Pioneering Today With Melissa K. Norris

It’s that time of year again where we have zucchini coming out our ears! So how do we preserve and cook all of the zucchini to enjoy throughout the year? You won’t want to miss this episode of the Pioneering Today Podcast where I’m sharing ten ways to preserve and cook zucchini (including my husband’s and my favorite way). For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/354.

If you're a hunter or have the desire to cook wild game, then you won’t want to miss this episode. Learning these tips and tricks to cooking with wild game is a process, but Tammy Trayer can help us avoid common mistakes when preparing wild game. People often think they don't like the taste or texture of wild game, but it likely has more to do with the cooking methods than the meat. For all of the show notes and links, and how to find Tammy, visit https://melissaknorris.com/353.

This podcast is all about raising meat, specifically pork, and learning how to cure and store that pork without refrigeration. Brandon Sheard from Farmstead Meatsmith is joining us to share his many years of wisdom, especially the three methods of cooking that are pivotal when it comes to raising livestock. For all of the show notes and links, and how to find Brandon, visit https://melissaknorris.com/352.

Botulism is a real and deadly form of food poisoning that makes many home canners nervous. And for good reason! However, there are food preservation techniques and safety tips you can follow to ensure you and your family are safe. Learn the signs of contaminated food and the best preservation and storage methods in this podcast. For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/351.

If you suspect you've purchased contaminated soil, you'll want to know about the tips I’m sharing in today’s podcast for soil remediation and how to fix your soil. The number of issues of contaminated soil is increasing and people are having to deal with soil or compost that's been exposed to herbicides or other contaminants that are negatively affecting their gardens. For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/350.

We bought a 40-acre homestead but it’s not for us! That may sound strange, but we’ve had a dream to host large events and teach real life homesteading classes for a long time now, and this property, just ½ mile from our current home became available and we bought it! You’ll have to listen to the podcast (and watch the tour) to hear more of our vision for the property, but I’m so excited to finally be able to share this news with you! For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/349.

I’ve been going through my own hormone health journey since January 2022 and have been working with Dr. Shannyn. I’m so excited to have her on today’s episode of the podcast as she shares her wisdom and knowledge on how to heal our hormones, the steps we can take right now, and why individual testing is so crucial for true healing. For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/348.

If you're looking to raise meat chickens, the next natural step for us modern-day Pioneers is to consider breeding chickens for a sustainable flock. Join me for this podcast with Tom McMurray from Murray McMurray Hatchery to learn what it takes to successfully breed chickens, as well as tips and tricks if you're considering this option, and how the Avian Flu might effect you. For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/347.

Sometimes you can do everything right, follow all the correct steps, and still have seed starting problems with your vegetables and flowers. In this post, we're troubleshooting seed starting issues and giving solutions to hopefully kick those seeds starts off in the right direction. I’m also discussing options for what you can do if you haven't started seeds yet but still want to grow a garden this year. That’s right, even at the end of May, it’s not too late to plant a garden! For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/346.

For years I have talked about how to become more self-sufficient, but that’s no longer what I’m teaching! Sure, there are still ways to become less reliant on the grocery store, or other stores for our well-being, but I’ve come to realize that focusing more on community sufficiency is the way to go for long-lasting change and greater “self-sufficiency”. Want to know more? For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/345.

My family is five weeks into owning our own dairy cow and I’m so excited to have Kate from Venison for Dinner on the podcast today. We’re chatting all things dairy cows from the best way to feed them, the various breeds and their milk quality, milking tips, and more! You’ll especially want to check out Kate’s heavy cream drop biscuit recipe! For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/344.

I’m not an alarmist, but I am hearing from some very reliable sources that feed costs are expected to double, maybe even triple by the end of summer. When you hear information like this, it’s important, if you’re able, to stock up now and get your homestead prepared for the possible increase. In this podcast episode I’m sharing my tips and what we’re doing NOW to save money LATER. For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/343.

In this episode of the Pioneering Today Podcast, Rebekah Rhodes and I are discussing all things thyroid health. We both share our individual thyroid journeys as well as some of the things we've done to help heal, as well as what we're doing currently to stay in the best health possible. For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/342.

Have you ever heard of a 30-day self-sufficiency challenge? On today's podcast, I'm talking with Carl who, for 30 days, ate only foods he could either grow or source from his own property, or locally to where he lives. This included everything from beverages, fats, seasonings, and more! He even traveled to the ocean to harvest his own sea salt for the challenge! If you’ve wanted to rely less on the grocery store, this is an interview to listen to! For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/341

It’s been a very busy season here on our homestead with many changes that we're excited about… including a new milk cow! In this podcast you will get to learn about a few of the many projects we’ve been working on, and I'm continuing to tease about a couple of upcoming projects I can't quite divulge yet. This is a departure from my normal podcasts, so if you’re looking for more gardening content, be sure to check out my other episodes. For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/340.

Today’s podcast is an interview with Pioneering Today Academy member Erika who lives in Florida (growing zone 9a). She’s looking for tips on growing vegetables in shady spots, crop rotation and reusing soil in raised beds, growing the best herbs for her climate, getting soil tests done for proper amendments, and eliminating diseases naturally. Come have a listen, I’m certain you’ll learn some fabulous gardening tips. For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/339.

Today’s podcast is an interview with my good friend Michelle who is preparing to sell her five acre homestead. She’s sharing all her best tips for what to do and what NOT to do when planning to sell your home. These tips will come in handy whether you’re looking to sell immediately, or not for a few years. For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/338.

In this episode, I’m sharing my best tips that I use on a daily and weekly basis to get it all done from work, household chores, homestead chores, and quality family time. Today’s podcast is a coaching call with Pioneering Today Academy member Tami S. who is looking for tips on time management to get all the homesteading things done each week without overwhelm, feeling behind, or missing out on what’s truly important in life.For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/337

Today’s podcast is a coaching call with Pioneering Today Academy member Stephanie Hester-Rodriguiz. She is moving to a new homestead property and looking for tips for what to do first and how to avoid overwhelm why trying to “do it all” at once. I’m sharing my best time-saving tips, how to avoid costly mistakes, and how to keep moving forward even when you don’t have the perfect plan laid out. For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/336.

Today’s podcast is a coaching call with Pioneering Today Academy member Susan Vesta who is moving to raw land and looking for the best time-saving tips when it comes to establishing new gardens and growing areas. We’re discussing everything from the pros and cons of raised garden beds, soil quality, utilizing the land for perennials, the best time to plant, and more. For all of the show notes and links, visit https://melissaknorris.com/335.