The Truth About Tiny Homesteading with Mary Lewis EP 38
In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I sit down with my fellow podcast host and tiny farm queen, Mary Lewis, who proves that it’s never too late to bite off more than you can chew and start homesteading. At 50, Mary and her husband left city life behind, bought a slice of land in Minnesota, and built a flourishing market garden, chicken coop, and a community around fresh food. We chat about her journey from a tenth of an acre to a full-blown mini farm, how farm life changes your soul (and your vocabulary), and why the best tomatoes are worth the wait. This episode is a love letter to seasonal eating, grit, community, and the deep magic of a yellow peony on a hard day. If you’ve ever doubted whether you can start growing food where you are—this one will light a fire under your boots. ______________________________________________ Episode Highlights: tiny farm dreams, chickens & tomatoes, moving at 50, seasonal eating, farmers market hustle, introvert homesteading, garden joy, loss on the farm, ISA Browns, community building, soil not ownership, small acts of kindness Takeaways: You’re never too old to start homesteading A tenth of an acre can feel like a prison or a paradise ISA Browns are the MVPs of egg production Good tomatoes are worth the extra effort You don’t need to own land to grow food Grief, loss, and predators are part of farm life Growing and giving food builds community ______________________________________________ Links & Resources Mentioned Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ Mary’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.tiny.homestead?igsh=aGZpOWp1c2Vtcmtz Mary’s Website: https://www.atinyhomestead.com/ Mary’s Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/a-tiny-homestead/id1717248579 ______________________________________________ Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love! ______________________________________________ Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com
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Why This 25-Year-Old Is Crushing Homesteading with Brandie Denard EP 37
In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I sit down with 25-year-old firecracker farmer Brandie from Suni Bear Farms in Alabama—and y’all, this girl is the real deal. We talk all things chickens, goats, and building a homestead from scratch with nothing but grit, faith, and a heart for agriculture. Brandie’s not just raising animals and veggies—she’s raising awareness, kindness, and the next generation of farm-loving families through her kindness campaign and ag education classes. From selling eggs to starting a farmstand, she’s doing it all with creativity and courage. Whether you’re knee-deep in chickens or just dreaming of dirty boots and fresh food, this is one episode that’ll light a fire under your overalls. ______________________________________________ Episode Highlights: young farmers, kindness campaign, farm-to-table, backyard chickens, egg pricing, agritourism, Alabama farming, farmer’s market tips, homestead business, goat farming, vegetable gardening, faith and farming Takeaways: Start small and grow with what you have Kindness can be a powerful brand Creative thinking is key to farm success Engage customers personally at markets Farming is hard—but deeply rewarding You don’t need a huge farm to make an impact Let faith guide your homesteading journey ______________________________________________ Links & Resources Mentioned Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ Brandie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunibearfarms/ Brandie Website: https://sunibearfarms.wixsite.com/suni-bearfarms Brandie’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenardsGoatFarm?mibextid=LQQJ4d ______________________________________________ Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love! ______________________________________________ Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com
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How to Outsmart the Food System in 2025 with Dawn EP 35
In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I’m bringing the heat (and the compost) with 10 powerful reasons why EVERYONE should be a homesteader—yes, even you, city girl with the balcony! I break down the myths, the mindset, and the magic of growing your own food no matter where you live. From the rebellious joy of backyard tomatoes to prepping like a boss for doomsday (or just rising food prices), I share why homesteading is no longer a trend—it’s a necessity. I’ve farmed it all: pigs, goats, hens, rabbits, and acres of produce. Now I’m scaling it down and showing YOU how to grow big freedom in small spaces. Whether it’s a planter box or a backyard barnyard, this episode will light the fire in your freedom-loving soul. ______________________________________________ Episode Highlights: food freedom, generational knowledge, growing anywhere, mental health, self-reliance, kids in the garden, DIY food systems, backyard chickens, saving money, rebellion through gardening, starting small, food as currency Takeaways: You don’t need a farm to be a homesteader Food freedom equals true independence Relearning grandma’s ways helps future generations Kids gain confidence and pride through gardening Growing your own food is powerful and rebellious Backyard produce tastes better and nourishes deeper Start small—a single pot is all it takes ______________________________________________ Links & Resources Mentioned Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ ______________________________________________ Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love! ______________________________________________ Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com
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The Homesteader’s Secret Weapon for Healing Skin with Nina Baker EP 34
In today’s episode of Dawn’s Dirt, I sit down with the beautiful soul behind Moosterizers—Nina from A Thousand Hills—and we go deep on why this isn’t just another skincare company. This is a back-to-the-roots, mama-led, God-honoring, eczema-healing, beef-fat-on-your-face kind of conversation that you don’t want to miss. Nina shares how her son’s health issues led her away from conventional medicine and into a wild journey of healing, homesteading, and launching a thriving tallow-based business—all while raising two boys and running farmers’ markets with her family. We get real about the importance of knowing your source, the power of food and nature as medicine, and why our children are the ultimate WHY behind it all. This one is packed with truth bombs, inspiration, and that homegrown dirt we all need to hear. Get ready to be moved—because this convo might just be the nudge you need to start your own sovereignty story. ______________________________________________ Episode Highlights: tallow skincare, eczema healing, food as medicine, regenerative living, homesteading moms, farmers markets, entrepreneurship, faith in business, creating community, natural parenting, ancestral wisdom, local sourcing Takeaways: Your health journey can birth your business Always ask where your products come from Nature often has the answers modern medicine doesn’t Teaching kids business builds stronger families Community is built at the farmers market The “why” behind your business fuels the hard days You don’t need to be a farmer to be a producer ______________________________________________ Links & Resources Mentioned Visit Dawn’s Website: https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/ Dawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawns_dirt/ Nina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moosturizer.ab/ ______________________________________________ Love what you’re hearing on Dawn’s Dirt? Don’t keep it to yourself—help us grow! Share the show with your friends, like this episode, and leave a quick 5-star rating. Your support means the world and helps us keep bringing you the content you love! ______________________________________________ Have you ever started a garden that didn’t go as planned? Feeling overwhelmed by all the conflicting gardening advice and unsure what’s right for you? Imagine having a personal guide to walk you through the process, helping you create a thriving garden no matter your space or experience level. That’s where I come in! With years of experience growing vegetables, I’ll help you understand your plants, tackle challenges, and find solutions tailored to your unique garden. Let’s talk about your gardening goals and how I can help you grow more food at home. Book a free call today using the link below, and let’s get growing together! https://www.dawnsdirt.ca/book-online ______________________________________________ Produced by Carley Butler Media – Helping podcasts elevate their voice and reach the world. Learn more at www.carleybutlermedia.com
In Dawn's Dirt Podcast, seasoned farmer-turned-coach Dawn brings you the raw, unfiltered truth about everything from the ground up. From soil science and homestead self-sufficiency to the complexities of food freedom, Dawn dives into every gritty detail to help you grow your own food and create a sustainable homestead that breaks free from the grocery store chains.
Guided by the mantra "No Farmers, No Food," Dawn sheds light on why growing our own food and building a homestead lifestyle matters, connecting us to the earth—and each other. Join Dawn each week as she digs into conversations with farmers, homestead experts, wellness coaches, and voices from all walks of life. From gardening, homestead living, and sustainable practices to discussions on religion, politics, and society, no topic is off the table. Here, "dirt" goes beyond soil; it’s about uncovering the deeper truths and resilience that come with homesteading and independent living.
So roll up your sleeves, get your hands in the dirt, and let Dawn inspire you to reclaim your independence, one seed—and one homestead story—at a time.
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