So You Wannabe a Farmer

Winter is an uncertain time on the farm. Hungry predators find their way onto the property, rain forces sheep and pigs to seek shelter in the usual spots, and the goats - who despise rain - pile together under the eaves and on the front porch of the house. Garden planning is in full swing, regardless of whether those plans will actually be followed! Plus, frickin' chickens, a new rooster, the imminent arrival of baby goats and more...All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Surprise and Happy Holidays! A little treat from Melissa and Wendy along with apologies for seemingly sneaking off under the cover of darkness without a word of warning or a decent goodbye.  (We call that the Spence Sneak-off.) Enjoy the update!All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Summer is in full swing. Wendy and Melissa contemplate the viability of garden vision glasses to help in identifying green vegetables on green plants.  Brea, the beloved Barbados black belly sheep, is pregnant and the jury is still out on two of her closest pals, Torn Ear and No Tag (no, really, those are their names). Unlike in the big city, drunk dialing on a farm leads to another unexpected delivery of chicks leading Melissa to consider installing a Breathalizer on Wendy's phone to prevent future episodes. And that's only one half the story!All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

June means the end of the school year, graduation, the summer solstice, the time when gardens take off, animals are busy eating the abundant greenery, sheep get sheared, s'mores are made and consumed, harvesting begins, and we get outside as much as possible. Melissa and Wendy share details of their individual domains and ponder aspects of kashrut, or the Jewish laws governing food consumption. It should be very obvious that the hosts have no idea what they are talking about and any information on the topic should be doubled, if not triple-checked for accuracy. Now on to the show!All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Well, we took an unexpected break. Life got in the way, what can I say? Sorry 'bout that! We're back now.  Listen in to hear what's been happening. There are animals, holidays, kitchen discoveries, budding plants, and so much more of the goodies you know you love. Thanks for hanging in there and we hope you enjoy the latest episode.All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Spring is officially here! Seedlings and flowers are popping, eggs are hatching, the trees are filling with leaves. Sheep get succumb to deadly parasites, heavy storms cause damage and destroy farm structures, and bees swarm. Joy! Come see what the spring has in store on Chutzpah Hollow. It's been quite a season so far, and we've only just begun (I hear a song there).All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Wendy self diagnoses  what Melissa dubs "asparagaphobia," otherwise known as fear of commitment. This disorder can be identified by high anxiety brought on by the realization that you planted asparagus in your garden and you won't see the fruits of your labor for three years. There are chicken births and chicken deaths and even a broody hen. Wendy forages for wildflowers to make flavored vinegar in honor of her grandmother. Melissa, a.k.a. The Impatient Gardener, accidentally sacrifices a few tomato plants when it is obviously too cold to move them to the greenhouse. And that's just the beginning! Take a listen, why don't you? Head's up, there is more than one instance of bad singing. (Don't say I didn't warn you!)All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

A beautiful tiara is perfect for any occasion, especially International Women's Day! However, the flashing lights and multicolored flowers can feel slightly inappropriate when the conversation turns to butchering lambs.It's been a challenging week on the farm with two lamb births that didn't go as expected, and construction on the house feels never-ending. Wendy experiences another way of "dispatching" one of the animals and explains why it matters what method she chooses. Meanwhile, Melissa is feeling especially lyrical and - a word of caution as you may need to turn down the volume - breaks out into song not just once, but twice! Of course, that's only the tip of the iceberg. There are shenanigans and a bit of silliness, too! All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

