Welcome Home

Welcome…to a place that feels like home. A small farm with a big family. Pull up a chair and visit awhile. 

Our Story

Hey there, darling!  My name is Jess. There was a time that all I wanted in the world was a little farm where I could raise my family and grow our food. Now, that is exactly what exists outside my door. In watching it unfold, a new dream was formed in my heart – to share this beautiful life with others and teach them the lessons we’ve learned along the way. Welcome to Roots and Refuge, friend. I am so glad you’re here. 

Recently on R&R

Check out our latest posts from the farm. Gardening, Farm Animals, Recipes, DIYs and anything else we dream up!

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Spatchcock chicken in a cast iron roasting pan with potatoes.

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Roots and Refuge on YouTube

Did you miss any of our latest videos? Youc an get caught up right here! New videos are added each week!
The Roots and Refuge podcast is available on all major streaming platforms. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-and-refuge-podcast/id1669328823 My friend Morgan's Channels: Video of my time in Vermont making cider with Morgan: https://youtu.be/l6ID6OJlVQM?si=dt74XHAEFHI3aVPf Gold Shaw Farm: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldShawFarm Morgan Gold Stories Told: https://www.youtube.com/@morgangold ********************* WHERE TO FIND US (Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we'll receive a small commission but the price remains the same - OR BETTER - for you! Be sure to check for any mentioned discount codes.) - Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup - Join our Patreon to get early access to podcasts and other information, plus monthly LIVES with me and Miah: https://patreon.com/rootsandrefuge - Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-wilder-still - Shop our Stickers & Shirts: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-shop - Order my first book, "First Time Gardener": https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ftgbook - Order my second book, "First Time Homesteader": https://rootsandrefuge.com/first-time-homesteader-yt - Instagram: www.instagram.com/roots_and_refuge - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandrefugefarm - Email Us: rootsandrefuge@yahoo.com - To drop us a line: PO Box 4239 Leesville SC 29070 - To have a gift sent to our house from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share - To support us through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jessicasowards

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YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLkZ3bkR6TmdENVBF

Homestead Realities Chat w/Morgan Gold | Roots and Refuge Podcast

October 2, 2024 5:50 pm

www.rootsandrefuge.com

70.1K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLktNLUVjWWZNaXpj

I'll keep repeating this warning (Finding our stride post-Helene) | VLOG

October 1, 2024 7:39 pm

WHERE TO FIND US (Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we'll receive a small commission but the price remains the same - OR BETTER - for you! Be sure to check for any mentioned discount codes.) - Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup - Join our Patreon to get early access to podcasts and other information, plus monthly LIVES with me and Miah: https://patreon.com/rootsandrefuge - Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-wilder-still - Shop our Stickers & Shirts: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-shop - Order my first book, "First Time Gardener": https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ftgbook - Order my second book, "First Time Homesteader": https://rootsandrefuge.com/first-time-homesteader-yt - Instagram: www.instagram.com/roots_and_refuge - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandrefugefarm - Email Us: rootsandrefuge@yahoo.com - To drop us a line: PO Box 4239 Leesville SC 29070 - To have a gift sent to our house from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share - To support us through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jessicasowards

81.9K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLmVmTnhPaC1KaHFR

Resilience & The Demand of Basic Human Needs (Homesteading through Helene-Day 4)

September 30, 2024 2:03 pm

WHERE TO FIND US (Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we'll receive a small commission but the price remains the same - OR BETTER - for you! Be sure to check for any mentioned discount codes.) - Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup - Join our Patreon to get early access to podcasts and other information, plus monthly LIVES with me and Miah: https://patreon.com/rootsandrefuge - Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-wilder-still - Shop our Stickers & Shirts: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-shop - Order my first book, "First Time Gardener": https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ftgbook - Order my second book, "First Time Homesteader": https://rootsandrefuge.com/first-time-homesteader-yt - Instagram: www.instagram.com/roots_and_refuge - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandrefugefarm - Email Us: rootsandrefuge@yahoo.com - To drop us a line: PO Box 4239 Leesville SC 29070 - To have a gift sent to our house from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share - To support us through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jessicasowards **********************

71.2K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLlo4dnVuOWk2YUZz

This is what we prepare for (Homesteading after the Hurricane) | VLOG

September 28, 2024 10:11 am

WHERE TO FIND US (Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we'll receive a small commission but the price remains the same - OR BETTER - for you! Be sure to check for any mentioned discount codes.) - Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup - Join our Patreon to get early access to podcasts and other information, plus monthly LIVES with me and Miah: https://patreon.com/rootsandrefuge - Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-wilder-still - Shop our Stickers & Shirts: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-shop - Order my first book, "First Time Gardener": https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ftgbook - Order my second book, "First Time Homesteader": https://rootsandrefuge.com/first-time-homesteader-yt - Instagram: www.instagram.com/roots_and_refuge - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandrefugefarm - Email Us: rootsandrefuge@yahoo.com - To drop us a line: PO Box 4239 Leesville SC 29070 - To have a gift sent to our house from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share - To support us through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jessicasowards *************

