Episodes

  • Episode 187: How to Preserve Heirloom Seeds and Grow a Resilient Garden

    Episode 187: How to Preserve Heirloom Seeds and Grow a Resilient Garden
    Oct 13 2026

    Seed saving is about far more than collecting a few seeds at the end of the gardening season. It is a practical way to preserve heirloom varieties, strengthen your garden, and keep more control over your family’s food supply.

    In this episode, I’m joined by Christopher and Maggie Snow of Autumn Prairie Pumpkins to discuss seed saving, heirloom pumpkins, hand pollination, pest-resistant squash varieties, and the small suburban garden that grew into a micro farm and seed business.

    Christopher and Maggie explain the difference between heirloom and F1 hybrid seeds—and why seeds collected from a hybrid plant may not produce the same variety the following year. We also walk through their seed-saving process, including covering unopened blossoms, hand-pollinating flowers, preventing unwanted cross-pollination, and labeling the seeds they intend to preserve.

    We also talk about:

    • Why heirloom seeds matter for food security and resilience

    • How to begin seed saving in your own garden

    • The difference between heirloom and F1 hybrid varieties

    • How squash and pumpkins cross-pollinate

    • Using blossom bags and hand pollination to keep seeds true

    • Choosing squash varieties adapted to local pests and conditions

    • Squash vine borers, cucumber beetles, and natural pest-management methods

    • Growing vertically in a small suburban backyard

    • Preserving unusual culinary pumpkins and their agricultural history

    • Turning a passion for gardening into a small farm business

    You do not need acres of land, generations of gardening knowledge, or a naturally green thumb to begin growing food and saving seeds. Sometimes it starts with one stubborn pumpkin plant—and a willingness to learn why it survived when the others did not.

    Learn more about Christopher and Maggie, shop their heirloom seeds, and find their pumpkin cookbook at AutumnPrairiePumpkins.com.

    Use code HOMESTEAD10 for 10% off your order.

    Episode Links

    • The Pumpkin Bakery Book: https://link.amazon/B0coHS4gw
    • Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World: https://link.amazon/B0cuEn6db
    • Guns, Germs, & Steel: https://link.amazon/B02DY7mdr

    Kody's Links

    • Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
    • Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
    • ESA Funding: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/funding/
    • Instagram – https://instagram.com/homestead_education
    • Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
    • Raising Self-Sufficient Kids Book – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/product/raising-self-sufficient-children/
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    57 mins
  • Episode 186: How to Prepare for Rising Gas Prices & Food Shortages

