Homesteaders of America30 Jul 2025

E47: Homestead With Heart: Build a Family Legacy without the Pressure of Perfection | RuthAnn Zimmerman

Beloved HOA speaker and returning podcast guest RuthAnn Zimmerman is back to share what life looks like right now on her family’s 21-acre homestead in Iowa. We start with a glimpse into their summer rhythms—overflowing gardens, plenty of fresh milk, and kids’ morning chore routines—but quickly move into deeper ground. RuthAnn reflects on the beauty that homesteading has given her family beyond just homegrown food. She offers gentle encouragement for parents who feel stretched thin and reminds us that we don’t have to do it all. At the heart of it, RuthAnn shares why this lifestyle is about so much more than food— it's about faith, family, and building a legacy rooted in relationship.

In this episode, we cover:

A look at summertime on the Zimmermans’ Iowa homestead— garden abundance, milk cow abundance, and finding the balance between chores and downtime
Kids having morning meltdowns? The simple morning routine RuthAnn’s kids never skip to support mood and energy
What RuthAnn discovered about her true passions through book writing (spoiler: it’s not actually homesteading!)
The real reason the Zimmermans started and grew their 21-acre homestead— it wasn’t just about food
Encouragement for young moms in the thick of it— you won’t always be in this season, and you’re right where you need to be
A mindset shift for when life feels overwhelming: you don’t have to do it all
Why knowing your “why” matters in homesteading; knowledge alone won’t carry you through
How homesteading can be the perfect foundation for building strong relationships with your kids, even when the tasks don’t feel fun
Why gaining real-life skills is just as valuable (or more!) as gaining formal education

View full show notes and transcript on the blog + ⁠watch this episode on YouTube⁠⁠.

Thank you to our sponsors!

KubotaUSA.com | Providing the right equipment to keep us moving, shaping, and growing America's farms, fields, and construction

Premier1Supplies.com | Your one-stop shop for a variety of homesteading supplies and expert advice

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Listen to RuthAnn’s previous episode on the HOA podcast

Pre-order The Heart of the Homestead through ChristianBook and use code RuthAnn to get 40% off

Check out the pre-order bonuses for The Heart of the Homestead

Browse RuthAnn’s recipes here

CONNECT

RuthAnn Zimmerman | Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

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