The Prairie Homestead

Summary

In this insightful interview with Jill Winger from *The Prairie Homestead*, she shares her journey of building a self-sustaining homestead in Wyoming. From growing her own food to raising animals, Jill discusses the value of hands-on skills and the importance of teaching her children about food production. She also reflects on the rapid growth of her online presence during the pandemic, as more people seek simpler, meaningful lifestyles. Jill’s passion for experimenting, learning through doing, and investing in her local community shines through, making her story both inspiring and relatable for a wide audience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jill Winger is passionate about homesteading, focusing on self-sufficiency, growing her own food, and caring for animals.
• 😀 She believes it's important for everyone, regardless of where they live, to understand where their food comes from and how it's grown.
• 😀 Jill’s homesteading philosophy emphasizes simplicity, such as preparing easy meals like pork chops, steak, or skillet meals with garden produce.
• 😀 Jill is dedicated to passing down practical skills and confidence to her children, ensuring they know how to work with animals and handle various tasks.
• 😀 While Jill encourages her kids to explore their own paths, she wants them to have a solid foundation in homesteading and self-sufficiency.
• 😀 Jill’s blog and brand saw significant growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a surge in interest for homemade bread and self-sufficiency content.
• 😀 Many urban dwellers are looking to simpler lifestyles, with some contemplating a move to rural areas to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
• 😀 Jill and her husband Christian invested in renovating the Chugwater Soda Fountain in Wyoming, aiming to revitalize the community and attract visitors.
• 😀 The Chugwater Soda Fountain is Wyoming's longest-running soda fountain, and Jill hopes it will become a special gathering place for locals and visitors.
• 😀 Jill’s greenhouse is designed to extend the growing season in Wyoming’s harsh climate, with plans to integrate geothermal heating for better food production.
• 😀 Jill embraces a hands-on, experimental approach to life, encouraging others to dive in, learn from mistakes, and not wait for the 'perfect' moment to start something new.

Q & A

What is Jill Winger's approach to homesteading and food production?

Jill Winger emphasizes simplicity in her homesteading approach. She focuses on growing food locally, including vegetables from her garden and the larder, and preparing meals like pork chops, steak, and skillet meals with ground beef and potatoes. Her goal is to increase self-sufficiency through homegrown food.

How does Jill Winger want to influence her children with her homesteading lifestyle?

Jill wants to pass down skills, proficiency, and confidence to her children. She believes that knowing how to grow food and work with animals builds confidence, and regardless of whether they choose to live on a homestead in the future, this foundation will help them understand where their food comes from.

What does Jill hope her audience, both rural and urban, takes away from her content?

Jill hopes her audience gains an awareness of food production and the importance of being conscious about food choices. She advocates for people to understand where their food comes from and to be mindful of the environmental and social aspects of food consumption.

What role did COVID play in the growth of Jill Winger’s brand?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jill's brand experienced unexpected growth. Despite initial concerns that the economy might crash, her blog traffic increased, and videos on topics like bread-making went viral. People were eager for information on food preparation and homesteading during the lockdowns.

What is the Chugwater Soda Fountain, and why did Jill decide to invest in it?

The Chugwater Soda Fountain is a historic restaurant in Wyoming, and Jill, along with her husband Christian, decided to buy and renovate it in April 2021. Their vision is to invest back into Wyoming and create a special place for the local community and visitors to experience the charm of small-town Wyoming.

What unique feature does the Chugwater Soda Fountain offer?

The Chugwater Soda Fountain is notable for being Wyoming’s longest continually running soda fountain. Jill and Christian's goal is to preserve its quirky atmosphere while serving as a place for locals and visitors to enjoy a taste of the small-town experience.

How does Jill balance her multiple responsibilities, including running the Soda Fountain, the homestead, and her online brand?

Jill acknowledges that managing these responsibilities can be overwhelming at times. She emphasizes the importance of outsourcing and hiring the right team members to ensure the workload is manageable. She also believes that if she starts feeling overwhelmed, it's a sign to reevaluate and adjust.

What is Jill’s approach to experimentation and learning in her ventures?

Jill believes in diving in and experimenting even when she doesn't have all the perfect knowledge. She emphasizes the value of learning through doing, making mistakes, and adjusting along the way. This mindset has been crucial in her success with homesteading and business ventures.

What is the purpose of Jill Winger’s greenhouse, and how does it help with Wyoming's growing season?

Jill's greenhouse is designed to extend Wyoming’s short growing season and increase self-sufficiency. By growing food throughout the winter, she aims to counteract the state’s harsh climate and produce more food locally. She also plans to incorporate geothermal heating to enhance the greenhouse's efficiency.

What long-term vision does Jill have for the Prairie Homestead and her brand?

Jill's long-term vision for the Prairie Homestead is to continue building a local footprint and creating opportunities for the community. She hopes to help others think outside the box, become more intentional in their lives, and pursue their dreams, though she doesn't have a specific roadmap for where the brand will be in 10-15 years.