{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Homesteading Chat with Jesse Bickley","description":"Hey y\u2019all, welcome back to the Roots and Refuge Podcast! Today, I\u2019m joined by my good friend Jesse Bickley for a conversation about homesteading, raising animals, and the realities of growing your own food. Jesse and his family also homestead here in South Carolina, and over the years since we've moved here, they\u2019ve become some of our closest friends. In this episode, we chat about the real costs of homesteading, why people start (and sometimes stop), and the deeper value beyond just saving money. Rising grocery prices have a lot of folks considering chickens, gardens, and food preservation\u2014but does it actually save money? We dive into the true cost of homegrown food, why access matters just as much as price, and the unexpected benefits that come with this lifestyle. We also talk about hard decisions on the farm, keeping livestock manageable, and how your "why" should always guide your choices\u2014not just what seems practical or popular. This episode is full of real talk, a few laughs, and plenty of stories from the farm. Whether you're just starting out or deep in the homesteading journey, I hope it encourages you to think about what truly matters in your own home and how to build a life that reflects those values. Thanks for being here\u2014we\u2019re so grateful for this community! \ud83c\udf31\ud83d\udc9b If you\u2019d like to get early access to episodes and join our community, check out our Patreon ","author_name":"Roots and Refuge Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/rootsandrefuge.com\/podcast-page\/","html":"