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Hello and welcome!

My name is Justin Rhodes

Some may know me as the crazy chicken ninja, but that’s not how my story started.

Many years ago, the Beautiful One (aka, my wife Rebekah) and I brought home four chickens and placed them in a vacant horse stall. Within the first hour, two of them literally “flew the coop” and were gone forever.

Doubts quickly set in at what we had gotten ourselves into.

With determination and massive (perhaps ungodly) amounts of effort, time and money, something surprising happened… I got really good at raising chickens for both meat and eggs.

Fast forward and our 140-acre farm has expanded to include cows (both meat and dairy), sheep, pigs, rabbits, turkeys, and countless other livestock, all with a steep learning curve of their own.

Join me on this homesteading journey and learn from my countless hours of research and “trial by fire.”

This life may not always look perfect, but it’s perfectly fitting for us, and we’re enjoying the journey.

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Justin Rhodes on Youtube

I have a love-hate relationship with plastic on the farm. I hate it because it sticks around forever and leaches into everything. I love it for the same reason. It’s enduring. It’s also inexpensive and useful, which means less food I have to buy at the store and an easier time growing what we need. Deep in my heart I want the biological systems to do the work, so I keep trying. This time in the garden I timed it right. I smothered the weeds with plastic, pulled it back off, and planted winter rye. Yay for having the plants do the work of the farm. I didn’t drop the plastic cold turkey. I’m just making a move in the direction of my heart. Let’s see how it goes.
YouTube Video VVVPU0dFb2tRUWNkQVZGdUxfQXE4ZGxnLnhoVnBtSzBtbzZj

I Hate Plastic… But I Still Use It on My Farm

Justin Rhodes 102 minutes ago

A Better Way Than Plastic in the Garden? | Cover Crops, Timing & Working With Nature 🌱 Plastic tarps can be incredibly useful in the garden—but we’re working toward a better long-term system: putting plants to work for us. In today’s vlog, we race the rain to uncover our garden beds, remove silage tarps and sandbags, and seed winter rye as a living cover crop. The goal is to protect the soil, suppress weeds naturally, hold moisture, reduce erosion, and improve the garden through the winter—without relying on plastic year-round. We also share why timing matters so much when planting, how we use silage tarps as a temporary tool, our plan for handling muddy pig runs with wood chips and simple shelters, a new way to store large tarps, and a sweet update from Lily’s second day of driver’s ed. Let us know: Have you used winter rye or another cover crop in your garden? CHAPTERS 00:00 A Better Way Than Garden Plastic 02:06 Pulling Tarps & Sandbags 05:31 Seeding Winter Rye in the Rain 06:15 Pig-Run Update: Wood Chips & Winter Shelter 08:10 Why We Use Silage Tarps 13:26 Winter Rye Benefits in the Garden 14:46 A Better Way to Store Large Tarps 15:45 Lily’s Driver’s Ed Update 17:11 Dinner Prep & Garden Harvest If this video encouraged you, please subscribe and share it with a friend who wants to grow more food while working with nature. #gardening #covercrops #winterrye #permaculture #homestead #organicgardening #nodig #soilhealth #pigraising #familyvlog
YouTube Video VVVPU0dFb2tRUWNkQVZGdUxfQXE4ZGxnLm9YejN2cUlGekxF

I Quit Plastic In My Garden (For Now)

