a double extraction for use when you have severe dis-ease. Grab a pencil and paper because you’re going to want to take lots of notes on this one! Darryl is going to be speaking at the 2025 Alaska Homestead Expo on April 4-6. Darryl’s topics include: - Herbs for Pandemics; Past, Present, and Future - Medicinal Mushrooms - Special Herbal Formulas for Common Ailments - Modern and Folk Medicine - how Chemistry Validates Traditional Remedies Grab your expo tickets here: https://www.tixtree.com/e/2025-alaska-homestead-expo-893d3c7f872c

In today’s episode of the podcast, I share some thoughts about common mistakes Alaskans make when buying (and planting) their orchard plants. Listen, buying quality plants that will thrive here can be an expensive and time-consuming project but we’re here to help you make sure your investment is “fruitful” and that you can enjoy the “fruits” of your labor for years to come! As a nursery, we’ve seen and heard stories of mistakes that well-meaning Alaskans make, simply because they didn’t know any better. Things like buying the wrong variety for your area, not getting the correct rootstock, or even not buying proper pollinators. If you have any intention of buying any kind of orchard plants this year, I highly encourage you to give this podcast a listen. As always, we do ask that you click follow - every follow helps support our little farm and it doesn’t cost you a thing Also, did you know that our plant presale is currently happening! Prices are in effect until December 31 - lock in the better price and ensure you will have everything for your orchard this summer! https://commongroundalaska.com/product-category/plants-shrubs-trees-bushes/

If you're an Alaskan you may find yourself wondering how to source truly healthy foods and household items that we can't grow or make here. I completely get it. It is a frustration of mine, too! Today I had the opportunity to visit with David Stelzer, owner and founder of Azure Standard, and what an incredible interview! We talked about a bit of everything including how Azure got started, why their canning jars are made in China (listen up - the answer will surely surprise you), how Alaskans can use Azure as their main source of groceries after buying local, and so much more! (If you're interested in learning more about Azure Standard, create an account here: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=1tgPd1lZHA and check it out. Take time to compare everything. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!)A few quotes that really resonated with me: REGARDING SUBSTANDARD CARAB:"We found that it was impossible so we had to do it ourselves." "We built our own carab factory - we were the only organic carob manufacturer in the country!"REGARDING A PRODUCT THAT STARTED INCLUDING A GMO INGREDIENT"I couldn't continue to sell it and pretend it's not happening.""We are not going to sacrifice our soul for growth." There are so many more awesome nuggets but I would encourage you - just give it a listen. Create your free Azure Standard account here: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=1tgPd1lZHALeave a comment: What is your favorite product from Azure Standard? 

Have you ever made a bucket list? I honestly haven’t but when we were traveling this week I found myself with lots of time to ponder and pray about the winter and to start thinking ahead. I also realized that oftentimes I make goals in my head but I never write them down and I seldom accomplish them. At first I thought about just making a list of goals but then the idea of a bucket list came up and I thought that sounded like tons more fun. So here is my list! I would love a reply - what inspired you? What would you add to this list? Oh! And if you’re interested in Azure Standard, check out this link: https://www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=1tgPd1lZHA Let’s make this winter a wonderful one filled with cozy moments and lots of memories!

This week we get to talk with Margaret Loew of Wholy Living - Margaret is a powerhouse when it comes to learning about - and getting set up for - whole grains! What a wonderful resource we have right here in the valley! In this show, she talks about the benefits of whole grains and how you can use them to increase your health. So much good and helpful information! One thing I love about Margaret is her unbounding energy. She also knows so much about grains - it's incredible! Also, she loves to teach and share what she knows. She's an incredibly generous and thoughtful person - you're going to learn a lot! Margaret is having her semi-annual grain sale right now! If you want an incredible price on things like whole grains to sprout and mill, equipment to use to mill grains, make bread, and more - or if you're looking for baking supplies like chocolate chips that only have quality ingredients - check out Margaret's site. Enjoy the show - I bet you learn something new! Check out Margaret's sale here: https://wholyliving.com/shop/

With the passage of the new farm bill, HB251, it seems there are more questions than answers so I figured the best thing to do was to download the bill and the summary, study it, and then talk to the folks who wrote and helped pass the bill. In this interview, I talk back and forth with both Rep. Kevin McCabe who was a key player in making helping get this bill through to pass and Rep. George Rauscher who actually wrote the original bill. I don't necessarily feel all of the questions were answered but there is some clarity in this podcast and I do also want to encourage you to download the bill and the summary itself before you make any changes to your cottage food business or your meat share program. Link for HB251: https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Text/33?Hsid=HB0251A Link for summary: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/584221c6725e25d0d2a19363/t/65ea2be814b5de2e518d0352/1709845480517/ANALYSIS+OF+HB+251.pdf