The Kinnard Homestead

Speaking at the 2023 Arkansas Homesteading Conference hosted at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Rison, Arkansas, Tim presents a talk on the subject of "full-time homesteading" sharing his family's strategic 10-year journey from the office to the homestead.

Are you quick to brag about your circumstances when you experience a "streak of good fortune," or to complain when you encounter a "turn of misfortune?"  You would be wise to wait and see where the Lord leads you next.  In this episode, Tim discusses the ancient Chinese proverb about the man who lost his horse and reminds listeners of the related biblical wisdom of always looking to God as the final author of our life's story.

It doesn't matter if you run a Fortune 500 company or a small produce stand at your local farmer's market.  Those who typically succeed in reaching their goals will build a “force of momentum” in their work that is powerful enough to propel them forward.  In this episode, Tim discusses an illustration in Jim Collins' book “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Other's Don't” and encourages listeners not to give up in their own goals for the future, but to keep “spinning the flywheel” until their own momentum-breakthrough finally happens.

Every time you turn on the news it seems we are confronted with another headline suggesting the world is teetering one step closer to total corruption and self-annihilation.  How should the Christian respond to all the dangers the world faces, including those dangers of a cataclysmic nature?In this episode, Tim discusses two podcast episodes presented by John Piper in his series “Ask Pastor John” related to the question of prepping for doomsday. 

Have you ever left your house before catching something embarrassing about your appearance?  Maybe it was food stuck in your teeth, or toilet paper stuck to your shoe, or a zipper unzipped, or a button unbuttoned?  Chances are you have.   In this episode, Tim discusses the real and universal struggle of personal blind spots, both physically and spiritually

If you haven't noticed, Christianity is under attack.  In some states, it's getting so bad that Christians are packing their bags and moving to conservative safe havens.  In this episode, Tim discusses statements made by Pastor Doug Wilson related to his advice for Christians to evaluate their situation and consider how they might better position themselves to defend (and advance!) the Gospel cause.

"Food Preservation: Canning for Beginners" is part of a series of skill-building community classes offered in partnership with 'Community Thrive 365' in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The series is intended to teach attendees practical do-it-yourself skills that promote health, financial savings, and general self-reliance. The class is divided into thee parts.In part three, Amy demonstrates and talks about canning two simple and staple items most people have in their food pantries, namely beans and chicken.  She also takes time to answer several questions from the audience.

 "Food Preservation: Canning for Beginners" is part of a series of skill-building community classes offered in partnership with 'Community Thrive 365' in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The series is intended to teach attendees practical do-it-yourself skills that promote health, financial savings, and general self-reliance. The class is divided into thee parts.In part two, Amy talks about the tools, equipment, and science of canning.

Interested in learning to preserve your own food?  "Food Preservation: Canning for Beginners" is part of a series of skill-building community classes offered in partnership with 'Community Thrive 365' in North Little Rock, Arkansas.  The series is intended to teach attendees practical do-it-yourself skills that promote health, financial savings, and general self-reliance.  The class is divided into thee parts.In part one, Amy shares about her personal experience learning to preserve food.  She discusses the value of knowing such a useful skill and the common methods of doing it.  She also shares a brief history of the canning method in particular.Subscribe to our channel and stay tuned for part two where Amy dives into the actual tools, equipment, and science of the canning process.For resources, visit www.thekinnardhomestead.com/2022/05/26/food-preservation-canning-for-beginners

Whether its chickens being picked off by coyotes, pigs being butchered for the freezer, or mice being chewed on by our barn cat, we see a lot of death on our farm.  What does so much death say about the world we live in?  According to Charles Darwin, it's merely evidence of “natural selection” at work, but is that really the case?  In this episode, Tim talks about what such bloodshed really reveals from a biblical perspective.

Which is more glorifying to God, preaching sermons or shoveling poop?  Is the vocation of "ministry" more sacred than the vocation of farming?  In this episode, Tim shares several excerpts written by Martin Luther arguing for the God-glorifying nature of farm work when done with Gospel-influenced motives.

According to Joel Salatin, every homestead has it's own assets and liabilities.  For the Lars family homestead in Star Wars, there were plenty of challenges to overcome, perhaps the most obvious being a harsh desert environment to farm in.  But, the family had water and, in a desert economy, water was what you really wanted.  In this episode, Tim talks about the importance of recognizing what assets a person has and using them.

After 17 years of working a traditional office job in Little Rock, Arkansas, we are now transitioning to homestead full-time to put our 20 acres and the skills we've learned over the last 10 years homesteading part-time to the test.  In this episode, Tim publicly thanks  those who have helped made our progress possible including Tim's supportive bosses and all our loyal customers.

