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Hey ya’ll, I’m Jess from Roots & Refuge Farm
Welcome to a place that feels like home. A small farm with a big family. We hope you’ll pull up a chair, grab some coffee and visit awhile.
There was a time that all I wanted in the world was a little farm where I could raise my family and grow our food. Now, that is exactly what exists outside my door. In watching it unfold, a new dream was formed in my heart – to share this beautiful life with others and teach them the lessons we’ve learned along the way. Welcome to our journey, friend. I am so glad you’re here.
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WHERE TO FIND US (Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we’ll receive a small commission but the price remains the same – OR BETTER – for you! Be sure to check for any mentioned discount codes.)
– Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com
– Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup
– Join our Patreon to get early access to podcasts and other information, plus monthly LIVES with me and Miah: https://patreon.com/rootsandrefuge
– Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-wilder-still
– Shop our Stickers & Shirts: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-shop
– Order my first book, “First Time Gardener”: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ftgbook
– Order my second book, “First Time Homesteader”: https://rootsandrefuge.com/first-time-homesteader-yt
– Instagram: www.instagram.com/roots_and_refuge
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– Email Us: rootsandrefuge@yahoo.com
– To drop us a line:
PO Box 4239
Leesville SC 29070
– To have a gift sent to our house from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share
– To support us through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jessicasowards
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PRODUCTS WE LOVE – You’ve probably heard me talk about these things a million times, so here’s where you can order them (and get a discount with my code!):
– Greenstalk Vertical Gardens (Use code “ROOTS10” for $10 off your order): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-greenstalk
– Squizito Tasting Room (Use code “ROOTS” for 10% off your order): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-squizito
– ButcherBox: https://rootsandrefuge.com/butcherbox
– Growers Solution: https://rootsandrefuge.com/growers-solution
#rootsandrefuge
41 Comments
being from upstate NY..winter gloom and doom is so long…any sunlight just energizes me and lifts my spirits…SAD is a true condition…I know I suffer from seasonal affective disorder
So much of what I do outside and enjoy planning and prepared for inside – comes from your inspiration. You mean a lot to me!
That’s called keto. Ha ha watch the video. Fat made my pants fall off. He has a YouTube channel. Has great recipes too.
I just want you to know your experience and suggestions are extremely valuable to me too, thank you🥰
Super cool 😎 God is so good 💜❤️ 🙏
You and your blessing keep me hopeful of Gods love and power. He says he will turn beauty from our ashes a garment of joy instead of a spirit of despair oil of joy instead of morning. I believe.
Love golden hour too. What you said at the end had me in tears. I am making the space I have now the best micro homestead that I can as I work towards the big dream of a full fledged farm.
PLEASE DO NOT PLANT THE HORSERADISH IN THE WOODS 😱
as someone who just bought a house with a woods, I am battling SEVERAL times of invasive species in my woods trying to bring back the native flowers for bees and local wildlife. The idea of planting something you know is so pervasive just makes me shutter. Please don't introduce it to your woods 🙈😭
It’s called the law of attraction. Dreaming is key. Daydreaming even more.
I love your brooder stall! I gotta say you’re making excellent use of the barn. Size-restrictive gates/fences/doors are excellent for critter sorting.
What if you just leave the Pergola and put a new one in the garden? Any guest will be delighted to have a place to hang out. Even in its simplicity it is a delight. Will it be worth it to move it? All the energy and uff-dah…Anywhoooo…that close up was adorable. I've never cooked artichokes and now I am so curious!! thank you for letting us into your life.
You guys deserve it! You work so hard and are amazing stewards of the land along with a wealth of knowledge! I appreciate every video I watch.
Please point us to Miah's channel and vlog. I can't find it anywhere.
Those artichokes look beautiful!
Thank you Jess, been following you since before Covid started, you are such an inspiration, You and Miah are just the best, so glad to see your health is better, keep on farming.
I never dreamed of being a farmer. My family had a huge backyard garden, but teen me had a love hate relationship with it. Yes I loved eating all the fresh veggies and all the things my mom canned, but while my friends were at the town pool, I was weeding, picking rows of bush beans or pruning and trellising tomatoes.
Other than herbs I avoided gardening most of my adult life. Yet, knowing what vegetables are supposed to taste like, I went to farm stands as often as I could. I am a foodie and as I grew older I realized I wanted more of that.
So I tried gardening, and it was challenging. The problem was the garden was tucked away between the garage and shed and there just wasn’t enough sun. Some how I convinced myself it was me.
So I secured a part time job as the manager of my town’s farmers market. It was a good gig and I did that for 4 years! My partner became quite ill so I had to let go of my market manager position.
My partner sadly passed. The next spring I put in 2 4’x8’ raised beds in the backyard. Better sunlight sure does help! I was a gardener again and loving it. A couple of years later, I got chickens, 6 lovely ladies! Who knew? Just prior to Covid hitting I decided I was building 4 more raised beds. Fortunately I scored the lumber before it became scared. So the garden expanded.
