Homesteading Made Simple I Joyfully Prepared

Wendi Bergin
  • 5.0 (43)
  • Home & Garden
  • Updated Weekly

Homesteading Made Simple is a podcast about practical homesteading skills for real life. Homesteading looks a lot different in real life than it does on the internet, and this podcast is about making it feel doable. I’m Wendi, and each episode focuses on homesteading skills that actually fit into everyday life. We talk about gardening, food storage, food preservation, kitchen skills, preparedness, and self-reliance. The calm, common-sense kind. Not extreme. Not fear-based. You’ll also hear about real estate, land, and choosing homes that support homesteading and self-reliant living. Whether you’re dreaming of land, managing a backyard homestead, or simply making better decisions where you live, real estate plays a big role in the life you’re building. This podcast is practical, honest, and rooted in real experience. Some lessons go smoothly. Others are learned the hard way. Either way, the goal is the same. Build skills. Build confidence. Keep it simple. New episodes release regularly. Subscribe and start building homesteading skills that support a more prepared, capable life. On Homesteading Made Simple, you’ll hear conversations around questions like: How do I start homesteading when I don’t have land or a perfect setup? What homesteading skills actually matter most for everyday life? How do I build real homesteading skills without getting overwhelmed? What does modern homesteading look like for families today? How do gardening, food storage, and kitchen skills work together on a homestead? How can homesteading make life feel calmer, not harder? What does preparedness look like for homesteaders who don’t want to live in fear? How do I become more self-reliant through simple homesteading skills? How does real estate and land choice affect homesteading success? How do I build confidence and capability at home, one skill at a time?

  1. 1d ago

    Would You Date This Homestead? Red Flags Before You Buy

    Nobody puts a picture of the barn in the listing and says, "We're not completely sure what's holding this thing up." Buying a homestead is a lot like dating — and today we're playing Would you date this homestead? We're past the basics. You know your price, your location, your acreage. This is what happens after the property catches your eye: what the listing photos aren't showing you, what to look for when you finally walk the land, the deed restriction that nearly cost us the property we loved, and the plumbing problem hiding under our slab that no inspection caught. I'm Wendi Bergin — Realtor, homesteader, and someone who has crossed a beautiful property off her own list more than once. Preparedness brings peace, not fear. That applies to buying land too. Chapters 00:00 — Falling in love with a listing before you've seen the barn 00:45 — Why buying a homestead is a lot like dating 01:05 — Welcome to Would you date this homestead? 01:20 — The dating profile: what the listing photos are not showing you 01:55 — Decoding listing language: "rustic," "peaceful country living" 02:20 — The Polk County drive-by, and the water we found 02:55 — Not in a flood zone yet: how new construction changes that 03:40 — The property that was 30 minutes from church, and why I crossed it off 04:25 — "Plenty of room for animals" doesn't mean you're allowed to have them 04:50 — The real question: the property, or the life you're imagining in it? 05:05 — First date: get out of the kitchen and walk the land 05:35 — Would that fence actually hold the animals you want? 06:00 — Why we tore out every fence on our property 06:15 — Outbuildings: is there water and power to the barn? 06:40 — The pig waterer I didn't know existed 07:20 — Pipes running there isn't the same as water that works 07:50 — Stand still and listen: traffic, dogs, shooting ranges, smells 08:30 — Distance matters: barn to house, feed, groceries 08:55 — Why our goats may never make it to the barn 09:25 — The one nobody asks: what will chores be like in the rain? 09:45 — The coughing goat, the nice sandals, and church 10:30 — What a good agent is actually there to do 11:05 — "Would I still want to live there on a tired Tuesday?" 