Check out the newest podcast episode: https://rootsandrefuge.com/social-media-and-the-modern-homesteader/
Hey ya’ll, I’m Jess from Roots & Refuge Farm
Welcome to a place that feels like home. A small farm with a big family. We hope you’ll pull up a chair, grab some coffee and visit awhile.
There was a time that all I wanted in the world was a little farm where I could raise my family and grow our food. Now, that is exactly what exists outside my door. In watching it unfold, a new dream was formed in my heart – to share this beautiful life with others and teach them the lessons we’ve learned along the way. Welcome to our journey, friend. I am so glad you’re here.
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WHERE TO FIND US (Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we’ll receive a small commission but the price remains the same – OR BETTER – for you! Be sure to check for any mentioned discount codes.)
– Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com
– Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup
– Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-wilder-still
– Shop our Stickers & Shirts: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-shop
– Order my book First Time Gardener: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ftgbook
– Pre-order my newest book First Time Homesteader: https://rootsandrefuge.com/first-time-homesteader-yt
– Growing Gardeners Course: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ggcourse
– Instagram: www.instagram.com/roots_and_refuge
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandrefugefarm
– Email Us: rootsandrefuge@yahoo.com
– To drop us a line:
PO Box 4239
Leesville SC 29070
– To have a gift sent to our house from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share
– To support us through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jessicasowards
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PRODUCTS WE LOVE – You’ve probably heard me talk about these things a million times, so here’s where you can order them (and get a discount with my code!):
– Greenstalk Vertical Gardens (Use code “ROOTS10” for $10 off your order): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-greenstalk
– Squizito Tasting Room (Use code “ROOTS” for 10% off your order): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-squizito
– ButcherBox: https://rootsandrefuge.com/butcherbox
– Growers Solution: https://rootsandrefuge.com/growers-solution
#rootsandrefuge #homesteading #gardening
Check out Betsy's journey by following on IG: https://www.instagram.com/basquebutter/
I keep asking my grandma about growing on a Wisconsin dairy farm. She knows a lot of what they did but doesn't know why. Or there was a lot of behind the scenes that her parents did that she never knew about.
Excellent point about the best realtors being the ones that know the area well and have knowledge about the kinds of properties that you are looking for. The first realtor my husband and I met with took us to about 6 different houses, and though it was well intentioned he nearly called us before we were scheduled to meet up at one of the properties because it was completely off grid and down over two miles of gravel… in other words the only house/property that even came close to being right for us! He didn't understand what we were asking for at all.
I’ve been watching you since the beginning, but today I am in tears watching this. When Betsy talked about finding a community there with her partner, the floodgates opened. I’ve wanted to move to do the same with my partner but have been concerned we wouldn’t be accepted within a homesteading community. Seeing another LGBTQ+ couple do this helps me see it’s possible for us too! May God continue to bless you for sharing everything you do and for loving people with your heart the way you do. I hope follow Sarah & Michelle’s journey, too!!
We have 30 acres in north central Texas. Land is being sold to developers and the price is so high that it wouldnt be affordable for homesteading. Now that interest rates have gone up these homes sit empty on 1 acre plots. Everyone was out for a quick buck and didn’t think about the consequences. I love where I am though. Right in the middle of some large ranches that will probably never sale.
My grandfather’s family come from the Basque Country too and moved to California. They had orange orchards and my mom grew up going to the farm on the weekend while my grandfather helped his family maintain the farm. My mom always had a small garden no matter where she lived. I think that is where I get my curiosity about homesteading. Thank you Jess for showing the love of Jesus by including all of God’s children on your channel. God bless.❤
There are some great sheep breeds for southern farmers these days!
Thank you for dealing with looking for land – we are looking in South Carolina and it is overwhelming at times. Setting up a 5 year plan is a good idea – thanks
I'm really tired off the vitriol that affects California. Yes, it's more expensve to buy land there, that's what happens when areas are desired, and there's less land available in many areas of the south areas… But land in California is worth buying. Stop, and roots and refuge stop being one of those that denounces California land. Especially if the anger over California is based on scripture.
