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We’re back! And, well… life happened.

After an unintentional hiatus, Devon and Kristin are finally catching up—and there’s a LOT to catch up on.

Kristin shares what life has looked like for her family of five after moving into a camper on their property while navigating major issues with their home build. Somehow, in the middle of all that chaos, she also added three familiar goats to the family: Miss Basil and her babies, Mabel and Fred.

Meanwhile, Devon shares the highs and lows of building Basil & Blossom Co., brewing around 50 gallons of kombucha a week, navigating the financial realities of entrepreneurship, and preparing for another huge milestone: the November 8 release of her first book, Backyard Climate Activist: Healing the Planet from Home (link to pre-order below)!!!

It’s an honest catch-up about the messy middle: plans that change, dreams that grow, and seasons of life that don’t look quite like we expected.

And speaking of seasons… this episode officially wraps Season 2 of Homestead-ish.

Thanks for sticking with us. We’ll see you in Season 3. 💚

📚 Pre-order Devon’s book: Backyard Climate Activist: Healing the Planet from Home, officially launching November 8! The first 50 pre-orders receive an exclusive Backyard Climate Activist bumper sticker + bookmark. Pre-order at BackyardClimateActivist.com

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Connect with Devon @devonballardhudson

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If you've ever thought about adding ducks to your homestead, this episode is for you.

We sit down with Marc and Katy Metzer of Metzer Farms, one of America's premier family-owned waterfowl hatcheries, to talk all things ducks, geese, and waterfowl.

We cover everything from choosing the right breed and setting up your brooder to keeping ducks healthy, managing water without creating a muddy mess, and whether ducks really need a pond. Along the way, we discuss the advantages of ordering directly from a hatchery, how ducks can benefit your garden, and the important conservation work Metzer Farms is doing to preserve rare waterfowl breeds.

Whether you're dreaming about your very first waterfowl or already have a flock waddling around your backyard, this conversation is packed with practical advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of duck enthusiasm.

What You'll Learn

• Why buy directly from a hatchery
• How to choose the best duck breed for your goals
• Brooder setup mistakes to avoid
• The secret to cleaner brooders and less water mess
• Why niacin is so important for growing ducklings
• Housing ducks with chickens successfully
• Do ducks actually need a pond?
• Best duck breeds for egg production
• Using ducks for pest control and regenerative gardening
• How Metzer Farms is helping preserve endangered waterfowl breeds

Connect with Metzer Farms

Follow Metzer Farms on IG @metzerfarms

Visit www.metzerfarms.com for a wealth of information and resources including What Duck Breed is Right for You?

Connect with Homestead-ish

Follow Homestead-ish on IG @homesteadish_pod

Connect with Kristin @growingpaines_

Connect with Devon @devonballardhudson

🌱 As always, stay curious and a little bit wild!

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What exactly is happening inside a sourdough starter?

Why do some starters seem to have their own personality? Does a 100-year-old starter really make better bread? And what role do billions of invisible microbes play in creating the flavors, aromas, and rise we love in sourdough?

In this episode of Homestead-ish, we sit down with Dr. Margaret Wallen, Assistant Professor of Biology at Indiana University Southeast, to explore the fascinating science behind sourdough fermentation. What began with her family's century-old sourdough starter, affectionately named "Baby," has evolved into a multi-year research project investigating the microbial communities that make each sourdough culture unique.

Together, we explore the relationship between wild yeast and bacteria, why no two starters are exactly alike, and what Dr. Wallen's research reveals about how sourdough cultures establish themselves and maintain stability over time. We also discuss practical tips for home bakers, including how to revive sluggish starters, the role of whole wheat flour, and common misconceptions about fermentation.

Beyond bread, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on our relationship with the microbial world and why understanding bacteria may be one of the keys to building healthier people, healthier food systems, and a healthier planet.

Connect With Dr. Margaret Wallen

Learn more about Dr. Wallen's research and how to connect HERE.

Connect with Homestead-ish

Follow Homestead-ish on IG @homesteadish_pod

Connect with Kristin @growingpaines_

Connect with Devon @devonballardhudson

🌱 As always, stay curious and a little bit wild!