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! ❤
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.
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! 🥰
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.
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.
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!
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❤️
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
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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?? ❤
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 UA-camrs. I bless you always. ❤
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. ❤
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.
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.
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.
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!❤
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!
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!
Happy birthday, Jess!! 🎉 Elder millennial here. I completely agree with this message. Thankfully, our generation has UA-cam and the rest of the internet to help us learn what we weren't taught.
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 loved this content! Never too old to learn and something everyone should know how to do. If something happens, you will be more able to do for yourself and others! A gift that keeps on giving! I would teach anyone who needed to know how to cook. You know the saying, ‘Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’ and this holds true for all kinds of things. Learn... teach... it's so rewarding! 🤗 Thank you, Jess, for all you do! 💖
😂Milk the bull, get the horns!🐂 Def don't wanna milk the bull!😂 Jess, THAT was funny! I had to pause your video just to finish the burst of laughter, lol, God Bless you!
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
I love when you share the things you're thinking of...Another hit-it-out-of-the-ballpark plain-speak IMPORTANT message that can so easily resonate...❤❤❤❤🌿
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 🤗💕🇨🇦
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 UA-cam and channels like yours. Thank 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
Thank you for this inspirational talk, Jess! Indeed, let's stop feeling powerless, replaceable and useless. People, let's learn stuff, support our community and get our power back!
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.
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!
Thank you jEssica so much for drawing attention to our broken society and encouraging us all to learn to grow to do better be better. I have taken your advice and found it very valuable. I’ve asked for a sewing machine for Christmas so I can learn to sew mend quilt. And I asked for a drill to begin to learn carpentry. I’m watching animal husbandry videos so I am capable to steward my own herd and flock one day. It does so seem so far out of my reach. But I know a guy that can walk on water and he is making all things new in my life. Thank you for being you. God Bless you and your family and all of us followers and fellow travelers. 🙏❤️
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.)
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.
I love that you bring this topic to your Chanel. I’m from Puerto Rico and I live now in Texas. I started the journey of homesteading a year ago in one acre land. The reason is because I back in PR we cook with what we have in our patio and I want to do the same with my family away from home. Lately I’ve been very sick and is because what I’m eating precooked. Anyways I want to say thank you for the encouragement.
Same except we’re in SC my grandmother made and grew everything for our family in PR and if she we’re still alive I would’ve have learned so much from her.
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 !
I see other comments from some of us more, ahem, seasoned ladies and gentlemen. I am so thankful for the abundance of information and instruction out there. May have said this before, but anyway...I am a retired special ed teacher (homeschooler before that), and I had a poster in my classroom that proclaimed, "Today is a great day to learn something new." That is true for everyone, especially me, not just school-aged kiddos. I am so thankful for the skills I've mastered and for the new things on the horizon. Makes life so interesting! Blessings, Marie
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 !!
I Love when you have a "thinking about it a lot" time 😂 It causes a ripple effect across the world. When you talk about "turning your waiting room into a class room" you need to understand it's a mantra for some of us. Talking about something often in Australia is called "banging on about it".....please keep Banging on about food security and starting from where you are, turning your waiting room into a class room and most importantly think about others! Judge less, do more! You've been a bright light Miss Jessica....keep on shining 🌟🌟🌟
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. ❤
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’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 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!
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.
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!
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.
Happy birthday to you Jess. I hope there are young people watching these vlogs and taking an interest in everything you do. People need to know how to grow things, sew, crochet and knit. How to make candles and fix things. There is so much to learn.
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!💗
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! 💚
UA-cam was my classroom during covid shut downs. I watched and learned how to bake bread. I watched and learned how to can or dehydrate foods for my pantry. I watched and learned how to grow herbs and vegetables in buckets and bins. Your lettuce in the bag of potting soil with an inverted clear bin greenhouse was my "gateway" drug (lol). I recall Kitten George in that video and subscribed. You have taught me so much. I thank you and bless you and your family.
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. ❤
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 🤭
Jess. I love you sister 💚🙏and happy birthday! 🎉 I'm so glad you were born, life wouldn't be the same without you. Thank you for sharing your heart and hope with me (and all of us 😂) you bring joy to my day anytime I see your encouraging face, much love and blessings to you on this special Saturday! Rest girl you deserve it!
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! ❤
BEST WISHES AND ABUNDANT BLESSINGS FOR TWILIGHT DREAMS!!! 🥰
Congratulations, it’s never too late to be happy together ❤❤❤😊
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.
