We weren’t trying to build a homestead. It just sort of happened.

Fourteen years ago, we cleared some trees, lifted a sagging power line, and reused whatever we could salvage from my old paintball field to build our first chicken coop. After a few months of work, it was finally ready for the chicks.

We quickly discovered that every chicken had its own personality—and that even “simple” animals will teach you plenty if you pay attention. One coop became more chickens, then rabbits, goats, turkeys, quail, and about a million projects that never seem completely finished.

That’s how Added Stress Homesteading came to be. — Bernard

Notes from the homestead

What’s happening right now

No polished farm fantasy here. Just the animals, the work, the mistakes, and the good days in between.

Milking goats

Four Nubian does are currently in milk. We’re learning, experimenting with cheese, and figuring out what works one batch at a time.

Fresh eggs

The chickens that started all of this are still doing their part. Eggs are available when the girls decide to cooperate.

Clearing the trail

We’re starting to open a walking trail through the back six acres, one cleared section and one new idea at a time.

Nubian goats gathered in the pen — The welcoming committee

Young Nubian goats resting together — Apparently the bench belongs to them

The goat herd eating fresh hay — Quiet only lasts until feeding time

Nubian dairy goats at Added Stress Homesteading

The next project

Now under construction

The milking room is becoming a saloon.

A plain milking room would probably get the job done—but that wouldn’t be nearly as much fun. We’re building ours to look like an old-fashioned saloon, with the kind of rustic character that fits the rest of the homestead.

It will still be a working room where the Nubian does are milked. It will just have swinging-door personality and another good story behind it when it’s finished.

Current statusBuilding the milking saloon

Lake Helen, Florida

Follow along. We’ll show you the finished projects—and the mess it took to get there.

addedstresshomesteading@gmail.com