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333. Teaching Self-Sufficiency: Kody Hanner on Homesteading and Hands-On Education

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

Release Date: 05/20/2025

341. From Chef to Community Farmer: Julie Warpinski of Rosewood Farm show art 341. From Chef to Community Farmer: Julie Warpinski of Rosewood Farm

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

What does it take to turn six acres into a destination for food, flowers, and connection?  On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael talks with Julie Warpinski, founder of Rosewood Farm in Sugar Grove, Illinois. Drawing on her background as a chef, Julie has transformed six acres into a vibrant destination for seasonal produce, fresh flowers, and memorable events. From CSA programs and farm camps to weddings and cooking classes, Rosewood blends the beauty of farm life with the joy of gathering. In this episode, you’ll hear: From Kitchen to Field – How Julie’s culinary...

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339. The Beekeeper’s Apothecary: Kaylee Richardson on Herbs, Homesteading & Honey Bees show art 339. The Beekeeper’s Apothecary: Kaylee Richardson on Herbs, Homesteading & Honey Bees

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

What happens when we slow down, listen to nature, and “learn something old”? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Kaylee Richardson, Virginia-based herbalist, beekeeper, and author of The Beekeeper’s Apothecary. With roots in Appalachia and a heart for old-world wisdom, Kaylee shares her journey from the medical field to full-time homesteading. Tune in to learn how she integrates herbalism and beekeeping to build a thriving, intentional lifestyle—and how you can begin to “learn something old” each day. In this episode, you’ll hear: Getting...

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338. Behind the Scenes with Michael Kilpatrick: A Conversation with Rodger Wasson show art 338. Behind the Scenes with Michael Kilpatrick: A Conversation with Rodger Wasson

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

What happens when the interviewer becomes the guest? This week on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, the mic flips as Rodger Wasson, longtime advocate for farmers and host of the Farm to Table Talk Podcast, interviews our own Michael Kilpatrick. From behind-the-scenes systems to current hurdles, Rodger dives deep into the day-to-day of Michael’s farm, business, and mindset as a leader in the regenerative agriculture space. Tune in for a rare peek into what’s working (and what’s not) at the Farm on Central farm and store — and why Michael remains committed to helping small farms succeed....

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337. Farm4Profit on Profitable Farming and Smart Stewardship show art 337. Farm4Profit on Profitable Farming and Smart Stewardship

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

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336. Generations of Organic Stewardship: John Bell on Elmwood Stock Farm’s Legacy show art 336. Generations of Organic Stewardship: John Bell on Elmwood Stock Farm’s Legacy

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

What does it look like to steward a diversified organic farm across six generations? On this episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by John Bell, managing owner of Elmwood Stock Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky. John and his wife Melissa are raising the farm’s seventh generation while managing over 400 acres of USDA Certified Organic vegetables, poultry, pork, and grass-fed beef. Since becoming certified organic in 2000, Elmwood Stock Farm has focused on sustainable rotations of crops and livestock to build soil health, reduce off-farm inputs, and nourish their community with...

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335. From Sheep to Soil: Zeb Horrell’s Vision for Regenerative New Zealand show art 335. From Sheep to Soil: Zeb Horrell’s Vision for Regenerative New Zealand

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

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334. Securing the Homestead: Tim Eng on Safety, Resilience, and Community show art 334. Securing the Homestead: Tim Eng on Safety, Resilience, and Community

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

What role does security play in building a thriving homestead? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Tim Eng, a West Point graduate, Army veteran, and real estate expert who now helps families transition into resilient, self-sufficient homesteads. After years in one of the most competitive real estate markets in the U.S., Tim and his family made the leap to homesteading in Tennessee. With a background in military engineering and a passion for regenerative living, Tim now teaches homesteaders how to build security into their land, homes, and communities—from the ground...

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333. Teaching Self-Sufficiency: Kody Hanner on Homesteading and Hands-On Education show art 333. Teaching Self-Sufficiency: Kody Hanner on Homesteading and Hands-On Education

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

How can homesteaders empower the next generation through practical, real-world learning? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Kody Hanner, a homesteader, author, and educator based in North Idaho. As the founder of The Homestead Education, Kody helps families integrate homesteading and self-sufficiency into their homeschooling journey. What began as a personal health journey turned into a life-changing homestead and a mission to equip children with the tools they need to thrive outside the traditional classroom. Tune in to hear how Kody’s family healed, homesteaded, and...

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332. Building the Fair Trade Movement: Paul Rice on Ethical Farming & Global Impact show art 332. Building the Fair Trade Movement: Paul Rice on Ethical Farming & Global Impact

The Thriving Farmer Podcast

How can global trade empower farmers and create a more just food system? Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Paul Rice, Founder and CEO of Fair Trade USA. After spending more than a decade working with coffee farmers in Nicaragua, Paul returned to the U.S. to launch the Fair Trade Certified™ label—transforming the way we think about sourcing coffee, cocoa, produce, apparel, and more. Since 1998, Paul has partnered with over 1,400 companies, from Whole Foods to Patagonia, helping channel billions of dollars into the hands of farmers and workers worldwide. In this...

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How can homesteaders empower the next generation through practical, real-world learning?

Today on the Thriving Farmer Podcast, Michael is joined by Kody Hanner, a homesteader, author, and educator based in North Idaho. As the founder of The Homestead Education, Kody helps families integrate homesteading and self-sufficiency into their homeschooling journey. What began as a personal health journey turned into a life-changing homestead and a mission to equip children with the tools they need to thrive outside the traditional classroom.

Tune in to hear how Kody’s family healed, homesteaded, and built a thriving educational business to help others do the same.


In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

Health Journey: What led Kody to rethink her family’s lifestyle and food choices? [1:41]
Healing at Home: How the Hanners reversed a terminal diagnosis with food and farming [3:47]
Moving Without a Map: What gave Kody the courage to leap into homesteading with no clear plan? [13:33]
Hands-On Learning: How Kody’s curriculum brings homestead science into kids’ daily lives [24:28]
Raising Show Pigs: What goes into producing high-quality, pasture-raised pork? [27:55]
Health Differences: How do naturally raised pigs compare to conventional ones? [33:38]
Finding Her Audience: When did Kody realize her work could reach beyond her farm? [37:53]
Homestead Topics: What does Kody cover on The Homestead Education Podcast? [45:35]
Kid Engagement: How does she keep her kids involved and excited about homesteading? [56:26]

Don’t miss this episode if you’re passionate about teaching kids where food comes from, living with purpose, and making homesteading part of your family’s education.


About Kody Hanner:

Kody Hanner is a homesteader, proud homeschool mom, and the creator of The Homestead Education; a company that provides educational resources that aim to teach children self-sufficiency through hands-on learning. The Hanner Family runs a direct-to-consumer pork operation in North Idaho and enjoys educating across the country.

Connect with Kody Hanner:

🌐 Website: The Homestead Education
📸 Instagram: Follow @homesteadeducation
👍🏼 Facebook: Like @homesteadeducation
📺 YouTube: Subscribe to HomesteadEducation
🎧 Podcast: The Homestead Education Podcast

 

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