– Freedom Forest Farm – Where Nature Meets Freedom in Homesteading, Homemaking & Homeschooling
Oh where to start…


Welcome, I’m Jalena!
Home: steader | maker | schooler
Hey y’all. My friends call me Jo, so you can too. I’m a wife of 15 years (my husband & I met in jail) and mom to FOUR (3 of whom we adopted through foster care). I love Jesus, homesteading, blogging and so much more.
I’d love for you to get to know me through the parts of my life I share (or should I say overshare, because I’m totally guilty of that?!). I enjoy forming GENUINE connections with other women, so please say hi while you’re here!
get to know me!
we are proud to be homegrown by heroes certified, members of the farmer veteran coalition, and graduate of clemson’s scnbfp
The Latest Posts

How I Make Money from Home While Homesteading, Homemaking & Homeschooling
This is step-by-step how I make money from home while homesteading, homemaking and homeschooling full-time using Amazon Onsite Commissions!

How to Sell Starter Plants at a Farmers Market: Tips for Success
Want to start selling starter plants at your local farmers market? Learn how to prepare your plants, set the right prices, and create an appealing booth to attract customers.

Clove Oil: A Natural Toothache Remedy Straight from the Homestead
Relieve tooth pain naturally with clove oil! This powerful, homemade remedy soothes toothaches and fights bacteria. Learn how to make and use clove oil for fast, natural relief!

Crafting the Perfect Homestead Sausage: How-To Season, Grind & Store
Learn how to season, grind, and store fresh pork sausage after butchering your homestead-raised hog with this step-by-step guide.

Processing Our Kune Kune Pigs on the Homestead
Processing Kune Kune pigs for meat is an important part of our homestead journey. After raising these pigs for two years, we are excited to share our experience of the butchering process with you.”

How to Harvest Marigold Seeds + Why You Should Plant Them in Your Garden
Discover how to harvest and store marigold seeds to ensure a vibrant, pest-resistant garden year after year—all while saving money and making the most of your homestead resources!

STOP Buying These 3 Things from the Store! Here’s How to Make Them Yourself…
DIY Kitchen Staples: Homemade Butter, Mayo & Ranch Dressing

Joel Salatin Joins USDA as Advisor: What This Means for Homesteaders
Joel Salatin’s new role as USDA advisor could bring big wins for homesteaders, emphasizing sustainable and small-scale farming solutions.

Homesteading Myths Busted: What It’s Really Like
Discover the truth behind homesteading as we debunk common myths and share what life on the farm is really like!
Wanna win cool homestead items? Each month, I will be drawing a random subscriber to receive the gift of the month.
Enter my Monthly Giveaway.

Mastering the Art of Sourdough Starter: Your Comprehensive Companion DIGITAL E-BOOK with Printable Recipes, Journal Pages + More
Elevate your sourdough baking with our ‘Sourdough Mastery Guide: Your Ultimate Companion.’ Discover the secrets, troubleshoot like a pro, and explore delightful recipes. Download, print, and embrace sourdough excellence!