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In this episode, I sit down with Judith Horvath to talk about what it really looks like to grow your own food… without overwhelm. What started as trying to help her kids with food sensitivities turned into building a farm, learning regenerative agriculture, and helping others reconnect with where their food comes from. We talk about: Why food quality matters more than we think How she started in a simple suburban backyard The disconnect between people and their food Why you don’t need land (or perfection) to begin How small skills can create real freedom over time This is a conversation about starting where you are, learning as you go, and building a life that feels more grounded, capable, and joyful. 🔗 Connect with Judith Regenerative Ag Design: regenerativeagdesign.com Fairhill Farm: fairhillfarm.com Podcast: Fairhill Farmstead Life LinkedIn: Judith Horvath   🏡 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/

In today’s episode, Wendi celebrates four years of podcasting with a heartfelt and honest update on life, business, and growth over the past six weeks. She shares: What it’s really like bottle feeding baby goats and kittens (and what nobody tells you) Lessons learned from raising animals and building confidence through responsibility Updates on her growing homestead, including expanding her food forest and learning to work with Florida’s climate Insights from the Strawberry Festival and what she discovered about the gap between learning online and real-life skill building The story behind launching her first in-person class, the Joyfully Prepared Classroom, and why hands-on learning matters A real estate win and what it taught her about persistence and staying the course Family highlights, including a spring break cruise and a special weekend with grandparents and cousins Reflections on four years of podcasting and how growth often happens in ways you don’t expect The importance of listening to the quiet nudges in your life and taking action, even when you don’t feel ready A powerful reminder that progress is messy, but it’s still progress   Progress isn’t neat, organized, or perfect. It’s built in the middle of real life. If things feel messy, you’re probably closer than you think.   Join the Joyfully Prepared Library for classes on canning, herbal remedies, wheat, beans, and more 👉 joyfullypreparedlibrary.com Interested in in-person classes in Central Florida? Stay tuned for updates on the Joyfully Prepared Classroom   🏡 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/

In This Episode: Why springtime makes everyone want chickens The difference between meat chickens and laying hens The truth about how long it takes to get your first egg Why that first egg feels like winning the lottery What daily life with chickens actually looks like Why chickens are one of the easiest animals to care for How to set up a coop, run, food, and water system What to know about incubating eggs and raising chicks The brooder stage and keeping chicks warm When chickens start laying (and why it takes patience) What a “pullet” is and why it might be your best option Why egg production slows down in winter Common reasons chickens stop laying Feed quality, protein levels, and chicken health Simple ways to support your flock naturally The reality of predators and unexpected losses What happens when things go wrong (and how to handle it) Why chickens may not actually save you money Why they are still 100% worth it How to collect, store, and wash eggs The joy, personality, and quirks of chickens Buff Clucks - Use code PREP10 to save 10% off your order Raising Meat Chickens Episode 203 Incubator - https://amzn.to/3NQKiJC

A very honest “I forgot sunscreen” moment Why denial sometimes sneaks into our planning Making meaningful memories with family… even when things go wrong What a serious sunburn actually feels like (and why it sneaks up on you) What to do when the ship store is sold out of aloe Using herbal knowledge in real life: Black tea for pulling heat from the skin Chamomile for calming irritation Peppermint for a cooling sensation How to make a simple tea compress (fomentation) for sunburn relief Why skills matter more than having the “perfect” supplies A small win: having a basic first aid kit on hand A surprising lesson from a leaking jar of jam in Grand Cayman Why proper sealing matters in home food preservation Trusting your instincts when something feels “off” with food A quick reminder about safe canning practices (and when to throw food away) The bigger takeaway: preparedness is a mindset, not perfection Why sunscreen belongs in your 72-hour kit Learning to think through problems and respond with what you have   72 Hour Kit -  🏡 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/

n this episode, Wendi shares a more pointed but encouraging message about preparedness, responsibility, and community. After hearing people joke for years about showing up at her home during a crisis, she explores the deeper mindset behind that statement and why it matters. Preparedness isn’t about fear or hoarding supplies. It’s about becoming someone who is useful, capable, and ready to contribute when life becomes difficult. In This Episode • Why the phrase “I’m coming to your house if something happens” reveals a deeper mindset • The concept of capacity in homes, families, and communities • Why preparedness is about more than food storage • How skills increase the strength of a community • The difference between showing up as a burden or showing up as help • Why mindset, character, and emotional resilience are also preparedness skills • Lessons from homesteading and community living • A hopeful invitation to start learning and building self-reliance Key Takeaway Preparedness is not about hiding away with supplies. Preparedness is about becoming someone who is useful when things get hard. Resources Mentioned Joyfully Prepared Library Learn practical preparedness skills including food preservation, gardening, herbal remedies, and more. Visit:JoyfullyPrepared.com   🏡 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/ Share the Episode If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or family member. Preparedness grows stronger when more people learn, contribute, and support their communities.

