There are some weeks on the homestead that seem to fly by in a blur of activity, and last week was definitely one of them.
After taking a much-needed weekend to rest and recharge, we started the week with a bang. Looking back now, sitting here on Monday morning, I couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out. It was one of those weeks that reminded me why we do this in the first place—and why homesteading is never truly a solo endeavor.
The first big project on our list was finishing the integration of the remaining chicks into their respective flocks. For weeks they had been growing in the brooder and transition areas, and it was finally time for them to join the rest of the chickens in the runs.
I’m happy to report that things have gone remarkably well.
Of course, flock integration is never completely seamless. While the older birds have largely accepted the newcomers, we’re still working through some of the finer points of chicken education. Namely, convincing a few of the younger birds that the coop is actually where they should spend the night. Every evening has become a bit of a game of “find the chick that chose the wrong sleeping location.”
Thankfully, they’re learning, and each night seems to go a little smoother than the last.
As the week continued, the garden began rewarding us for months of planning and work. We harvested vegetables not only for our own dinner table but also for the farmstand. There is something incredibly satisfying about walking into the garden, gathering fresh produce, and then watching customers take that same produce home to their families.
I’ve been absolutely thrilled with how well the vegetables have been selling.
Every tomato, squash, pepper, and onion represents months of preparation, seed starting, watering, weeding, and hoping that Mother Nature cooperates. Seeing customers appreciate that effort makes all the work worthwhile.
Just as the garden was kicking into high gear, Virginia decided to remind us that summer had officially arrived.
Temperatures climbed into the upper 90s, and suddenly our attention shifted toward keeping everyone comfortable and healthy.
We placed large fans in front of the poultry runs, increased access to fresh water, and made sure electrolytes were readily available. Throughout the hottest parts of the day, we made frequent walks through both the chicken and turkey areas, checking for signs of heat stress.
Thankfully, all of our birds handled the heat remarkably well.
While hot weather always creates additional challenges on a homestead, preparation makes all the difference. A little extra effort before the temperatures spike can prevent a lot of problems later.
Then came one of the biggest events of the year: harvest day.
Family arrived in town to help us process our Cornish Cross chickens, and as always, it was wonderful to spend time together. I genuinely love my in-laws, and having them here made the weekend even more special.
Their help is also invaluable.
The physical work of processing birds is significant, but the emotional side can be equally demanding. Raising animals for meat requires a mindset that many people don’t fully understand until they’ve experienced it themselves. In fact, I recently shared a video discussing some of the complicated emotions that come with harvest day.
You can simultaneously be grateful, proud, sad, thankful, and exhausted all at once.
Having family there to help carry both the workload and the emotional weight makes a tremendous difference.
By the time the weekend was over, we had successfully harvested our birds, stocked the freezer, spent quality time with family, cared for our flocks through extreme heat, integrated our chicks, and harvested vegetables from the garden.
When I list it all out like that, it’s no wonder I’m tired.
But it’s the good kind of tired.
It’s the feeling that comes from accomplishing meaningful work alongside people you care about.
If there was one lesson that stood out from the entire week, it was this:
Nothing is done alone.
Not on a homestead.
Not in a family.
Not in a community.
The vegetables don’t make it to the farmstand without support. The birds don’t get harvested without helping hands. The hard days don’t feel quite as hard when family and friends are standing beside you.
Homesteading often celebrates self-sufficiency, but the truth is that the most successful homesteads are built on relationships. They are built on spouses who help with chores, family members who show up when things get busy, friends who offer advice, neighbors who lend a hand, and customers who support local agriculture.
Last week was productive. It was exhausting. It was rewarding.
And perhaps most importantly, it was a reminder that community remains one of the most valuable resources any homesteader can have.
As we head into another week here at J & J Homestead, we’re carrying that lesson with us.
Because while there is always more work to do, there are also always people willing to help—and that’s something worth being grateful for.
What was the biggest lesson your homestead taught you this week? We’d love to hear about it in the comments.
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