11:40 — Meet the family: zoning, deed restrictions, and yes, HOAs 12:20 — Five acres each, horses allowed, goats not 13:05 — "It takes one person to pull up those deed restrictions" 13:50 — What I screened for: ag zoning, no HOA, flood zone 14:25 — Easements, insurance requirements, and animal rules 14:50 — Why we couldn't raise pigs in New Jersey 15:20 — Can you sell eggs? Park an RV? Run a business? Build a barn? 15:45 — Go deeper: episode 207 on buying land 16:05 — Well or city water, septic, who maintains the road, internet 16:40 — Calling the county until you get a real answer 17:25 — The baggage: every property has history 17:55 — Inspection questions worth asking out loud 18:50 — When the vines are doing most of the work holding up the fence 19:10 — None of this automatically means walk away 19:45 — Red flags don't turn green because the farmhouse sink is pretty 20:10 — Slab houses, buried plumbing, and what we didn't know 21:00 — Jackhammering up the half bath 21:40 — Relationship material: can you afford the house and the work? 22:35 — Land care in New Jersey vs. Florida, honestly 23:35 — What will you have to give up to own it? 24:20 — Maybe you need two acres, not five 24:50 — There is no perfect property 25:30 — Marry it, or thank it for a lovely afternoon 26:00 — What I actually want to know before I show you anything 26:40 — Buying outside Florida? I'll help you interview an agent A few things worth writing down The listing tells you whether you want a first date. It's not enough to decide whether you want to marry it. Fencing, outbuildings, water, and power are separate questions. Pipes to the stall don't mean working water; a barn can have water and no electricity. Stand still on the property for a full minute. Photos can't carry traffic noise, barking dogs, a shooting range, or the smell from the neighbor's operation. "Plenty of room for animals" and "legally allowed to have animals" are two entirely different things. Check zoning, deed restrictions, and HOA documents yourself — even on large acreage. Inspections don't catch everything. Ours didn't catch the plumbing under the slab, because nobody had lived in the house for three years. The question isn't whether the property has baggage. It does. The question is whether it's baggage you can afford, manage, and live with. Links Episode 207 — Three Things to Know Before Buying Land for a Homestead  Work with Wendi (Florida real estate) — https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/ Contact — https://joyfullyprepared.com/contact-me/ All episodes — https://joyfullyprepared.com/podcast/ FEMA Flood Map Service Center — check any property's flood zone — https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home Come find me If you're thinking about buying a homestead here in Florida, I would love to help you. If you're buying somewhere else, I can still help you interview an agent in your area who knows that "room for chickens" is not enough information. Reach out before you commit to that charming farmhouse with the questionable fence — https://joyfullyprepared.com/contact-me/ And if this one was useful, send it to the friend who's been sending you Zillow listings at eleven at night.   🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/

