Simple Farmhouse Life

Roadside farm stands are popping up everywhere, and for good reason!  In this conversation, I’m joined by Rayla to explore why this simple way of selling homemade food has gained so much traction and how it’s becoming a valuable income stream and community touchpoint for so many families.  We talk through what it really looks like to start a farm stand from scratch, the time and profitability behind it, and why simplicity matters more than scale.  From zoning and logistics to packaging, marketing, and creating an experience people want to return to, this episode offers a realistic look at whether a farm stand could be a good fit for your season and goals! In this episode, we cover: - Why roadside farm stands are popping up everywhere and what’s driving the renewed interest - What to consider before starting a farm stand, including zoning, cottage food laws, and location - Simple ways to start small with minimal infrastructure and upgrade over time - How distance from the road, visibility, and signage affect foot traffic - Choosing a focused product menu that’s manageable and profitable - The realistic time investment behind baking and restocking a self-serve stand - How to run a shared farm stand with multiple contributors and clear inventory tracking - Why creating an experience matters just as much as the product itself - Packaging choices that work best for self-serve farm stands - Local marketing strategies that actually drive traffic and repeat customers - Whether farm stand oversaturation is a real concern - Income potential and what determines long-term profitability - Where to find resources, recipes, and community support for getting started View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out Rayla’s online course: Farmstand Made Simple: Start, Bake & Sell from Home in 30 Days (ALL INCLUSIVE WORKSHOP) Join her LIVE Zoom training every Saturday–teaching people how to start a farmstand or cottage baking business Tune into previous episodes with Flour Barn Bakery: Episode 244: Turn Your Homemaking Skills into a Business: How to Start a Microbakery with Lily and Ellen Episode 302: Building a Profitable Business from Home as a Mom: Lessons from a Micro Bakery with Lily Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Rayla Collins of Farmstand Club | Website | Instagram | TikTok Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

As teens near the end of high school, many families feel the sudden pressure of answering the question, what’s next?  In this episode, Hannah and I dive into how the modern college system developed, why it often no longer fits the realities of work and opportunity, and what can be lost when college becomes the default without a clear end goal. Hannah lays out her practical framework for helping teens think through future work based on real-life needs—not just passion—and why slowing the process down matters more than ever. If you’re looking for insight into guiding your teen through this important transition in life, don’t miss this episode! In this episode, we cover: - Navigating the sudden pressure of everyone asking “what’s next?” when teens near the end of high school - How the modern college system developed and why today’s default path no longer matches the realities of work, debt, or opportunity - The surprising data behind how few jobs actually require a college degree and why degree inflation persists anyway - What gets lost when young adults are pushed into college without clarity– time, confidence, flexibility, and momentum - Reframing career conversations away from passion-first thinking and toward identifying real-life needs and long-term goals - A practical framework for helping teens evaluate their desired future work based on income, schedule, location, and work environment - Why exposure and exploration matter more than credentials, and how simply shadowing careers of interest can prevent costly missteps - How student loan debt quietly limits future options like family life, entrepreneurship, and location flexibility - Why parents play a critical role in slowing the process down, asking better questions, and refusing to co-sign unclear decisions - Encouragement for families who feel unsure how to guide teens without a clear roadmap and why building an individualized plan together is worth the effort View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Listen to the 1000 Hours Outside interview with Hannah  Grab a copy of Hannah’s book, The Degree Free Way: How to Help Your 16-20 Year Old Build the Life They Want Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Hannah of Degree Free | Website | Instagram | YouTube | X  Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

So many of the questions we carry as mothers aren’t about doing more, but about knowing what actually matters. In this Q&A-style episode, I’m answering a wide range of listener questions on motherhood, homemaking, sourdough, sleep, budgeting, and family culture. We talk through pursuing big dreams later in life, simplifying from-scratch cooking without burnout, navigating intense toddler phases, and why flexibility often serves families better than precision. If you’ve been craving reassurance, perspective, and practical encouragement for everyday family life, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: Why it’s never “too late” to pursue land, homesteading, or long-term family dreams and how thinking generationally reframes the pressure to accomplish all your dreams right now A practical starting point for moms learning to cook from scratch without feeling overwhelmed Navigating the intense “only mom will do” phase with toddlers and why not every hard season needs fixing Thoughts on daily vitamins during postpartum and nursing, plus the role of consistency over perfection Babywearing realities, newborn neck chafing, and simple ways to keep sensitive skin comfortable and healing Helping preschoolers learn to fall asleep independently after extended co-sleeping without turning bedtime into a nightly battle A straightforward approach to budgeting and saving later in life by simply making spending visible Why measuring sourdough starter isn’t as critical as many think and how I approach baking with a relaxed, flexible mindset Diving into our open-handed approach to having a large family, cultural pressure, and how much planning really belongs in family size conversations Breastfeeding around older children, modesty at home, and why this has become a non-issue over time Setting boundaries with nearby grandparents when frequent visits start shaping daily habits and family culture Using sourdough starter straight from the fridge, reducing waste, and simplifying feeding rhythms Choosing in-person church even when it disrupts naps and why long-term habits matter more than short-term inconvenience View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out my friend Abbie’s podcast episode on Christians and fertility Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