Justin Rhodes 22 hours ago

How We Make Hay for $2.90 a Bale | 5 Regenerative Strategies 🌱🚜 Making hay is expensive but it doesn’t have to be wasteful. In today’s homestead vlog, we’re sharing the five regenerative strategies helping us make hay for about $2.90 per bale. We walk through how we use a neighbor trade-lease, deep-bedding compost, compost tea, diverse pasture seed, and affordable used equipment to build soil while producing winter feed. This isn’t about cutting corners, it’s about using what we have, building relationships, returning fertility to the land, and making every input work harder. We also spread compost, drag the field, reseed pasture with orchard grass and clovers, cover a newly reclaimed slope with hay, troubleshoot equipment, and finish the day with a redeemed tri-tip dinner. If you’re trying to make hay, improve pasture, build soil, or lower the cost of feeding livestock, we hope this gives you practical ideas to start where you are. CHAPTERS 00:00 Making Hay for $2.90 per Bale 00:20 Strategy 1: A Neighbor Trade-Lease 01:23 Strategy 2: Compost From Deep Bedding 04:22 Spreading Compost on the Hayfield 08:52 Bringing Animals to a No-Livestock Field 14:28 Strategy 3: Compost Tea 21:32 Strategy 4: Diverse Pasture Seed 22:44 Covering Reclaimed Pasture With Hay 24:18 Dragging the Field for Better Seed-to-Soil Contact 26:16 Seeding Orchard Grass & Clover by Hand 32:53 Rain, Breakdowns & Finishing the Field 35:28 Strategy 5: Affordable Used Hay Equipment 38:49 The $2.90-per-Bale Breakdown 39:47 Redeeming Tough Tri-Tip for Dinner Links Mentioned: Polyface Design: https://shopjustinrhodes.com/collections/books/products/polyface-designs-by-joel-salatin Azure: https://bit.ly/AzureStandardCo-op What’s one way you’re reducing costs while improving soil on your farm or homestead? Let us know in the comments! #homestead #haymaking #pasturemanagement #regenerativeagriculture #compost #composttea #rotationalgrazing #smallfarm #permaculture #farmvlog
YouTube Video VVVPU0dFb2tRUWNkQVZGdUxfQXE4ZGxnLi1US1hBblktd2h3

How I Bought Hay for $2.90 Bale (Regenerative)

Justin Rhodes October 9, 2026 4:00 pm

Finally, My 12 Year Old Son Found His Shoes Today we’re celebrating Gideon’s 12th birthday and reflecting on one small but meaningful sign that he’s growing up: he can finally find his own shoes. For years, misplaced shoes and boots were part of everyday life around here. They were left in the creek, out in the pasture, in the side-by-side, and in places nobody would think to look. We tried teaching responsibility, searching together, and reminding him where shoes belonged—but eventually we learned that growing up happens on its own timeline. In this family vlog, Gideon shares why he used to lose his shoes, what has changed now, and his surprising advice for kids who still can’t find theirs. Then we gather for his birthday meal, gifts, cake, sweet memories, and encouragement for the year ahead. It’s a simple birthday celebration and a reminder to notice the little milestones that show our children are becoming more capable, responsible, and grown-up every day. CHAPTERS 00:00 Happy 12th Birthday, Gideon! 01:03 Why He Used to Lose Shoes and Boots 03:21 Growing into Responsibility 04:02 Birthday Dinner: Chicken Parmesan 05:07 Birthday Gifts 06:09 Cake, Family Memories & Encouragement 13:21 Noticing the Little Signs of Growing Up What little milestone in your child’s life made you realize they were growing up? Let us know in the comments. #familyvlog #homesteadfamily #birthdayvlog #raisingkids #parenting #growingup #12thbirthday #familylife
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Finally, My 12 Year Old Son Found His Shoes

