The Prairie Homestead

Homesteading | Self Sufficient Living | Living off the Land

Jill Winger

116 Comments | |    Last Updated: March 11, 2019

The Coolest Homemade Tub & Shower Cleaner EVER: The DIY Scum Buster Bar

**PLEASE READ THE SAFETY UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST** This recipe was a complete and total accident. As much as I would like to say that I came up with the concept and then flawlessly executed it, that is simply not the case. Regardless-- it just might be one of the coolest things I've ever posted on this blog. So, read on. ;) I was trying to mix up a quick batch of DIY scouring paste to clean my filthy bath tub. (You ...Continue Reading

13 Comments | |    Last Updated: April 10, 2019

Homemade Whole Wheat Crackers

Sometimes I like to pretend that I'm a food snob. But let's face it-- the real reason I like to watch those fancy cooking competitions on Netflix is because the thought of having to prepare a restaurant-quality entrée from 5 mismatched ingredients scares the pants off of me. I consider myself to be a good cook, but honestly, things like homemade burgers and homemade fish sticks are more my style... But lest you think that real food ...Continue Reading

76 Comments | |    Last Updated: January 16, 2025

12 Questions to Ask Before Buying Homestead Property

When we initially purchased our property, I had NO idea that it would turn into the crazy homesteading adventure that it has... Heck, back then I didn't even know what the "homesteading movement" was-- all I wanted was some pasture for my horses... And a compost pile. Even so, God knew exactly what we would need, as our "horse property" has made the transition to a homestead quite smoothly. I get a ton of emails and ...Continue Reading

21 Comments | |    Last Updated: April 28, 2026

Learn How to Trim Your Goat’s Hooves

I'm pleased to have Shelly Lienemann of Windswept Plains Goat Dairy visiting today and showing us how she trims her goat's hooves! Take it away Shelly! Fat boys? Sandals? Wedges? Our summer foot wear can change with our mood, but goats require consistent, well-trimmed hooves to remain healthy, as well as fashionable. Hoof trimming is a basic goat husbandry skill. Whether you own a commercial dairy or a couple of 4-H meat goats, ...Continue Reading

23 Comments | |    Last Updated: January 6, 2016

My Top 5 Picks for Essential Oils Around the Barnyard

There are approximately a billion different ways that I use my collection of essential oils around my home and for my family, BUT, I also love using them outside as well. I'm excited to chat with you via video today and share the TOP FIVE oils I use the most around my barnyard and homestead. (The horses could not figure out WHY I was sitting out there talking to myself!) VIDEO TEMPORARILY REMOVED. WILL BE BACK SOON. ;) Want ...Continue Reading

6 Comments | |    Last Updated: June 24, 2015

How to Store Homemade Tortillas

Ever since I announced my brand new Homestead Hack feature last week, the ideas have been pouring in! I've had a blast looking through all of your brilliant ideas. What's a "Homestead Hack?" Good question. Here is how Wikipedia explains it: "Life hacking refers to any productivity trick, shortcut, skill, or novelty method to increase productivity and efficiency, in all walks of life; in other words, anything that solves an everyday ...Continue Reading

Nice to Meet You

I’m Jill. I’ve never been very good at following prescribed paths.

For the last 15 years, that instinct has led me through homesteading, entrepreneurship, and creating a life my younger self could have only dreamed of.

These days, I’m less interested in living the perfect "old-fashioned life" and more interested in knowing which ideas are worth carrying forward. The first half of this story was about building a homestead. The next part is about building a life that actually fits.
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