Congratulations! Gives me hope! A widow since 2005, 69 years old, and still believing that there is someone for me.
This is awesome and congratulations in advance on your marriage ♥️
Those feathers would make gorgeous earrings
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! 🥰
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.
God bless you.
Just had a similar experience. God Bless you! God help the "youngins" and open their eyes!🙏
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.
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!
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❤️
Hi jess happy birthday I live in Calgary Alberta Canada
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.
You my dear are a very wise young lady beyond your years!! Happy Birthday 🎉🎉🎉hope it's so very wonderful!
Happy birthday
Sound like you need to start a UA-cam channel. ❤ I’d watch it
Animal, Vegetable,Miracle is one of my all time favorite books!
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
Love this. This is me in my 50’s and how I dream to continue into my seventies and beyond. Blessings to you both.
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.
Yes! You're totally right! I think the same 😊
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!
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!
Yarn sports!🤣I love that! I do crocheting and some knitting for my yarn sports. I’ll definitely remember that one.😂🧶
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 🙏
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.
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.
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??
❤
Absolutely beautiful put.👏.
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 UA-camrs. I bless you always. ❤
This is exactly why I'm here. Gotta learn how to do stuff. We gotta learn to do things ourselves and do them together.
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. ❤
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.
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.
I'm sorry you are struggling..been there..still there,but determined to overcome..I hope 2024 is kinder to you.
May Almighty God bless you abundantly in the new year! Hugs, love, and prayers to you!! 🤗🥰🙏
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.
Good advice!
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!❤
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!
Love this ❤ id love to see you do a "heres the scenario " series on the farmers table with random ingredients or main ingredient substitutions 😊
Yes!!
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!
Happy birthday, Jess!! 🎉 Elder millennial here. I completely agree with this message. Thankfully, our generation has UA-cam and the rest of the internet to help us learn what we weren't taught.
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.
Or what skill can you teach? Either learn or teach! Happy Birthday Jess!
I just loved this content! Never too old to learn and something everyone should know how to do. If something happens, you will be more able to do for yourself and others! A gift that keeps on giving! I would teach anyone who needed to know how to cook. You know the saying, ‘Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’ and this holds true for all kinds of things. Learn... teach... it's so rewarding! 🤗 Thank you, Jess, for all you do! 💖
😂Milk the bull, get the horns!🐂
Def don't wanna milk the bull!😂
Jess, THAT was funny! I had to pause your video just to finish the burst of laughter, lol, God Bless you!
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
I love Mary Nest. I watch her videos on fermenting. My kitchen is looking like a science lab.
I love when you share the things you're thinking of...Another hit-it-out-of-the-ballpark plain-speak IMPORTANT message that can so easily resonate...❤❤❤❤🌿
Thank You for trying to wake up and empower the generations who do not know how to do things.
Happy Birthday Jess. Thank you for giving your heart out to others.
That sign-off was for me today, Jess... thank you.🤍
Jessica
Wishing you a happy birthday with your family always by your side.
Those purple cauliflower are the best eating cauliflower I’ve ever eaten! Literally melt in your mouth!!! I wouldn’t pickle all of them.
Wise words, Jess . . . beautifully said!! Happy Birthday!
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 🤗💕🇨🇦
love and appreciate you so much Jess. God BLESS you abundantly
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 UA-cam and channels like yours. Thank 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
Thank you for this inspirational talk, Jess! Indeed, let's stop feeling powerless, replaceable and useless. People, let's learn stuff, support our community and get our power back!
"Anything worth doing, is worth doing poorly at first"
Awww....the Christmas orange in my stocking as a child.. the BEST!!
Pearls of wisdom Jess, thank you for sharing. 😇
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.
Your soul is speaking through you with passion just like the the Metal singer who performs " Amazing Grace" soooooo awesomely !
JESS!! Those purple cauliflower! Oh ehm gee! They are so pretty!!
You are a beautiful person. Don’t ever change. ❤
💚 Beautiful Guinea Feather! Thanks, Jess, for your heartfelt chat. 💚
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!
Thank you jEssica so much for drawing attention to our broken society and encouraging us all to learn to grow to do better be better. I have taken your advice and found it very valuable. I’ve asked for a sewing machine for Christmas so I can learn to sew mend quilt. And I asked for a drill to begin to learn carpentry. I’m watching animal husbandry videos so I am capable to steward my own herd and flock one day. It does so seem so far out of my reach. But I know a guy that can walk on water and he is making all things new in my life. Thank you for being you. God Bless you and your family and all of us followers and fellow travelers. 🙏❤️
Jess you are very inspiraing. Have a Happy Birthday🎉
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.)
