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A Lovely Place Called Home

A Lovely Place Called Home

by Micheon Hutchings

Education Home and Garden

Season 1

We Sold Everything To Move North And Farm Off Grid... AGAIN Ep.13

For years, we believed we had found the farm we would stay on forever. We built our off-grid home, raised our family, and poured our hearts into creating a life that felt deeply rooted. Leaving was never part of the plan. But life has a way of surprising us. Or should I say, God LOL In this episode, I'm sharing the full story behind our decision to sell our farm, move north to Manitoulin Island, and start over on a completely new property. I'll talk about the challenges, the uncertainty, the excitement, and the lessons we've learned through one of the biggest transitions our family has ever faced. If you've ever wondered whether you're making the right decision, struggled to let go of a dream, or found yourself standing at the beginning of a new chapter, I hope this conversation encourages you! Thank you for listening to A Lovely Place Called Home Podcast. If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review—it helps more people find the show.

5 Spring Tasks That Set Your Homestead Up for Success All Summer Ep.12

In this episode of A Lovely Place Called Home Podcast, we’re talking about 5 practical things you can do in the spring to set your homestead up for success all summer long. Summer on a homestead gets busy fast. Gardens explode with growth, projects pile up, animals need constant care, and before long it can feel like you’re always reacting instead of moving forward. Over the years, I’ve realized that the homesteads that function the best during summer are usually the ones that prepared properly during spring. In this episode, I’m sharing the exact things we focus on every year before the busy season arrives, including: Why we always plant extra vegetable starts How planning income streams ahead of time reduces stress later The importance of securing payments and presales early in the season Why cleaning and resetting the outside of the homestead matters more than people think How mapping out your summer calendar ahead of time can completely change your season Whether you’re running a full homestead, building a small farm business, growing a large garden, or simply trying to live more intentionally at home, this episode is full of practical systems that can help your summer run smoother and feel less overwhelming. Topics discussed in this episode: spring homestead preparation, market gardening, homestead business planning, CSA planning, presales, gardening systems, homestead productivity, intentional living, seasonal planning, and creating a functional homestead lifestyle.

How To Set Up Your First Raised Bed Garden & Succeed Year ONE Ep.11

If you’ve been wanting to start a vegetable garden but feel overwhelmed by where to begin, what to plant, or how to make it work, this episode is for you. In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how to set up your first raised bed vegetable garden in a way that is simple, realistic, and built for success in your very first year. This isn’t about building a massive garden or trying to grow everything all at once. It’s about creating a system you can actually manage, maintain, and harvest from consistently without burning out halfway through the season. I break down the exact raised bed sizes I recommend, how many beds you should realistically start with, and how to set them up so they’re efficient and easy to work in. We talk about soil in a way that makes sense for beginners, including what matters, what doesn’t, and how to avoid wasting money on unnecessary inputs. I also walk through what crops you should focus on in year one if your goal is success, confidence, and food on your table, not frustration and failure. You’ll learn why most beginner gardens don’t make it past mid-summer, the common mistakes that quietly ruin momentum, and how to avoid them by simplifying your approach from the start. This episode is built around real-life gardening, not picture-perfect plans, and is designed for busy people, families, and anyone trying to build a more self-sufficient lifestyle without overcomplicating it. Whether you’re starting on a homestead, in a backyard, or even just a small space, this gives you a clear path forward so you can actually follow through and see results. By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to start, what to focus on, and how to build a raised bed garden that works with your life, not against it, so that your first year is not just a learning experience, but a successful one!

Off Grid Bathroom: Toilets, Showering, Water Systems ep.10

In this episode, I’m walking you through one of the most practical parts of off-grid living: the bathroom setup. We’re talking toilets, showers, and how our water system work day to day while living off grid. This is one of those things people are always curious about, because it’s easy to picture the cozy side of homestead life, but the real questions usually come down to everyday systems. How do you shower? Where does the water come from? What do you do for a toilet? I’m sharing what our real-life setup looks like, what works for us, and some of the things we learned over the years of living this way. If you’re considering off-grid living, planning a tiny house, or just curious how these systems actually work, I hope this episode gives you a clear and honest look inside our day-to-day life. Compost book: https://amzn.to/4mvY41d

How We Do Laundry Off Grid: Real Systems & Options ep.9

In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly how we do laundry off grid. This is one of those everyday systems people are always curious about, because let’s be honest — laundry doesn’t stop just because you live off grid. Kids still need clean clothes, towels pile up fast, work clothes get dirty, and somehow there’s always another load waiting. I’m sharing what our setup looks like, how we make it work in real life, what has worked well for us, and some of the things we’ve had to learn along the way. From power use and water considerations to timing loads and managing the constant flow of laundry in a busy household, this episode is all about the practical side of off-grid living that people don’t always talk about. The real-life system we use to keep laundry moving without the convenience of a standard grid-connected home is what I'm sharing today! If you’ve ever wondered how something as normal as washing clothes works off grid, this episode will give you a clear look inside our day-to-day life. Whether you’re off grid yourself, dreaming about it, or just curious how people make these systems work, I hope this gives you some helpful ideas and a realistic picture of what it actually looks like.

