About

“There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.”  – Aldo Leopold

A few years ago my husband and I had an epiphany. We realized that the only way we would be able to readily source the kind of food we wanted (organic, sustainably grown, and of course tasty) then we’d have to roll up our sleeves and grow it ourselves.

At the time we lived in the suburbs of Seattle. We shopped at the local co-ops and purchased direct from farmers whenever we could. We had a small garden, a micro-flock of chickens and a single row of raspberries. It was a start. But we knew we needed more. Fast forward to today. After years of searching we finally found our dream home. Just shy 100 acres in the heart of the Lost Pine Forest in Paige, Texas.

Yes, Texas is a long ways from Seattle. And you can learn more about why we chose this location in the blog sections of this site. But for now, join us as we embark on our adventure to establish a homestead, adapt to a new “city” and navigate the gardening challenges that Texas has to offer.

We hope you find something to inspire you to reach back to your roots and become more involved in your food, health and community.

14 Comments

  1. RAN Farm Zen Goats February 4, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    Hi Humble Bee Farm,

    Thanks for following my blog. There are no coincidences in life….I lived on Vashon Island too, I worked on the Ferries in the galley and was then married and lived in West Seattle for 13 years. I never ever thought of having a farm since I was raised playing on the beach in California. Anyway real glad to follow you too, I like your information and style. Take care, and nice to meet you.

    1. humblebeefarms February 5, 2015 at 7:53 am

      That’s quite ironic! Few people in Seattle even know where Vashon is. As a youth there, my family had pygmy goats. I’ve missed having them. They were my hiking buddies. I appreciate you sharing your experience with goats. While books are great, first hand accounts often have tips and tricks that you wouldn’t otherwise find in a book. I look forward to following your posts and glad to meet you as well.

    2. Ralph February 9, 2015 at 8:12 am

      hey! Really cool to meet you. Reading up on your bio and just want to encourage you to keep dreaming that farm into existence! We started a year ago on vacant 5 acres we found on craigslist! No farm heritage here-i was raised in s florida in the city and grew up surfing. This is the culmination of three years of hoping/dreaming/praying. I’ve been able to build some outbuildings with free craigslist materials and we are zoned ag1 so I don’t need any permits to build! It’s the hardest thing my family and I have ever done (wife and 3 kids living in a single wide trailer) but we wouldn’t trade it for anything. Best of luck to you guys and happy farming!!!!!!!?

      1. humblebeefarms February 9, 2015 at 9:24 am

        Thank you so much for your encouragement! The best lesson and advice has come from reading other bloggers such as yourself that have a similar passion and are willing to share their experiences. As a side note, I love craigslist! Of all the things the internet is good for, supporting trade and sales of used goods between individuals is one of the best uses I can think of! I look forward to reading your posts. Thanks!

  2. motherhendiaries February 9, 2015 at 8:28 am

    Hello, there! What a lovely blog you have – I so appreciate you stopping by my own and your follow. It is a wonderful thing to meet other “chicken” people out here in the blogosphere! My own flock (a dozen hens and 1 cock) is a source of endless fun, and of course, fab food as well! I appreciated your article on egg washing very much indeed – excellent advice!! Mother Hen

    1. humblebeefarms February 9, 2015 at 9:26 am

      Thank you so much! I depend on the stories and advice of more advanced chicken keepers to keep my flock healthy and happy. You have a wonderfully approachable writing style. I look forward to reading future posts on your blog.

  3. areallysmallfarm February 16, 2015 at 8:09 am

    Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog and “liking” the Wind Chill post.

    Best of wishes on your future endeavors.

  4. spassey15 February 24, 2015 at 1:34 pm

    Thanks so much for visiting my blog and following – I’m a bit of a newbie and you’re my first real follower! 🙂

    I really enjoyed reading about your chickens, and hope you get to have your farm one day soon. I also enjoyed your kombucha entries – I’m actually going to a fermentation workshop this weekend and will be learning all about making kimchi, kombucha and saurkraut, I’m really looking forward to learning some new skills!

    Just a quick question a little off topic – I’m quite new to WordPress and just wondered how to leave comments on your individual blog posts?

    Thanks again for following, I look forward to reading more of your posts and comparing chicken stories! 🙂

    1. humblebeefarms February 24, 2015 at 2:27 pm

      Hello! Anything related to chickens grabs my interest – they are just so much fun. To leave a comment, you need to click into any one of the posts (rather than reading them from the home page). At the bottom of the screen you’ll have the option to leave a comment.

      Good luck with the fermentation workshop! That should be very fun. I just made my first batch of sauerkraut and it’s some really good stuff.

  6. Morningwood December 31, 2016 at 10:08 pm

    Hiya. Well met at the HW Store on NY’sEve. Hope our paths cross again as we seem to have related interests in self reliance and sustainability. While we’re committed to the NW I envy the sun, soil, and water you have. Best of luck!

  7. Kimberly Naranjo August 26, 2017 at 6:45 pm

    Hi Chelsea!

    So glad I met you and Todd today :-)! Keep me posted on your progress in making your move to Austin.

    If the two of you are acquainted with a nice single guy, let me know :-)!

    Kim Naranjo (from PCC earlier today)

  8. Nancy October 27, 2018 at 5:39 pm

    Thanks for sharing a wonderful blog. I’m curious about where you purchased your Easter Egger and your Lavender Orpingtons. I’ve had hens for many years and have not ever seen a lovelier egg than your first blue one. My Lavenders have not seemed like strong birds, too- I would love to find a farm that has healthy birds who look like oldfashioned Orpingtons, like yours. 🙂

    1. humblebeefarms October 28, 2018 at 6:46 pm

      Hi Nancy! My Lavender Orpingtons – I’m remiss to say – were sourced from a hatchery. Meyer Hatchery to be exact. We’ve really enjoyed them as pets. But as egg layers they are not the strongest. My Easter Egger came from a small feed store – Portage Bay Grange – in Seattle. I feel like we won the lottery with her! She’s a great hen. Her egg color has toned down a bit, but remains a pretty pastel blue.

      Best of luck on your hen hunt!