I would add to your words, Jess, to say that it’s never too late! I am 70; my fiancé is 82, we will get married in early Spring, and we plan to be as self-sufficient as possible on his property. We are both gardeners, both have experience with preserving food and cooking from scratch, and using herbal remedies, and more. We are very excited to team up and see what we can do to grow the majority of our food, provide some for our families, and store enough to get us through the winter. You have been such an inspiration and encouragement to me for this journey! ❤

@susanmcconnell6041

6 ай бұрын

BEST WISHES AND ABUNDANT BLESSINGS FOR TWILIGHT DREAMS!!! 🥰

@pathoward5721

6 ай бұрын

Congratulations, it’s never too late to be happy together ❤❤❤😊

@jeannenemmyers6580

6 ай бұрын

Congratulations. We celebrated our 51st anniversary last June. There's always something to do, to learn, and ways to grow, if you rely on each other to be your rock. Jesus is always first, but my husband is second. That's what has worked for us. Wishing you many happy years together and sincere congratulations on your upcoming marriage.

@daughterofTheLion

6 ай бұрын

Congratulations! Gives me hope! A widow since 2005, 69 years old, and still believing that there is someone for me.

@gardenstatesowandsew

6 ай бұрын

This is awesome and congratulations in advance on your marriage ♥️

This so hit home…I’ve been working my ass off 8yrs in regenerative farming…finally got the opportunity for land…and it just fell through…passion does cause heartache…its also what gets us back up and moving forward again.❤️ Thank you Jess…this helped…that’s a gift❤️

@AmandaSmith-qx4co

6 ай бұрын

Hi jess happy birthday I live in Calgary Alberta Canada

@unnamed2737

6 ай бұрын

I feel for you. It’s been 5 years for me, several properties fell through, two were taken from me under the radar by the real estate agent. It sucks.

@appalachiannana7975

6 ай бұрын

You my dear are a very wise young lady beyond your years!! Happy Birthday 🎉🎉🎉hope it's so very wonderful!

@theresekirkpatrick3337

6 ай бұрын

Happy birthday

@Minnesotayankee

6 ай бұрын

Sound like you need to start a KZread channel. ❤ I’d watch it

I was raised on a farm, and we were very poor. If we didnt grow it or raise it, we didnt eat. We didnt have indoor plumbing nor electric, and had a pot belly stove for wood and coal heat, and cooking. We were country, through and through. We learned all the survival skills, as necessities. My Mom passed away last year, at age 91. My Dad passed a month ago today, at nearly 94. I'm over 70 years old, and the second of eight kids. One of my brothers is only 6 years younger than I, but had things much easier than I. He didnt have to work in the gardens or fields as much as I. He didnt have to take care of the livestock as much as I. He didnt have interest in learning those things, either. I was absolutely and totally shocked, aghast, as my siblings were cleaning stuff out of our parents' home. The 'youngers' took it upon themselves to get a dumpster and almost gleefully throw away 100s of jars of my Mom and Dad's home canned foods, and many 100s of empty jars, and many jars of home dehydrated herbs, fruits, and veggies, and a couple freezers full of food. I was so upset!! 'MY' parents scrimped, pinched pennies, and did without, so those younger kids wouldnt have to work so hard on the farm, and THAT is the 'respect' they showed!?!?! I told them that our parents would be so hurt and disappointed in them. I wasnt able to salvage what was destroyed in the dumpster, but I was able to prevent more from being tossed. I loaded stuff for me, got a few of my country neighbors to get stuff, got some more friends to come get stuff, and tried to honor my parents with being a better steward over what they had worked so hard for. It really broke my heart. And I'm the only sibling who seemed bothered by it. I dont think I shall have the same relationship with any of them again. One of them made a disparaging comment about me being 'just like Mom.' Our Mom was a good, God-fearing Christian lady, and my Dad was a minister, whom she helped with everything. If I can be only a fraction of what my Mom was, then that is okay. When I do my veggie garden; when I work in my orchards; when I preserve my harvests; when I play in my flower gardens; when I call my chickens, and collect,their eggs; my Mom and Dad are right there with me. I pray I CAN give them the honor and respect they earned through their hard work on our behalf. I'm grateful that they were my Mom and Dad, and that they taught me so much self reliance. Thank you, Jess, for your message, and forgive me for 'venting' here. I appreciate you! 🥰

@heavenbound45

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your story. It was very moving. I believe many are alone when it comes to biological family. I know I am and have been for 40 years.

@hitthacienda

6 ай бұрын

God bless you.

@Naturegirl55

6 ай бұрын

Just had a similar experience. God Bless you! God help the "youngins" and open their eyes!🙏

@tomdixon7264

6 ай бұрын

What a disheartening thing for your siblings to do. I'm glad you were able to stop the waste and pass things along to others who could make use of them. It really is a sad thing seeing people who should know better just throw things away. I felt bad having to throw stuff away when cleaning out my ex husband's low-income rental, but I was not in a position to be able to take ALL that stuff and clean it up. He also had tons of food that was expired, as he suffered from dementia/anxiety. What a waste, people could have used that food but the food bank doesn't take expired stuff. We did drop off what we could though.

