A Homegrown Family (Joseph Mettler)
Explorez tous les épisodes de A Homegrown Family
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Apr 2023 | Introduction | 00:08:38 | |
Listen for a brief background on the podcast host, Joe Mettler. He later describes his vision of this podcast and what it will all entail. Enjoy listening! | |||
| 22 Apr 2023 | The Man, The Beast, the Legend | 00:27:27 | |
Meet the man, my Dad, who made it possible for my siblings and I to grow up on a self-sustaining farm. Dad shares a bit of his story, the farm he grew up on, and how everything came back full circle to allow him to farm also. | |||
| 29 Apr 2023 | Lady in a Sunday Dress | 00:36:22 | |
Meet the woman that brought me into this world as she shares some of her childhood duties and memories of growing up on a farm with 10,000 chickens! We also discussed dairy cows, bottle feeding calves and gardening! Gardening update as of April 22nd 2023….we still have snow! I did plant peas in my raised beds earlier this week. I will be seeding some lettuce here in the first few days of May. Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Gardening Resources: MiniFarming Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre Splonskowski Plant Farm – Check them out on Facebook | |||
| 05 May 2023 | Seeds and Such | 00:28:25 | |
Get acquainted with my brother David as we discuss his background, plant starts, seed selection, purchasing seed, browsing seed catalogs and much more. What is an heirloom seed? Find out right here in this episode. We also talk about hybridized seeds and open pollinated plants. David’s favorite butternut squash is called “Waltham” Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Gardening Resources: MiniFarming Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre Splonskowski Plant Farm – Go buy your plant starts! NDSU Plants Science – Interested in furthering your education? Check out NDSU Plant Sciences! | |||
| 08 May 2023 | Did Someone Say Mushrooms!? | 00:18:50 | |
My brother Lawrence and I talk about how we got into mushroom hunting. Throughout the years, we have found morel, pheasant back, “puff balls” and white oyster mushrooms on the homestead. Learn a little bit about each of these mushrooms in this episode. Good luck to all those searching for the feast but be careful and make sure you properly identify all the mushrooms you find. Mushroom Resources: The Great Morel Tracker – UPDATE! There have now been a few sightings around the Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, area. The Complete Mushroom Hunter – The mushroom book Lawrence got for Christmas. Gardening Resources: Holland's Home and Garden located in Fargo, ND. Check them out and give them a like on the Holland's Facebook page. | |||
| 13 May 2023 | Where Art Thou Garden | 00:23:09 | |
Potato bugs, electricity and 811! Join my brother David and I as we talk about childhood memories squishing “potato bugs”, more properly referred to as the Colorado Potato Beetle, along with having our own gardens as kids. All this leads to a discussion on things to consider when selecting a location for your garden. Things to consider: 1) Utilities 2) Surroundings 3) Sun exposure 4) Water source 5) Ease of access 6) Air flow 7) Soil type Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com *NEW Instagram: ahomegrownfam Gardening Resources: | |||
| 17 May 2023 | Herbicide Carryover in Compost | 00:09:21 | |
**BONUS** A nice short episode to just follow up on a couple of the topics from episode 5. How do herbicide residues get into compost and how can that affect your garden. Listen here to find out. Enjoy! The variety of tomato used in the siblings’ tomato contest was called a “Mortgage Lifter” Gardening Resources: | |||
| 03 Jun 2023 | Keep it Weird | 00:32:58 | |
Join my wife, Nora, and I as we share our "sappy" love story about how we met. Just keeping it weird....and the moment she knew she met her future husband. Chivalry is not dead folks. Learn more about Nora's background and how she also grew up in a Catholic household and was raised on a small family farm. Nora also shares some stories about her days farming days. | |||
| 14 Jun 2023 | Pluckin' Feathers | 00:32:17 | |
Listen as my mother and I talk about raising chickens, but primarily processing “broiler” chickens for meat. In this episode we talk about the supplies needed and go through all the steps from beginning to end. Supplies needed: - Sharp knives - Butcher block/stump/cones - Clean processing area - 2-gallon freezer bags - Torch - Kettle/bucket/tubs for boiling water and cooling chickens - Hose with nozzle - Rubber, nitrile gloves (optional) Resources: | |||
| 23 Jun 2023 | Garden Update and Blossom End Rot | 00:22:41 | |
Rocking this episode solo and talking about this year’s gardening failures and successes thus far. I tend to use every inch of my garden and plant in “layers” as I describe it. It doesn’t always work out, but that’s gardening for ya! With this year being so dry all over the country, plants are stressed out, and blossom end rot can be more prevalent. So, what can you do about it? Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam ** No longer on Twitter