It's a busy time on the farm! Spring preparations are underway indoors and out. Lambs are dropping while poultry is finding its way to the freezer, and such is life on Chutzpah Hollow. In the kitchen, Wendy whips up homemade cream cheese and French pastries and Melissa goes berserk over some black bean soup she made from her home grown beans. ...And there's still the mystery of what inspired the title of the episode. All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Check out what seeds we are starting indoors, both on the farm and in the 'burbs.  We cover soil blocking, wool pellets, sanitizing your seed starting mix, and watering seedlings. But where do you put all these plant babies when it's time to go outside, especially when you have lots of space on your farm? It's time for lambs to be separated from their moms, and while it's not quite Silence of the Lambs, let's just say they aren't pleased with the situation.  The permanent chicken coop gets moved to the upper pasture for easy access to eggs and a more secure home. We start a new segment to hear what's cooking in Wendy's kitchen this week.  According to her kids, the refrigerator is starting to looks like a science lab. All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Did you miss us? We've returned to kick-off 2023 with our usual ponderings, quick-witted banter, some new discoveries, and a bunch of shenanigans. You know, same as before but with just a bit more experience! Come join us as we catch you up on the latest updates from Chutzpah Hollow and the suburban gardens of Chez Spence. All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Well folks, Season 3 is officially complete! Wendy and Melissa review their fondest memories and standout moments from the year. Tune in to reflect along with them as they take a stroll through the successes, learnings (not failures!), and "udder" triumphs!See you soon for Season 4!*Please note: this episode was recorded while Melissa was on vacation and without the usual equipment, so the sound quality is a bit less clear.All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

So many references to frogs in this episode, and one involves a song! There is also a chicken crossing a road (no joke). Wendy practices a new skill...relaxing! Silence of the Lambs gets a few shout outs, and  among the non-farm related content, Wendy talks about how much of her family Thanksgiving was sourced directly from the farm. Back in Rockville, Melissa has some winter growing successes to share. Believe it or not, Wendy acquires a new animal (a pet!). All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

The holiday season is here! That means a very bad day for certain turkey residents of Chutzpah Hollow. Wendy's favorite holiday means lots of farm grown food on the table to share with family and friends. And while the freezer is stocked with turkey, Wendy must reconcile her love of the OG chickens and her distain for the "meat monsters" whose only reason for being is as food for her family.  Meanwhile back in Rockville, Melissa admits worms just aren't for her. In other words, they didn't make it through the season. Fortunately, her fondness for bees - and vegetables - is real. All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Melissa questions whether she and Wendy will ever run out of things to talk about and  Wendy responds that while life on the farm can sometimes feel routine, according to Sam, it exists in a state of "chaotic pandemonium"... so no.  There should continue to be lots to discuss. Some of this week's topics include Melissa and Wendy reminiscing  about their experiences with high school math and other fond memories from the 80s; how much we rely on other people for our daily needs vs. 100 years ago; how exactly a turkey drowns in its water dish, and the cost of an organic chicken, to share a few. All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Melissa celebrates another trip around the sun, the friends reveal how "the sausage gets made," and Melissa reveals her top ten takeaways from a recent visit to Chutzpah Hollow. Spoiler alert: Turkeys are still super-dumb. What more is there to say...just take a listen!All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

This week Wendy is celebrating Sukkot on the farm, one of the Jewish harvest festivals. and the joy and bounty of fall.  Melissa buys herself a birthday greenhouse in preparation for winter,  and the bees get a mite treatment. The results are in...lambing 2022 can officially be declared a success! Wendy's tom turkey decides he his her protector.  Maybe a livestock guardian turkey? All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa SpenceAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

A relatively mild but extremely exhausting case of Covid takes Wendy down and teaches her some lessons along the way (not to mention some interesting, possibly fever-induced ponderings). While she didn't buy property during the pandemic, Melissa did fulfill another dream of hers - becoming a certified coach.  Lambing continues, holidays abound, foraging, canning, and gardening, too! All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa SpenceAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Baby lambs have arrived. I repeat, baby lambs have arrived on Chutzpah Hollow! Wendy is almost an official farmer now. Owning a tractor is the only thing between Wendy and being an official farmer according to Melissa's very unscientific system. Thirty new turkeys arrive, and while they are proving not to be the smartest animal on the farm, Wendy has a fondness for them and is excited to raise more.  The boys eat their first duck (and love it) and the family tries venison for the first time. How did you spend your Labor Day weekend? Wendy's was spent canning 60 lbs of various tomato products. All that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa SpenceAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Sure, we're Tom Petty fans, who isn't? But this waiting involves pregnant sheep on the verge of delivery. Meanwhile, other comings and goings include a new batch of turkeys in (whose brains are the size of a pecan and bodies are the size of a small dog, according to Wendy) , more of the greenhouse out. Pickup truck in, adolescent mini cows (possibly) out.  Puppy shenanigans ensue requiring reinstatement of the avian ICU in the garage as one of the turkeys recover. And most importantly, when can Wendy be officially called a Farmer? These important questions and more will be answered on this episode of So You Wannabe a Farmer.  So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa SpenceAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

