The Progressive Homesteader

We are not only surviving. We are THRIVING.

I was looking back at one of the earliest posts I wrote, the idea that first inspired me to start theprogressivehomesteader.com. At the time, it was simply a vision of the life I wanted to build. Reading it now, I realize I didn’t just imagine that life. I manifested it.

We planted our first vegetable garden this past year. I’d say it was about 50% productive, but 100% a learning experience. It’s one that will guide me as I expand the garden this growing season. (Note to self: start seeding.)

We got chickens! In May of 2025, we found a reputable local poultry supplier and brought home eight chicks. Just a few days ago, we collected our first full egg haul, and it has been such a joy. Not only do we have fresh eggs, but we have enough to share with friends and neighbors. The three Garys (Orpingtons), Alvin, Pikachu, Smokey (Ameraucanas), and Spot 1 and Spot 2 (Barred Rocks) now settle into their beautiful Amish-built coop each night. JD and I rigged the setup using a cheap-o shelter from am@zon, fencing staples, and probably far too much brain power to connect the coop and run. Their current favorite snack is shrimp tails.

Some of the “extra” work we’ve taken on includes building out a proper pantry. We’re buying more food in bulk. As I’ve said before, we’re not prepping. We simply use these foods often. Stocking up on items like rice, wheat berries (for milling into flour), black beans, salt, and baking powder has dramatically reduced the amount of plastic we bring into the house each week. My brother and sister-in-law have also given us rabbits they raised for meat, and between fishing and hunting, we’ve enjoyed a steady supplement of venison and fish. Our next big food move may be purchasing a half beef from a local ranch here on Long Island. Yes, here there are ranches, farms, vineyards, and just about everything else you’d expect in a rural area.

A few months ago, I made the decision to leave my city job. I reached a point where continued growth would have required me to start drinking the Kool-Aid. The more I drank, the less room there would be for family and personal life. I wasn’t willing to make that trade-off. Instead, I chose to focus on the moonlighting work I was already doing, which gave me more time for home and family.

It’s a slippery slope. Once I got a taste of life at home, seeing my kids for more hours of the day, taking walks outside, and feeling more connected to our community, I wanted more. JD and I decided that I would lean further into being the “household COO” during business hours. His business is booming. While I’ll keep a toe in the water with mine, I have no pride in taking a step back. I’m happy to let it expand slowly and organically so I can focus on keeping our household running smoothly and restoring peace and order, two things that tend to disappear when both parents are focused on scaling businesses.

Since we plan to homeschool/unschool our youngest, and our second-youngest may follow the same path, I’m grateful to have time to ease into what that will look like as they grow. Working fewer hours means I can research, plan, and fully commit to one thing instead of trying to do everything at once.

On that note, I’ve often been called a “super mom.” I hate that. I don’t want to be a superhero. I don’t want to have it all. I want to have enough and to be present. This new chapter makes that possible.

So yes, The Progressive Homesteader is here, surviving and thriving. Growing up in the country and now partnered with someone who was raised on a horse farm, this life feels like home. It feels like a place we were always meant to be.

And this is just the beginning.