Common Ground Alaska Farmstead

11/20/2025

Finally, after 38,646,378,273,464,433 shovels full of snow, the plants in big pots are all under mulch for the winter. 💪

Next up: cover the little potted plants and the trees and bushes that are planted in the greenhouse.

I love that there’s still something to do on the farm, even in the off season.

11/20/2025

This little warm spell is lovely:
We don't have to go down and gather eggs every hour
You don't need gloves or a coat
The air doesn't hurt your face

It's true, there are some serious advantages

but ... scooping out the barn isn't one of them! 🤢

Haha!

Oh how quickly we forget how nice frozen p**p is.

11/18/2025

What's going on around the farm? Not much - the farm is asleep for the winter and your farmer has moved to the forge for his winter's work. He spent quite a bit of time on his latest design - he says it's made to be worn daily and used often. The moose handle is the perfect addition, in my opinion.

Want to follow his forge adventures? Head over and follow him at Common Ground Bladesmith - he's got some pretty cool things planned over there!

The link to the website of our current avaialble knives is in the comments. :)

OH! And we're taking special orders for Christmas, too. Don't see the perfect knife on the website, that's okay! Send us a pm and we can design one with you.

11/17/2025

🎉 SURPRISE! 🎉 + FINAL CALL

Sustainable Alaska Magazine keeps getting better - we've added something new for our subscribers! There is now a FREE subscriber-only community just for magazine subscribers. Get to know the authors, dig deeper into the articles, and build a sustainable community - it's going to be so cool!

https://commongroundalaska.com/product-category/sustainable-alaska-magazine/

If you're already a subscriber, be on the lookout for your invitation this week!

However, TODAY is the last day to subscribe to get the print winter issue ((psst ... it will be delivered prior to Christmas so it will make a great gift, by the way)).

PLUS - this evening we're going to choose a couple of current subscribers to get a LIFETIME subscription! You must be a subscriber to qualify - don't miss it!

Subscribe today, join the community, and let's dig in!

https://commongroundalaska.com/product-category/sustainable-alaska-magazine/

And one last thing - I know that everyone is asking you to buy from them this time of year. I get it. It's not lost on me when you choose to buy a product from our family and farm. THANK YOU for your support!

11/12/2025

WIN A LIFETIME SUBSCRIPTION!!

Buy a one year subscription for only $5️⃣0️⃣ print or $2️⃣0️⃣ digital 🔥that's right - we're running a flash sale 🔥, and be automatically entered into the contest to win a lifetime subscription for Sustainable Alaska Magazine.

It's that simple!

Subscribe here:

https://commongroundalaska.com/product-category/sustainable-alaska-magazine/

BOOM! You're entered to win a LIFETIME subscription to the magazine! And guess what - we're not just giving away one, we're giving away THREE!

💥 Get a subscription for a friend - it will arrive before Christmas - what a cool stocking stuffer! 💥

⏰ Subscribe by November 17 to get the winter issue which will be in mailboxes the first week in December.

PS - already have a subscription but want the sale price? This is a great time to renew!

https://commongroundalaska.com/product-category/sustainable-alaska-magazine/

☀️ Need to read some reviews to be sure? Here's what a few folks left as public comments just last week:

Werdna Yawahtah:
✏️ Just got our first one in the mail. This magazine is loaded with information on animal husbandry, it’s packed with beautiful photography, and mouth watering recipes. 🙏🙌

Nancy Nolfi-Dodge
✏️ Received my first copy today. I am beyond impressed. What a beautiful, important, professional publication.

Jennifer Tenney
✏️ I just received this latest magazine! It's so beautiful and done so well! Thank you 😊.
I'm also really loving the content.

https://commongroundalaska.com/product-category/sustainable-alaska-magazine/

11/06/2025

We spent a couple of weeks with family in NW Florida (beautiful farm country) and found these fields with round bales. They are two different crops. Any guesses on what either of them are?

11/03/2025

MONDAYS WITH MABEL

Guys! How do you like my hair? I spent a lot of time on my bangs today - I think they look super spiffy! Want to know why I want to look extra special today?

TODAY, MAMA AND DADDY AND ABBI COME HOME!

They’ve been in Florida for almost two weeks! I’ve missed them so much! Millie misses them a ton too.

