While homesteading requires a great deal of daily resiliency, immediate problem solving, and constant re-prioritizing, it also requires a good deal of routine, especially when the homesteader has factored animals into the sustainable equation. Of course, the season and weather are the most formidable factors in determining what happens day by day on an off-grid homestead. Here, we offer an example of what life is like at Lodestar for a First-Year Homesteading Apprentice, working toward the Lodestar Regenerative Homesteading Certification.

(Note that the work week begins on Tuesday because HAP students enjoy their weekend starting Saturday afternoon once the local market closes. Understanding all aspects of managing a local farmers market is one of the learning objectives for the HAP program—from harvesting the produce to advertising the market students will participate each weekend May through September.)

Sample Weekly Schedule:

Tuesday a.m.

7:15-7:50    dress according to the weather forecast and grab breakfast at the dorm

8:00 – 8:30 daily planning meeting @ library or main house – determine activities and make announcements/share observations/ask questions/ assign daily tasks

9:45 – 10:50  classroom work: take notes on a guest lecturer – local homesteading expert

10:50-11:10 break

11:30-1:00 field work @ Lodestar (teams assigned to work in outside gardens, greenhouses, goat pens, chicken coop, orchard, pond, shop, kitchen, facility and equipment maintenance) 

Tuesday p.m.

1:00-1:45 lunch @ the dorm

2:00-4:30 resume field work

4:30-5:30 break/shower/change clothes

5:30-7:45 supper @ the main house (planned/prepared by HAP student who has dinner assignment that day), end of the day recap conversation, kitchen clean up (day assigned to students), wrap up

8:00 back to dorm for the evening

Wednesday a.m.

7:15-7:50    dress according to the weather forecast and grab breakfast at the dorm

8:00-8:30    daily planning meeting @ library or main house – determine activities and make announcements/share observations/ask questions/ assign daily tasks

9:45-10:50 classroom work: assigned reading, pod cast, writing assignment = discussion

10:50-11:15 break

11:30-1:00 field work @ Lodestar (teams assigned to work in outside gardens, greenhouses, goat pens, chicken coop, orchard, pond, shop, kitchen, facility and equipment maintenance

Wednesday p.m.

1:00-1:45 lunch @ the dorm

2:00-5:00 Project Afternoon– students choose a group project @ Lodestar (i.e. yoga, tai chi, meditation, ceramics, photography, writing circle, music, etc. )

5:30-7:45 supper @ the main house (planned/prepared by HAP student who has dinner assignment that day), end of the day recap conversation, kitchen clean up (day assigned to students), wrap up. Prep for field trip tomorrow (make  lunches, intro to individual homestead)

8:00 back to dorm for the evening

Thursday a.m.

7:15-7:50    dress according to the weather forecast and grab breakfast at the dorm. 

8:30-12:30    Field trip to local homesteading site

Thursday p.m.

1:00-3:30 work on plan for individual Final Project (HAP Certification) – create a proposal for your project and a rough draft outline for review 

3:30-4:30 share ideas for Final Project with other students – round table in Dorm. Share observations made during field trip

5:30-8:00 supper @ the main house (planned/prepared by HAP student who has dinner assignment that day), end of the day recap conversation, kitchen clean up (day assigned to students), movie. Discuss duties for Friday Market Preparation.

8:15 back to dorm for the evening

Friday a.m.

7:15-7:50    dress according to the weather forecast and grab breakfast at the dorm

8:00-9:30  daily planning meeting @ library or main house – determine activities and make announcements/share observations/ask questions/ assign daily tasks for market prep

10:00-10:15 break

10:30-12:45 Market prep – teams will rotate duties: (1) harvest, process, package, and store produce (2) water and fertilize harvested beds (3) create weekly market advertisements newsletter, update signs, design market booth (4) dorm clean-up

Friday p.m.

1:00-1:45 lunch @ the dorm

2:00-4:00 Continue market prep

5:30-7:30 supper @ the main house (planned/prepared by HAP student who has dinner assignment that day), end of the day recap conversation, kitchen clean up (day assigned to students), wrap up, make lunches for Saturday Market. Share weekend plans.

8:00 back to dorm for the evening

Saturday MARKET DAY

7:15-7:50    dress according to the weather forecast and grab breakfast at the dorm

8:00-9:30    load up van for market

9:30-9:45 travel to Market site and set up

10:00-2:00pm    Market

2:00-3:00 break down and travel back to farm

3:30 weekend begins – students are welcome take off or stay on campus for the weekend

5:30-7:30 supper @ the main house (planned/prepared by HAP student who has dinner assignment that day), end of the day recap conversation, kitchen clean up (day assigned to student)

Saturday afternoon – Monday night – Weekends off 

We live in a region rich in archeological, geological, historical landmarks. 

Urban life –– We live within 5 driving hours of six large cities, two international airports, and one local airport. Needless to say, we are a launching point for some great weekend adventures and experiences. We encourage our students to create trips for themselves, pooling resources and transportation.

Summer events in the White Mountains also abound in the small tourist towns of Show Low, Pinetop, and Lakeside. Our area has been highly rated for hiking, biking and horseback riding trails.

Students are also welcome to stay on property during the weekend. There will be no formal work, education, or activities during the weekend, but students are welcome to use the facilities or just relax and rest. The HAP library is an ideal place to study, research, and meditate. Food will be stocked in the Dorm for anyone who wishes to remain on property over the weekend.

Regular Variation in Learning Modalities

Guest speakers, field trips, field work, group projects, individual final project work.

Weekly Summer Market – May 16-September 30

Preparation for our local farmers market (only 15 minutes away)  begins the day before the market, so three summer months every Friday will be spent cleaning the dorm and/or preparing for market the next day. This market community interaction will fulfill, in part, the field work requirements for their Lodestar Homesteading Certification. 

Monthly Silent Retreat Day

Once a month students will be asked not to speak for a full day. The day will be spent in solitude, reading, listening, and reflection. (Of course, this is suspended if an emergency situation occurs.)

Monthly Farm Tour Day

Open to the public. Once a month students will help host a public tour of Lodestar Gardens and facility. Students will have roles in organizing the event, as well as be responsible for particular assigned stations along the tour route. This is an excellent way to meet and greet the public.

Downtime Recreation Opportunities

Lodestar property includes 40 acres of varied landscape. Walking the perimeter of the property on diverse terrain will offer a good hike or bike ride on any given day. There are also some areas set aside for such good old fashion activities such as horseshoes, croquet, badminton, and weight lifting. Two mountain bikes available for use and plenty of county road to ride or jog on. We also have a campground with six sites and tents available for use in the event you want to sleep under the stars or in a tent.