I wish I would have recorded the conversations I had with my grandparents. They were farmers, grandpa a coal miner, and they worked the land until their late 70’s. My goal is to have a farm like theirs. Until now, our one acre and smaller gardens will do. ❤
Jess showing she has room at her table, and offering friendship and community to someone from the LGBTQ community. Warms my heart!
How wonderful. I am looking at 3 Different Countries. We live in England. England. A Good Lawyer lol..Will. you be living off Grid?. You have a Blank Canvas you and your Partner. Keep us up to date. Congrats to you both xx Sounds like you have this x
Hey y’all. Can you make a video about the transition? We’re looking at making a change to big land, how did your family pull this off? Moving and shifting to raw land, where did y’all stay? How did the move happen?
I used to feel like it would be FOREVER before I could afford to buy any property. Then my sister and I put a plan together, and started just looking at options. We ended up being able to buy 16 acres of raw land in cash. That land has 2 beautiful year-round creeks and though there's clay in the soil, it's also pretty fertile and virually untouched. And there's both water and power there. It's also totally forested right now, but we don't mind that. For us it means we can only clear as needed, keeping most of the healthy, mature trees in place so they can continue to thrive and support the local ecosystem. We can work on silvopasture, we can do forest-raised pork etc.
We enjoyed the process and becoming land owners so much that we're doing it again with a smaller property. We're already under contract, again in cash, and completely off the grid – no county utilities and no county-maintained roads. There's an old hand-dug well and pump house that would definitely need repair & testing. But it'll be our place to experiment with solar, rainwater catchment, and seeing if that well can be made usable again. Needs complete clearing (overrun with HUGE Chinese Privet), but since it isn't our main property we can take our time clearing and experimenting.
Cash purchases are allowing us to move forward where we wouldn't have been able to get financing or a mortgage. It is harder working from raw land, but to us the most important thing is just being able to get the land first. Feeling so blessed because we're in a completely different place now in life than we ever thought we'd be at this point!
Sorry not sorry but no. Dont California my Carolinas. Love the channel but when I heard that it completely turned me off. Hope this dosent become a theme…we shall see. Live your life for the best but stay with in your tribe.
Amy Grant & Gay Weddings – The Becket Cook Show Ep. 105
FEAR GOD & HONOR THE KING!!
REPENT NOW!!
ACTS 26:18
Basque food is so good, if you can get some Basque stuff going on it will be wonderful. . Good luck Betsy and Michelle. Looking forward to seeing your farm progress.
We bought raw land almost 7 years ago here in WNC. My boyfriend is from CA and I am from NJ. What a combination. I often say, “What drew us here?” Something made us stop on the highway that day when we saw the sign. Looking for an owner finance property, we never thought we would get it, but we did. What convinced me was a love for tiny little crooked creeks as a kid. My boyfriend took his chair and found a quiet spot and sat and listened to the land. I think more people should just take the time and sit and just be one with the land before purchasing it. We had no idea what we wanted to do with our land, but here we are with our many rescue animals, raising a flock of chickens and turkeys and trying real hard to grow our own food the old school way with no fancy machinery. It’s backbreaking hard work and takes a special love and dedication to the land and preserving it the best way we can. I love that your journey has taken you so far in such a short time. I wish now that I would have started sooner, but I wouldn’t change things. I am here. I am home!!!❤
Congrats, Betsy. You are making a move that so many of us dream of. One of these days!
Betsy dad sounds really interesting. So many who farm in a traditional way have methods and techniques handed down through the centuries. Many of them are lost today.
Yes!!!
We are buying 3 acres of farm land in Rock Hill SC. I would love to come see your farm and pick your brain.
I think when you buy property you’re most definitely must have water on it. Preferably running water, but at least a large pond lake you can pump water out of.
My God mother is also Basque, her family moved to Wyoming near the Big horns, love hearing all of her stories. They have a huge festival in Buffalo often, the lamb burgers are amazing!!!