Selling Vegetable Starts From Home: Costs, Pricing, and Profit Ep.8

From leftover seeds to a planned spring sale In this episode, we break down one of the most accessible ways to generate seasonal income from home: growing vegetable starter plants to sell! Whether you simply plant the extra seeds from your own garden packs or intentionally set up a dedicated growing space with a planned sale day, starter plants can provide meaningful spring cash flow without requiring land, livestock, or expensive equipment. This episode walks through three realistic tiers of production, pricing strategies, what sells best in my experience, and the logistics that make or break profitability. What We Cover: 🌱 The Three Production Tiers Tier 1 — Using What You Already Have Planting the remaining seeds from your personal garden supplies to sell extras locally. A low-risk way to test the waters and generate pocket money. You can pay for your entire home garden for the year! Tier 2 — Intentional Small-Scale Production Designating shelves, lights, or a small greenhouse space specifically for plants to sell, with planned inventory and basic marketing. Tier 3 — Organized Sale Model Producing larger quantities with a coordinated sale day, structured pricing, and a clear system for growing, staging, and selling plants efficiently. 💰 Pricing Strategies Explained Pricing per cell vs per 4-pack vs per pot Adjusting price based on plant type and growth time Premium pricing for specialty or hard-to-find varieties Avoiding underpricing that wipes out profit What Actually Sells: Not every plant is worth growing for sale. We discuss high-demand crops that consistently move quickly, including staple garden vegetables and proven performers for home gardeners. We also cover specialty plants that can command higher prices when grown well. ⭐ Specialty & Premium Plants Heirloom varieties Unique colors or flavors Hard-to-find seedlings Plants that benefit from being started indoors These can significantly increase profit per tray when targeted correctly. 🛒 Sales Ideas & Channels Ways to sell without needing a formal storefront: Driveway or farm-gate sales Preorders through community networks Social media listings Bundled garden kits Coordinated one-day or weekend sales ⏰ Timing Matters Starter plant sales are highly seasonal. Producing too early or too late can drastically affect results, so planning around local planting dates is critical. ⚠️ Factors That Impact Profitability: ●Space limitations ●Lighting quality ●Soil and container costs ●Production planning ●Matching inventory to local demand 🌼 Who This Is For: This episode is ideal for: Homesteaders wanting seasonal income Gardeners with extra seeds or growing space Stay-at-home parents looking for flexible work Anyone interested in testing a small agricultural side hustle Why Starter Plants Are a Powerful Income Option: Vegetable starts offer: Low startup costs Fast turnaround time Minimal land requirements Scalable production Strong spring demand 🌿 Connect If you found this episode helpful, share it with a fellow gardener or homesteader who might benefit from a realistic breakdown of selling plant starts.

10 Off-Grid Mistakes That Cost Us Time, Money, and Energy Ep.7

Going off grid isn’t just solar panels and freedom — it’s systems, trade-offs, and a steep learning curve. In this episode, we share the real mistakes we made when transitioning to off-grid living — the ones that drained our time, money, and energy and reshaped how we approach this lifestyle. If you’re planning an off-grid homestead, buying land, or trying to make your current setup more sustainable, these lessons can help you avoid costly setbacks and build smarter from the start. In This Episode We Cover: ●The planning mistakes that caused the biggest setbacks ●Hidden costs people don’t talk about ●Systems that didn’t work the way we expected ●What drained our time and energy the most ●Decisions we would absolutely do differently ●What we would prioritize if starting from scratch Who This Episode Is For: This episode will be especially helpful if you are; -Considering moving off-grid -Designing an off-grid home or property -Trying to reduce dependence on utilities -Early in your homesteading journey -Wanting realistic expectations before you commit Off-grid living can be deeply rewarding — but only when your systems, expectations, and planning match reality. Learning from others’ mistakes can save years of frustration and thousands of dollars. A Lovely Place Called Home Podcast explores homesteading and off-grid life as it actually works — practical systems, real numbers, honest experiences, and thoughtful planning to help you build a sustainable life!