    Episode 186: How to Prepare for Rising Gas Prices & Food Shortages
    Sep 22 2026
    What happens when rising gas prices don't just hurt at the pump—but begin affecting the cost and availability of nearly everything else? In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast, I'm joined by my husband, Ron Hanner, to talk about what higher fuel costs can mean for truckers, farmers, food prices, local businesses, and the supply chain—and, more importantly, what ordinary families can actually do about it. This isn't about preparing for the end of the world. It's about preparing for the unprecedented. A job loss. A power outage. A winter storm. A supply-chain disruption. Rapidly rising gas prices. Or simply discovering that the groceries your family buys every week suddenly cost far more than they did a year ago. Ron and I talk through the ripple effect that fuel prices can have across agriculture and transportation, including the pressure on independent truck drivers and the importance of the trucks that move food, fuel, medical supplies, manufacturing materials, and countless everyday necessities. We also discuss why even a short disruption can expose just how dependent modern communities are on products arriving exactly when they're needed. But most of this episode is about what you can do before you're scrambling. In This Episode: How rising gas prices can increase the cost of food and other necessitiesWhy independent truck drivers are especially vulnerable to major fuel-price increasesWhat a transportation or supply-chain disruption could mean for everyday familiesWhy preparedness doesn't have to mean extreme preppingSimple ways to store drinking waterHow to secure a dependable protein sourceBuying beef, pork, eggs, and milk directly from local farmersSplitting bulk meat purchases with friends or family to lower the upfront costStretching meat across multiple mealsStocking inexpensive staples like potatoes and other root vegetablesPreserving grocery-store produce when your garden doesn't produce enoughSmall-batch canning, freezing, fermenting, and refrigerator picklingWhy you don't need to preserve hundreds of pounds of food at onceHow buying in bulk can make higher-quality food more affordableGetting multiple foods from one ingredient—like turning raw milk into drinking milk, yogurt, cream, butter, or cheeseReducing food waste by creating a more circular household or homestead food systemWhy supporting your local farmer before a crisis matters so much One of the biggest misconceptions about preparedness is that you need a huge pantry, acres of land, or thousands of dollars to get started. You don't. Start with one thing. Buy an extra staple when it's inexpensive. Find someone locally who sells eggs. Split a bulk beef purchase with another family. Learn how to preserve one food your family already eats. Store a little water. Cook an extra portion and put it away. The goal isn't fear. The goal is creating enough margin in your life that the unexpected doesn't immediately become an emergency. We also talk about one of the most important pieces of preparedness that can't be stored on a pantry shelf: relationships. A functioning local food system exists only when local farmers have enough customers to keep producing food. Waiting until grocery shelves are empty to find your local farmer is too late. Supporting those producers consistently helps ensure that farms, ranches, dairies, and small food businesses are still there when your community needs them. And because this is our family, the conversation naturally includes cows getting ready to calve, a chicken tractor that we accidentally built too large to get off the porch, kids who name animals destined for the freezer, plans for a multigenerational family homestead—and Ron abruptly leaving the podcast when his fire department pager goes off. Real life doesn't stop because you're recording a podcast. Neither does the unexpected. The best time to prepare for it is before you need to. Resources Mentioned Visit The Homestead Education for resources on food production, agriculture, preservation, homesteading, and teaching the next generation practical skills. If you have a question you'd like us to answer in a future episode, reach out at hello@thehomesteadeducation.com. And until next week—keep growing. Episode Links Hanner Homestead: https://www.hannerhomestead.comHanner Homestead Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehannerhomesteadRedmond's Real Salt: https://glnk.io/oq72y/homestead-educationEpisode 148: Homesteading on a Budget: Practical Tips to Grow Self-Sufficiency with Less Money: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/episode-148-homesteading-on-a-budget-practical-tips-to-grow-self-sufficiency-with-less-money/Episode 119: Are you sustainably prepared?: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/episode-119-are-you-sustainably-prepared/ Kody's Links Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculumHomestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/...
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    49 mins
  • Episode 185: How I Actually Get It All Done on a Homestead

    Episode 185: How I Actually Get It All Done on a Homestead
    Sep 15 2026

    In this episode, I’m answering one of the questions I get asked all the time: How do I get it all done?

    Between running a homestead, raising livestock, homeschooling, managing multiple businesses, traveling, running a co-op, and keeping up with a very full household, the real answer is—I don’t do it all.

    I’m sharing what actually helps me keep things moving: delegating, building systems, choosing priorities, managing the mental load, using tools that work with my brain, knowing when to hire help, and accepting that sometimes “good enough” really is good enough.

    I also share plenty of real-life homestead chaos along the way—from new piglets and heritage hogs to chicken disasters, ducks, harvest season, and the reality of trying to prepare for winter while running a business.

    If you’ve ever felt like you’re working constantly but somehow still falling behind, this episode is for you.

    Episode Links

    • Autumn of the Homestead Activity Book: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/product/seasons-on-the-homestead-autumn-educational-activity-book/
    • Hanner Homestead: info@hannerhomestead.com
    • 80/20 Rule Book: https://amzn.to/4AeMfTl
    • The Gut Health Product That Changed My Life: https://shareplex.us/share/8qE7_VL

    Kody’s Link

    • Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
    • Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
    • ESA Funding: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/funding/
    • Instagram – https://instagram.com/homestead_education
    • Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
    • Raising Self-Sufficient Kids Book – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/product/raising-self-sufficient-children/
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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • Episode: 184 Part 2: Good Food and Stubborn Wives | Living a Natural Life After a Terminal Diagnosis

