TillAndKeepEpisode2

Summary

Jason interviews his friend Jim, who sold everything 20 years ago to buy a small 1.9 acre debt-free farm in South Carolina and live self-sufficiently. They discuss the disconnect between economy and household, and share stories of the harsh realities they faced transitioning to homesteading, like dealing with angry milk cows. Jason sees the difficult work as an opportunity for grit and character development. By working together with family rather than being wage earners, Jim knows his kids well and they had formative experiences solving problems. They agree homesteading allures families because it promises connection, though the simple life is not actually easy or idyllic.

Takeaways

• 😊 The podcast explores how the severing of economy from household has impacted modern life
• 😮 Jim and Jason decided to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle on a small homestead
• 🏡 They paid off debts first to enable the risk of changing lifestyles
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The homestead lifestyle allows Jim to work together with his family daily
• 🐄 Having a milk cow ties you to the land but provides stability
• 😓 Homesteading brings tough moments that test your commitment
• 🔨 Jim and his sons learned from doing projects together on the homestead
• 🐖 Killing and processing animals is a formative experience
• 🏡 Homestead life gives skills and self-knowledge different from modern economies
• 👪 The goal of homesteading is to connect family with the land and God

Q & A

What was the original meaning of the word 'economy' according to Jason?

The original meaning of the word 'economy' was household management.

Why did Jim feel that suburban life seemed unnatural?

Jim felt suburban life was unnatural because the only thing his household produced was money that he brought home for them to consume. There was no actual production happening in the home.

What was Jim and his wife Lori's dream before they got married?

Before they got married, Jim and Lori had a romantic notion that they would live on a little farm, garden leisurely, have some animals, and Jim would make crafts like wooden toys.

What was the final trigger event that allowed Jim to pursue homesteading full-time?

The final trigger was when Jim's company laid him off, which worked out well since by that point he and Lori had paid off all debts except their mortgage.

What preparations did Jim make financially before shifting to homesteading?

Before shifting to homesteading, Jim and Lori paid off all their debts except their mortgage. They sold their house, bought a cheaper one to have a nest egg for the first year on the homestead.

What were Jim's main farming activities on his 1.9 acre South Carolina homestead?

On his homestead, Jim mainly raised pigs and chickens for meat and had a milk cow to provide dairy.

How did Jim learn skills like slaughtering pigs when he first started homesteading?

Jim learned skills like slaughtering from books he checked out from the local library, through trial and error, and from friends who came to help and work alongside him.

What happened the first time Jim tried to milk his cow Daisy?

The first time Jim tried to milk Daisy, she kicked at him aggressively to show her displeasure. But his wife encouraged him to persist because they needed the milk.

How did working together on the homestead impact Jim's relationship with his kids?

Working together shoulder-to-shoulder on projects on the homestead allowed Jim to get to know his kids well and work with them as equals by the time they left for college.

What does Jason believe is the deeper motivation for most families wanting to start homesteading?

Jason believes most families wanting to start homesteading are not just looking for goods, but actually want to find meaning, connect with each other, and find God.