@camicri4263

6 ай бұрын

What a shame! They will think diferently when times will get hard and find themselves with not much food and no skills! So unfurtunate, that hard work is not appreciated anymore! People think that they deserve everything, I have news for them, nothing is free and no one will give you stuff for free especialy when times get tough! Blessings! Just forgive them because they don't know what they are doing!

Jessica, I am 76, my wife 72, we have been trying to tell the younger generation this is how to live , they don’t listen, so we shared your video to Facebook in hopes at least one young person learns from this! You are amazing! Semper Fi

@kcsunshine2948

6 ай бұрын

Love this. This is me in my 50’s and how I dream to continue into my seventies and beyond. Blessings to you both.

@lillie8420

5 ай бұрын

If this makes you feel any better about it, I am a 15 year old gen z, and I am planning to start up my own garden this year at a much larger scale than I ever have. My dream is to have all the skills necessary when I'm old enough to live out on my own to garden and homestead. Thank you to people like you who promote gardening! Maybe gardening can be made cool again for my generation.

The flip side of "what skills do I need" is " what skills can I teach". You and others have educated and encouraged me to get back into cooking from scratch and canning. If I was 40 years younger, I could totally get into homesteading. My raised beds are my spring and summertime friends.

@Mama_T_448

6 ай бұрын

Yes! You're totally right! I think the same 😊

@helentc

2 ай бұрын

I was going to write the same thing. What skills can I teach? I have been gardening for 50+ years, but really still learning. I grow a lot though, and process my own food for storage: freezing, drying, but I'm not confident with Canning. I've done a little, but it makes me nervous that I might do it wrong and the food will go bad. Anyhow, yes, teach! as well as learn!

Hi again Jess, I think you will like this story. My dad, who grew up on a farm during the Great Depression learned how to Crochet when he was very young, and at home sick. They had nothing, so the medium he crocheted with were strips of rags, the items he was crocheting were rag rugs! He taught me how with the same medium. Rag strips torn from old clothes!

@juliedalgardno3361

6 ай бұрын

I must have the sewing interest from my Grandma. She would use the flour sacks that came in calico floral patterns to make my mom's clothes. She also took apart adult jackets to make a children's coat. The beautiful wool from old coats is amazing. I pieced the bleacher seat covers for my grandkids to watch hockey a few years ago. I'm hoping to make some mittens this year. Two of our sons are great crocheters! We call it yarn sports! Blessings to you. Thank you for sharing!

@karenm5681

6 ай бұрын

Yarn sports!🤣I love that! I do crocheting and some knitting for my yarn sports. I’ll definitely remember that one.😂🧶

@kcsunshine2948

6 ай бұрын

Have some rag rugs made by my great grandmother. I treasure them and it’s on my list of things to learn.

"you are never as stuck as you feel" 😢 Needed that today 🙏

@betzyperez9114

5 ай бұрын

Same ❤

I just love you! I’m 62 and grew up gardening and canning. I’ve always had a huge garden during my 31 years of marriage and raising my 3 girls. We added chickens 4 years ago to our country acre. It was a decision be a homemaker and have less stuff (old cars, ancient couches etc) so we could live on 1 income. I’m feeling very validated and grateful for this life! God bless you and thank you for sharing your passion and story.

Jess, several years ago I was watching Jeopardy and one of the categories was gardening. I was amazed how people could answer all kinds of history, and movies, and literature and music questions, but not one of them could answer a simple gardening question! Sad.

Oh, Jess!! How do you always know just what to say. There are so many reasons I watch your videos. You teach me so much. And, who needs a therapist when we have you?? ❤

@paulahughes6031

6 ай бұрын

Absolutely beautiful put.👏.

Love this ❤ id love to see you do a "heres the scenario " series on the farmers table with random ingredients or main ingredient substitutions 😊

@gjsmimi4474

6 ай бұрын

Yes!!

Smiling, because while I don't have a homestead, I do know how to make a rug, and how to cook from scratch (and we do), and how to sew, and... I'm crocheting a beautiful sweater while watching this. I'm right on board with you Jess. I, too, like to help people. In fact I work at our area agency on aging and get the rewarding pleasure of helping people every weekday. Yes, life is challenging and the grocery store prices are stunning in a bad way, but life is good too. All I can say is this. In these challenging times, the key to thriving is: eat as healthily as you are able, stay as physically active as is feasible for your personal ability. Get good rest, and stay socially active in a face to face manner, with friends, loved ones, and your community - neighbors, church, activity centers, etc. They are all key factors in being your healthiest self no matter what your age may be.

@helentc

2 ай бұрын

Good advice!

Im pushing 60..when a child we got a toy ,some chocolate a handful of nuts and some pjs. My parents on a good year,got a wooden top or skipping rope and home made socks or mittens. On a bad year they knew they were loved..with no gifts at all.