    Episode: 184 Part 2: Good Food and Stubborn Wives | Living a Natural Life After a Terminal Diagnosis
    Sep 8 2026

    Kody Hanner and Ron Hanner share a raw, practical story about marriage, parenting, homesteading, and rebuilding health after Ron was told he had end-stage liver disease and might have only a year to live. What follows is a story of fear, grit, and gradual change that led their family to rethink food, home life, and what it means to fight for one another. This episode matters because it connects nutrition, mindset, family systems, and healing in a way that feels lived in rather than theoretical.

    In this episode:

    • Kody and Ron explain how they met, blended two families, and quickly built a new life together in Oregon
    • Ron describes the shock of being told he was "a little cirrhotic" and later diagnosed with compensated end-stage liver disease at 35
    • They talk through the emotional fallout, including fear, withdrawal, PTSD, and the strain the diagnosis put on the marriage
    • Kody shares how the doctor’s vague advice to pursue a more natural lifestyle became the first thing she could grab onto
    • They break down the drastic changes they made to food, including cooking from scratch, avoiding preservatives, and sourcing cleaner ingredients
    • The move to homesteading in North Idaho becomes a major turning point as they begin producing more of their own food
    • Ron explains how he managed chronic pain and disability through a spinal cord stimulator instead of narcotics
    • They discuss homeschooling, family meetings, chore systems, and how they learned to make the whole household part of the process
    • Kody and Ron share how they moved toward cleaner living with homemade cleaners, tallow and lard, fewer artificial scents, and more herbal remedies
    • The episode closes on their broader message: be proactive, be intentional, and do not hide from the hard things

    Ron's Links

    • Hanner Homestead: www.hannerhomestead.com
    • Hanner Homestead IG: www.instagram.com/thehannerhomestead
    • Hanner Homestead FB: www.facebook.com/thehannerhomestead
    Kody's Links
    • Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
    • Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
    • Instagram – https://instagram.com/homestead_education
    • Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
    • Raising Self-Sufficient Kids Book - https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/product/raising-self-sufficient-children/
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    53 mins
  • Episode: 183 Good Food and Stubborn Wives | Living a Natural Life After a Terminal Diagnosis

    Episode: 183 Good Food and Stubborn Wives | Living a Natural Life After a Terminal Diagnosis
    Sep 1 2026

    Kody Hanner and Ron Hanner share a raw, practical story about marriage, parenting, homesteading, and rebuilding health after Ron was told he had end-stage liver disease and might have only a year to live. What follows is a story of fear, grit, and gradual change that led their family to rethink food, home life, and what it means to fight for one another. This episode matters because it connects nutrition, mindset, family systems, and healing in a way that feels lived in rather than theoretical.

    In this episode:

    • Kody and Ron explain how they met, blended two families, and quickly built a new life together in Oregon
    • Ron describes the shock of being told he was "a little cirrhotic" and later diagnosed with compensated end-stage liver disease at 35
    • They talk through the emotional fallout, including fear, withdrawal, PTSD, and the strain the diagnosis put on the marriage
    • Kody shares how the doctor’s vague advice to pursue a more natural lifestyle became the first thing she could grab onto
    • They break down the drastic changes they made to food, including cooking from scratch, avoiding preservatives, and sourcing cleaner ingredients
    • The move to homesteading in North Idaho becomes a major turning point as they begin producing more of their own food
    • Ron explains how he managed chronic pain and disability through a spinal cord stimulator instead of narcotics
    • They discuss homeschooling, family meetings, chore systems, and how they learned to make the whole household part of the process
    • Kody and Ron share how they moved toward cleaner living with homemade cleaners, tallow and lard, fewer artificial scents, and more herbal remedies
    • The episode closes on their broader message: be proactive, be intentional, and do not hide from the hard things

