In this hands-on episode, Rob Benson talks with homesteader Mark Bonnalie about the real work and rewards of self-sufficient living. From planting fruit trees and managing berry patches to raising livestock and maintaining off-grid water systems, this conversation offers an honest look at homesteading life. They cover spring projects, composting, beekeeping, bulk feed strategies, ram pumps, and the mental shift that comes with choosing sustainable systems over convenience. If you’re interested in growing your own food, managing your water, or just finding joy in doing things the hard but fulfilling way, this episode is for you.
Key Themes & Topics Covered:

• Gardening, composting, and soil health
• Building a raspberry trellis and planting fruit trees
• Challenges and rewards of beekeeping
• Starting meat production and raising goats
• Switching to bulk feed for livestock
• Livestock feeding strategies and fencing infrastructure
• Concrete cisterns and frost-free hydrants
• The mechanics and benefits of a ram pump
• Water storage and quality management
• Small victories and long-term homesteading satisfaction
• Learning through trial and error
• Finding support in community and shared experience
• The mindset shift toward sustainable, off-grid living

Practical Takeaways:

• Use local materials to cut costs and reduce waste
• Bulk feed can save money and simplify livestock care
• Ram pumps offer a no-power solution for uphill water delivery
• Composting and mulching are essential for garden health
• Mistakes are part of the process, progress comes through action
• Concrete cisterns offer durability and reliable storage
• Frost-free hydrants help keep water flowing in winter
• Start small, stay consistent, and build toward bigger systems

Follow Rob Benson online

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For detailed blog posts and online information: https://buckhorncliffs.com/
Follow Mark Bonnalie online

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernruralcivilian/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernRuralCivilian
homesteading, gardening, food production, fruit trees, composting, beekeeping, self-sufficiency, sustainable living, spring projects, learning from mistakes, homesteading, food sources, livestock, gardening, self-sufficiency, sustainable living, feeding strategies, meat production, infrastructure, community support, ram pump, off-grid living, water storage, homesteading, self-sufficiency, water quality, cisterns, irrigation, gravity-fed system, preparedness