Meet the Face
Behind the Posts
Hi, I am M. L. Woodruff!
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I've been keen on homesteading since I was a kid, dreaming of doing it myself as an adult. Back then, I figured you needed acres of land and a fat wallet to make it work. But guess what? That's not true! With a bit of creativity and some good old-fashioned elbow grease, you can totally rock a budget-friendly backyard homestead. It's been a game-changer for me and my family, teaching us skills, boosting our resilience, and keeping us healthy. I'm all about sharing the hacks I've picked up along the way, from backyard homesteading, prepping for emergencies, natural remedies, and everything in between.
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So, if you're keen on building a backyard homestead on a budget, you've landed in the perfect spot! Here, it's all about the joy of growing your own grub, savoring every bite of a home-cooked feast, and feeling accomplished in your endeavors.
So, if you're up for it,
let's dive in and get our hands dirty!
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Where do you live?I live in a rural town in northern Alabama on a 1/3-acre plot. While most of my backyard is dedicated to my kids' play area, the sides of the house are where I pursue my "homesteading" projects.
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How did you get into homesteading?Growing up, I lived on a 10-acre lot with my family, where we tended to a garden, raised chickens, and kept goats. Those experiences left me with fond memories, and I aspire for my children to have similar ones, despite our current space limitations. Before moving into our current house, I maintained plants on windowsills, back patios, and front porches of the apartments we lived in.
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Do you homestead full-time?No, not at all. I hold a full-time 9-5 corporate job as a Project Manager, and I'm a mom to three small children. I fit in homesteading projects between my kids' sporting activities, work, ecclesiastical service, date nights, and Netflix binge sessions.
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Is homesteading expensive?It can be costly, but it can also be budget-friendly. As a single-income family of five, I don't have a large homesteading budget. However, this limitation has spurred creativity, leading to innovative ways to achieve comparable or even superior results compared to larger homesteading setups.
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How do I get start with homesteading?For me, gardening is always the answer! It works whether you've got a huge yard or just a tiny balcony. You can start simple with some potted plants, go for a raised bed setup like I did, or even get fancy with hydroponics. Plus, if you grow veggies, you can learn to preserve them with canning, pickling, dehydrating, and more!
Get in Touch
Hey there, awesome readers! Drop me a line using the form below, and I'll do my best to get back to you pronto. Just bear with me – juggling mom duties, homesteading adventures, and corporate life keeps me on my toes! I can't wait to chat with you soon!