It's back to school time at Chutzpah Hollow (and in most of the rest of the country)! That means football games in 95 degree heat, returning to schedules, and lots of transitions on the farm. Among them, Wendy barters two Nubian billy goats for one Nigerian dwarf billy named Jerome, lamb watch and related preparations continue, a new garden is established, and a pickup truck is (finally) on the horizon. Oh, and a bunch of turkey poults will soon be delivered.Back in the 'burbs, Melissa harvests beans, tomatillos, and butternut squash. But most exciting is the honey harvest! But don't worry, there's always more to learn. So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa SpenceAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

A So You Wannabe a Farmer first! We record from an undisclosed, remote location. In other words, while Melissa was at the beach on vacation eating ice cream and playing mini golf. Meanwhile, Wendy toiled away on the farm in the heat of August processing chickens, but also creating community.As only good friends do, Melissa corrects Wendy's proclivity to refer to worm castings as worm casings (which was fortunately well received).  Udder watch continues as the sheep continue to gestate and lambing comes ever nearer. Wendy finds her people at a local livestock association and meeting and learns that there are other noobs in town.So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa SpenceAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Welcome back! It's year two on Chutzpah Hollow and things are getting serious! It's time to stop messing around to get down to business beginning with the First Annual Chutzpah Hollow Shareholder's Meeting where Wendy and the boys reflect on the past year and plan for the future.With summer in full swing, we cover managing garden chaos and preparing for fall gardening, the state of Wendy's kitchen as she embarks on her preservation bonanza of dehydrating, canning, and freezing the bounty.  Melissa shares a tip she learned on one of her favorite YouTube channels, The Gardening Channel with James Prigioni, to encouraging spinach germination in the heat.  In her suburban kitchen, Melissa is busy making seitan pulled "pork". She takes a trip to Home Depot for some perennials to add to the garden and discovers that they sell invasive species albeit with a very visible warning sign. (To find out more and sign a petition encouraging them to stop, click here.)What are Wendy's big plans for the week? Chicken butchering!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa SpenceAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

On this week's episode, the last of the season, Wendy and Melissa reflect on the one year anniversary of Chutzpah Hollow. Animals and lawn mowers have come and gone, Wendy learned to enjoy gardening, and most shockingly, her children are still speaking to her! Another milestone - Wendy learns to let go. YouTube and the interwebs continue to supplement her efforts to figure it out on her own (and in most cases, successfully). And in their typical conversational style, the friends go off on a tangent about the mating habits of ducks before returning to their reflections on the past and thoughts about what the future holds. Stay tuned for Season 3....coming soon! Thanks for listening!Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

