Homesteaders of America

In this episode, physician and scientist Dr. Robert Malone—known for his early work in mRNA vaccine technology—shares the story behind his journey into homesteading. From early farm work to rebuilding a farm in rural Virginia after significant financial setbacks, he reflects on how life on the land has shaped his perspective. Join us for this episode to hear more about his story, his farm today, and why homesteading remains central to his life even alongside a demanding public career. 
In this episode, we cover:
- Robert shares the story behind his homesteading life: early years working on farms and learning practical skills long before his scientific career
- The financial setbacks that impacted him along the way, including major losses during the Great Recession and the decision to start over again
- Finding their current farm in rural Virginia and slowly rebuilding the property from raw hay land
- What life looked like in the early days: living in a construction trailer with no power or water while restoring old farm buildings
- A look at Robert’s current farm today, including horse breeding, orchards, poultry, and a growing collection of livestock
- Why homesteading remains central to his life despite a demanding public career and frequent travel
- How the farm provides perspective and a mental reset from high-pressure work
- Reflections on the values behind homesteading, stewardship of the land, and building a life with intention
View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you to our sponsors!
KubotaUSA.com | Providing the right equipment to keep us moving, shaping, and growing America's farms, fields, and construction
Premier1Supplies.com | Your one-stop shop for a variety of homesteading supplies and expert advice
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Explore Dr. Robert Malone’s website
Check out his books:
- PsyWar: Enforcing the New World Order
- Lies My Gov't Told Me: And the Better Future Coming
- Novel Coronavirus: A Practical Guide for Preparation and Protection
Follow his latest work on Substack
CONNECT
Dr. Robert Malone | Website | X | Media 
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

The homesteading movement is awakening something deeper than a desire for fresh food or self-sufficiency.  In this episode, I sit down with Lucas Mack of Kubota to talk about the spiritual pull drawing people back to the land and back to God.  We explore how working with soil, seed, and stewardship quiets the noise and brings clarity about truth, responsibility, and purpose.  This conversation is a reminder that homesteading is not just a health and lifestyle choice.  It is a return to order, meaning, and building a life according to God’s design.
In this episode, we cover:
- The surprising ways that Kubota’s mission and heart extends far beyond tractors
- How Kubota supports food production, clean water, and land stewardship around the world
- Lucas’s early wake-up call about food security after seeing firsthand how fragile grocery supply chains can be
- How small steps like gardening, foraging, and growing food begin to shift mindset and priorities
- How returning to the land naturally leads people to deeper questions about truth, responsibility, and faith
- Why working with the land forces honesty— things either grow or they don’t, and the reasons matter
- Why modern systems distract us from these questions, while homesteading brings clarity and purpose
- The strong biblical connection between land, stewardship, seed, and human responsibility
- The difference between dirt and living soil, and why healthy soil is central to real regeneration
- A hopeful vision for rebuilding local food systems and stronger communities
- Encouragement to choose life, cultivate hope, and build where God has planted you
View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you to our sponsors!
McMurrayHatchery.com | A wide selection of poultry breeds and supplies to assist you with raising your flock
Nutrimill.com | High-quality small kitchen appliance products that function well, are easy to use, and promote healthy eating
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Visit Kubota’s website
Follow Kubota’s instagram
CONNECT
Lucas Mack of Kubota | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | X
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

Wendy and Karlyn Hartman share how their family turned homestead resources like goat milk, lard, and tallow into effective, traditional skincare products that support true skin health. From simplifying cold-process soapmaking to explaining why animal fats have been trusted for centuries, they break down what actually works and why so many people struggle with modern commercial products. We also dive into Karlyn’s quest to perfect natural deodorant, what makes shelf-stable soap, and the blessing of building a family business centered on growth, unity, and learning through the ups and downs of homestead life!
In this episode, we cover:
- Wendy and Karlyn Hartman’s homesteading journey and how they grew from beginners into educators and business owners- Building a family-run skincare business using resources produced directly on their homestead
- Why traditional animal fats like lard and tallow have been used for centuries in soap and skincareThe key differences between lard, tallow, and modern commercial skincare ingredients
- How goat milk supports skin health, moisture absorption, and barrier repair
- Why many people tolerate animal-based fats better than common plant oils
- A simplified approach to soapmaking that makes it accessible and safe for everyday homesteaders
- What lye is, why it’s necessary, and how it fits into traditional soapmaking
- How cold-process soap cures, how long it lasts, and why it’s shelf-stable
- How Karlyn developed a natural, aluminum-free deodorant after reacting to conventional products
- Encouragement for homesteaders walking through hard seasons and learning through experience
Thank you to our sponsors!
KubotaUSA.com | Providing the right equipment to keep us moving, shaping, and growing America's farms, fields, and construction
Premier1Supplies.com | Your one-stop shop for a variety of homesteading supplies and expert advice
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Purchase Wendy & Karlyn’s book, Soaping Clean with Dairy and Fats from the Homestead
Check out the products mentioned in this episode (and more!) at the Adoratio Farms Online Shop 
CONNECT
Wendy & Karlyn Hartman | Website | Instagram | Instagram
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest
GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE
Watch this episode on YouTube
View full show notes and transcript on the blog