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.
I love that you bring this topic to your Chanel. I’m from Puerto Rico and I live now in Texas. I started the journey of homesteading a year ago in one acre land. The reason is because I back in PR we cook with what we have in our patio and I want to do the same with my family away from home. Lately I’ve been very sick and is because what I’m eating precooked. Anyways I want to say thank you for the encouragement.
Same except we’re in SC my grandmother made and grew everything for our family in PR and if she we’re still alive I would’ve have learned so much from her.
I feel led to take young people under my 64 year old wing and teach them what i know. Starting with my oldest grandson. Thanks for the encouragement
Happy Birthday Jess. So glad you were born!
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 !
"Winter has a lot of good ideas that spring time might not find as important."
I sure relate to that! 😂❤😊
I hope you never get tired of doing UA-cam Jess! You always make me feel hope. Your humility is inspiring!
I see other comments from some of us more, ahem, seasoned ladies and gentlemen. I am so thankful for the abundance of information and instruction out there. May have said this before, but anyway...I am a retired special ed teacher (homeschooler before that), and I had a poster in my classroom that proclaimed, "Today is a great day to learn something new." That is true for everyone, especially me, not just school-aged kiddos. I am so thankful for the skills I've mastered and for the new things on the horizon. Makes life so interesting! Blessings, Marie
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 !!
You are such a wonderful gift, Thank you for being you!!
I Love when you have a "thinking about it a lot" time 😂 It causes a ripple effect across the world.
When you talk about "turning your waiting room into a class room" you need to understand it's a mantra for some of us. Talking about something often in Australia is called "banging on about it".....please keep Banging on about food security and starting from where you are, turning your waiting room into a class room and most importantly think about others! Judge less, do more!
You've been a bright light Miss Jessica....keep on shining 🌟🌟🌟
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. ❤
❤🙏
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’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 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!
Fantastic….you are so correct…thanks for making this video.
Beautiful, heartfelt words friend. Thank you, bringing things into focus when fear can start to set in.
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.
Happy Birthday Jess!!! Hope you have a wonderful day!!! Much Love and Blessings
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!
Happy early Birthday to you Jess! Hope your day is as amazing as you are! ❤🎉😊
I would make a Dream Catcher with those feathers :)
🌻 Happy Birthday Jess 🌻
Ty Jess, we need words that come from truth and reality!
I love your talks and watching you cook. Your family is living the dream that I always wanted. Thank You Jesse. 🥰
HAPPY BORN DAY, JESS!! GOD BLESS YOU!!
Happy birthday Jesse love you and your family
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.
Somedays I can actually feel my heartbreak for families today. Ty for sharing.
Happy birthday to you Jess. I hope there are young people watching these vlogs and taking an interest in everything you do. People need to know how to grow things, sew, crochet and knit. How to make candles and fix things. There is so much to learn.
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!💗
❤❤❤🎉 HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESS!!!!!! 😊❤❤❤
Happy Birthday Safe, warm, nourished and loved. That would be the perfect Christmas.
Hi Jess, HAPPY BIRTHDAY I hope you enjoy it . God Bless you and your family
As always bless you. Thank you Jess for your giving heart ❤️
Happy birthday sweet Jess ❤️🙏🏽 wishing you many blessings, love, laughter and fun
I agree Jess,💖 We all need to know how to do things. Knowledge is power. 😊👍
"Definitely don't milk the bull" hehe - loved your message today and the laugh
So very glad for this vlog! I have shared to all my people! Thank you Jess!
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 Jess 🎉🎂❤️💜💚
UA-cam was my classroom during covid shut downs. I watched and learned how to bake bread. I watched and learned how to can or dehydrate foods for my pantry. I watched and learned how to grow herbs and vegetables in buckets and bins. Your lettuce in the bag of potting soil with an inverted clear bin greenhouse was my "gateway" drug (lol). I recall Kitten George in that video and subscribed. You have taught me so much. I thank you and bless you and your family.
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. ❤
Happy birthday, Jess, and many more!
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 🤭
Jess. I love you sister 💚🙏and happy birthday! 🎉 I'm so glad you were born, life wouldn't be the same without you. Thank you for sharing your heart and hope with me (and all of us 😂) you bring joy to my day anytime I see your encouraging face, much love and blessings to you on this special Saturday! Rest girl you deserve it!