Resources: | |||
| 30 Jun 2023 | Up Hill Both Ways | 00:41:23 | |
“Do you know what a podcast is?”, I ask my grandparents as I ask them to share about their upbringing. Hauling coal. Rolling hides. Army paratroopers. Working horses. Farming. Family. Nurse Training. Piano. Join my Grandpa Tom and my Grandma Margaret as they share stories about their younger years, how they met each other and how they ended up in Minnesota. Farming isn’t what it used to be. Life was simpler back then. Keep busy with productive things. Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 11 Jul 2023 | Da Turdy Pointer | 00:21:54 | |
In this episode, my Grandpa and I relive the first time I went deer hunting along with other deer hunting stories. He was the lucky one that got to tag along for the eventful day. Being Homegrown in my mind includes being able to produce and gather or hunt for your own food. *If you realized that I never mentioned the distance of the shot, it was paced off to be about 200 yards...if you were curious. Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 19 Jul 2023 | Good Ol' Days | 00:46:06 | |
This episode stretches a bit farther back in time to the childhood of my 98 year old Grandma, a time when nothing went to waste and children truly learned the value of hard work. She is one of the few remaining that can personally recall living in the “Dust Bowl”. My Grandma lived in a time when there was no electricity, no freezers to store food, and no snow plows! However, there was still bacon! After marrying my Grandpa, she continued the life of a farmer. A lifestyle that has been passed down to the next generation and hopefully more to come. Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam Link to the song, "Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days" | |||
| 29 Jul 2023 | Bountiful Harvest including Garlic | 00:20:59 | |
The hard work in the garden is finally paying off! Join my brother David and I as we talk harvesting produce, specifically cauliflower and garlic. We also discussed some of the differences between hardneck and softneck garlic, and when should one harvest garlic and how should it be stored. David’s Garlic Variety Trial: Musik – largest cloves Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com I posted a video on my Instagram on when to harvest cauliflower. Check it out! Instagram: ahomegrownfam Resources: | |||
| 05 Aug 2023 | Garden Pests | 00:17:21 | |
Beetles, worms, and borers, oh my! In this episode, we talk about garden pests like the crucifer flea beetle, imported cabbage worm, and the vine squash borer. Learn about preferred host plants and different preventative measures or strategies to help prevent the demise of your garden by the mandibles of these insect pests. Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam Resources: | |||
| 12 Aug 2023 | Winter Hardy Pears | 00:29:37 | |
Listen in as I summarize what I learned recently by attending the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center field day. Focusing on pears grown in the Upper Midwest, I discuss a little bit about everything regarding pears. What rootstock and cultivars to consider growing. The difference between hard and soft pears. The pros and cons of traditional style orchards and high density trellis systems. When should pears get pruned? When should pears get harvested? What type of potential pests or problems do I need to be aware of when growing pears? These are all questions answered in this episode. Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam Resources: Sweetland Orchard - Gretchen Merryweather Schlabach – 585-798-6198 Ugly Stub Pruning for Fire Blight Growing Fruit in the Upper Midwest Recommended pear rootstock options: OHF87(75%); OHF97(full size) | |||
| 18 Aug 2023 | Just Cuz | 00:28:44 | |
Cousin Justin and I discuss his blossom end rot experiment that uses Epsom salts as a remedy. Did it work? After that, we chat about his childhood experiences visiting his uncle's farms, particularly my Dad's. Justin talks about anything from milking cows, feeding calves, driving tractors and raking hay to trapping gophers. There's just no place like the farm! Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 02 Sep 2023 | Gopher Trapping | 00:31:22 | |
This episode starts off with my best Steve Irwin impersonation and rolls into the pros and cons of pocket gophers. My brother David and I reminisce about how our childhood summers were spent gopher trapping. We talk about the supplies needed, the different types of gopher traps we used, and the methods to find the gopher’s hole….among other things. Supplies: -trap -stake -board/cover (old discs off of a cultivator work pretty good) -Shovel (we found the spade works best) -mode of transportation
Resources: Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 15 Sep 2023 | Orchard Origin Story | 00:26:04 | |
How did the orchard come to be? Join my Dad, my brother David and I as we chat about how the vineyard/orchard got started. Where its been and where its going. Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 25 Sep 2023 | Harvest and Juice Extraction | 00:26:30 | |