Happy birthday, Jess!🎉 My dad was 47 when I was born. As a child I always wondered why he hoarded food like he did. When I got older and really thought about it, he was born in 1921. He and his family and community struggled through the Depression. Having food security was very important to him. The anniversary of his death was Thursday. He has been gone for 24 years. If he saw my canned and frozen goods right now and all that I cook from scratch, I think he would be so proud of me and my accomplishments. I owe a lot of this to you, Jill, Becky, and Carolyn. Thank you!! You make every day better and have introduced me to so many great KZreadrs. I bless you always. ❤

Those feathers would make gorgeous earrings

Jess my granddaughter Piper has so many food allergies its unreal,,, milk protein allergy, soy, tree nuts, gluten, eggs, mustand and cinnamon. As a result she had been a failure to thrive baby that ended up developing gastroparesis and now has a G/J tube. she gets an elemental tube feed throughout the night. Now, as a result, my daughter had a garden last summer as I brought her hundreds of plants that i grew in my greenhouse and got her garden in since the baby had spent a month in the hospital. She did great. She also is onto chickens and eggs for her and her husband as well as having the food security of having meat on her land. She may grow up into goats this spring. As a result of all of this, Piper is limited on what she can consume and at this point its infrequent BUT my daughter is exploring canning as I brought her a canner, jars and gaget set up and even the Ball book. Jess, this year foe Christmas I bought her a greenhouse that is 10x26ft. She has her garden tarped and steaked off for spring. She lives in NY and I live in Central Maine about a 7 to 8 hr drive one way. I have turned her onto many youtube content creators YOU were the first one I suggested to her and her friends as a solid resource. I have another granddaughter that also suffers from the milk protein allergies that is 5 yo. Piper is 3yo. You are such an amazing advocate foe your child simply by lifestyle that supports their needs and making it a norm. I have a strick rule when my grandbabies come to visit, we plan for their allergies, we make choices that INCLUDE them, their needs and they dont even know that a food doesnt have an allegen bc I work so hard....holidays, birthdays etc is planned around them. I make special mashed potatoes, and other dishes JUST FOR THEM so their plate looks like everyone elses. I do not want them to feel that their allergies define them because it doesnt. Thank you for sharing about the food allergies....its why I learned how to can and started back gardening. You are amazing and I love you and your amazing content!❤

After dumpster diving for food the last couple months, I went to buy clearance food and could barely afford it. The things I grew this year helped a bunch. Thanks for the encouragement to keep on keeping on. May your birthday be blessed with as many blessings as you have bestowed upon your viewers.

@fionaworrell4535

6 ай бұрын

I'm sorry you are struggling..been there..still there,but determined to overcome..I hope 2024 is kinder to you.

@susanmcconnell6041

6 ай бұрын

May Almighty God bless you abundantly in the new year! Hugs, love, and prayers to you!! 🤗🥰🙏

Been with you from the beginning, love you and your family (and your garden) so much! One group you left out of your list of people who are old enough to know how to grow food is those of us who were part of the LAST homesteading movement, of the 1960s and 1970s (I'm 65, growing my own food since 1973, when I created an organic garden for my high school : ). We were enthusiastic, even though (or because) we knew---EVEN THEN---that our work could help prevent the future's mass starvation, climate change, and so on. But surely, we thought, as soon as everyone has heard the facts we have to tell, the world will turn from the crazy course its on right now, and then all will be well---it just makes SENSE! Hmmm . . . now we know how well that turned out. So, your message is as essential as it ever was: learn now. And, to paraphrase what Mother Teresa said, don't wait for leaders, do it yourself, person to person. Thank you for your channel, it is invariably thoughtful, uplifting, and educational.

This is exactly why I'm here. Gotta learn how to do stuff. We gotta learn to do things ourselves and do them together.

I also watch Mary. I taught my kids at the age of six how to bake homemade bread with simply flour yeast and water. Couldnt afford sugar. It didnt hurt us for sure. Now I have taught my grand daughters how to bake bread also, when my youngest grand daughter was six she loved baking bread with me. Now she insists on making suppers, ect.. I see her becoming a chef. shes amazing at baking especially

@Ms.SheriT

6 ай бұрын

I love Mary Nest. I watch her videos on fermenting. My kitchen is looking like a science lab.

I'm 68 and my family always had a garden. We would always set aside a day that we would work the garden and plant everything. I would always grow vegetables as my kids grew up. My son recently bought 40 acres up in the California foothills and he and his wife are starting a garden, raising chckens, and living their dream (which has always been my dream, too). I'm so proud that this tradition has been passed down to him and love watching my granddaughters work with them in the garden, help with the chickens, and enjoy the simple things. It makes me proud to teach me granddaughters how to sew, knit, and crochet. I want you to know how much I enjoy your channels and you're sparking a new interest in cooking in me. Thank you!