I decided because as I am nearing retirement I am going to keep expanding my food growing. So when it is time to retire, I will have my systems in place.
This season I have three new hens and I am adding 9 galvanized raised beds! I still don’t dream of being a farmer, but I am a homesteader!
Jess thank you for hoping that we can enjoy the golden hour, the blessings and for the inspiration to do just that!
Grow grapes on the pergola
For the artichoke…. Cut them the same way but put them upside down in pot w salt, pepper, and garlic for 20 minutes then transfer to oven in a casserole dish with a garlic and butter glaze. If you wanna stuff them then mix the butter with garlic into some bread crumbs w Parmesan. Delicious. Don’t throw the stems away… boil the stem too after peeling and then back too. You get so much of that yummy flesh without waste. So yummy 🤤
My 'little' girl just turned 18. I know how you feel Jess. It's amazing how quickly it all happens!
Like I heard Jeremiah express “Jessica is a Wordsmith”
Hard work pays off and you have worked so hard for your dream. I’m getting there again little by little. I had to leave my dream because of mold. It was everywhere in the house and I now have mold toxicity. Trying to heal and hopefully build a new house in the near future. You deserve the dream come true
Where are the horses?
What a sweet way to end the video, and a beautiful way to end my day!
I love the golden hour talks of much of nothing. I enjoy walking along with you in your dreams come true. You give me hope beyond measure. Thank you for sharing your life. For sharing your dreams. For sharing your hope and sowing that into our souls. I need it as I sit in my waiting room trying to learn. I know I will have my hearts desire one day and you keep me believing it on the hard days. P.S. Freya is my favorite too. She has the sweetest and prettiest face!
Thanks for sharing your life with us ❤
I love taking these walks with you. They are my favorite. I must say I am sad to see Hallie go to another farm. She’s so beautiful, hopefully you will continue to show her once in a while so we can still see her. Love your family and look forward to your video’s.
Thanks for sharing!
My dad lived with us for many years and loved artichokes, but could never remember the name. So called them hand grenades. ( WW2 Vet – served in Africa and Italy).
All your Jerseys are ❤️ especially Hallelujah❣️
My little baby boy will be 18 next month! Ahh, it is bittersweet. My baby isn't a baby anymore.
We don't have a barn, but we do have a few 3-sided shelters, and our cows definitely appreciate them when we have cold, wet weather.
Bless you😊
I love hanging out with you any day Jess but today I have a favour to ask you ? If you should see my comment could you say a prayer to our Father for healing . My 55 yr. Old daughter codded around 7 o'clock last night then again around 4 am this morning she needed CPR once again , we are home now for a few hours . We will go back to ICU soon as rush hour let's up .
Unfortunately we haven't been able to let her children know that this is it , if they want to say goodbye. But there just thinking its probably the same as the last 4 months . She goes into the hospital for around 10 days then she's back home again . But this is different she's on a ventilator now and fingers crossed . Chiara her 15 yr. Old and younger daughter of the two children visited only once, and her son Dantay not at all . They been living with their father since she's been in and out of hospital , and he has not spoken to Tina his mom since then . Sorry I've carried on like this but if you could send a prayer for Tina Michelle Delly Santi ( nee McKinney) I would be very very grateful. I had a priest come in to give her last rights early this afternoon. Like all or most of your watchers I feel like you are a friend. Blessings to you Jess . And thank you. Your friend since 2018 Gaiĺ Poìrier.
You were a huge part of my walk to God. Right there should be confirmation enough for you. Your seed was definitely planted here.
I have heard to stuff them with parmesan cheese. Don't know the entire recipe but it looked good.
Hallelujah is a gorgeous cow.
Artichokes- do not cut off the tops, just turn upside down and hit on a hard surface to open the top. The prickly part will soften in the cooking. I cut the stem to the butt end of the plant and peel. Cut up with onions and stuff into the artichoke. Place in a large container heads up, add water 1/2 way up the chokes. Add olive oil and boil for 45 min or until you can pull a leaf off smoothly. We also stuffed with cooked sausage and /or hamburger, like a stuffed pepper and boiled. YUM YUM…..
I love the brooder stall! A really cool trick I recently learned to keep the heat plate top clean is get press n seal plastic wrap and put it on top. Then just peel and replace as it gets dirty. It works great!😍
I feel the ache with you! My first went off to college this year😢
I think the pergola as an outdoor eating/gathering area is a wonderful idea ❤️ put a fire put close by and you have a great community area
❤
Thank you for the barn tour! All of the projects Jeremiah (and crew) have completed is so impressive! Can’t wait to see him document the future builds on his channel! 🔨🔩🪚
Try dipping artichokes in mayonnaise …omg!
My favorite video of yours ever!!! He is lavishing His grace upon you my sister♥️I just bought your book for beginners and have skimmed through it and read the end where you were thanking people and at the very end – the best for last – King Jesus. I was like, I KNEW there was something about you that I loved and it was Christ in you!!!!💕💕💕💕