Homesteaders tend to keep a lot of tools around. Sticks are great for everything from tying up livestock and keeping gates open to thawing out frozen waterers in the winter.

Homesteading adds many things to your lifestyle, and it’s important that you continue to audit what you spend your time doing so that you can make the best decisions within your means.

In an age of technology, when grocery shopping is at your fingertips and sitting in front of screens is a daily practice, many of us feel the pull of the old ways, to the simple way of life that once was. Good old-fashioned hard work, dirty hands, sweat on your brow — and a feeling of accomplishment that only comes after seeing your hard work and sacrifices pay off.

Andes and Cody Beebe live this way of life every day on Beebe Farm in Tieton with their two young children. From tending to their cows and sheep to working in their garden to care for their vegetables, fruit and flowers (and many days with a kiddo on her hip and one in tow), Andes runs the farm with grace and grit — with the support of Cody when he’s not running his three other businesses, Digital Vendetta, Chinook Fest and Outskirts Brewing in Selah.

And now, as if their hands weren’t already full, Andes and Cody have started “Homesteaducation,” an offshoot of their farm that offers hands-on classes and workshops.

“Whether you want to learn traditional or new homesteading skills, we are committed to giving people the tools and confidence to be successful,” Andes explains. “From canning to raising as well as butchering animals, to gardening and starting your own farm, our classes break everything down to the basics so that everyone can reach whatever homesteading goals they may have.”

How did Andes and Cody come into the business of teaching others about farming and homesteading practices? From their own experience of trying to gain knowledge in this arena.

“The idea for all of this really came from my husband and I wanting to learn more about farming practices and not being able to find the teaching resources anywhere other than YouTube,” Andes says.

Beyond the courses they offer, Andes has also created the Central WA Ladies Homesteading Collective, which meets once a month for good conversations and brainstorming.

The future is bright for these two and the legacy they are creating. They are committed to this farm, to their family and to the community, and their goals reflect this in every possible way.

“Cody and I will continue to roll out new workshops and are excited to also collaborate with other local farms in the near future,” Andes says. “Further on down the road, we’d love to create an event space and have a U-pick botanical farm.”

A passionate farmer, mom and mother, Andes also is a licensed esthetician, a trade and art that she wants to share with the community.

“In the very near future I will be opening my own practice here in Tieton that will offer natural skin care and botanical facials.”

Asked whether she had any wise words for readers, her response was just as powerful as she is.

“I recently went to a homesteading conference and heard the saying ‘Grandma had it, Mom got rid of it and I’m bringing it back’, which rings so true to us. In just two short generations we have lost a lot of skills as a society that our grandparents once had,” she says.

“So if I could suggest one thing to anyone, it would be to know where your food is coming from and get involved.”

Source: yakimaherald.com