Happy birthday, Jess!! 🎉 Elder millennial here. I completely agree with this message. Thankfully, our generation has KZread and the rest of the internet to help us learn what we weren't taught.

As a sixty something lady that came from a farming background I’m trying my best to teach my grandchildren as we’ve taught our children, the basic of tending the earth. With growing food, animals etc. It needs to be taught from generation to generation y’all. Great job Jess…🤍🥰

You have no idea the piece of mind you have given me Jess. Finding your channel years ago gave me the inspiration to build my 40x50 garden. Having the infrastructure in place to keep my family fed keeps my mind at ease.

Thank You for trying to wake up and empower the generations who do not know how to do things.

I've been struggling with being considered a "grinch" for not wanting to participate in the commercialization of Christmas. My heart aches for it to be about Jesus and the gift he didn't have to give us. Thank you for the reminder that though it may be an unpopular opinion, it isn't one I'm alone in. ❤ I truly love giving and receiving gifts and I'm not inherently against that, not to be misunderstood.

@lindsaymccarty3358

6 ай бұрын

My husband and I have been pulling away from traditional consumer Christmas as well and turning our focus to Jesus!! Definitely, not a popular opinion but important and worth it. Hugs!!❤

When you said "donating plasma" a tear dropped..... Thank you for your 'channel' being so understandable and relateable. So many have become something that does NOT reach the average person, especially the person struggling. I sooo look forward to your video pep talks and it helps me, even though I personally am going through the same. I literally gave plasma to get groceries and also was told I can't give plasma today because my pulse rate was too high!🤦"OF COURSE ITS HIGH"... I AM STRESSED LOL THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR UNDERSTANDING but at least I figure it out and have a warm blanket, a small garden, unlike so many others. ❤

@theIAMofME

6 ай бұрын

❤🙏

Happy birthday Jess! I’m 63, retired early and recently moved to Tennessee to homestead on 8 acres. Had gardens and chickens growing up in Florida, thanks to great parents. We really really appreciate you!

Oh Jess, you are like warm oil on my soul. I enjoy you so very much. I just brought my sweet husband home from the hospital today. What a long long week. I fretted that all my Christmas shopping was now off by a week. Honestly, it doesn’t matter. I’ve made jams all summer, I’ve stashed away nice things all year. I’m good!!! You gave me such a gift of hope!!! I love you so much!!! Blessings, debby

My baby sister and my granny share your birthday Jess! What a special day! Happy early birthday, friend! 🎉❤

@melinda3196

6 ай бұрын

Tell them Happy Birthday from me & that's my birthday as well❤❤

@JoslynG89

6 ай бұрын

That’s wonderful ❤ Happy Birthday to you!🎉

Working on bread baking. Adding new skills, I would like to make soap and cheese with my goat milk. We have 3.65 acres in the Ozarks with goats, chickens and a garden. We want to add turkeys next year. I had no animals two years ago and God gave us goats again and chickens! We are older but this keeps us active and moving.

I just had this discussion with my best friend yesterday. She is city and I am country, we have different lifestyles, but we both agree that we need to have the skills to survive. Self sufficiency brings me peace and I love the fact that she wants to learn.

Of all the videos you make, these are one of my favorites. Such an important message. I am you 10 years ago (and I'm 10 years younger almost to the day 😂). Small kids, rental home, lots of limits, but also unabiding hope for the future that my wildest dreams for our little family will come true just as yours did. Everyday is just doing "the next right thing" and never loosing faith while gathering as many skills as I can. ❤

I've been gardening for 65 years and I just discovered how little I know!!!😂 Now that we are facing real food insecurity I am so grateful for both your channels 🙏 ❤😊!!! Bless you both for all you share on how to do things to survive !

Jess, I just wanted to say thank you. Many years ago I was in a pretty rough emotional season and I was searching KZread for encouraging videos. One of those videos was a devotional that you had shared. It was just the encouragement I needed in that moment. As I watched this video, today, a lot of what you said struck a chord with me. Christmas blessings to you & yours!

Happy🎶 early Birthday🎶!!! You, Cousin Amy, and Daniel blessed me by singing Happy Birthday at the Homestead Festival this year. It was truly one of the most special birthday gifts I have ever received!!! Thank you again!!! Hope your day is filled with love and joy!!! God bless!!! Love your new channel and content!!!

So spot on. My aunt grew up in the Depression. She grew everything. Canned. Sewed. Prepped. (If it's on sale buy 10!) I'm kicking myself now for my younger self's attitude and lack of attention.

It is so awesome watching the 'likes' pile up while I watch. I didn't like it the second I started watching and I was #776. I am only 13 minutes in and it was posted an hour ago. The likes are up to 830 and the views to over 3200. YOU are so inspiring! God Bless! (I had to adjust the number 3 times in the short time it took to type this because of how quick the numbers rose.)