    Ron's Links

    • Hanner Homestead: www.hannerhomestead.com
    • Hanner Homestead IG: www.instagram.com/thehannerhomestead
    • Hanner Homestead FB: www.facebook.com/thehannerhomestead
    Kody's Links
    • Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
    • Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
    • Instagram – https://instagram.com/homestead_education
    • Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
    • Raising Self-Sufficient Kids Book - https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/product/raising-self-sufficient-children/
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    48 mins
  • Episode 182: Agriculture, food policy, and county fair lessons from a summer on the homestead

    Episode 182: Agriculture, food policy, and county fair lessons from a summer on the homestead
    Aug 19 2026
    Kody Hanner shares a solo episode that mixes personal life updates from a wildfire-filled summer with a practical rundown of major agriculture and food safety headlines. She also closes with a long reflection on county fairs, 4-H, and how local agricultural education shapes capable, community-minded kids. In this episode, Kody connects homestead life, livestock management, food policy, and youth ag education into one big picture of how agriculture touches daily life far beyond the farm. She also explains why she thinks local food systems matter more than ever when large-scale supply chains, regulations, and public health issues all collide. Key topics Kody explains how a major wildfire near her home pulled most of her family into fire duty for much of the summer, leaving her to run the farm, the business, and the home largely on her own.She gives a homestead update, including 31 piglets across four litters, her mixed pig breeding program, and her goal of growing Hanner Homestead into a recognizable source of quality heritage pork.She talks about a new Brown Swiss bull calf, A2A2 testing, and how that information helps shape long-term dairy and beef management decisions.Kody shares poultry plans for the year, including raising meat birds later than usual and using new Idaho laws to make direct retail sales easier.She introduces her homemade udder balm, which she says has become a practical chafing cream for firefighters and may soon be offered more broadly.We discuss the Cargill and Tyson meatpacking antitrust and price-fixing settlement, and Kody breaks down how monopolistic control can squeeze farmers while raising consumer prices.She covers a feedlot study that found unexpected lactation in some cattle and heifers, then walks through possible causes, including hormone implants, high-concentrate grain diets, plant estrogen activity, and mold exposure.Kody reviews the tension between commercial feedlot management and her own preference for grass-fed livestock and smaller-scale production decisions.She provides an educational explanation of recent food safety outbreaks, including Cyclospora and Salmonella cases linked to produce, and emphasizes how contamination can occur at many points in the supply chain.She explains the difference between common public assumptions about imported produce and the actual layers of certification, inspection, sanitation, and testing that major food systems use.Kody discusses the effort to define ultra-processed foods more clearly and the push to reform the GRAS system, which allows certain additives to bypass deeper review.She highlights ingredients and additives she sees as problematic, including BHA, BHT, azodicarbonamide, red dye number two, brominated vegetable oil, and other questionable compounds.The episode closes with a detailed look at county fairs as agricultural education, community infrastructure, youth development, and a major economic force in rural life. Episode Links Udder Balm Recipe: https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/udder-balm/The Cargill Lawsuit: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-judge-rules-beef-purchasers-can-pursue-price-fixing-class-actions-2026-07-17/Lactating Steers: https://members.acresusa.com/lactating-steers-hormonal-implants/FDA Outbreak Updates: https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-multistate-outbreak-cyclospora-illnesses-iceberg-lettuce-july-2026GRAS definition: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-ingredients-packaging/generally-recognized-safe-gras Homestead Education Links Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculumHomestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/Instagram – https://instagram.com/homestead_education Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Episode: 181 How to Teach Your Kids Home Economics | Real-Life Skills That Build Confident, Capable Adults

    Episode: 181 How to Teach Your Kids Home Economics | Real-Life Skills That Build Confident, Capable Adults
    Jul 28 2026
    How do you teach home economics when most schools don't?

    For many families, home economics has become a forgotten subject. But cooking, sewing, meal planning, budgeting, gardening, and creating with your hands are the very skills that build confidence, resilience, and independence.

    In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast, Kody Hanner sits down with Jessica Clark of The Lark Life to discuss why practical life skills deserve a place alongside traditional academics—and how families can begin teaching them today.