Justin Rhodes October 8, 2026 4:00 pm

Today we’re helping our boys launch a river adventure without us. They’re taking their homemade raft down the river, camping overnight, fishing, and filming for their own YouTube channel. But this vlog is about more than a float trip. It’s about a question we’re learning to ask as parents: Are we raising kids simply to help with our dreams, or are we raising young men who can pursue dreams of their own? While the boys prepare for their adventure, we handle the farm chores, care for a sick little one, make sure the house and responsibilities are covered, check the river route, confirm their campsite, and help them safely launch. It’s a balance between supporting their growing independence and knowing when to step back. The farm will always be our home base and training ground—but we hope it also gives our children the confidence, skills, work ethic, and freedom to build something of their own. CHAPTERS 00:00 Launching the Boys’ River Adventure 01:05 Prioritizing Family, Farm & Their Dreams 06:06 Preparing for the River Trip 07:30 Finding the Campsite & Exit Point 11:32 Launching the Homemade Raft Tune in tomorrow to see how their river adventure turns out! #homesteading #parenting #familyadventure #rivertrip #homemaderaft #raisingboys #familybusiness #farmfamily #youtubevlog
YouTube Video VVVPU0dFb2tRUWNkQVZGdUxfQXE4ZGxnLk5yTWpCbDZ1Z0VN

My Boy Are Leaving (For Their Dream)

Justin Rhodes October 7, 2026 4:00 pm

How We’re Reclaiming 2 Acres of Overgrown Pasture for Under $100 🌱🐄 In today’s homestead vlog, we’re taking two rough, overgrown acres of pasture and bringing them back to life—without spending a fortune. Instead of relying on expensive equipment or major earthwork, we’re using the animals and materials we already have: cows, sheep, manure, compost, pasture seed, hay, and a drag. The cows mow, trample, fertilize, and disturb the soil. The sheep help tackle briars and bring a different kind of grazing and manure to the process. Then we mow what the animals leave behind, spread compost on the bare spots, drag the pasture, seed it, and protect it with hay. This is a real-world look at pasture restoration on steep, “janky” ground. It’s not perfect, and it takes time, but we’re showing how small, practical steps can turn neglected land into productive grass again. In this video: • Using cows to mow, trample, fertilize, and aerate poor pasture • Why multi-species grazing with sheep helps reclaim overgrown land • Mowing after animals to knock back brambles and weeds • Spreading manure and compost on bare ground • Dragging pasture to spread fertility and prepare soil for seed • Reseeding with orchard grass, red clover, and white clover • Using hay as mulch to cover soil, hold moisture, and reduce erosion • Our honest under-$100 pasture-reclamation budget Let us know in the comments: What’s your best low-cost way to reclaim rough pasture? GEAR FROM THIS VIDEO Seed spreader I used (EarthWay 2750 bag seeder): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XS3EHA?tag=abundanpermac-20 Drag harrow (similar to mine): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018R4GKH2?tag=abundanpermac-20 Orchardgrass seed: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092RHBJK3?tag=abundanpermac-20 Red clover seed: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002T9NY0S?tag=abundanpermac-20 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CHAPTERS 00:00 Reclaiming Rough Pasture for Under $100 00:31 Step 1: Put Cows on the Land 04:59 Step 2: Add Sheep 07:22 Step 3: Mow What the Animals Leave Behind 08:35 Step 4: Spread Manure & Compost 14:01 Dragging the Pasture 15:44 Step 5: Reseeding the Pasture 17:41 Step 6: Covering with Hay 20:22 The Under-$100 Budget #homestead #pasturemanagement #regenerativeagriculture #rotationalgrazing #cows #sheep #compost #permaculture #farmvlog
YouTube Video VVVPU0dFb2tRUWNkQVZGdUxfQXE4ZGxnLnBidXU1MEdiOGNv

How I Saved 2 Acres of Pasture (less than $100)