I’m so on board, Jess! Three years ago I heard you say “Turn your waiting room into a classroom” and I jumped all in. I’ve learned so much - sourdough, growing food, raising red wigglers for worm castings, collecting and learning how to cook with cast iron, canning, & so much more. Im so grateful to have stumbled across your channel at the start of the pandemic. Y’all taught me how to take control when all seemed uncontrollable and now I’m teaching my family the importance of doing the same. I so thankful to God for you & the Sowards crew! ❤

I love Mary's Nest too! You're still my #1, but Mary is a very good teacher. She goes into great detail and does have a ton of healthy recipes on her channel. My daughter is 30 yrs old and I worry about her lack of knowledge on how to do stuff. I'm hoping my new found love of gardening and cooking will rub off though. Thanks for your compassion and sharing the knowledge. ❤

I'm listening to this getting over my first time having covid, telling myself, "ma'am, you do not need to be making bread right now. Finish the laundry first." 😅

@cathyburnett5094

6 ай бұрын

Feel better soon!

@sarahfromiowa952

6 ай бұрын

@@cathyburnett5094 thank you! The fever was the worst but that's over now. Just to get through the cough congestion and my ear being muffled. 😅 I actually made spaghetti so I feel accomplished.

Happy early Birthday to you Jess! Hope your day is as amazing as you are! ❤🎉😊

Jess, this is where you are at your best, discussing the big stuff. For me the most important gift from growing as much food as I can in my suburban backyard is the feeling of agency and empowerment I get from cooking, canning, and preserving that harvest. Knowing that I have taken back a lot of control over what my family eats and their health is priceless! 💚

Happy Birthday! 🎈🎉🎂🎉🎈 Another great message. I grew up were we did not get much. I remember one year we were so poor that we got used toys. I always loved getting my stocking with an orange, nuts, and a candy cane. Just going to my grandparents house was the best. This year I am driving to TN to spend Christmas with most my kids and 2 grandkids. My best gift I can receive is hugs from them.

Yes,.... consumerism is wrecking our holidays and fond memories of time. Commercialism is sad . I like your artistic thoughts .... helping people through these hard times. I love your positivity.... You go girl !!

The last two Thanksgivings we have done survival training with our family. We are all blessed to have land and animals and gardens. We built fire using flint. Shot guns and arrows. We foraged for eatable food and hand fished.Opened cans without a can opener or a knife. Built shelters and several other things. I think it is good to teach our children how to get by without electricity or modern conveniences. I pray they never have to but it’s always better to have a plan.

We recently 'retired' to our 43 acres and added another 20. We have a house to finish. Seven kids are grown and one still at home. After a 6 week bout with a severe case of pneumonia, I am hoping and praying we can stay healthy enough to live this dream. I always enjoy your talks. Thank you for what you do.

This is totally where you’re your best. Never hesitate to share these messages. This stuff-filled consumeristic world weighs on me with words I can’t muster. This ain’t my home, praise God.

It is never too late... for all of us who have HAD this dream... and have the skills and experience... we are responsible to pass these skills on... that is how we got them... for those who truly care to learn... give them a fighting chance for a hand up and not just a hand out... you tube is great for teaching and learning but face to face with a caring heart (family or friend) seals the memory. My sleeves are rolled up and my apron is on. Let's do this. ❤

My first born daughter shares your birthday as well! 🎉 Thanks for sharing with us … you bless us every video with your strength and peaceful insight. I love your new channel … every time I make bread I can hear your smiling voice 🥰

From my welfare days, I still have my one sauce pan with a broken handle and one small scratched up saute pan, which were the only 2 pans I had for a long time. I learned timing, creativity, and what rules to break in cooking. Cooked for 2 kids and myself for years. I pull them out and remember what's possible when you need to. I learned what I can substitute in a recipe, based on what on sale.

@barbarayorkwoodside3716

6 ай бұрын

Take a picure of those, print off on a printer the size of a christmas ornament and laminate OR do that, curl up int a tube and put into one of those do-it-yourself ornaments and give to your kids or grand. Label them the Secret to Happiness. Hugs.

My parents grew up in dust bowl western Oklahoma. Many of my earliest memories are being in the garden with my dad. My parents instilled the consciousness of food security in me from birth. Now as I approach retirement I have moved back home to our farm and my goal is to be able as much as possible be independent and self sufficient. I am called a prepper or a homesteader by people, but all I am from my view is a farmer. I sure don’t know everything I would like to know but the little bit I do know, allows me to move forward and gain more skills.

Beautiful words of wisdom; thanks for sharing! I’m 71 years & love learning new skills & am trying to share my knowledge of homemaking with the younger generation. I still re-wash ziplock bags until they’re unusable. I was raised by parents who started farming with nothing but their learned skills. I bless you & all 🤗💕🇨🇦

You are the dreamer whose dreams come true through hard work, hard times and sheer-will-power. WE LEARN STEP BY STEP AS WE TRAVEL DOWN THE PATH OF LIFE. I have loved your real- deal homesteading channel since day 1. You are still my favorite Homesteader though I enjoy many.... you are so detailed and real and tell the true story poetically and with grace. Thank you.