170.1K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLmhxOTNXYXctVHVZ

Hammered by Helene (The Hurricane Hit our Homestead) | VLOG

September 27, 2024 10:02 am

WHERE TO FIND US (Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we'll receive a small commission but the price remains the same - OR BETTER - for you! Be sure to check for any mentioned discount codes.) - Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup - Join our Patreon to get early access to podcasts and other information, plus monthly LIVES with me and Miah: https://patreon.com/rootsandrefuge - Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-wilder-still - Shop our Stickers & Shirts: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-shop - Order my first book, "First Time Gardener": https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ftgbook - Order my second book, "First Time Homesteader": https://rootsandrefuge.com/first-time-homesteader-yt - Instagram: www.instagram.com/roots_and_refuge - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandrefugefarm - Email Us: rootsandrefuge@yahoo.com - To drop us a line: PO Box 4239 Leesville SC 29070 - To have a gift sent to our house from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share - To support us through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jessicasowards

39.6K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLlZuYnUtRzRlVFZr

Will Instinct Kick In? | Morning Homestead:Garden VLOG

September 25, 2024 11:33 am

WHERE TO FIND US (Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we'll receive a small commission but the price remains the same - OR BETTER - for you! Be sure to check for any mentioned discount codes.) - Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup - Join our Patreon to get early access to podcasts and other information, plus monthly LIVES with me and Miah: https://patreon.com/rootsandrefuge - Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-wilder-still - Shop our Stickers & Shirts: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-shop - Order my first book, "First Time Gardener": https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ftgbook - Order my second book, "First Time Homesteader": https://rootsandrefuge.com/first-time-homesteader-yt - Instagram: www.instagram.com/roots_and_refuge - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandrefugefarm - Email Us: rootsandrefuge@yahoo.com - To drop us a line: PO Box 4239 Leesville SC 29070 - To have a gift sent to our house from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share - To support us through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jessicasowards

109.3K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLnFmOC1nZHp4M1ZN

The Crushing, The Downsizing & The Talk about Quitting | Sit and Chat

September 23, 2024 7:15 pm

My friend Morgan: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldShawFarm The Mindful Homestead: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMindfulHomestead Homesteaders of New England: https://www.newenglandhomesteaders.com WHERE TO FIND US (Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we'll receive a small commission but the price remains the same - OR BETTER - for you! Be sure to check for any mentioned discount codes.) - Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup - Join our Patreon to get early access to podcasts and other information, plus monthly LIVES with me and Miah: https://patreon.com/rootsandrefuge - Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-wilder-still - Shop our Stickers & Shirts: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-shop - Order my first book, "First Time Gardener": https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ftgbook - Order my second book, "First Time Homesteader": https://rootsandrefuge.com/first-time-homesteader-yt - Instagram: www.instagram.com/roots_and_refuge - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandrefugefarm - Email Us: rootsandrefuge@yahoo.com - To drop us a line: PO Box 4239 Leesville SC 29070 - To have a gift sent to our house from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share - To support us through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jessicasowards ********************** ]

40K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLkVoSFUtd2xNMEQ0

Home again | VLOG

September 18, 2024 8:24 pm

Sowing Carrots: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpXvQVSS1Hg WHERE TO FIND US (Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we'll receive a small commission but the price remains the same - OR BETTER - for you! Be sure to check for any mentioned discount codes.) - Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com - Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup - Join our Patreon to get early access to podcasts and other information, plus monthly LIVES with me and Miah: https://patreon.com/rootsandrefuge - Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-wilder-still - Shop our Stickers & Shirts: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-shop - Order my first book, "First Time Gardener": https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ftgbook - Order my second book, "First Time Homesteader": https://rootsandrefuge.com/first-time-homesteader-yt - Instagram: www.instagram.com/roots_and_refuge - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandrefugefarm - Email Us: rootsandrefuge@yahoo.com - To drop us a line: PO Box 4239 Leesville SC 29070 - To have a gift sent to our house from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share - To support us through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jessicasowards **********************

37.8K views

YouTube Video VVVUWk4zSGhlalcxdE9pUmRMR1VDR0dBLkhYb2gwd1NXRnBR

Harvest & Sow (My greatest garden joy) | VLOG

September 10, 2024 5:16 pm

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The First Time Gardener book cover.