All For Gardening
@Roots and Refuge Farm

Roots and Refuge Farm: A Vlog About Homestead Animals (Meat Production and Pasture Pets)



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.

*********************

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
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandrefugefarm
– 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

**********************

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
– Neptune’s Harvest Fertilizer: https://rootsandrefuge.com/neptunes-harvest-fertilizer

#rootsandrefuge

40 Comments

  1. AMM

    I’m so glad I found this channel. I used to follow a homestead blog called Chickens In The Road and was so disappointed when the posts stopped. Love the homestead lifestyle

  4. Narrowway7

    Do you personally butcher your animals? I don’t think I could do that part. I’d have to have my husband or someone come to do it. I know that sounds lame, but it’s just too much for me… curious what y’all do and if you personally take part in the first part of butchering, not just the aftermath

  6. Serena Silva

    Amen to that. I get so many people hating on me for growing our own meat. 🤷🏽‍♀️ I'm thinking it's loved fed well and living a good life.

  8. Emily Swezey

    I think that the conversation around sustainability is often too narrow to be realistic. The whole picture has to be considered, your goals and the consequences of the choices. A hybrid isn't any harder on the environment than a heritage bird, it matures faster, uses less feed which is a major cost to buy as well as environmental cost to produce. And making choices and justifying them by the argument of something being "sustainable" when what they really mean is using less modern technology is kind of hoodwinking yourself into doing things the hard way when it doesn't help you reach your goals and probably makes your goals actually harder to reach.

  10. Keith Bilyeu

    Pam here….Boscoe….so adorable…you’re talking to me and not scratching my head…come’ on mom Im here for lovin!!

  12. Tina Bloomfield

    They are starting up with the lockdowns and mandates again…..do not comply….and grow your own food as much as possible <3

  14. Karen L

    Vegan here. Your family clearly lives in a beautiful harmony. I was just listening to a scientific discussion the other day about how plants absorb/consume the microbes in the soil. Everything is part of the cycle of life and that is what needs to be respected. A lot of vegans who give you grief really need to rethink their position.

  17. Two Little Y's

    We raised 4 turkeys this year in our back yard (about half an acre), moving them every 3-5 days with electric netting. In just 16 weeks we got 4 nice sized birds in the freezer for the year. You don't need a huge amount of space to raise some of you own meat, and do it without harming the land! We did however need to remind the kids and their freinds to wear shoes in our yard with the fertilized sections all over the place.

  19. Jules1280

    Hi Jess & Miah!
    SUGGESTION: Living Traditions Homestead have gone to the American Bresse chickens for their meat chickens. And they are sustainable heritage birds from France. But they grow as fast if not faster than the Cornish Cross and the female American Bresse lay sooner than other chickens. Also they are red, white and blue. Red comb, white feathers and blue legs. 😉 Might be a good breed to look at when you get ready to use sustainable chickens for meat. Stay safe in the storm! Blessings to all!

  21. Robin Girven

    We grew Cornish Cross this year for the first time. Started with 26, butchered 12. We lost a lot. Not sure what we did wrong? They’re huge and taste wonderful though.

  22. Stephanie Hanuman-Dale

    What’s a good place to buy lard if I don’t raise pigs or know someone local who does? I like Butcher Box but I haven’t seen lard or tallow for sale on their site.

  32. Ginny Sulya

    Hey Jess have you guys tried soaking the feed for the meat birds in your extra milk? Al at Lumnah Acres has recently been doing that to put more weight on his chickens faster. Seems to be working for them! I know you love to experiment, might be worth a try! Stay safe, praying for you all in the path of Hurricane Idalia! 🙏💖

  37. Bradford Homestead

    I don’t buy grocery store meat anymore. I have a farm neighbor, much like you are, and we are able to see the cattle, see the poultry, and see that our food in my freezer came from less than 100 yards away. I have never felt better!

  38. Mimsy’s Garden

    I do the American Bresse and German Bielefelder for “sustainability” and side hustle but my hubby & kids prefer the Cornish Cross. They ALL would rather just do those ; but, my “homestead mindset” can’t justify not having back ups for my back ups lol. Honestly, I could do totally without the American Bresse except the fact that the broody mommas are FABULOUS with their babies. They’re beautiful for sure, but they do have a stronger taste. The German Bielefelders have decent meat, autosexing, & the legs are huge! They are quiet and docile. Definitely my preference.

Write A Comment

Pin