That sign-off was for me today, Jess... thank you.🤍

Or what skill can you teach? Either learn or teach! Happy Birthday Jess!

Great video Jess. I grew up dirt poor too but my parents never made us feel “poor in spirit”. I grew up in a 600 sq foot brick block house that my father fixed up. He grew up on a farm. I got married and had 2 sons and got divorced. I finally moved onto my homestead 2 years ago. I have a lot to learn but I’m moving forward. I have myself a few chickens and a few raised beds Life is good. Keep being the shining example you are for people. And happy birthday!😊

Jess, I just want to say thank you. I've been watching you since 2018 and turning my waiting room into a class room since well before without knowing that was what I was doing. Watching you has been such a comfort to me, I'm excited to watch every video and ones like this feel like you're reaching out and squeezing my hand. Thank you so much for speaking to people's concerns, and spreading the precious gift of hope to me and I know many others. I hope you feel some of it coming back to you from us on your birthday and in this season ❤

Both of my parents grew up on very struggling farms. My Dad's Mom died when he was 2 but his Grandma used to say," 'Can't 'is not a word in my vocabulary! I feel very blessed to have learned by watching and working alongside my parents. The garden, preserving, rasing rabbits, sewing, and much more! I know you and many others are here for such a time as this. Happy birthday blessings to you!

Jess, I'm in your age range. I love your encouraging talk with us! I agree we need to learn as many skills as we can. Which is why I watch you. You have skills that we need to practice. We need to rely on ourselves!

I love this so very much, I’ve watched you grow from day one. 5years ago we moved to a rental with a huge yard.. I started with containers and kept growing, last year we were forced to move and I have a tiny garden compared but still grow in ground.. this year watching prices grow in food I knew I wanted to grow more food for not only me but my community. We live in a food desert and so I volunteered at a community garden and claimed two plots for this spring where 50% of food will go to two largest food pantries locally and I’ll have my backyard garden. And although it’s not my dream land I feel so much better to be helping my home and community. From there I started a website to help guide and inform my friends and community. There was so many questions I received this spring I knew people wanted to know more.. it’s beyond inspiring to see you Jess grow exponentially with your children and husband by your side. I have a large growing blended family as well and I hope to only reach others around me locally as you reach the world! Thank you

Somedays I can actually feel my heartbreak for families today. Ty for sharing.

JESS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎉 ….I’M 62YRS old and so needed to hear your words…especially the ones at the end.❤

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESS. May your days be filled with joy , love and laughter. I know it’s not here yet, but had to early.

So very glad for this vlog! I have shared to all my people! Thank you Jess!

Jess, Happy birthday! Your brother might like the guinea feathers. They are prizes by fly tiers. You have such wisdom for a youngster. We learn how to do stuff the right way by doing things the wrong way.

We still put oranges in stockings! Ever since reading Little House on the Prairie when they were young I've put an orange in their stocking. They are now 15 to 22 years old. "Turn your waiting room into a classroom" was a total game changer for me several years ago when I found your channel! We have been rebuilding from the ground up for over a decade. Just as we were getting a tiny bit back on our feet the housing market took off and left us in the dust. We are renters, but I grew up on 5 acres and have always wanted to own some land. That one mantra made me stop saying, "We can't because..." and I started saying, "How can we." We now have laying hens, have raised meat birds for two summers, had bees for a bit, and I've grown a garden and sold seedlings for 3 seasons. I've learned SO much and all of that knowledge and practice is so incredibly valuable. I hope we will own land, but even if we don't, I'm doing what I can with what I have. I've been in the place where I can't buy groceries. I've had to live with friends or family because we had absolutely nothing. I've put my kids to bed hungry and that type of thing changes you for life. It feels desperate and I have so much compassion for those who find themselves in that situation, but there is hope! It does take a bit of tenacity like you mentioned, but there are ways to work toward these goals.

A beautiful feather, a beautiful Soul, wise beyond your years! 🎂Happy Birthday, Jess! Much love and as always, Thanks so much for sharing yourself with us!💗

Have you been reading my mind again? Lately, I have been wanting to learn even more new things. I want to expand my garden, get more chickens. Do all the things I never knew were things a person could do for themselves 15, 20 years ago. Back then, I just went out and bought it. I have learned to garden, make soap and lotions from herbs that I grow. I still want to learn to can. I know, this is basic homesteading 101, but I haven't found the time to learn, yet. Being a single person in her 60s who must work a full time job to support herself prevents me from doing/learning all the things I want to learn. My problem is time. And knowing that I have more yesterdays under my belt than tomorrows in my horizon it makes it all the more urgent for me to do all the things and learn all the things I want to accomplish. This has been weighing heavy on my mind lately. My message to those who are younger..... Do it! Do it as soon as you possibly can. Don't wait 10, 15, 20 years. You might wait too long. Oh, and happy early birthday.