Justin Rhodes October 6, 2026 4:00 pm

Farmers Friends: https://www.farmersfriend.com/c/justin-rhodes?rid=justinrhodes The Good, the Bad & the Ugly of Our High Tunnel 🌱 After a full growing season in our high tu nnel, we’re taking an honest look at what worked, what didn’t, and what we’ll change next year. The high tunnel has been a game-changer for tomatoes, peppers, pole beans, and especially watermelons—but it also came with some frustrating lessons. We talk through late tomato planting, blight, drip-line problems, weeds pushing through the fabric, chicken management, failed cucumbers, rebuilding soil after Hurricane Helene, and the adjustments we’re already planning for next season. We also share why the high tunnel matters so much in our humid western North Carolina climate: it gives us a more controlled growing environment, helps us plant earlier, keeps rain off the tomatoes, and creates a better system for trellising and production. And of course, nothing goes to waste around here. The weeds and leftover garden crops go straight to the pigs, the pigs keep working the ground, and we finish the day with a fresh-from-the-land chicken-and-steak fajita meal. Huge thanks to Farmers Friend for replacing and installing our high tunnel after Hurricane Helene washed away the previous one. We are deeply grateful for their generosity and support. Let us know in the comments: What has worked and what has failed in your garden this year? CHAPTERS 00:13 Why We Grow in a High Tunnel 02:07 The Good: Watermelon Success 05:47 The Good: Peppers, Pole Beans & Chickens 11:03 The Bad: Tomatoes and Drip Irrigation 16:53 The Ugly: Weeds and Weed Fabric 21:28 The Ugly: Our Cucumber Failure 23:27 Garden-to-Table Fajitas #hightunnel #homestead #gardening #homesteading #tomatoes #watermelon #permaculture #gardentotable
YouTube Video VVVPU0dFb2tRUWNkQVZGdUxfQXE4ZGxnLk1aTko0a0NkRkc4

The Truth About Our High Tunnel Garden. Good, Bad + Ugly

Justin Rhodes October 5, 2026 4:00 pm

Learn to design your own homestead: https://abundantpermaculture.com/design We’re redesigning the pig setup after learning the hard way that bigger isn’t always better—especially when rain, mud, wood chips, and compost are involved. In today’s homestead project, we move the Pig Port, shorten the outdoor run, and turn a season’s worth of deep bedding into a huge compost pile for the garden and pasture. We also share an update on the calf finally staying separated from mama overnight, which means we’re getting morning milk again. This project is all about practical homestead design: keeping pigs dry, making compost, using portable infrastructure, managing breeding animals, and placing livestock close enough to the garden that everything can work together. The pigs get weeds and extra garden produce, while the garden gets the fertility back. That’s the beauty of designing for proximity, connection, and simple systems that improve over time. CHAPTERS 00:00 Our pig run was too big 00:38 The calf finally stays separated overnight 02:47 The plan: move the Pig Port and save the compost 06:49 Leveling the path for the Pig Port 07:21 Securing the pigs and starting the move 09:22 Moving the Pig Port onto fresh ground 10:54 Setting up the new pig area 11:36 A simple Pig Port setup for 2–3 pigs 12:36 Pigs, compost, and garden design 13:26 Moving the compost pile with the mini excavator 14:14 Dinner and Homesteaders of America crafts Thanks for following along as we keep learning, rebuilding, and growing better systems on the homestead.
YouTube Video VVVPU0dFb2tRUWNkQVZGdUxfQXE4ZGxnLjJ3VE9mUkJfS0lj

Our Pigs Just Gave Us a Mountain Of Compost

Justin Rhodes October 4, 2026 5:55 pm

Not only does deep bedding help sanitize an animal's area by capturing its urine and manure, but over time, that urine and manure mix in with the carbon (in our case, wood chips), and you get compost. We made it so our shed for our pigs is mobile (hence the pigport). It fills it up with the bedding. Move it forward, and it exposes our bedding. We can pile it up into a pyramid and turn it even more if we want finer compost, but it's ready to go on the pasture as is. If we want it for the garden, we have to turn it.
YouTube Video VVVPU0dFb2tRUWNkQVZGdUxfQXE4ZGxnLnNVRFRXWURBQnlN

