Maker's Long Acres

Harvest season is unfolding and the nights are growing cooler. This week’s newsletter focuses on comfort and warmth, offering a glimpse into cozy recipes and tips to make the most of the season’s bounty. From hearty dishes to hearty harvests, we’re here to help you savor every moment of fall. Join us in celebrating the harvest and the simple pleasures it brings! Ole Ma's Ramblings.... This time of year always brings a mix of emotions. There’s a certain sadness in watching the vibrant summer days slip away, but also a deep sense of contentment in knowing that we’ve done what we can to prepare for the colder months ahead. The fields are harvested, the barns are filled with hay, and the animals seem to know that it’s time to hunker down and get ready for the winter.   Read Ole Ma's Ramblings Here!  Soup-er News... With cooler weather and cozy gatherings on the horizon, we’re thrilled to offer something special to warm your table. Our popular soup kits, featuring ...

As the days grow shorter and the air takes on a crispness that hints at the coming of fall, I find myself reflecting on the seasons of change. There’s a rhythm to life out here on our little ramshackle farm, one that aligns so closely with the natural world around us. Just as the leaves start to turn and the garden begins its slow fade, I’m reminded that change is an inevitable part of this journey. This time of year always brings a mix of emotions. There’s a certain sadness in watching the vibrant summer days slip away, but also a deep sense of contentment in knowing that we’ve done what we can to prepare for the colder months ahead. The fields are harvested, the barns are filled with hay, and the animals seem to know that it’s time to hunker down and get ready for the winter. But the change isn’t just in the weather or the landscape; it’s in us too. Every season brings with it new challenges, new lessons to learn, and new ways to grow. I’ve been thinking a lot about how, ...

Harvest Holdover: 10 Tips for Preserving Fall's Bounty As the crisp air of fall settles in, we’re reminded of the bounty that comes with the harvest season. Here on the farm, we’re all about making the most of this time, savoring the seasonal changes, and ensuring that the fruits of our labor last well beyond the first frost. There’s a certain rhythm to the harvest, and we embrace it fully, finding ways to capture the essence of the season. From the abundance that nature provides, we’re taking steps to ensure that nothing goes to waste. Whether it's storing, sharing, or savoring, we’re committed to preserving the richness of the harvest in every way possible. As we prepare for the months ahead, these efforts help us carry the warmth of the harvest season into the colder days. Seasonal Transitions : As the weather cools, take the time to transition your garden and farm for the coming winter. Clear out spent plants, mulch your beds, and plant cover crops to protect th...

This week, we’re delving into self-sustainability through livestock production and how it can enhance your homestead. We’re here to support you on this journey with valuable insights and resources. Discover how we can come alongside you to build a more self-sufficient future together! Ole Ma's Ramblings.... As I write during the stillness of this quite morning, I’m reminded of the simple yet profound rhythms of life on our little humble farm. We’ve built this farm life with our hands, guided by faith and the unshakable belief that each step, each moment, is part of a greater plan laid out by the Maker of all things. This week, my thoughts have lingered on the notion of growth—not just the kind you see in the garden or in the animals we raise, but the kind that happens within us...  Read More Ramblings Here Adventure Towards Sustainability... Discover the art of homesteading with our Skill Builder Series. From butchering to cheese making, our casual, hands-on classes off...

Tonight my heart is shattered into a million tiny pieces. How do you even say goodbye?  Today i had to make the choice to love Thistle more than I love myself, knowing that my heart would never, not ever be the same.  Thistle was not just a pig but a teacher of quiet wisdom, wrapped in bristled, curled hide. She was the matriarch, the heart of the herd, with eyes that saw through the seasons of my soul. For nearly a decade, she walked beside me, her presence grounding me in the land we shared. She was best in show not once but  twice—a reflection of her strength, her grace. But those ribbons pale in comparison to the lessons she imparted in the stillness of nights in the barn, early morning feedings, and the every day walks that dominate farm life. It was in the way she turned her gaze toward the horizon, our future, as if seeing something beyond what any of us could fathom. She was the one that started it all.  Today, I said goodbye, though it feels impo...