🌹Happy Birthday Chicky! You’re 2 years younger than my oldest daughter lol. My Grandma said they use to throw the orange peel in the fireplace and make the house smell good. She also said they smoked corn silks lol. Yes, prices are high, but I’ve been seeing prices dropping too. I think we still need to even out after the whole Covid fiasco. Have a great evening!

Christmas: My daughter's father-in-law grew up poorer than dirt. He and his siblings often did not receive any gifts. The few old toys they had were cleaned and put under the tree. But there were always several balloons, placed high and low, around the tree!!! It made a spectacular sight! My daughter now puts a few balloons above their tree at Christmas.

Animal, Vegetable,Miracle is one of my all time favorite books!

That so true! When we had our 4H club I was amazed at how many kids and parents didn't know that a chicken was an animal or that butter came from milk that came from cows.

I’m 62 and would have to go back 3 generations to get to family that grew their own food. I’ve been trying to grow a garden for two years. SO much to learn and living in the suburbs my learning is from KZread and channels like yours. Thank you!

Thank you Jess! 😊 53 here and in shock how many people don’t know cows have to be pregnant to provide milk or that you don’t need a rooster to have eggs from chickens. My daughter is a preschool teacher who teaches so much more than ABC’s and 123’s, which parents are even learning. My husband teaches middle school educating the preteenagers that are rarely exposed to “country life” so when he talks of home they are mystified. As I type I’m making bees wax candles, goats milk soap, vanilla extract, filling tea bags, waiting for lip balm to cool - all of which will go with something baked into so many gift bags for the holiday season to bring smiles to those who haven’t a clue how to do any of these creations maybe sparking some interest in learning. THANK YOU KZread for bringing me new things to learn so that very year we give of our time/resources rather than shopping online. 😊

Happy Birthday Jess. Another great thought provoking video. Last week talked to my Dad(94) about you and growing sunflowers to detoxify soil. He grew up on small dairy farm, taught science for 30yrs and had vegetable gardens on and off for decades. I plan on showing him more of your videos. Thank you. Blessings to you, Miah, all your family and your extended community you have created.

Your compassion and empathy for others that are hurting and struggling is rooted in your having walked in their shoes. We all should never forget where we came from. Never give up your passion and resolve Jess.

Since food and clean water are necessary to live, everyone should know how to get them without shopping for it. Happy Birthday 🎂 It’s my birthday too 🤭

Thank you for the thoughtful conversation💚 Happy Birthday 🎁🎂🎊🎈 I hope your birthday is filled with joy and love😇

1985 baby here! My grandparents knew and did all this but did not pass it down. Now, I’m doing stuff they had watched their parents do and they are just blown away. I got my mom on board with growing and canning. It’s feels like we were sabotaged, in a way, but we refused to fail and picked up that batton and kept running.

I loved this whole conversation...I'm 68... Have gardened since in my thirties...raised 2 kids and became a widow at age 47....8 years ago I started raising goats...a year after that sheep....have grown willow for baskets...can sew and just about cook anything. I learned how to milk a goat and make cheese and soap BECAUSE I WANTED TO LEARN . and pass it on to my kids and now my 2 granddaughters....my son thinks I'm nuts...my daughter gets it...the world and our country is changing ..and we need to be prepared....loved your thoughts and conversation! GOD BLESS YOU! and your family....I'm a happy follower!

This hits home with me as my father who can fix everything is now 70. I was the "girl" at a time that the closest to getting to learn mechanical things, was the freezing cold nights I held a flashlight in the driveway as he repaired a vehicle so he could get to work the next day. That is a place I've failed myself. I smiled as I listened to this knowing that the last week of January I'm taking a small engine repair class. I am so excited and thankful for that opportunity. It's far from the knowledge I need on this farm, but it's a step in the right direction. Thank you for sharing!

My mother used to say, " Anyone that can read and follow a recipe, can cook." It isn't a big mystery. Also anyone that can read ingredients on a package from the center of the grocery store can figure out how to create that product from scratch. Nowadays with all the cooking channels, anyone that needs certain skills such as knife skills can learn from the plethora of chef's on cooking channels that demonstrate how to acquire those skills. THE JOY OF COOKING is a great "how to" reference when it comes to many skills you may need and it contains all the popular time tested recipes.

Amen Jess! Keep speaking the truth and making people aware of these things that most don't think about. I really think hard times are coming. May God have mercy on us. I hope you have a Happy Birthday and enjoy the day. ❤🥳 Thank you for your wisdom and content to help us learn how to do things we may not know how to do. God bless you.

"You definitely don't want to milk the bull" ... I feel like that needs to be on a T-shirt!

Thank you for continuing to speak hope/inspiration when we feel overwhelmed or stuck!

Such wise words. We are not helpless. We just don't know how, but we can learn. I would take that one step further. Master one thing and then share it with at least one person. We can easily multiply our skills and be the antidote to helplessness for at least one person!