Clutter often adds to the mental load of motherhood in ways we don’t always notice. In this episode, we talk about why women tend to feel the weight of clutter more deeply, how “just in case” thinking fills our homes, and what true preparedness looks like. We walk through unfinished projects, kids’ toys, digital clutter, and paperwork, offering simple, realistic ways to let go without guilt. If you’ve been craving a calmer, more functional home without chasing perfection, join us for this practical and encouraging conversation! In this episode, we cover: - Why clutter affects women more than men and how a stressful home environment compounds the mental load of motherhood - The difference between true preparedness and keeping “just in case” items that never actually get used - A practical way to evaluate things you plan to fix someday and how to finally let them go without guilt - How community, shared resources, and skills can replace the pressure to own and store everything yourself - Rethinking modern convenience items, appliances, and technology that add more complexity than ease in daily life - Handling manuals, paperwork, and household information digitally to reduce piles, decision fatigue, and visual clutter - Creating simple systems for managing food storage, bulk buying, and pantry organization without overcomplicating it - Realistic strategies for managing kids’ toys, rotating items, and reducing daily cleanup without constant battles - How to shop more intentionally by slowing down purchases, making space before buying, and acknowledging your current season - Letting go of sentimental clutter while still preserving meaningful memories in ways that don’t overwhelm your home - The hidden weight of digital clutter, from endless photos and screenshots to the pressure modern moms feel to document every moment instead of simply living it View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Check out Robyn’s previous appearances on SFL: Episode 219 | Prioritize Peace in Your Home: Build Your Decluttering Skills in the New Year Episode 268: Do You Have Too Much Stuff? Simplify Your Life Through Decluttering and Minimalism Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Robyn of Minimalist Home | Website | Instagram | YouTube Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.

The family table has always been about more than food, yet it’s common to let this rhythm of family connection fall to the wayside in the midst of busy family life.  In this conversation, we explore why shared meals have slowly faded from many homes, the real obstacles that make dinnertime feel difficult, and how simple, nourishing food can still anchor our families in busy seasons.  We talk about flexible from-scratch recipes, rethinking productivity as mothers, and why the table becomes even more important as children grow.  This episode offers practical encouragement for cultivating belonging around the family table without the pressure of perfect or elaborate meals. In this episode, we cover: - How family dinner slowly faded from American life and why reclaiming the table matters more now than ever - The biggest obstacles modern families face when it comes to eating together and which ones are worth pushing back against - Why gathering around the table becomes more important as children get older, not less - A realistic look at simple, nourishing dinners that can come together in 20 minutes without elaborate planning - What it really looks like to keep a “flow” going throughout the day without being tied to the kitchen - How meal prep, sourdough, broth, and slow cooking create flexibility instead of pressure in busy seasons - Setting boundaries around activities and schedules while still allowing teens to grow in their independence - Practical ways to cultivate connection at the table with young children, even when meals feel chaotic - Using stories, shared rituals, and simple questions to turn mealtime into a natural place for conversation and safety - Reframing productivity in motherhood by embracing choppy, interrupted work rhythms and learning how small pockets of effort still add up to progress - Rethinking kids’ snacking habits, how constant grazing impacts appetite and mealtime connection, and why “hunger” can actually work in your favor - Why hosting doesn’t require special menus or extra effort and how shared meals foster community View full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this show possible! RESOURCES MENTIONED Spark conversation around the table with Cultivating the Restorative Table by Dr. Ashley Turner Listen in on my conversation with Dr. Ashley Turner on SFL Browse the Folk School classes over at Well Folk Revival Check out Sarah’s Greenhouse Group online membership Get your copy of Sarah’s DIY book, Homemade Gifts from the Heart and Home Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTube Master the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough course Gain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing series Keep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbook CONNECT Sarah of Well Folk Revival | Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Lisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Pinterest Do you have a question you’d like me to answer on the podcast?  A guest you’d like me to interview?  Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.