As I drove to town today to get feed, it struck me how few small family businesses are left in cities. Luckily, in our nearest town of Cook (population 600), there still are these personable places left. We buy our feed at Homestead Mills, as well as salt blocks, milk replacer, bird feed, seed potatoes, garden seed, bulk flours, yeast, beans, and more. They even mix up their own brand of gourmet pancake, muffin, and cereal recipes. (You can even buy them in one-pound cloth bags for gifts!)
They even have a website so folks can order online (www.homesteadmills.com). Whatever we need they have…or can get at a reasonable price. Rape seed, field turnips, birdsfoot trefoil, field peas? Yep, the owners, Carol and Keith Aho, will happily fill your orders.
And in the back of the building, the heavy 100-pound sacks are tossed into the back of our Subaru by friends, Matt and Josh, with a few minutes of pleasant chatting while the work is done.
Yep, the big cities have lots of stuff in the malls, but we much prefer to shop locally! It’s more fun. — Jackie
Deb Brown,
When you’re in town, have Keith and Carol give me a call. If we’re home, we’d be glad to have you out for a visit. We live about 16 miles from Homestead Mills.
Yep-We get our feeds, foods, coffees, spices, seeds and animal supplies from this great place. Wonderful people who care about what you are doing on your farm and will help with whatever they can. Love to look at the bulletin boards when we are there. We drive a few hours away to get thier feeds and other things. I must admit Jackie, I hope one day to run into you while we are there shopping. Deb in Littlefork
You live in a beautiful area full of wonderful people.
I try to purchase as much locate at possible.
You don’t have to live in or near a small town to support local family-owned businesses. I live in LA and find lots of ways to give my money to small businesses. Both of the places where we purchase animal feed are small and family-owned, as is the art store I frequent, and many of the restaurants we dine at. When certain things are hard to find, I can easily support family-owned businesses via the internet, such as my yearly orders with Baker Creek. And I haven’t been to a mall in about 2 years.
Thumbs up to Homestead Mills! You captured them beautifully, Jackie!
M Blaney,
YES! I did receive your wonderful gift. I’m ashamed that I haven’t gotten a thank you out to you yet. There’s no excuse but we’ve been really busy trying to get things done before the “spring rush”. I’ll think of you every time I pin on that beautiful pewter goose pin.
Hi Jackie -love the pictures – can you advise if you received a small package from Ottawa Canada because if not I have to trace with Canada Post
I totally agree! The closest town is 15 miles, less than 450 population. The town that we do our BIG shopping in is 30 miles, population 4500. I takes us an hour to get there because of the winding roads. Love the small towns. No big cities for us!
We also have our nearest town as under 5000 and love it after living in Houston for years. Every trip takes a bit longer because you have to ask after the grandkids but you also meet the greatest people and sometimes get the greatest deals this way. We love living small….. I’ve put those straw bales in my Honda CRV and Kentucky Kid is right about putting down a tarp first. I sure learned that one the hard way…lol. I’m going to go to the Homestead website right now and see what goodies I may need.
Such a good article. Sure wish we lived closer to places like that. I don’t even know of anythinhg like that near us.
Love those Subarus.
We have discovered that we can easily haul a dozen bales of straw in/on our Forester . . . six on top and six inside. Also discovered it’s a good idea to line the cargo area with a tarp when doing this or it will take you WEEKS to get all the little straw trash out of the upholstery, nooks, and crannies.
:-)
I sure miss the small business, they are so much more homey and kind than the big stores . when we go out of town I love stopping at them,
I totally agree about small, family-run businesses. Our closest town is less than 5000 people and we know many of the local merchants, some by name and some only by face. They are eager to help with whatever is needed and find a “make-do” option and/or suitable substitute when necessary. It’s hard to get that personal attention at the big box stores! Products sometimes cost a little more but you get what you pay for!
How wonderful. We have a place like this near our homestead. I always love going in there. It just feels like home.
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