Thank you!! You are reminding us of Why!! I am 56 years old and a homesteader. Your words are reminders of why we are doing this! So thank you! Our Christmas has turned into things that fit in a stocking. I cross stitch and am making A gift for my husband, I have the frame and if I frame it it will not fit in the stocking ( he is the framer he enjoys framing my pieces and he is a perfectionist). I told him tonight that I WILL have his gift ready for Christmas but he will have to frame it. I don't care if he is at a gas station a dollar store or a grocery store that if he sees something that he thinks I will like and it can fit into a stocking, I'm good! He was thinking of me. I actually have to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas this year we will fit in the opening of our stockings when we can enjoy each others company. My opinion we put too much emphasis on the gifts and not the thought. It is hard to compete with the multitude but we want to focus on why we celebrate Christmas instead. Christ is King!!! Without Him there would be no celebration!

Happy birthday on Saturday! My birthday is Monday and I will be 66. 😀My fruit and veggie garden is my meditation spot. My family knows I am in a happy place when I am in it and seeing me happy makes them happy!

This was a particularly important piece you've shared with us, Jess. I'm now 70, and I've spent my entire life "learning life skills" not only for myself, but precisely in order to share them with others, because somehow I always knew from an early age these times would come. I've often said it's a short-sighted species that fails to teach its young how to feed themselves once weaned, and I would wager humans are perhaps the *only* species falling into that category specifically because where it ultimately leads is nothing short of catastrophic. It's such a profoundly sad and tragic commentary on where we collectively find ourselves these days... Something I used to do was every so often I'd hold what I called "craft camp," and I'd invite my friends, neighbors, local kids - whoever showed up was in, and I'd have chosen a particular craft - from crocheting or knitting, to making cosmetics and herbal tinctures, to collecting things from my dye garden and dying fabric. It wasn't that I was "expert" in these areas - it was only that I had *enough* knowledge to get us all started and then once in, we generally found any questions that came up were answered by someone in the group. This sort of structure made it easy for all of us to acquire new skills, and we never failed to end with everyone going home with something they'd made they were happy with. Honestly, it doesn't take much, just the impetus to begin and enough encouragement to stick with it for awhile until you've established a rhythm with that skill, and then it's open road ahead. Thank you so very much for not only sharing your heart, but for the thought and care you bring to that sharing, which never fails to touch my heart. I understand your burden, as it's one I've felt strongly throughout my own life, but speaking these burdens out almost always lessens their drag on us, and in the gestalt that emerges, we all can move forward. Happy Birthday tomorrow, may your day(s) be filled with much love and laughter always! ❤🧡💚💙💜

This makes me want to see if I can start a community resiliency group at my church. Where we can learn from each other about growing and preserving food, sewing & mending, fixing things… Thank you Jess. Happy birthday 🩷

Happy (almost) Birthday Jess

“…I don’t know numbers… I can tell you how to grow a purple cauliflower, but I don’t know numbers..” had 👏 me 👏 rolling 😂 well said dear friend

Sometimes listening to you speak feels like hanging out with a sister. Makes me feel very happy. ❤

Jess, I’m standing here, cutting my sourdough slices, spreading them with homemade butter and sprinkling on garlic powder for garlic bread, to go with our home raised beef steaks, homegrown russet baked potatoes and veg for dinner. And wondering what it is I can learn. 🤷‍♀️ We are older 62 & 66. We do it all. BUT! Wait a minute. I’ve got a DIL with 3 kids who lives next door. I need to start teaching her. I need to get into her classroom and teach her. That’s what I need to do. Stop just giving her all the things and teach her to do for herself. I won’t be here to give to her forever. Thank you. Yup, stop saying it and start doing it!

Happy Blessed Birthday to you Jess! Dec 16th is a Glorious Day because we Celebrate You.. Actually Everyday is Better because of you sharing yours with us throughout the years! Love you ❤️ 💐🌻🎉

You are helping alot of people Jess. Keep having the conversations that are on your heart and mind. When I first found your channel, I recognized you as person who will make a big positive difference in our world.

Sweet Jess, Happy Birthday, May All Your Dreams Come True❤ Regarding this video, I agree with you 100%. P.S. Those feathers would make awesome flies for fishing, a gift for your brother😊

Jess, just a quick note about your RUG that's got turned up corners. Lay a plastic bag down flat underneath the corners and then put 2 or 3 ice blocks as close to the corners as you can get. Let the ice blocks melt and take away the plastic bags when your rug drys. Your rug will then be flat again. 🧑‍🌾💜👍🇦🇺

Somehow strange to say but being poor can also be a blessing somehow, don't get me wrong on this! My parents had 5 children and not a lot of money that time, but my mother new how to sew clothes or crochet, cook from scratch out of our veggie garden, my father new how to make wooden furniture and how to butcher rabbits and forage mushrooms. When I was young I sometimes was embarrassed not to wear the actual fashion and not to eat canned food that time expensive and also in fashion. Others could afford that. Today I am so grateful I learned all these skills and feel so much more resilient. Also I give my knowledge for free to anyone who likes to learn such skills. Happy birthday my Angel😊.