Feature Homestead Mompreneurs
Q: What inspired you to turn your homestead skills into income?
Inspiration can often come from seeing opportunities in the skills, resources and passions that are already on hand, turning the homestead life into a livelihood.
“ I’ m sure that, like a lot of others, we watched social media and observed some of the homesteading and farming‘ influencers’ generate income doing what they loved,” Guidroz said.“ For me, our quail business became much more successful than I ever imagined.”
Svacina reflects that her and her husband, an outdoor enthusiast, were looking at purchasing land for recreational use.“ Very quickly, that interest switched to more acres and a goal of slowly building a directto-consumer meat business … I really wanted to create something of my own.”
Salisbury had realized early on that her homestead could generate income but was reluctant to pursue it.“ When I realized that I could grow more than what our family needed and started off selling the extra, I was able to build momentum for the‘ weird’ or‘ niche’ things we raise. Then it translated into more demand than just providing excess to the community.”
Q: What is your favorite part of being a mother on a homestead?
On the homestead, motherhood and family take on a different rhythm, blending daily chores, life lessons and family moments.
Guidroz loves seeing her children gain life skills. Her oldest tends her own flock, her middle is a mechanic and her youngest, at ten, handles power tools, gardens and cooks.“ I can’ t say that rural life shaped our parenting, but I think that homesteading definitely had a hand in raising proficient, skilled and amazing humans who can do anything they put their minds to.”
Salisbury is able to give her children a childhood she dreamed of having, as well as a foundation that will set them up for success.“ As a rural parent, we have lots of outdoor time, rain or shine. It ' s taught me to be more
Photo credit Ilissa Altis Courtesy of Cylon Rolling Acres lenient and forgiving, and I ' ve learned to roll with what each day brings.”
“ I really have enjoyed seeing my kids appreciate and enjoy this lifestyle,” Svacina said.“ They love playing outside around the farm, in the woods, and are always willing to help with farm chores and other larger work days. It’ s like I’ m seeing them become their future, independent, self-sufficient selves.”
Q: What is the hardest part?
Photo courtesy of Bethany Salisbury
Homesteading already has its own set of hurdles, from livestock health and planting to selling and managing the business, but adding family into the mix can create a whole new set of challenges.
Svacina says that patience can be difficult, especially with aspirations for the farm.“ As I’ ve become a parent, the pace of my business has ebbed and flowed over the years … Eventually, with incorporating yoga back into my life and focusing on little things with the farm, I started to become more of myself. Since then, I’ ve taken a little different look at how the farm works with our family.”
Salisbury, meanwhile, finds that juggling time is a
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