Have you ever dreamed of retiring early and devoting more of your time to family, farming, or various forms of ministry and charity work?  In this episode Tim shares 7 pivotal steps he took to semi-retire by the age of 35 to do those very things.

If you have learned to be self-disciplined in your personal finances and have discovered the money-saving benefits of zero-balance budgeting, consider "kicking it up a notch" for even greater balance-building, money-making momentum.  In this episode, Amy discusses the advantages of digitizing the cash-envelope system, and even how to turn it into a passive income in the process.

If you're an aspiring entrepreneur in Arkansas with a desire to sell your homemade food items without a permit, you need to learn about the state's Cottage Food laws.  In this episode, Tim gives an update to the law from Arkansas' 2021 Legislative Session with the passage of Act 1040 and the introduction of Arkansas' Food Freedom Act.

 Do you have trouble staying on top of the dreaded laundry pile? If you take a moment to analyze your approach, you may find that you are wasting a lot of time doing unnecessary steps. In this episode, inspired by a practical laundry "hack" by an experienced mother of 13 from the "Real Mom Real Solutions" YouTube channel, Amy discusses how she has successfully redeemed hours of time every week by applying a few simple solutions. Nancy's Video - "Laundry Hacks - 2 steps to reduce laundry time by 82%"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPEJ2M8vuTw

We've all been hearing about “inflation” in the news lately.  Most of us aren't just hearing about it, but we're feeling it in our wallets too.  What can a family do to protect against the rise in prices and the decrease in the value of the dollar?  In this episode, Tim gives three practical ways to stop inflation from burning your budget.

According to respected pastor Paul Washer, a man can earn a prosperous living and fail to be a faithful Provider.  In this episode, Tim discusses statements made by Washer in a compelling sermon challenging husbands and fathers to rethink how they approach home and career.Reference: "Gaining the World and Losing Your Children," by Paul Washerhttps://mp3.sermonaudio.com/filearea/7909123754/7909123754.mp3

Men and women are different, and that's okay. It's how God made us. Benefiting from the counsel of her mom, trusted women in her life, and a little bit of personal experience, Amy shares her discovery of what two practical expressions of love win a husband's heart. The wife looking to bless her man should never forget the influence of a good, old fashioned home cooked meal, and a well prepared romantic "dessert" afterward.

 Imagine a power outage - except, instead of it being isolated to your local area and lasting only a few hours, it spans most of the country and persists several months (or more). According to respected journalist Ted Koppel, such could be the fate of our country in the event of a coordinated cyber-attack on the power grid. In this episode, Tim reviews Koppel's investigative book, "Lights Out," in which he outlines the harsh realities of cyber warfare and the vulnerabilities of North America's power grid, the country's unpreparedness to handle a direct attack on the grid, and those most likely to cope with such a catastrophe should it ever occur. 

When Abraham was called by God to leave his home in Ur and to move to a new land to settle in, the Bible says "he went out, not knowing where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8).  This act of blind trust in God's plan not only spoke to the strength of Abraham's faith, but to Sarah's faith as well in her commitment to follow Abraham.  In this episode, Amy shares her own experience of trusting God by trusting her husband, Tim, who led the family to leave suburbia and to break ground on a raw piece of land.

What is the secret to a happy home?  While some believe better home improvements and more expensive home amenities is the be-all-end-all to a good home life, the Bible tells a different story.  In this episode Tim talks about how, even in a midst of poverty, a family can discover lasting contentment and joy. 

Looking for a low-cost, do-it-yourself wasp spray that works?  In this episode, Tim talks about his recent discovery of a simple and effective option you need to try.

If you're a soap maker and looking for a more efficient and effective way to turn out marvelous bars of soap, try the “Heat Transfer Method.”  This variation of cold process soap making ditches the need for a thermometer and waiting long periods of time trying to get your oils and lye solution within the perfect temp range before blending.  Such a great technique, even the professional soap shops use it!

 "What a man is alone on his knees before God, that he is—and no more.”  More important than the impression you give to your church family on Sunday or to your social media friends throughout the week is the impression you make at home approaching God in private prayer.  In this episode, Tim talks about the important role of sincere, “un-photoshopped” prayer in the Christian Home and how God expects us to practice this spiritual discipline  behind closed doors without the vanity of drawing attention to ourselves. 

The parent who fails to discipline their child fails to disciple their child.  In this episode, Tim talks about the important role of correction and instruction in the Christian home as means of mortifying sin and encouraging holiness.