Fall is a busy time of year. Harvest is in full swing, and the brewing has just begun. This episode talks about harvesting and juicing apples and grapes, and also serves as an introduction to preserving and brewing the juice into wine and hard cider. Listen here to learn more about our methods, processes, and the equipment we use to accomplish the task. Equipment:
Resources: Apple Harvesting - Roll Picking Method
Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 03 Oct 2023 | Canning Juice | 00:26:21 | |
Join my brother David and I as we talk a bit about food preservation and canning, particularly juice. Not all food has to come from a store. David also discloses his “top secret” ingredient in his salsa. Resources:
Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 13 Oct 2023 | Planting Garlic with Michelle | 00:35:30 | |
Another family member on the podcast! Listen to my Aunt Michelle and I talk about garlic, particularly planting, but also where to get cloves, what types to grow, fun recipes and other random things. All garlic related. It might not be too late to get some garlic to plant this Fall yet! Check out the Upper Midwest Premium Garlic Directory. Resources: Roasted Garlic and Tomato Pasta Recipe Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 23 Oct 2023 | Soil Sampling and Nutrient Basics | 00:30:10 | |
Tune in as I talk about soil fertility, macro and micro nutrients (elements), mobile and immobile nutrients and some of the nutrient deficiency symptoms associated with each. What do the numbers “20-10-20” on a bag of fertilizer mean? Learn about the importance of taking a soil sample, how to take a soil sample and where to send your sample. Such an invigorating topic! Resources: Soi Labs: Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 06 Nov 2023 | Deer Hunting with Uncle Bernie | 00:31:19 | |
If you haven’t heard enough deer hunting stories recently, you’ll get your fill with this episode. My Uncle Bernie and I exchange deer hunting stories and talk about what hunting means to the Mettler family. FYI: I won’t be posting another episode until mid-December as my family and I are taking a vacation. Cheers! Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 21 Dec 2023 | Rome Sweet Home – Traveling with Kids | 00:51:34 | |
Welcome back as my wife and I discuss our recent adventure of travelling to Italy with our two-year-old daughter. We talk about what we did, what went well and the things we didn’t expect. We also share some general tips for when it comes to travelling with children. Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 29 Dec 2023 | The Results are In! | 00:19:09 | |
If my bank account was my raised garden bed, I would be RICH! In this episode, I walk through the soil test results of my raised garden beds. The analysis contained information on N, P, K, S, pH, organic matter and soluble salts. Gather some information and tid bits that could help you make sense of your soil report. I recommend listening to the episode titled, “Soil Sampling and Nutrient Basics” prior to this episode. Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam Some micronutrient fertilizer options: Covington Naturals – A little goes a long way, this product still includes N, P, K Whitwam Organics – This product only contains micronutrients | |||
| 11 Jan 2024 | Fruit of the Vine and Making Wine | 00:28:52 | |
This is the story of how Joe developed and refined his hobby of making wine. Since 2017 and 120+ gallons of wine later, there are some tips, tricks, and favorites to share. This episode shares the basic supplies and equipment needed to make your own wine, and also goes through a step by step process to create an enjoyable bottle. Cheers! Episodes are now available on YouTube where it’s easier to communicate and interact with those that are listening to this podcast. Thanks for listening! Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 27 Jan 2024 | Homeschooling with Aunt Joni: A Parents Perspective | 00:41:46 | |
Episode 26 Homeschooling with Aunt Joni: A Parents Perspective My wife and I plan to homeschool our children, but before we jump into the unknown, we thought it best to talk with those who have done it before us. My Aunt Joni homeschooled her three children and learned many things along the way. In this episode, we discuss why she decided to homeschool her kids, what types of curriculums she decided to use, and the joys and challenges of homeschooling. Curriculums mentioned: Opportunities: MN Catholic Home Education Conference – May 31 to June 1, 2024 Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 09 Feb 2024 | Winter Orchard Activities - Grapes | 00:30:33 | |
There is no lack of things to do in the winter when it comes to the orchard. My brother David joins us this episode to talk about pruning grapes, collecting cuttings, and storing and rooting cuttings to be planted the following spring. He also talks about the challenges in growing out his own grape cuttings and shares some general planting tips. Resources: Mosquito Bits – for control of Fungus gnats Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 19 Feb 2024 | Winter Orchard Activities - Apples | 00:18:10 | |