The heat is on! While it's still July, it feels like August in both NC and MD.  Wendy's garden is taking off and turning wild and she is experimenting with companion planning. Melissa is busy pruning tomatoes and squash. Surprisingly, she has decided to invite a new species of critter into the backyard garden... no spoilers! The topic takes a turn away from the farm and veers toward the question of "What do you do?" before returning to Chutzpah Hollow for an update on the status of the various animals. Want to know more? Tune in!Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Melissa and Wendy ponder the "Florida weave" tomato trellising technique and question whether it is real or a made-up internet thing. This led to a lesson on determinate vs. indeterminate tomatoes,  how to hand pollinate squash plants, and (logically) culminated in a discussion of amphibian intercourse.  Melissa reports on her recent hive investigation, and realizes that the honey harvest will coincide with  the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. Wendy has a scuffle with the new rooster, Goliath, on the same weekend as a sheep mishap that leaves her with a bruised hip. On a positive note, she did meet a new (human) friend. All this and a little bit more on this week's episode of So You Wannabe a Farmer!Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Chutzpah Hollow is a busy place this time of year! Wendy says goodbye and thank you to the pigs and hello to a freezer full of meat. The yard becomes fully fenced in allowing for a more secure farm and greater free-ranging opportunities for the growing flock, and two livestock guardian dogs (puppies, really) join the family and begin to learn that they are more than just adorable little floofs. But that's not all! There are still more four-legged friends and even some two-legged ones settling into their new home on Wendy's nine acres.  Come take a listen!Follow us on Instagram:NEW @so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Melissa and Quinn come to visit Chutzpah Hollow to enjoy the scenery and offer a couple sets of helping hands. Unfortunately, they turn out not to be the only visitors as  some very unwelcome guests show up and homestead life gets a reality check. While Wendy deals with a tragic situation, her new community of homesteading friends show up  for her and we learn that "homesteading people really are the very best people."Listener note: This episode deals with the death of livestock. Follow us on Instagram:NEW @so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Melissa returns to the farm and this time brings Chris along. It's a quick visit but while he's there  he comes to a surprising conclusion. The teenage chickens begin to free range and enjoy running around the farm looking like creatures from Jurassic Park. Melissa, reflecting on 9 months since Wendy "bought the farm" shares what she has learned about her friend. and Wendy does the same. Along with the excitement of spring on the farm comes another broken farm machine, followed by the further breakdown of Wendy's confidence in herself. A discussion about gender roles ensues, and the conversation concludes with an old Saturday Night Live reference. Melissa finds joy in a neighborhood hardware store while Wendy anticipates two exciting changes in the coming weeks. All this and more in Episode 26!Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

It's Passover, Easter, Ramadan, and Hindu new year, and to celebrate these auspicious days, Wendy brings home two new sheep. (But does she really need an excuse to add more animals to the Chutzpah Hollow flock?) Thor the ram stops by for a few months to fulfill his "duty" and gets right to work! On a more serious note, Wendy and Melissa contemplate spirituality as experienced through the natural world...and then there are the naughty pigs.! Wendy vs. machines part II (or maybe part III?) and contemplation over why we find machines so incredibly frustrating! Plus, other fun surprises on episode 25.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

It's officially spring on Chutzpah Hollow! "Ram Day" is around the corner and preparations are underway. The pigs are getting big and frisky, resulting in some new adventures (more like trouble-shooting), and Wendy admits to only listening to two TWO episodes of this here podcast. Fortunately, Melissa notes Wendy's many other great qualities that  cancel out her bad behavior:). The Maryland garden gets a mushroom bed, as spring planting begins. There is so much to do that Melissa wakes up in the middle of the night thinking about where to plant things. Scientific musings and trivia abound and much more!Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

What's a Kishke, you ask? Listen and find out! Melissa and Wendy break down their  in-person reunion and what has changed since Melissa's last visit to Chutzpah Hollow, including a surprise declaration on the farm population (followed by an apology!). The baby cow starts solid food, pigs get a little rude, and the sheep... well, the sheep just continue to do their thing and look pretty.Melissa finally gets to don the protective gear, light up the smoker, open the hive, and take a peek inside. All this and more in Episode 23!Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

For the second time in SYWBAF history, a special guest joins the conversation. Wendy's niece, Elyssa, leaves the big city and spends a few days experiencing farm life. while Wendy takes her first work trip in over two years.  Join us as we see the farm animals in a new light, in particular, her many thoughts on the chickens and their eggs. A Jewish educator, Elyssa helps us delve a little deeper into the concept of shmita, shares her complicated feelings about kashrut (kosher) laws and their application in our contemporary society. Listen carefully so you don't miss Molly's constant snoring throughout!Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Spring is in the air and a baby animal is headed to Chutzpah Hollow (and who knows, maybe there are other babies on the way...)! The new chicks are hanging out in the garage making a mess in their enclosure (and annoying Wendy) for another couple of weeks while they prepare to join the rest of the flock outside. Melissa becomes an official beekeeper. and recalls the details of bringing home the hive.  Other spring activities begin, and with them come plans for new additions to the garden. All this and more in Episode 21!Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