So today, the whole barn is excited and we are all getting spiffed up for their arrival.

Mama told me they went to visit some very special people and critters. She was telling me they were going to see Ava May - don’t you love that name? I’m pretty sure she was named after me.

Get it? Ava MAY - and MAbel - they sound almost the same! I hope to meet her someday. Mama seems smitten so she must be super special.

But they also went to see Rudy. He’s a longhorn. I’d like to meet him someday, too. Apparently they also met Bunny. She’s a sheep. Wonder if she’s as much trouble as Millie?!?

Anyway. I gotta go. We are planning a celebration party for when everyone gets home.

The turkeys are practicing their best gobble, Millie is going to baaaa her very best baaaa - and I’m gonna moo and moo and moo my excitement while I show off some new dance moves.

But don’t worry. I’ll be moo-ing and dancing but I won’t mess up these perfect bangs.

Let’s get this welcome home party started!

11/01/2025

❄️ Winter is coming…Bring the season home with Sustainable Alaska Magazine, a quarterly guide with real Alaskan stories. This isn’t just a magazine - it’s a way of life written by Alaskans, for Alaskans.

Be sure to subscribe before November 10th to receive the Winter Edition!

This issue is shaping up to be incredible. Here’s a sneak peek at just some of the wisdom and stories inside:

🌑 Avoiding Cabin Fever in Alaska’s Deep Dark
🐑 The Sheep Best Represents Mankind
🎣 Ice Fishing on the Kotzebue – Future Homesteader
🌿 Help for the Cold and Flu Season
✨ Fabulous, Flabby, FAT
🌱 Gardening Activities in the Winter
🐕 The Sled Dog Story – Future Homesteader
❄️ Fire and Ice: Cultivating a Community of Care
🌟 Advent with Kids, Not Candy
🐑 Shetlands and Snow
💡 Bright Lights, Hidden Dangers
🏔️ Lambing Season at the Farm
🛠️ When it Snows, I Make Stuff
🔥 Homemade Wood-Fired Hot Tub
🎄 Christmas Past
…and so much more!

Click the link below to subscribe today and never miss another issue!

10/29/2025

In the last frontier, sustainable living isn’t a trend, it’s a way of life. From putting up the harvest to crafting by hand, Alaskans need to know how to make the most of every season.

Sustainable Alaska Magazine, a quarterly publication, shares real stories from folks living close to the land, with seasonal tips, how-tos, and wisdom you can’t find online.

The Winter Edition is coming soon, filled with inspiration for the season ahead. Subscribe today and get each issue, written by Alaskans, for Alaskans, delivered right to your doorstep.

Subscribe to the Sustainable Alaska Magazine to have the printed version of the magazine mailed to you as well as digital access to all issues!

10/24/2025

How to Make: Soothing Herbal Throat Lozenges is now available in the Alaska Homestead Academy!

In this video demonstration, Lia shows us how to craft soothing homemade throat lozenges made with mint leaves, raspberry leaves, rosehips, and honey. These simple herbal drops are packed with natural goodness to calm sore throats, ease coughs, and support the immune system.

Find the link to the video in the comments! Join our community today!

10/22/2025

We’ve come full circle - and a new season of stories begins!

Sustainable living runs deep in Alaska, from preserving the harvest to crafting by hand.

Sustainable Alaska Magazine is a quarterly publication that shares real stories from Alaskans living close to the land. Each issue is packed with seasonal inspiration, how-tos, and Alaskan wisdom you won’t find online.

Subscribe today and get every issue - written by Alaskans, for Alaskans - delivered right to your doorstep.

10/21/2025

Book Club Recap - Part 3 is now available in the Alaska Homestead Academy Catalog!

📖 “The Homesteader’s Natural Chicken Keeping Handbook” (Part 3)
by Amy K. Fewell (Author), Joel Salatin (Foreword)

This week in Book Club, Tandy and the group covered Part 3: Raising a Healthy Flock discussing Amy’s advice for keeping chickens thriving the natural way. Members shared what’s been working (and what hasn’t!) in their own coops, from feed choices to supplements. It was a great discussion full of tips, laughs, and real-life chicken stories!

Next up: Part 4 – Glorious Egg Layers
🗓 Tuesday, November 4th | 7:00 p.m.

Homesteader & Full Granny members can join live - Cultivators can catch the replay!