Family farming, or working a homestead, has been the livelihood of many since pioneer days. Mark and Caroline Stanley and their children, Chelsea and Jacob, work together on their family farm, Turkey Ridge Homestead, to provide for the family needs.

The makeup of a family farm can vary, depending upon the type of animals raised. The basic elements include a garden for vegetables and fruits and animals for meat, milk and eggs.

The Stanleys’ garden consists of various vegetables and fruits that they can and freeze for use throughout the year.

“The garden provides a good portion of our food,” explained Caroline.

The family’s primary meat source is poultry. They raise chickens, turkeys and ducks.

“Our chickens are mostly Buff Orpingtons and Black Ostralorps,” said Caroline. “We have laying hens for eggs and raise broilers to eat.”

A herd of a dozen goats serve their source of milk and an additional source of meat.

“We have Nubian dairy goats and Nubian Boer buck that we can crossbreed to raise for meat,” said Caroline.

The Stanleys also typically raise rabbits and a pig or two for meat.

“Our neighbors are raising our pig this year,” said Caroline.

Large standard riding donkeys serve as the stock guardians.

Another common feature of a family farm is a pond, which provides water for the animals and can be stocked with fish. She said their pond is stocked with catfish.

The Stanleys butcher all their own meat except the pigs, which are taken to a processing plant.

As the name indicates, a family farm takes the entire family working together.

Jacob and Chelsea help with various tasks. They alternate caring for the poultry and help with the garden.

“Sometimes, I have to milk in the morning,” said Jacob.

Chelsea also assists her mom with canning and putting up the rest of the food throughout the year.

Caroline stated the family has great leadership.

“Mark is the backbone. If it wasn’t for him, this homestead wouldn’t work,” Caroline shared.

Mark built their log home with logs from the land that he stripped and cut himself. He oversees the animals and takes care of much of the construction, repairs and more outdoors.

Daily, he gathers the eggs in the morning before he goes to work as a patient account representative at Air Evac. He is also helping his brother build a home.

Caroline notes that there are some things one should take into consideration before starting a homestead or family farm.

“You can’t be scared of animals,” said Caroline. “If you have a fear and you can’t tackle it, then you’re obviously not going to have a homestead with animals.”

A farm takes commitment and the entire family’s involvement.

“You’re pretty much tied here,” said Caroline. “Any farmer or homesteader knows that if you have dairy animals, that’s going to cut back on vacations, trips. It’s hard to find somebody to hire.”

“Many kids are not interested in living on a homestead,” added Caroline. “A lot of times you need help. A homestead is really a family project.”

She also noted she is a stay-at-home mom and home schools her children, which is a natural fit with homesteading.

Caroline also discussed the losses that tend to come when farming.

“Count on unexpected losses,” said Caroline. “For instance, this year our garden did not grow well. Another time it could be that our goats get a disease and we lose the whole herd.”

“Homesteading can be done by somebody who has the desire, not knowing a thing,” said Caroline. “People that have farms are always eager to help you learn – heirloom gardening, stocking a catfish pond, different goat breeds or whatever you are interested in.”

Caroline shared that there are several books available that provide guidance for homestead.

“It doesn’t matter if you have 3,000 acres or three acres. You can really homestead on three acres. There are books out there that talk about small acreage homesteads.”