Off-grid living isn’t simply about escaping modern life. It’s about freedom and family. In this conversation with Jeff, we take a practical look at the daily realities of off-grid life, the role of community and financial freedom, and how simple systems and adaptable skills make this lifestyle sustainable long-term. Jeff describes off-grid living as a spectrum, so if there is any part of you that wants to be slightly less reliant on the grid than you are now, join us for this informative episode!
In this episode, we cover:
What off-grid living actually looks like in daily life: power, water, heat

Some specific challenges of off-grid living, from raising chicks to storing food without reliable power

A look at the role of community and shared resources over total self-sufficiency

Why off-grid living is more accessible today than it has ever been

An aspect of off-grid living that we don’t talk about enough– freedom from the financial “grid”

How bartering and alternative forms of currency can strengthen your local community

The simple systems that make off-grid living sustainable long-term

Why it is important to gain skills, adopt a problem-solving mindset, and stay flexible when modern solutions aren’t available

The incredible impact of raising your family close to land, work, and responsibility

View full show notes and transcript on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.
Thank you to our sponsors!
McMurrayHatchery.com | A wide selection of poultry breeds and supplies to assist you with raising your flock
Nutrimill.com | High-quality small kitchen appliance products that function well, are easy to use, and promote healthy eating
ABOUT JEFF
Jeff Burkinshaw is the author of Gridlessness - Finding Freedom Off-Grid and creator behind the Gridlessness Youtube channel. 
Jeff and Rose and their 5 girls have lived the off-grid homestead lifestyle since 2007.  They’ve explored all aspects of home and homestead construction, self-sufficiency, homeschooling, hunting and fishing, wilderness adventures and generally living like millionaires off-grid.
Jeff is an electrical engineering technologist with professional experience in utility scale power systems but has a deep personal interest in small scale micro-hydro and other off-grid power systems.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Grab a copy of Jeff’s book here: Gridlessness: Finding Freedom Off-Grid
CONNECT
Jeff Burkinshaw | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | X
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest

In this compelling conversation, Darin and Monica Strong share what they learned from building their early homestead in the wrong order and how those lessons now shape their approach to preparation, community, and faith. They explore what “building your ark” looks like today— from prioritizing food storage to decentralizing your resources and refusing to homestead in isolation. With bold conviction, they urge us to cultivate discernment in this cultural moment, listen for God’s leading, and remember that growing our faith is the most important step we can take toward being prepared for what is next.
In this episode, we cover:
How Darin & Monica realized they built their first homestead out of order and what they now believe every new homesteader needs

A fresh take on “building your ark”: how Noah’s obedience, timing, and spiritual posture are reflected in the modern homesteading movement

Why long-term food storage is the first layer of peace, not panic, and how one bulk order can jump start your preparedness plan

What happens when you acquire animals before infrastructure (including the milk cow story that changed their plans!)

A call to break out of isolation and rebuild the kind of agrarian, interdependent communities our great-grandparents lived in

How homesteaders are decentralizing their food sources and reclaiming territory

Why homesteading often looks “irrational” from the outside and how that mirrors Noah building an ark before rain existed

Discernment for this cultural moment: knowing when to stay, when to move, and how to listen for God’s voice above the noise

A bold reminder that faith (more than skill, money, or land) is the foundation of resilience in the storms ahead

Encouragement for the families feeling stirred or called into something new and why obedience now matters for what comes next

Thank you to our sponsors!
KubotaUSA.com | Providing the right equipment to keep us moving, shaping, and growing America's farms, fields, and construction
Premier1Supplies.com | Your one-stop shop for a variety of homesteading supplies and expert advice
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Gain access to the conference videos mentioned in this episode by becoming an HOA member
Get a copy of Monica's Azure Standard Pantry Stock List
Find out if there’s an Azure Standard drop near you!
Check out the previous HOA episode with AJ Richards
Snag your REFORMER hat here
CONNECT
Darin & Monica Strong | Website | Instagram | YouTube | X
Homesteaders of America | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest
GET MORE FROM THIS EPISODE
Watch this episode on YouTube:
View full show notes and transcript on the blog: https://homesteadersofamerica.com/e52-before-the-storm-preparing-your-homestead-and-heart-for-what-is-to-come-darin-monica-strong/