So. Illinois Backyard Homesteading

01/23/2025

Here are some of the seeds that will be available in our new Seed Library beginning this Saturday at the Midwinter's Seed Swap.

01/09/2025

http://go.illinois.edu/AnniesProjectwinter2025

01/03/2025

Time is running out to apply for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program. MASC provides financial assistance to specialty crop producers to help them expand domestic markets or develop new markets for their crops.

Eligible crops include but are not limited to: 🫐🥦🍋🍎🌷🍄🍯 fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, honey, floriculture, maple, and nursery crops. Call your local office today to make sure you apply by the Jan. 8 deadline!

Photos by USDA; honey photo from Canva

12/20/2024

The conversation my husband and I had when we went over the end of the year costs of grain/hay during milking season 😆

12/04/2024

Need to get that chainsaw oiled up for cutting firewood? Gerald and Angel have what you need!

Are you looking for a better price on chain and bar oil? We have some made and bottled in Illinois for the great low price of $13.87 plus tax!

12/01/2024

We will be open today from 10am-2pm.. mainly because people wanted to pick up their subscription boxes today. The store is looking kinda sad on products, but you’re welcome to shop what’s there. Next weekend it will be stocked again.

Address: 4253 Seven Hills Rd, Odin IL. Blue home, yellow front door. Red car in the driveway. The pole barn next to the house has a side door that is open and will lead you right into the store.

11/23/2024

I have a lot of people who want to come pick up orders today and browse so I decided to go ahead and open the store from 11am-2pm today! Address- 4253 Seven Hills Rd, ODIN IL. You’re looking for the blue home, yellow front door, red cars in the driveway. The pole barn next to the house has a side door which will lead you into the store. *if you need to pick up your order earlier than this that’s fine! *closed now again until December

I’ve had some people who are allergic to dairy and want to use these products ask me if they think they can.. I can’t make that decision for you but I do have around 10-15 customers who are allergic to cow dairy and can use goat milk items with no problem. They had breakouts with A2A2 milk (the cow gene that some people who are lactose intolerant can consume but some can’t) beef tallow, and some even lard (pig) lotion.. but they have tried mine with no issues. Goats milk is scientifically proven to be the closest thing to breastmilk, which is why a lot of babies who are allergic to cow milk can drink goat milk and thrive!

Human PH levels sit around 5-6 and goat milk has a PH of 6, making it the closest you can get to our natural skin levels and microbiome which means it won’t disrupt your skin and will protect it from bacteria. The milk contains lactic acid, selenium, and vitamins A-E, the biggest one most people benefit from being B12.

So again, I won’t say yes or no.. I’m not a professional, just some crazy goat lady who’s really passionate about sharing the incredible benefits of goats milk and natural products. 💗

Come see me today, I’ll have the heater going in the store! 💗 *also reminder while I looovveee dogs, I have free range chickens and ducks so if you bring your furry friend with you please leave them in your car while you do your shopping 🐶

11/20/2024

11/16/2024

Molenhour Power Equipment sells and services all types of lawn equipment.

11/14/2024

🎄Need a Christmas gift for that special someone? We’ve got handcrafted soaps, herbal salves, lip balms, beard balms, lotion bars, bath bags, and herbal sprays! Give your loved ones a gift of all natural, locally made products!
Stay on the lookout for when we are going to be at our next vendor fair before Christmas 🎅🏽

11/11/2024

11/01/2024

That's a nice bucket of creamy, foamy fresh milk!

🌿 Thinking about adding dairy to your farm? Reach out with any questions! 🌿

One of the biggest perks of calf sharing on our farm? Freedom! 🐄✨ By letting our calf stay with her mother, we can milk once a day—morning or night, whatever fits our schedule—and even skip a day of milking if we need to. AND we still get to enjoy almost 2 gallons of milk a day!

This approach gives us the flexibility to step away from the farm when needed, without the pressure of a rigid milking routine. Our cow and calf are happy, healthy, and bonded, and we’re able to enjoy a lifestyle that doesn’t tie us down.

Benefits of Calf Sharing:

1. 🐮 Freedom to skip a milking day when life gets busy.
2. 💼 Flexibility to work around our own schedule.
3. 💧 Healthier animals and natural bonding time.
4. 🌱 Less pressure for us, happier cows and calves!

Calf sharing is truly the best of both worlds—productive dairy and the freedom to live life our way. 🌞