Pigs built this massive pile of compost

Justin Rhodes October 3, 2026 10:02 am

The homesteading dream can be beautiful—but it can also become overwhelming when the work, the land, and family expectations outgrow the systems holding it together. Grab their new book here: https://sprinklewithsoil.com/nourishing-asian-homestead In this episode, we sit down with Tim and Sophia Eng—authors, homesteaders, real-estate professionals, and former Californians now building a life in Tennessee. We talk honestly about leaving Silicon Valley, raising children with practical skills, building food security and community, navigating homestead burnout, and why the “dream” sometimes needs to be simplified before it becomes a nightmare. We also get into The Nourishing Asian Homestead, Korean Natural Farming, building resilient systems, downsizing livestock, and the value of knowing where your food comes from. Connect with Tim and Sophia: Homesteading Agent: https://homesteadingagent.com Instagram: @homesteadingagent Instagram: @sprinklewithsoil CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome: Tim & Sophia Eng 07:42 From Silicon Valley to Homesteading 16:35 Marriage, Junk Food & Health 22:21 The Nourishing Asian Homestead 25:26 The Real Work of Homesteading 33:30 Leaving California Behind 46:21 Why They Started Questioning Everything 1:06:21 Raising Kids Who Can Handle Hard Things 1:22:42 Homestead Burnout Is Real 1:33:00 When Kids Don’t Want the Homestead Life 1:39:22 Community Is the Best Security System 1:46:16 Korean Natural Farming & Soil Health 1:55:44 Building Systems That Last
YouTube Video VVVPU0dFb2tRUWNkQVZGdUxfQXE4ZGxnLjZDWlgtU0w4NEkw

From Silicon Valley to Homesteading: Tim & Sophia Eng

Justin Rhodes October 2, 2026 2:21 pm

Everyday I must make sure the animals eat. So we prioritize it the point we don’t even eat until they have.
YouTube Video VVVPU0dFb2tRUWNkQVZGdUxfQXE4ZGxnLmtwUVdPZldXRlVB

My Animals Eat before I do.

Justin Rhodes October 2, 2026 10:01 am

We have 28 days until frost—and this pasture is down to bare ground. Today, we’re moving the cows and sheep into another difficult paddock while working to bring this neglected section of our farm back to life. The animals may not be getting their favorite “ice cream grass” in every corner of this rotation, but they are doing an important job: trampling down weeds, eating what they can, fertilizing the soil, and giving us a chance to follow behind with mowing, seed, and mulch. We also have an update on the calf who keeps escaping his night pen to nurse from Mama. We tried a cattle panel, a tighter setup, and a funnel to get him contained—but this little guy has other plans. Then it’s time for the real pasture-revival project. We use a drag to spread manure and disturb the hard soil surface, plant a dairy-cow pasture mix, and cover it with hay to protect the seed from the sun and rain. The goal is simple: establish grass before winter, cover the soil, and turn this rough patch into productive forage for years to come. This is what building a better farm looks like for us—working with the animals, giving the land attention, and taking on one neglected area at a time. GEAR FROM THIS VIDEO Pasture drag for spreading manure (similar): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018R4GKH2?tag=abundanpermac-20 Orchardgrass seed: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092RHBJK3?tag=abundanpermac-20 Red clover seed: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002T9NY0S?tag=abundanpermac-20 White Dutch clover seed: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QLBY1I?tag=abundanpermac-20 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. CHAPTERS: 0:00 We only have 28 days until frost 1:08 Setting up the calf’s new night pen 2:28 Today’s farm plan 6:01 Fixing fences and moving the herd 8:08 The cows find the good grass 11:07 Taking down an old fence line 12:50 Why bare ground is a problem 14:33 Spreading hay over the soil 15:51 Covering the seed with hay 16:17 Junk food from the land If you enjoy real-life homesteading, rotational grazing, regenerative agriculture, family farming, and learning alongside us, subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next video. What would you plant to restore bare ground before winter? Let us know in the comments!
YouTube Video VVVPU0dFb2tRUWNkQVZGdUxfQXE4ZGxnLlNmTjhYVFREZ2U0

The Animals Ate It Down, Now We’re Planting It Back

Justin Rhodes October 1, 2026 4:00 pm

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