Raising Meat Rabbits for Profit: Costs, Income Streams & Reality Ep.6

Meat rabbits are often promoted as one of the most efficient small livestock options for a homestead. They reproduce quickly, require minimal space, and convert feed to meat efficiently. But can they actually make you money too? In this episode, we break down the full picture — not just the upside, but the math, the management, and the realities of keeping rabbits. This is a practical, system-based look at raising meat rabbits for profit. In This Episode We Cover: The basic setup required to start raising meat rabbits Initial investment considerations Ongoing feed and care costs Processing realities Common beginner mistakes Troubleshooting health and breeding issues How scale impacts profitability We also explore the different income streams available beyond simply selling meat — and where those opportunities may or may not make sense depending on your region and regulations. Income Streams Discussed: Direct-to-consumer meat sales (where legal) Live breeding stock Pet-quality rabbits Manure for garden fertilizer Value-added products (where applicable) Not every income stream will work in every province or state, so knowing your local regulations is critical before you scale. Rabbits are efficient — but efficiency does not automatically equal profit. We talk through: Feed conversion ratios Mortality risks Market demand Time commitment Processing logistics Infrastructure considerations This episode is about understanding the system before you commit to it. Who This Episode Is For: Homesteaders considering adding rabbits Small-scale farmers exploring diversification Anyone curious whether rabbits are a viable income stream Those wanting to run the numbers before investing If you’re serious about adding livestock with a financial goal attached, this conversation will help you think through the structure first. If you found this helpful, consider subscribing and sharing the episode with someone who’s thinking about adding rabbits to their homestead. New episodes release weekly — practical conversations about real systems, real numbers, and what it actually takes to build this kind of life.

What Is Succession Planting? A Practical Guide for a Homesteader To Grow More Food Ep.5

What if you could harvest more food from the same garden space — without expanding your beds? In this episode, we break down succession planting and how it helps you maximize garden yield through intentional timing and planning. Instead of planting everything once and hoping for the best, succession planting allows you to stagger crops, extend harvest windows, and keep your garden producing consistently throughout the season. If you're building a productive homestead garden, this system is foundational. We talk about how succession planting works, how to think in terms of systems instead of single harvests, and how to avoid the common mistakes that leave beds sitting empty. Whether you're growing in raised beds, rows, or a backyard garden, this episode will help you increase food production without increasing square footage. In This Episode: What succession planting is The difference between single planting and staggered planting Why continuous harvests matter for homesteaders How to plan planting intervals Crops that work well for succession planting Common mistakes that reduce overall yield How to build a garden system instead of a one-time harvest Who This Is For Homesteaders wanting to grow more of their own food Gardeners working with limited space Anyone interested in maximizing yield efficiently People who want strategy behind their food production About This Podcast This show is a practical tool for your homesteading toolbelt. We focus on systems, cost breakdowns, and long-term planning so you can build a homestead that is productive, sustainable, and financially sound. Mentions in this episode: Crop planning site that I love : Heirloom.ag JM Fortier Book: This link is to JM's resource site, get 10% off with my code alovelyplacecalledhome https://growers.co/products/the-market-gardener-a-successful-growers-handbook-for-small-scale-organic-farming Or if youd rather use amazon use this link: https://amzn.to/46mWfwC

Starting an Egg Business: Costs, Profit, and What You Need to Know Ep.4

Is starting a small scale egg business actually profitable? In this episode, we run the numbers behind selling farm fresh eggs as part of a homestead income plan. If you’ve considered turning backyard chickens into a small farm business, this is a practical breakdown of what it really takes. We walk through the costs, feed expenses, egg production averages, pricing, and realistic profit margins. I also talk about the hidden costs many homesteaders overlook and why understanding your financial goals matters before expanding your flock. If you're building a modern homestead with sustainability and income in mind, this episode will help you evaluate whether an egg business makes sense for your land, time, and long-term plan. In This Episode: Startup costs for a small egg business Coop and infrastructure considerations Feed costs and ongoing expenses Egg production per hen and realistic yield expectations Pricing farm fresh eggs in today’s market Profit margin realities When an egg business works — and when it doesn’t Who This Is For Homesteaders considering selling eggs small scale Small farm families looking to diversify income Anyone wondering if backyard chickens can become profitable Builders who want to run the numbers before investing About This Podcast This show is a practical tool for your homesteading toolbelt. Each episode focuses on cost breakdowns, infrastructure planning, and clear decision-making so you can build a homestead that is financially stable and strategically sound. Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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