    Jessica shares how teaching her children to cook, sew, quilt, and create has transformed their confidence and given them ownership over their education. Together, they explore why children were designed to be creators rather than passive consumers, and how giving kids meaningful responsibilities helps them develop problem-solving skills that last a lifetime.

    Whether you homeschool, attend public school, or simply want to raise more capable kids, this conversation offers practical encouragement for bringing home economics back into everyday family life.

    In This Episode
    • Why home economics is making a comeback
    • Teaching cooking, sewing, quilting, and practical life skills
    • Helping children become creators instead of consumers
    • Building confidence through responsibility and hands-on learning
    • Why mistakes are one of the best teachers
    • Raising kids who contribute to the family instead of simply being entertained
    • Teaching boys and girls the same practical skills
    • Creating a home where learning happens naturally
    • Jessica's new Foundations in Quilting curriculum for homeschool families
    • What "Keep Growing" means and why lifelong learning matters
    Key Takeaways
    • Home economics is about far more than cooking—it's about preparing children for adulthood.
    • Kids gain confidence when they're trusted with real responsibilities.
    • Creativity, problem-solving, and resilience are learned by doing, not by watching.
    • Families don't need expensive equipment or perfect conditions to begin teaching practical skills.
    • Some of the most meaningful education happens around the kitchen table, in the garden, or beside a sewing machine.
    Jessica Clark's Links
    • Jessica Clark – The Lark Life: www.TheLarkLife.com
    • Foundations in Quilting homeschool curriculum (get 20% off with code HE20): https://quilt-lab.teachery.co/foundations-in-quilting-semester-1?a=eaAH2dFT
    • Beginner sewing resources and machine basics: https://amzn.to/45caVhj
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_lark_life/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577853711059
    Kody Hanner's Links
    • Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
    • Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/
    • Instagram – https://instagram.com/homestead_education
    • Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
    Subscribe

    If you're passionate about raising capable kids, practical agriculture, and real-world education, be sure to follow The Homestead Education Podcast. Each week, we share conversations that help families reconnect with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive—whether you live on a farm, in town, or somewhere in between.
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    43 mins
  • Episode 180: How Hands-On Experience Transforms Future Farmers and Ranchers with Trent Van Leuven

    Episode 180: How Hands-On Experience Transforms Future Farmers and Ranchers with Trent Van Leuven
    Jul 21 2026

    In a world increasingly driven by screens, automation, and artificial intelligence, hands-on learning has never been more important. In this episode, agricultural educator Trent Van Leuwen shares how experiential learning, field trips, student entrepreneurship, and real-world agricultural experiences are helping students develop problem-solving skills, resilience, and career readiness. Whether you're a homeschool parent, teacher, or agriculture advocate, this conversation offers practical ideas for bringing meaningful hands-on education to today's students.

    Key Topics:

    • Trent's background growing up on a dairy farm and his journey into agricultural education
    • Differences between urban/suburban and rural agricultural experiences
    • The importance of vocabulary and foundational knowledge in agriculture
    • Unique programs at Mackey High School, including fish hatcheries, greenhouse projects, and fish monitoring
    • The role of community, authenticity, and passion in effective farm tours and field trips
    • Strategies for teaching ag without traditional farm access, including creative lab solutions
    • The significance of teaching financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career pathways in ag
    • Cross-disciplinary collaborations between ranchers and fish biologists to promote sustainable practices
    • The impact of experiential learning on students’ future careers and community involvement
    • The "Keep Growing" philosophy about overcoming failures and continuous learning

    Connect with Trent

    • Take a Little Field Trip (Book) - https://amzn.to/4fq3CXE
    • Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/p/Trent-Van-Leuven-Educator-Author-61580158103061/
    Podcast Links and Resources
    • Homestead Education Curriculum – http://thehomesteadeducation.com/homesteadeducationcurriculum
    • Homestead Family Reading List – https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/homestead-summer-reading-list/

    Kody's Links

    • Instagram – https://instagram.com/homestead_education
    • Facebook – https://facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation
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    50 mins