Roots and Rituals: Celebrating the Summer Solstice on Your Homestead

Summer on our homestead is a vibrant, bustling season, filled with the lush growth of our gardens and the sounds of nature at its peak. The days start early with the cool dawn being the best time to check the coops for eggs, tend to the vegetable plots and orchards, where tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and fruits are quickly ripening under the strong sun.

Honoring Black Pioneers in Regenerative Agriculture: Celebrating the Roots of Our Liberation

Black history is soil history. It is the story of hands in the earth, seeds pressed into the palms of the next generation, and the sacred wisdom of regeneration passed down through struggle and resistance. In honor of Black History Month, we uplift five Black agriculturalists—past and present—who have sown the seeds of land sovereignty, soil health, and community resilience. Their work reminds us that the fight for Black liberation is deeply tied to our right to steward and heal the land.

Winter Pruning: Crafting Stronger Trees for Spring

Pruning in general is one of the scariest things for new gardeners.  Cutting a tree to make it grow seems so counterintuitive, however in winter it's the best thing for strong healthy fruit tree growth.  

Holistic Chicken Care for Winter Wellness

Holistic Chicken Care: Winter Wellness Tips

The Cultural Legacy of Seeds

Seeds carry more than just the potential for new plants—they hold stories, traditions, and a legacy that connects communities to their past. For centuries, Black and Indigenous communities have used seeds to sustain themselves, celebrate their heritage, and reclaim their identity in the face of displacement and systemic oppression.

Planting for a Bountiful Spring

As the cool, crisp air of autumn settles in and the leaves change colors, many of us are reminded that gardening isn’t just a spring and summer activity. The fall season is an opportunity to prepare, plan, and plant, ensuring a thriving, bountiful spring.

Preparing Your Garden for Fall and Winter

As summer gives way to cooler weather, it’s time to think about how to prepare your garden for the fall and winter seasons. This period of transition is not just about putting your garden to rest—it’s a time of renewal, reflection, and preparation for the coming year.

Must Have Homestead Garden Tools!

Add these tools to your shed to upgrade your garden game and fame! Keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list, but this is a baseline to move you closer to the big leagues.   

The Art of Seasoning Cast Iron (and Why It's Sacred in My Kitchen)

There’s something almost ceremonial about cooking with cast iron. The weight. The crackle. The way it holds memories of every meal it's ever touched. It's not just a kitchen tool—it’s a legacy, especially in Black households like mine, where cast iron is part of the family.  

Using Fresh Herbs for Kitchen Medicine: Recipes and Remedies for Wellness

5 Wild Spring Weeds for Internal Spring Cleaning

The land is speaking—are we listening? With the return of spring, the first green medicines rise up from the soil, offering themselves freely. They are not planted by human hands, yet they arrive just when we need them most, growing in the cracks of sidewalks, along garden edges, and in the forgotten spaces where we seldom look. These are the plants of our ancestors, the wild ones that have cleansed, nourished, and healed for generations.

Herbal Love Stories

Taking time for ourselves—whether in stillness, through ritual, or by immersing in the natural world—flies in the face of a society that often values our output over our well-being. The pressure to be constantly busy can feel overwhelming, and for many of us, taking rest can feel indulgent, or worse, undeserved. But the truth is, slowing down is a necessary act of restoration.

Preserved Citrus Marmalade: A Bright Taste of Winter

Winter at Yisrael Farms is a time of reflection, a season where the world slows down just enough for us to listen more closely. As the vibrant greens of summer fade into memory, our citrus groves awaken, offering their sun-kissed fruits as a gift to carry us through the darker months. This time of year, the farm is alive with the scent of navel oranges, Meyer lemons, blood oranges, and clementines—a fragrant promise of brighter days ahead.

A Taste of Tradition: Hoppin’ John and the Ghanaian Connection

As the January 1st approaches, many families in the Southern United States prepare a dish steeped in tradition: Hoppin’ John. This savory dish of black-eyed peas and rice is said to bring good luck and prosperity when eaten on New Year’s Day. But where does this tradition come from, and how is it connected to the African diaspora? Let’s dive into the rich history of Hoppin’ John and explore a delicious Ghanaian twist on this beloved meal.

Sweet Potato Pie: A Slice of Tradition and Comfort

When it comes to fall desserts, sweet potato pie holds a cherished place at the table—especially in many Black households, where it’s often preferred over pumpkin pie. This dessert not only brings warmth and flavor but also carries a rich history deeply rooted in African American culinary traditions.

Crafting Seasonal Herbal Remedies

Herbs for the Mamas: Nurturing Plants for Women’s Health

I believe the garden is a womb space—alive, nourishing, and wise. The earth, like a mother, gives unconditionally: a place where seeds are sown, where life emerges, where roots deepen, and where we return to rest and be made whole again.  This post is for the mamas in every form—those who are raising children, raising communities, raising themselves. Whether you’re tending to your cycle, entering perimenopause, recovering postpartum, or simply seeking herbal allies to feel more grounded, these herbs have your back.

Welcoming the Longest Night: The Solstice and Agricultural Traditions

The winter solstice slips quietly into the year, a sacred pause in the sun’s journey. Many see it as a marker of the year’s close, a prelude to celebrations that usher in the new calendar year. But for us, the solstice carries a deeper rhythm, a rhythm that mirrors the earth itself. It is not an ending but a time to go inward, to reflect, and to prepare—not just individually, but as a family.

From Fear to Peace: How Forest Bathing Is Transforming My Connection to Nature

Food Sovereignty, Gratitude, and the Indigenous Roots of Thanksgiving

Create the Ultimate Herbal Homestead First Aid Kit

Life on a homestead is full of surprises. Every day brings new challenges, whether it's the unpredictability of weather, the persistence of weeds, or the sudden need to patch up a scraped knee or soothe an unexpected bee sting. Over the years, I've learned that having a well-stocked first aid kit is not just a good idea—it's essential. But I’m not only talking about your typical, store-bought first aid kit filled with band-aids and antiseptic wipes, although those items are a great idea. On our homestead, we rely on the healing power of plants. Our herbal first aid kit is the first line of defense against minor injuries, burns, bug bites, and common ailments.