The health a nation is influenced by the health of the church, the health of the church is influenced by the health of the home, and the health of the home is influenced by the health of the marriage bed.  In this episode Tim talks about the importance of marital intimacy in the life of the Christian Home, and practical steps husbands and wives can be taking to  improve this aspect of their marriages. #thebedroom #sex #homesteading

The biblical practice of rest is generally accepted as an important means of grace by the average Christian family.  The role that entertainment plays in the process of that rest, on the other hand, continues to be a topic of much debate.  In this episode, Tim talks about the biblical categories of leisure and entertainment in the Christian home, and seeks to strike a balance between one's free enjoyment of “all the fruits of the garden” and their total avoidance of "the forbidden fruits” clearly identified outside God's boundaries.#thelivingroom #entertainment #homesteading

 Sharing a meal together with your family, fellow believers, and even total strangers can be a biblical way of expressing your faith and an evidence of God's grace in your life. In this episode, Tim talks about the role of the Kitchen and Dining Room in the Christian home and how God uses them to foster fellowship and hospitality in the Christian family, as well as to bless those sharing a meal together with the different food choices he allows us to enjoy. 

While it's true Jesus puts a priority on the home, the Bible never once suggests the home is his top priority. In this episode, continuing a Bible-study walk through of "the Christian home," Tim discusses the coming and going of those in the Christian family and notices how they treat their home not like their ultimate home at all, but more as a kind of temporary “home-base” for ministry and kingdom purposes.

What sets a Christian home apart from any other home in a neighborhood? In this episode, Tim introduces a Bible-study style series in which he sets out to take a room-by-room tour of the model Christian home acknowledging, first and foremost, God's sovereign grace that makes it his. 

 A love for reading and the proof of being "well read" doesn't require a person to own, or to have even read through, a large stack of books. Quality over quantity should always be the ideal standard, including in the practice of reading.In this episode, Tim talks about a minimalist approach to reading and shares the story of his decision to purge most of the books in his personal library out of a desire to create a more deliberate reading plan. Drawing from the advice of respected philosopher of education, Mortimer Adler, as well as supporting ideas from theologians Charles Spurgeon and John Piper, Tim argues for an approach that allows one to read more by reading less. 

If you're an aspiring entrepreneur in Arkansas with a desire to sell your homemade food items without a permit, you need to learn about the state's Cottage Food laws.  In this episode, Tim gives an update to the law from Arkansas' 2021 Legislative Session with the passage of Act 306 and the allowance of internet sales for cottage food business owners.

There are plenty of "old wives' tales" that old-time gardeners like to use to predict the last frost date on the calendar before planting their gardens. In this episode, Tim expresses some skepticism toward these silly superstitions and points to the metric of historical averages for one's area as a more reliable method to use. Resources:https://www.almanac.com/gardening/frostdateshttps://davesgarden.com/guides/freeze-frost-dates/https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/news/when-expect-your-last-spring-freeze

When organized scouting was first introduced in 1908 by war hero Sir Robert Baden-Powell, its objective was to "complete the sequence of training from boyhood to manhood through the progressive grades of [the scouting ranks]."  In our modern world, there has risen some confusion, including within respected scouting organizations, as to the basic definition of "manhood."  In this episode, Tim explores the history of scouting, its original complementarian convictions, and the current fork in the scouting trail between a biblical and secular worldview.

When it comes to emergency preparedness, having a reliable means of communication can make all the difference in coordinating the help you need.  Ham Radio is commonly used as such a reliable communication option.  In this episode, Tim shares the story of how he first got involved in Ham Radio and how it has proven useful in real life emergency situations.

Regardless of the size of your income, you can benefit from a budget. If you struggle with debt and have a tendency to charge on your credit card more than you earn in your paycheck, you can especially benefit from the cash-envelope system of budgeting. In this episode, Amy discusses the basics and benefits of using the cash-envelope system, and mentions two bonus strategies you can use to gain better control of your finances.

Accidents happen.  When they do, it is best to have a well-stocked medicine kit ready to go.  In this episode, Amy and her sister Joy Durand discuss stories of a severe burn and a nasty wound suffered in the family, and the effective results of applying an all-natural "Healing Salve" developed by the Amish.Resources: www.thekinnardhomestead.comwww.dogwoodmeadowsherbs.com"Be Your Own Doctor," Rachel Weaver M.H.https://www.amazon.com/Your-Doctor-Rachel-Weaver-M-H/dp/0971266905"Be Your Child's Pediatrician," Rachel Weaver M.H.https://www.amazon.com/Your-Childs-Pediatrician-Rachel-Weaver/dp/0971266921"Back Yard Pharmacy," Rachel Weaver M.H.https://www.amazon.com/Back-Pharmacy-Rachel-Weaver-January/dp/B01B9A2V2O

Do you know the difference between an asset and a liability? If your finances are eroding faster than they are accruing, you may need to revisit the concept. In this episode, drawing from a financial principal he first learned from author Robert Kiyosaki, Tim talks about how a proper understanding of assets and liabilities is key to building wealth. 