  2. Aug 11

    Too Many Tomatoes? Preserve the Harvest

    Greg Peterson says the only place that lack lives is between our ears — and if you've ever stood in your kitchen staring at 50 pounds of tomatoes, you know he's right. We talk about what to do with all of it. Greg hosts The Urban Farm Podcast (he just passed episode 1,000), and this one runs on both our feeds. We get into the harvest mindset, the one mistake that turns abundance into panic, and a long list of ways to put tomatoes, zucchini, and basil up for winter — including a few I'd never tried until this year. If you're new here: I'm Wendi Bergin, and I believe preparedness brings peace. Not fear. Peace. Chapters 00:00 — Welcome, and why we recorded this for both our audiences 01:20 — "The only place lack lives is between our ears" 02:10 — 40 tomato plants, worm composting, and volunteer tomatoes everywhere 03:30 — Seed starting and seed saving: what a grex is and why you'd want one 04:45 — Wendi's confession: she won't eat a fresh tomato 06:15 — The biggest mistake people make when harvest season starts 07:20 — Freeze first, can later — handling the early trickle 08:15 — Jars, lids, and buying in bulk before you're desperate 10:10 — Pint or quart? Wide mouth or regular? 11:30 — Why Wendi stopped canning seasoned sauce and cans it plain 13:40 — Why tomatoes need added lemon juice now 14:10 — Water bath vs. pressure canning, explained simply 16:00 — Tested recipes, rebel canning, and "when in doubt, throw it out" 19:30 — Bone broth and canning elderberry juice 21:10 — Fixing watery salsa, and the steam juicer trick 22:30 — Freezing tomatoes to release the water 23:40 — Don't throw out tomato water: stews, chili, and cooking pasta in it 25:10 — Roasted tomato sauce, skins on 26:00 — The two separate steps of canning: the recipe and the preserving 26:50 — Azure Standard, and what a bulk buying club actually is 29:00 — Freshly milled grain, Sue Becker, and the sourdough question 31:45 — Grain mills: NutriMill, WonderMill, MockMill 34:00 — Tomato powder and everything you can do with it 36:00 — Too much zucchini: relish, pickles, fritters, mock pineapple 39:00 — Zucchini lasagna with no pasta at all 40:20 — Preparedness brings peace 43:20 — Basil: pesto, basil salt, basil sugar 44:30 — Greg's 1,000 episodes and where to find us both A few things worth writing down The number one harvest-season mistake is walking in unprepared. Count your jars and your lids before the tomatoes come in. Today's tomatoes are less acidic than the ones our mothers canned. Added lemon juice is what makes water bath canning safe for them. Water bath handles high-acid foods — fruits, pickles, relishes, jams, acidified tomatoes. Pressure canning is required for meats and vegetables. Canning plain and seasoning later is simpler, safer, and more versatile. The canning process can throw off the flavor of herbs and spices. Follow tested recipes. USDA guidelines, the Ball Blue Book, your canner's manual. When in doubt, throw it out — the jar is worth more than the beans. Links Greg Peterson, The Urban Farm Podcast — https://www.urbanfarm.org Azure Standard — https://www.azurestandard.com Bread Beckers (Sue Becker) — https://amzn.to/4wXJ7cM Ball Blue Book of Preserving - https://amzn.to/4whgqpW USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning — https://nchfp.uga.edu Bill McDorman — seed saving, monthly seed chat on The Urban Farm Podcast Come find me Homesteading Made Simple / Joyfully Prepared — wherever you listen, and now on YouTube.  If this one helped, share it with the friend whose counter is currently buried in zucchini.   Joyfully Prepared Library -https://www.joyfullypreparedlibrary.com Meal Planning Worksheet - https://joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning Joyfully Prepared Realtor - https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/ Website - https://joyfullyprepared.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/joyfulprepper Facebook - https://www.joyfulprepgroup.com

  3. Aug 4

    Everybody Needs a Carol

    Some days the news is too much. The food industry is working against us, the wars won't stop, the education system is a mess, and there's a phone in your pocket demanding you pay attention to all of it. You can't fix any of that today. But you can create peace, calm, and rest inside your own home — and that starts with you. Wendi's friend Carol was her cheerleader through years of raising seven kids and homeschooling them. On the days Wendi called crying that she was a horrible mother, Carol told her the truth: you're doing a great job. Even on the day she sat on the couch and did nothing, Carol said, "I think that was your best today." This episode is Wendi being your Carol. In this episode: Why you're doing a better job than the voice in your head is telling you What it means that women are mothers whether or not they've borne a child Isaiah 55:8–9 and what "higher thoughts" actually asks of us Why the comfort zone is comfortable — and how to think your way out of it anyway Wendi's quilting breakthrough, and the moment a skill becomes an identity Heading into a new school year without losing yourself in it Where the ten minutes of peace are hiding (hint: check your scroll time) A short, honest rant about processed food, white flour, and the Industrial Revolution Thinking and behaving like your future self — starting today Why keeping a journal is how you notice your prayers being answered "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." — Isaiah 55:8–9 Mentioned in this episode: Be Your Future Self Now by Dr. Benjamin Hardy —  The April episode with Judith Horvath, on how the food industry hired scientists away from the tobacco industry — The Truth About Your Food  The March episode on rising food prices and getting prepared — Stop Assuming Someone Else Will Be Prepared   🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/