In this episode, Wendi shares three foundational principles for choosing property for a homestead. Homesteading dreams often begin with land, but many buyers focus on the house and overlook important details about zoning, soil, water, and long term sustainability. Wendi explains how the right property can support a self reliant lifestyle while the wrong property can limit what is possible. In This Episode • Why five acres does not always mean freedom • The surprising restrictions that HOAs and deed covenants can place on rural property • Questions to ask about zoning and land use before buying homestead property • Why sunlight, soil, and drainage matter more than the house itself • The importance of doing your own due diligence when buying land • Why buying within your means creates a more peaceful homesteading journey • How learning homesteading skills before buying land can set you up for success • Simple ways skills like gardening, food preservation, and herbs can grow into income opportunities on your property Wendi also shares stories from her own homesteading journey and explains why she became a Realtor to help others find property that truly supports the life they want to build. If you are dreaming about land, gardens, chickens, or a future homestead, this episode will help you think through the foundation before you buy. Episode 111 - Building Resilient Homes for Uncertain Times Episode 199 - How to Start Homesteading Without Land   🏡 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/

Biggest Canning Mistakes I See Every Year Canning competitions aren’t just about ribbons. They’re about courage, skill stacking, community, and stewardship. As Chairperson of the Food Preservation Division at the Florida Strawberry Festival, Wendi shares what really happens behind the scenes — from checking processing times to guiding judges through taste evaluations. What Wendi Learned This Year Many new canners don’t realize food has changed over time Modern tomatoes are often lower in acid than older varieties USDA guidelines evolve because food and agriculture evolve pH matters because botulism cannot grow in high acid foods Water bath vs pressure canning isn’t optional — it’s science Modified recipes require modified processing methods Jars must be washed after processing and rings removed before storage Clean, classic flavors often win over complex combinations Common Mistakes That Lead to Disqualification Incorrect processing times Using water bath when pressure canning is required Adding low-acid ingredients like corn or extra onions without adjusting processing Not following jar size guidelines Leaving rings on and failing to wash jars after sealing Behind the Judging Table Judging is social and collaborative. Judges talk, compare notes, and influence each other. Over three years, a pattern has emerged: Simple, balanced, classic flavors tend to win. Strawberry jam. Apple jelly. Clean Christmas jam. That doesn’t mean creative flavors are wrong. It simply means familiar flavors are easier for a group to agree on. Wendi’s Encouragement Entering a competition is skill stacking in action: Learning to can Following a tested recipe Filling out paperwork Showing up prepared Receiving feedback Even if you don’t win, you gain: Confidence Experience Community connection Improved technique And that matters more than the ribbon.     🏡 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

What we cover Why Wendi wanted the survival side of Survivor, not just gameplay The bathroom reality: no toilet paper, “Coconut Grove,” and leaf roulette The pre game survival briefing and what it does and does not teach you Fire making in Fiji, and why moisture makes everything harder Why digging a fire pit is basically impossible on volcanic rock The rule about losing flint, and how banking embers can save you Wildlife risks and what they warned contestants about The surprising reason bigger fish are discouraged What they actually ate: crabs, small fish, worms, and the hunt for fruit Food allergies on the island and how that changes everything The stingray moment: how it was caught, how it was killed, and how it got ruined Bug bites, scent differences, and why some people get wrecked and others do not Parasites, water concerns, and what contestants do after the show The deeper lesson Liz brought home: receiving grace, not just giving it Wendi’s closing message: skills are a bank account that never depletes Memorable moments and quotes “Survivor is real baby. They do not give you toilet paper.” “Do not boil a stingray.” “Skills are what brings freedom.” “You can never deplete the reservoir of skills.” Listener question Would you go on Survivor? Be honest. Indoor toilets matter. Guest Liz Wilcox Instagram: @thelizwilcox (as mentioned in the episode)   🏡 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

In This Episode: Why Wendi is identifying as a quilter before making her first quilt The power of practicing simple foundational skills like sewing straight seams Raising and processing 42 meat chickens and what that teaches about confidence How tweaking systems makes homesteading smoother over time A Florida cold snap that damaged the food forest and what resilience looks like Losing a rooster and making the next right decision for the homestead Combining flocks and preparing for a new generation of laying hens Bringing home two bottle-fed baby goats and trying a new approach Why self-reliance is a form of self-care How skills compound and build lasting confidence Referenced Episodes: Episode 203: Raising Meat Chickens Connect with Wendi: 🏡 Website: joyfullyprepared.com Email: [email protected] 📚 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