Tired of searching for the perfect bar of soap to meet your family's specific needs?  In this episode, Amy explains the step-by-step process of making your own soap using the simplest recipe from the beginning steps of purchasing ingredients and needed tools all the way to learning how to formulate your own recipe using a Saponification chart.  Once you understand the basic process and mathematical equations, the skies the limit on what soaps you can make as you craft new recipes by applying further research on specific ingredients and techniques.Resources:Saponification Chart - https://www.thekinnardhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Saponification-Chart.pdf

Those who live on a farm are mindful of the threat of predators that lurk in the shadows and wait for an opportunity to pick off a stray chicken or lamb. Hungry coyotes, venomous snakes, and stray dogs, however, aren't the only threats to watch out for. Far more dangerous are the hidden spiritual attacks happening in the heart and mind of an individual and his or her family. In this episode, Tim discusses the kinds of sins that threaten to pick off a Christian homesteader in their well-intended work of homesteading.

If you feel lost between the  cubicle walls of your work and everyday seems like a repeat of the day before with no real sense of progress, there are a few things that can help orient you to where you are and where you're trying to get.  In this episode, Tim gives three suggestions that, in his experience, can help a person navigate the proverbial rat race of life.

 When you're faced with a problem that's beyond your ability to resolve, it makes sense to call the professionals. Whether the issue involves advanced math, special therapy, home improvement, Christian ministry, or health care, those trained in a particular field are usually the best people to help. However, it doesn't take a degree on your wall to learn how to handle the basics in any field of practice. Despite what you may have heard, that applies to healthcare as much as it does to algebra, therapeutics, carpentry, or any other field you're willing to learn to do yourself.In this episode, Amy discusses the importance of having a humble, yet confident, attitude in taking an active role in caring for your family's health by researching and applying reputable healthcare methods at home. 

The mystery of the incarnation as it is described in John 1 is "one of the richest quarries for mining wonderful truths about Christ in all the Bible."  In this episode, Tim shares a Christmas sermon he originally preached at Crystal Valley Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas where he has the privilege of pastoring.  Focusing on v. 14, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us...," he gives attention to the profound significance and life-changing affect Jesus' birth has to mankind in general, and to the believing church in particular.

If you've ever been a tad bit curious why farmers often have large families, there are studies that point to several different reasons.  In addition to the fact that the farming profession provides more flexible opportunities for a husband and wife to “grow the family” than most other professions,  there are both practical and fundamental worldview explanations that shed additional light on this historic trend.Referenced Resources - “People working in this profession have the most sex”https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/people-working-in-this-profession-have-the-most-sex

If you're an aspiring entrepreneur in Arkansas with a desire to sell your homemade food items without a permit, you need to learn about the state's Cottage Food laws.  In this episode, Tim explains his understanding of the Arkansas law as it's written, and shares some of his personal views and experiences regarding the subject. 

 C.S. Lewis watched his country embrace a socialist welfare state, despite the efforts of Britain's conservative party, led by the great Winston Churchill, to stop it.  In a post-World War II era, those who had sacrificed so much in the fight to live free and independently were themselves faced with an increasing dependence on their own government to take care of them.  In this episode, Tim talks about the example of free and loving Americans who extended generosity to men like C.S. Lewis whose socialist government was unable to live up to its promises. 

 In addition to providing fun entertainment, the classic Star Trek franchise has delivered episode after episode of thought-provoking material to spark the synapses.  Included on the transporter pad of ideas ready to beam into the viewer's imagination has not only been shimmers of science and philosophy, but of economics and everyday business as well.  In this episode, Tim discusses three lessons he has learned about small business while watching the example of a Ferengi Bartender on Star Trek Deep Space Nine. 

Fundamental to education is the formation of good habits, whether your child has special needs or not.  For children with special needs, establishing a set of daily routines and responsibilities is especially beneficial to development and learning to live independently.  In our family, we've found an ideal place to foster such life skills is on a farm where “routines” are a normal part of the morning to evening grind. Resources:Bob Domain - NACD Video, "Should My Child Do Chores?," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E0YFJtQawYDennis McGuire - "The Groove" https://www.dsamn.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/TheGroove.pdf https://youtu.be/BqcxUxd9htg 

 If you know how a rain barrel system works, you know how to get ahead financially. In this episode, Tim shares 3 simple steps that you can apply to see your family's "financial barrel" steadily fill up until it eventually starts to overflow.