  4. Jul 28

    BeanTok: Why Everyone Is Suddenly Eating Beans

    Welcome to BeanTok! Apparently, the internet has finally discovered what homesteaders and prepared families have known for years—beans are pretty amazing. In this episode, we're separating the hype from the helpful, exploring why beans are suddenly trending on TikTok, and talking about how one inexpensive pantry staple can improve your health, simplify meal planning, and save money on groceries. Today's Joyfully Prepared Takeaways Discover why #BeanTok has millions of people talking about beans. Learn Wendi's simple method for cooking a week's worth of dried beans in the Instant Pot. Understand what really causes bean gas—and why it's often a combination of bean preparation and allowing your gut time to adjust. Learn how soaking and pressure cooking improve digestion and help your body absorb more nutrients. Find out why Wendi started adding cannellini beans to her morning protein shake—and why she isn't stopping anytime soon. Compare the true cost of dried beans versus canned beans and see how small changes can save your family money over time. Discover easy ways to use cooked beans in tacos, soups, salads, dips, breakfasts, smoothies, and freezer meals. Learn how replacing part of the meat in your favorite recipes can stretch your grocery budget without sacrificing flavor. Be inspired to rediscover one of the most affordable, nutritious, and versatile foods already sitting in your pantry. This Week's Joyfully Prepared Challenge Cook one pound of dried beans. Use them in at least two different meals this week. If you're feeling adventurous, blend a few cannellini beans into your morning protein shake—you just might surprise yourself! Resources Mentioned Beans & Beyond: Cooking for Preparedness & Everyday Meals (Digital Bean Guide) Search #BeanTok on TikTok for recipe ideas and inspiration. Try recipes like bean salads, soups, tacos, dips, and the viral Marry Me Beans. Remember, preparedness doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it begins with something as simple as learning to use what's already in your pantry. 🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/

  5. Jul 21

    What Type of Homestead Manager Are You?

    Ever feel like everyone else has a beautiful planner and a color-coded freezer inventory while you're just... remembering things? A Facebook question about staying organized turned into something better: proof that there are four completely different ways to run a homestead, and all of them work. Find out which kind of homestead manager you are — and why your natural wiring is the strength you should be building on, not fighting. What you'll learn The four homestead management styles — and why they only look like disagreement. Why beginners assume experienced homesteaders remember everything (and what's really going on). The difference between habits, routines, delegation, and automation — and which tasks deserve which. How to stop borrowing someone else's system and build one that works with your strengths. Why watching how other people do it is the fastest shortcut in homesteading. The 4 homestead manager types 🧠 The Memory Manager — it's all in your head. You just know when the flour's low and the chicken feed's almost out. Occasionally you run out of butter. 🎨 The Visual Manager — if you can't see it, it doesn't exist. Whiteboards, sticky notes, freezer inventories, and a very pretty journal. 📊 The Planner — spreadsheets, calendars, inventory sheets. You know exactly how many jars of green beans you canned and how long they'll last. 🔄 The Rhythm Manager — Sunday is bread day, Monday is sheets. The routine remembers so you don't have to. Most of us are a little bit of several. Play to your strength Memory Manager: lean into routines and habits, and use one simple catch-all — a whiteboard or a phone note — for the unusual stuff. Visual Manager: don't fight it. Whiteboards, lists, and inventories on the wall are a strength, not a crutch. Planner: keep planning. Your systems keep you ahead instead of catching up. Rhythm Manager: keep building routines. When a task always lands on the same day, you never spend energy deciding when to do it. Timestamps 00:00 — The Facebook question that started it all 01:00 — Welcome to Joyfully Prepared 02:00 — Type 1: The Memory Manager (and the dish detergent story) 03:30 — Running out of butter during the lockdowns 05:00 — Type 2: The Visual Manager 06:00 — Type 3: The Planner (spreadsheet people, we love you) 08:00 — Type 4: The Rhythm Manager 10:00 — The systems Wendi didn't realize she had 13:00 — Flying banners over UVA: learning a better way from someone else 14:00 — The goat farm water bucket tweak 15:00 — Why nobody in that comment thread had the same answer 16:00 — Preparedness isn't perfection. Preparedness is peace. 16:45 — This week's challenge 18:30 — Free download: the Food Storage Meal Planning System   🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/

  6. Jul 14

    Choosing the Right Food for Every Emergency

    In this episode you'll learn: Why there isn't one "perfect" emergency food The three layers of a practical food storage system When no-cook meals make the most sense The pros and cons of freeze-dried emergency meals How everyday pantry foods fit into emergency preparedness Why food fatigue is a real concern during emergencies How comfort foods can reduce stress during difficult situations Why children and older adults may struggle with unfamiliar emergency foods How to test freeze-dried meals before investing in long-term food storage Simple ways to build a food storage plan that matches your family's needs This Week's Challenge Buy one freeze-dried meal and taste-test it with your family. Decide together whether it's something you would actually want to eat during an emergency. Then take a look at your pantry and see if you're building all three layers of preparedness. Remember: Preparedness isn't about buying everything. It's about making thoughtful decisions that bring peace. 🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/

