Living in the Land of Milk and Honey Podcast ONL075

Rashel and Andrew Harris are a young homesteading couple in Texas expecting their first baby in June. Rashel discovered the Weston A. Price Foundation and nutrient-dense food after buying a copy of Nourishing Traditions. After a period of seeking out nutritious food from local farmers throughout Texas, they decided to start producing their own closer to home on their 66 acres. They are eating great now, becoming self-sufficient, and loving their new lifestyle. Jon and I really enjoyed talking with them and hearing about their journey.

It was so exciting to hear from Rashel and Andrew about how Sally Fallon’s book literally changed their lives as they began to think about where their food came from and purchase directly from farmers. In their frustration in finding nutrient dense food, they realized that they could take charge of their food by producing it on their land. In a community where free ranging cows are the norm, growing vegetables, meat chickens, and keeping a milk cow is not. They have been inspired by Podcasts and learned to make their own soap and other needs on the farm.

One thing I really admire about Rashel and Andrew is the way that they have embraced and applied their new found information and they way they are eager to share with and teach to others.

Rashel followed a pre-pregnancy diet rich in vitamins A and D in order to achieve health prior to conception. For example, Sally Fallon states that pastured eggs contain 8x more Vitamin D than a grocery store egg. And vitamin K2 from the green grass Rashel’s cow is eating puts K2 into the raw milk. This prevents calcification of arteries and improves brain function, Sally says. Real foods are those that you hunt, pick, fish, dig, or milk. Rashel is doing her share of these activities!

Rashel attributes the easy pregnancy she is experiencing to eating real, nutrient dense food and tells her friends she will be hoeing the garden with baby in tow like a real farm woman soon! Nothing is going to slow her down. Rashel and Andrew recently started a website where you can track their journey. Be sure to book mark it so you can check back in the future. I encouraged Rashel to consider serving as a chapter leader for the Weston A. Price Foundation in her part of Texas. She would be a great resource for the community and such an articulate and passionate spokesperson.

Jon and I have been very busy this spring. We’re planting our first large garden – 1/10th of an acre – with organic vegetables. I’m replanting our raised bed gardens. We now have three breeds of heritage rabbits in a 16X24 foot lattice rabbit barn. They are reproducing nicely and selling quickly. We’re excited at the prospect of helping other heritage farms get started with rabbits. We’re learning about biodynamic methods and permaculture principles to apply to the farm. And we attended a vermiculture class to learn how to incorporate worm beds under our rabbit cages. Such fun!

Our English Shepherd Cody and shelties Nicky and Sheila were recently treated to a special bath thanks to Natural Affinity Soap. Our groomers loved the way the soap lathered and it left their fur clean and soft. Even better, we have not seen any fleas or ticks on them in a month! This is a small company that makes quality products artisan style. You can follow them on facebook.

The big struggle for me right now is record-keeping and book keeping. It is hard to find time to get into my office and get organized when there is so much to do outside in the fresh air and sunshine. By the time it is dark I am exhausted and ready for bed. We were fortunate to get an intern to move into our new barn apartment to help with the garden and chores so hopefully I’ll apply some discipline to these tasks soon and get a handle on things.

I was recently reflecting on how much my life has changed in the last 11 months. It is almost a year since I retired from my teaching career and began farming. I have learned so much, met so many wonderful new people, and reconnected with my passion for animal husbandry, breeding, and sales. Even though I taught for 33 years, I can hardly picture myself in a classroom today. What a stark contrast in my new lifestyle. And how little I miss.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:15:52 — 34.7MB)