Why we decided to raise our own meat chickens instead of just buying “better” meatHow seeing someone else do it made us realize we could tryWhether you need land, special equipment, or a farm setupMeat chickens vs laying hens and which makes sense for beginnersWhat “raising meat chickens well” actually means in real lifeEarly mistakes we made and what we wouldn’t repeatFeeding chickens too much and what we learned about healthier growthThe emotional side of raising and processing your own meatHow our kids were involved and what they learnedStaying calm, respectful, and grounded on processing dayHow raising our own meat changed how we cook and waste foodWhy using the whole chicken mattersHow one small food skill can shift your confidence and mindsetIf you’d like a more in-depth, step-by-step series on raising and processing meat chickens, let me know. I’m happy to go deeper if that would be helpful. You can reach me through my website or by email.   🏡 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

When Wendi moved her family to Florida, she left behind something she now deeply misses. Not furniture. Farm tools. That realization became the heart of this episode. In this episode, we talk about:Why homesteading value lives in skills, not stuff How to homestead on a budget without waiting for “someday” Learning to see abundance in your home, yard, and even clutter Why buckets, tools, pallets, and scraps matter more than aesthetics The power of foraging and learning what already grows around you How weeds like dandelions are only weeds until you know their purpose Building functional chicken coops and pens without expensive materials Growing food from seeds and turning small starts into food or income Using grocery scraps like tomatoes, onions, and radishes to grow more food Why mistakes are part of building self-reliant confidence How resilience is formed through learning, trying, and adjusting A gentle invitation to learn skills inside the Joyfully Prepared Library: www.joyfullypreparedlibrary.com This episode is for anyone who feels drawn to homesteading but worries they cannot afford it. It is a reminder that confidence comes from learning, not buying. 🏡 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

Why Container Gardening Works Almost Anywhere You do not need land. Or a perfect setup. Just a place to start. Choosing Containers Without Buying Anything New Buckets, bags, bowls, and things you already own can work just fine. Soil Basics Without the Overwhelm What matters. What doesn’t. And what to skip entirely. Beginner Plants That Are Hard to Kill Easy wins that build confidence fast. Why Mulch Makes Container Gardening Easier A simple layer that saves water and prevents problems. Where to Find Good Seeds Including favorites like  Baker Creek Heirloom SeedsSouthern Exposure Seed ExchangeStrictly Medicinal Seeds  ** Joyfully Prepared Container Gardening  Workbook **   🏡 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

Celebrating episode 200 and four years of podcasting Why Wendi started the podcast and what Joyfully Prepared is really about Milling grain and baking whole wheat bread as a lesson in learning through failure A simple, everyday definition of anti-fragility How homesteading naturally builds anti-fragile skills Skill stacking and why learning one skill makes the next easier Building a fence solo and choosing hard things on purpose Recognizing and shifting out of victim thinking Asking the question that changes everything: “What can I do with what I have right now?” Creating anti-fragile moments intentionally in low-stakes spaces Applying anti-fragility to quilting, real estate, and everyday life Why preparedness creates calm and reduces panic Using a transformation journal to document growth and progress A gentle reminder that being clumsy and unfinished is part of becoming capable ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Container Gardening Course - https://joyfulprep.kartra.com/page/containergardeningcourse Podcast Episode: Mastering the Art of Skill Stacking for Ultimate Preparedness   🏡 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

Why homesteading is about skills, not land How homesteading looked before it had a trendy name Growing up with a garden, jars on the shelf, and clothes on the line Why homesteading skills are an investment and a form of self-care Setting a boundary around learning and practicing skills Why food is foundational to confidence and self-reliance Starting with one meal, one recipe, or one jar The blackberry jam story and learning by doing Why confidence comes from proximity, not over-researching Letting systems reveal themselves through repetition Finding mentors and learning in community How homesteading skills transfer to apartments, RVs, and everywhere else Why skills can never be taken away from you Relearning skills and getting back into rhythm Homesteading as an adventure and a lifelong practice A warm welcome into the homesteader identity Mentioned Resource: 🏡 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

Welcome to the last episode of 2025. Instead of forcing goals or rushing a fresh start, we do something softer and more realistic: a homestead reset. We walk through three simple categories — keep, release, pause — to clear space in your mind, your home, and your heart before the new year begins. In this episode: • why resets feel better than resolutions • how tiny habits and “showing up” actually built your year • what worked for you in 2025 (hint: more than you think) • how releasing expectations makes room to breathe • pausing without quitting • why January is a recovery month for moms • how journaling keeps you honest about your growth Simple reflection invitation: Write down 3 things you’ll keep, 3 you’ll release, and 3 you’ll pause as you move into 2026. That tiny list is a reset. It’s space. It’s permission. Reminder: The Joyfully Prepared New Year begins February 1st. January is for recovery, naps, leftovers, and slower days. 🏡 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