  7. Jul 7

    How to Make Better Homestead Decisions

    Have you ever bought something because everyone else said you needed it? This week, Wendi shares the surprising lessons from a heated Facebook discussion asking, "What's the biggest waste of money on a homestead?" While the original answer was raised garden beds, the comments revealed something much deeper: every homestead is different, and wise decisions depend on your unique circumstances. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the real question isn't "Is it worth it?" but "Is it worth it for me?" How to identify the problem you're actually trying to solve before making a purchase. Why your time and physical energy are valuable resources. How to think beyond the purchase price and consider long-term costs. Practical ways to use creativity and resourcefulness before spending money. Why your climate, soil, property, and season of life should influence every homestead decision. The importance of making room for beauty and joy, even when something doesn't produce a financial return. Whether you have a suburban backyard, a few acres, or a working farm, this episode will help you make thoughtful, intentional decisions that fit your family and your goals. Remember: Preparedness isn't about buying what everyone else buys. It's about making thoughtful decisions that bring peace to your life. 🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/

  8. Jun 30

    Two Successes and a Failure (A Six-Week Update)

    🌟 Highlights & takeaways Celebrate the first one. My first commission check mattered far more than its size — proof I'm doing the thing God called me to do, even when it means leaving my "comfort hole." A goal without a plan stalls. I could sew the jelly roll strips, but with no quilt pattern I had nowhere to go. Failure isn't the end — it shows you what you didn't know. Find a mentor and a "hype man." A mentor would've saved me three weeks. We all need someone sincere to cheer us on. Emergencies come singly. They're usually personal, not community-wide. Being prepared (water jugs, wipes, pool water, water for the animals) turned a 24-hour crisis into a manageable inconvenience. Gratitude bridges the gap. Running water, hot showers, and flushing toilets sit at the top of my gratitude list for a reason. Let people see you. The kindest gift is someone wanting to truly know you. Be brave enough to ask, and to be asked. 💬 This week's challenge Is there someone you admire that you could simply ask, "Can I come visit you? I want to see you in your element and learn more about you." Imagine how much lovelier the world would be if we did more of that.   🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com 📚 Joyfully Prepared Library: joyfullypreparedlibrary.com 🗓️ Meal Planning Worksheet: joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/planning 🏠 Joyfully Prepared Realtor: joyfullyprepared.com/realestate 📸 Instagram: @joyfulprepper 👩‍🌾 Facebook Group: joyfulprepgroup.com 🏡Real Estate: https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/

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About

Homesteading Made Simple is a podcast about practical homesteading skills for real life. Homesteading looks a lot different in real life than it does on the internet, and this podcast is about making it feel doable. I’m Wendi, and each episode focuses on homesteading skills that actually fit into everyday life. We talk about gardening, food storage, food preservation, kitchen skills, preparedness, and self-reliance. The calm, common-sense kind. Not extreme. Not fear-based. You’ll also hear about real estate, land, and choosing homes that support homesteading and self-reliant living. Whether you’re dreaming of land, managing a backyard homestead, or simply making better decisions where you live, real estate plays a big role in the life you’re building. This podcast is practical, honest, and rooted in real experience. Some lessons go smoothly. Others are learned the hard way. Either way, the goal is the same. Build skills. Build confidence. Keep it simple. New episodes release regularly. Subscribe and start building homesteading skills that support a more prepared, capable life. On Homesteading Made Simple, you’ll hear conversations around questions like: How do I start homesteading when I don’t have land or a perfect setup? What homesteading skills actually matter most for everyday life? How do I build real homesteading skills without getting overwhelmed? What does modern homesteading look like for families today? How do gardening, food storage, and kitchen skills work together on a homestead? How can homesteading make life feel calmer, not harder? What does preparedness look like for homesteaders who don’t want to live in fear? How do I become more self-reliant through simple homesteading skills? How does real estate and land choice affect homesteading success? How do I build confidence and capability at home, one skill at a time?

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