No, you won’t get the same apple tree to grow by planting its seeds, and yes there is such a thing as a Frankenstein tree. This episode is a continuation of Episode 27 as my brother David and I discuss winter orchard activities when it comes to apples: rootstock, scion wood and pruning. Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com | |||
| 04 Mar 2024 | A Homeschooled Experience with Jacob and Michelle | 00:46:59 | |
Jacob and Michelle share their homeschooled experience, while addressing some of the common misconceptions about the homeschooling community. Should you homeschool your children? Well, based on the conversation in this episode, the decision to homeschool shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s very situational and depends a lot on the parents and each individual child. Resources: Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 17 Mar 2024 | Raising Sheep | 00:30:33 | |
Raising sheep across generations. Listen to my Dad and I talk about the basics, with some farm stories separating the meat and potatoes. We go through the annual cycle and what raising sheep might entail for you. Resources: Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 30 Mar 2024 | Not a Bone Broken | 00:33:07 | |
My siblings and I often get asked if any of us ended up with broken bones while playing at the farm. Simply put, the answer is “nope”. Thankfully so! In this episode, my brother David and I have a great time reminiscing about our childhood and some of the broken bones that could have been. Images to fill in some gaps: Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 26 Apr 2024 | Joining the Herd | 00:48:32 | |
Happy Anniversary! This podcast has been going on for about a year now, so it’s probably time to learn a little more about our host, Joe Mettler. In this episode, we learn a bit more about his high school and college years. GO BISON! “Well, that’s not very interesting” you say. Joe also shares stories of prank wars and one particular story that could have taken a turn for the worst. Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 09 May 2024 | Once a Bison, Always a Bison | 00:30:54 | |
The college experience can really play a large role in the type of person one becomes. It was no different for me and I’m glad to have been a NDSU Bison! Here, my friend Vince and I share more about our college experience. Classes and fun memories, including bare-handed evangelization, broomball tournaments, half marathons, dancing and of course, bed bugs! Book recommendations: Resources: Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 22 May 2024 | A Little Bit About Farming | 00:31:55 | |
This episode explores a little bit about everything when it comes to farming. My friend Vince joins in to discuss his family farm operation along with topics such as crop rotation, water management, tillage and weed control. We also dip our toes into some of the differences between organic and conventional farming and the hot topic of glyphosate. North Dakota State 2023 Agricultural Overview In 2023, ND was the #1 producer of: -Spring Wheat -Durum Wheat -Dry Edible Beans -Flax -Canola -Sunflower -Field Pea -Honey National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for Use in Organic Farming Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 06 Jun 2024 | Cows and Calving | 00:42:30 | |
The calving season is over and boy was it a short one this year. My dad grew up raising cattle and has been raising cattle ever since. Things within the operation have changed throughout the years such as the breed of cattle or the size of the herd, but some of the basics of calving have remained the same. Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 18 Jun 2024 | Homeschooling Insight from a Working Dad | 00:46:40 | |
When it comes to homeschooling, fathers are typically the bread winners while mothers are typically the home-makers and primary educators of the children. However, one, like my friend Vince, might say that a mixture of parental involvement is more ideal. Be present, be flexible, but ultimately tighten the belt and be the husband and parent you need to be. Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 01 Jul 2024 | Foraging the Forest of Southeastern Minnesota | 00:33:30 | |
Introducing my new cousin in-law, Ian, as we discuss his passion for foraging mushrooms and much more. From morels and lobster mushrooms to black caps and fiddle heads. The forest is our oyster. Resources: Edible Wild Plants: Wild Foods From Dirt To Plate Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide Email: ahomegrownfam@gmail.com Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||
| 28 Oct 2024 | Pronghorn Hunting in North Dakota | 00:28:37 | |
This Fall is the first time I ever went pronghorn hunting. It was off to a slow start but ended in a successful hunt. Listen to the thrill of it all in this episode. It’s great to be able to put meat in the freezer! If you enjoy listening to hunting stories, check out my brother in-law’s YouTube page Family Forged Outdoors Resources: Pronghorn - North Dakota Game and Fish Instagram: ahomegrownfam | |||