This week's topics range from the philosophical to the phallic. As springtime approaches, Wendy recalls memories of tulips in Battery Park after 9/11, feels the maternal pangs of farm babies, and (yet again) considers bringing home some new animals. Melissa admits to not admitting to Chris what a horrible job she did pruning bushes in the backyard, the benefits of using alfalfa pellets in your garden, and preparing for the arrival of her beehive. Turns out Wendy isn't the only one with plans to expand the farm, young Sam has aspirations, too!All this and more on Episode 20!Follow us on Instagram:NEW @so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

In this week's episode, Wendy feels powerful after chopping down a tree (it was a small tree, but still...) in order to grow mushrooms. A short discussion of foraging ensues including the dangers of relying on an app to determine whether a mushroom is poisonous. Signs of spring tempt Wendy to start her outdoor vegetable garden way too soon, so Melissa pushes her own addiction - indoor seed starting - on her friend. Aquaponics plans proceed, fruit and nut trees accumulate, and the debate over soil vs. dirt continues. All this and more!Follow us on Instagram:NEW @so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

On this week's episode, Wendy and family are without heat when the oil tank runs dry late on a Saturday night. It wouldn't be a typical week on Chutzpah Hollow without major changes on the farm including the addition of one species and the departure of another. Melissa continues her new task of correcting misinformation that was shared on the last episode and Wendy blows Melissa's mind when she describes a new animal she hopes to bring to the farm. Chicken drama continues as does bee education. All this and more!Follow us on Instagram:NEW @so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

In another surprising twist, Joseph does it again! He proves he's the chicken version of a cat by escaping impending death a second time. Wendy unintentionally tests out the efficacy of the pigs' electric fence, and considers whether the goats should be re-homed and replaced by more sheep. The friends revisit the conversation about livestock guardian animals. We learn the difference of hydroponics and aquaponics as Wendy prepares to get the greenhouse up and running. Melissa takes her first bee keeping class and waxes poetic about their incredible, amazing, phenomenal characteristics. All this and more in Episode 17.Follow us on Instagram:NEW @so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

A So You Wannabe a Farmer first! Melissa and Wendy welcome a guest to the show and it's none other than Melissa's oldest child, Quinn.Quinn is a first year art student at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore studying Ecosystems, Sustainability, and Justice. Their conversation centers around these themes with a splash of Jewish herbalism, a sprinkle of history - both the geographically local and culturally distant - culture, superstition, and finished off with a dollop or two of this and that. If that isn't enough, there's a few gardening and farming references, too! You can find Quinn on Instagram @quinnterludeFollow us on Instagram:NEW @so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Can you believe it? We're back for a second season!  New year, new plans for both the farm and the garden.  While things may slow down in the garden during the dark days of winter, Chutzpah Hollow is prepping for impending snow inside and outside the house.  Join us to find out what's on Wendy's to do list(s) and stay tuned for the latest in breeding fails!Follow us on Instagram:NEW @so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

In our final episode of the season, Wendy prepares for the arrival of her two pigs and successfully manages to put up her electric fencing. Melissa recommends a disclaimer for the podcast after post-show fact checking brings some misinformation to light.  In a sad turn of events,  there is a death on the farm when a predator visits and one of the beloved residents falls victim to its attack. There's talk of animal breeding,  gestation periods, 2022 planning, sprouting broccoli, book discussions, philosophical observations, and of course, a whole lot more!Follow us on Instagram:Melissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

Wendy and Melissa celebrate their 13th episode or "b'nai mitzvah" and agree that they are still NOT adults! Wendy admits to learning to like not being in control, reflects on changes to the farm and the family over the last four months, and learns that Rebecca has been laying her eggs in secret. Heavy machinery shows up to remove acres of bamboo leaving lots of open space for Wendy to dream up new plans. Melissa makes herbal body products and Wendy spends lots of time in the kitchen brewing up delicious and unusual concoctions. All this and more!Follow us on Instagram:Melissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

This week the friends discuss holiday decor and share Thanksgiving reflections. Chickens make bad choices, and Chutzpah Hollow welcomes a couple more girls to the flock. Wendy prepares for the arrival of another breed of animal in early 2022 and thanks to some new friends (yes! I said friends!) they should be safely contained within properly established high voltage fencing. Back in the 'burbs, there's soap-making, teenagers rocking out in the shower, and Melissa learns what it means to "meat a pig"...No, that wasn't a typo. And together they learn what exactly is a ruminant (thanks to a quick search of the Google machine). Follow us on Instagram:Melissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