Animal Appeal: 10 Criteria Assessing the Decision to Raise Food Animals Deciding to raise food animals is a significant commitment that requires careful consideration. Whether you're contemplating adding chickens, goats, or pigs to your homestead, it's essential to evaluate how this decision will impact your family and lifestyle. From time and space requirements to the ongoing costs and responsibilities, understanding the full scope of raising animals is crucial for making an informed choice. As we’ve seen firsthand with our own experiences, raising food animals can be deeply rewarding but also demanding. It’s important to reflect on what your family needs and how much you’re willing to invest in this endeavor. For those contemplating this journey, here are some key factors to consider: Here are 10 things to think about when  determining if raising food animals is right for your family, with a focus on deeper insights: Assess Your Lifestyle : Evaluate how raising an...

Summer is a wonderful time for fresh garden tomatoes, and this Shakshuka recipe takes full advantage of their peak season flavor. With ripe tomatoes in abundance, you can create a deliciously vibrant dish that's perfect for a hearty breakfast or a simple dinner. The key is to use fresh, juicy tomatoes to make the sauce from scratch, but if you’re in a pinch, you can also use one 28-ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes, if fresh is unavailable.  Or heck, use bottled pasta sauce even and jazz it up a bit with whatever fresh ingredients you have on hand! The great thing about this dish is flexibility! You can truly make it yours.  This Shakshuka recipe provides an authentic taste of the Mediterranean and allows you to fully enjoy the flavors of summer produce. Making the sauce from fresh tomatoes might take a bit more time, but it’s well worth the effort for that extra layer of depth and freshness. Whether you choose to make it with fresh tomatoes or opt for canned, thi...

Rambling Thoughts from Ole Ma: As I write during the stillness of this quite morning, I’m reminded of the simple yet profound rhythms of life on our little humble farm.  We’ve built this farm life with our hands, guided by faith and the unshakable belief that each step, each moment, is part of a greater plan laid out by the Maker of all things.  This week, my thoughts have lingered on the notion of growth—not just the kind you see in the garden or in the animals we raise, but the kind that happens within us. Growth that comes from learning new skills, stretching ourselves beyond what we thought possible, and trusting that, even when the path is uncertain, we’re being guided toward something greater. I remember when we were first starting and I was deep into my Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Management courses. Feeling a bit overwhelmed without the mentors I wished for, I vowed to become the guide I didn’t have. Now, as we open our farm to share what ...

Did you know that at Maker's Long Acres, we've spent nearly a decade developing pint-sized pork powerhouses? Our homestead-sized pigs are the perfect option for small homesteads and holdings, providing high-quality and flavorful meat while requiring less space and feed than larger breeds. Our Homestead Hogs  are the result of careful selective breeding, incorporating rare breeds such as the Mangalitsa and Chinese Meishan into our breeding stock. We knew we wanted to create a pig that was smaller and more efficient in terms of feed conversion, while still producing high-quality meat. This was not an easy feat, as we encountered several challenges along the way. For example, we tried several breeds, including the Kune Kune, a traditional smaller butcher pig. However, we found that not all of them were suitable for our goals. The Kune Kune, for instance, were overly fatty, had terrible feed conversion ratios, and giant bones, which made them less desirable in terms of ...

Happy Wednesday Herd Members!  Welcome to this week’s edition of our newsletter! We’re excited to share something close to our hearts: the joy of learning new things. Here at the farm, we believe that growth and exploration are essential parts of life, which is why we’re thrilled to introduce our upcoming Skill Builder Series. Dive into the world of lifelong learning and discover how these opportunities can enrich our lives and equip you with new skills and knowledge. Ole Ma's Rambling...  You know, I've been reflecting on how life is this endless journey of learning. It’s amazing how there’s always something new to uncover, no matter how much we know. Lately, that’s been brought home in a very tangible way. Old Pa, FarmHer Raye and I took on a pretty big project...  Read Ole Ma's Ramblings Here!  Family Favorite ... This week, we're bringing you a family favorite that's been a go-to for years. It started with Hannah when she was just 5 years old and has been loved ...