In this week's episode, the gals discuss Friendsgiving, shaking up the traditional Thanksgiving menu, and why eating healthy,  ethically sourced and local food is a privilege - but shouldn't be! Melissa tells the story of an eggplant that travelled her neighborhood over the summer and ended up five degrees from where it started.  Wendy reflects on how her and her children's lives have changed in the past four months, and Melissa admits to an extreme dislike of a classic garden inhabitant. Plus, so much more!Follow us on Instagram:Melissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

This week, Melissa gets crafty and sells her wares at the neighborhood holiday boutique. Wendy meets with the county economic development representative and begins to ponder profit-making options for the farm. The goats start to wear Wendy down with their cuteness, and in discussing the treats she picked up for them and the sheep at the local nursery, Melissa is shocked to learn that some of her favorite foods are on Wendy's list of least favorites. While this discovery could lead to a potential rift in their relationship, the friends manage overcome  this challenge and focus on the many more things they have in common. Follow us on Instagram:Melissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

This week, Wendy has to celebrate Halloween alone as boys age out of trick-or-treating, while Melissa celebrates the big 5-0 by getting all "Dolled" up!  The Rheins mourn the loss of a beloved family pet as the cycle of life continues to turn at Chutzpah Hollow. The gals discuss the role of food in a variety of contexts including Wendy's weigh loss journey and her year of experimentation with cooking everything from scratch. Also on the menu, how to preserve luffah, what's on both of their reading lists for the week, and Melissa's new undertaking. Enjoy!Follow us on Instagram:Melissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

This week at Chutzpah Hollow, Wendy finally breaks down and admits defeat and the culprit is NOT the goats. As a result, 3 p.m. is the new Wine o'Clock. Melissa prepares to celebrate a "big" birthday and as a result gets a touch philosophical. Wendy adds a pet, and surprising news about Tractor Supply! All this and more on "So You Wannabe a Farmer"!Follow us on Instagram:Melissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

This week Melissa exposes her spelling deficiencies in an embarrassing attempt to spell the word "chutzpah." She redeems herself by teaching Wendy about germination and uses a big word to describe a plant's first set of leaves. Wendy and the kids go on a wild goat chase around the property, and while ultimately successful, it leads to angry goats, even angrier humans, and some dirty, scraped up Rheins.  Chickens begin to free range and  thankfully choose not to cross the road. Tune in for these exciting stories and more adventures!Follow us on Instagram:Melissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

This week, Wendy and the family get in some serious manual labor as they welcome a real-life rancher onto the property (who also happens to be the husband of an old friend). They mend fences and prepare the pastures for the newest residents of Chutzpah Hollow, Nigerian Dwarf goats. Melissa and Wendy talk predators and how Wendy plans to protect the animals, we get updates on the garden, the chickens, and the sheep, and Wendy answers a listener's question! This episode is full of random pre-Halloween treats.Follow us on Instagram:Melissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

This week, Melissa and Wendy reflect on their time together at Chutzpah Hollow. Melissa shares her top ten observations from the visit and Wendy explains her vision for the future including short and long-term goals. Along the way, sheep are renamed, chicken are moved, and the kids take a stand!Follow us on Instagram:Melissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence

In this week's episode, we learn about poultry ICU, Melissa considers adding a pet to her suburban "flock", Wendy fails math and proceeds to get schooled on the difference between dirt and soil, and a fist fight breaks out at a high school football game. Intrigued? Then tune in to Episode 4 of So You Wannabe a Farmer.Follow us on Instagram:Melissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.com Music by Chris SpenceAll that and more!So join us as we head out to the farm...Thank you for listening! If you are enjoying the podcast, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow us on Instagram:@so_you_wannabe_a_farmerMelissa @sow_grow_letitgoWendy @chutzpahhollowMusic by Chris SpenceArtwork by Jane Rabadi janerabadi.comEditing by Melissa Spence