The Heart Behind Dirt Under My Nails Homesteading
Hey there, and welcome.
I’m Whitney, the face behind Dirt Under My Nails Homesteading, and I’m so glad you’re here.
I’m married, blessed with a big family, and building a life that feels more meaningful one day at a time. I have five adopted stepchildren who are all grown now, and three grandchildren who bring so much joy to our lives.
Life these days looks a little different than it used to—and honestly, that’s exactly how I like it.
Our Early-Stage Homestead Life
We’re in the early stages of building our homestead, which means we’re still learning, growing, and figuring things out as we go.
This isn’t one of those picture-perfect places where everything runs smoothly and every fence post is straight.
This is real life.
It’s muddy boots, early mornings, unexpected lessons, and celebrating the little wins along the way.
Right now, our homestead includes:
Several laying hens for fresh eggs
Meat birds we’re raising for the freezer
Three pigs, with two of them planned to stay right here as pets
Two spoiled dogs who probably think they run the place
And truthfully… they might.
Why We Chose This Life
For me, homesteading is about more than animals or gardens.
It’s about slowing down.
It’s about learning where food comes from.
It’s about creating something with your own two hands.
It’s about building a life that feels honest, intentional, and grounded.
I didn’t grow up knowing all of this, and I definitely didn’t start with all the answers.
I’m learning as I go, making mistakes, trying again, and sharing the journey along the way.
What You’ll Find Here
This blog is where I’ll share the real side of beginner homesteading.
Not the polished version.
The real version.
You’ll find things like:
Raising chickens for eggs and meat
Life with pigs and farm animals
Beginner gardening adventures
Homemade meals and simple living
Lessons learned the hard way
Wins worth celebrating
The everyday mess and beauty of learning something new
Why I’m Sharing It
I know there are a lot of people out there who want a simpler life but don’t know where to start.
Maybe you feel behind.
Maybe you think you need land, money, experience, or some perfect setup.
You don’t.
We’re proof that you can start where you are and learn as you go.
That’s what I hope this space gives people—encouragement to begin.
My Life Right Now
My days are full in the best kind of way.
Family, animals, chores, laughter, plans, messes, dreams, and figuring it all out one step at a time.
It’s not always easy.
It’s not always pretty.
But it’s fulfilling.
And I wouldn’t trade it.
Follow Along
If you love real-life homesteading, learning from the beginning, raising animals, growing food, and building a meaningful life one step at a time, then you’re in the right place.
I’m so glad you found me.
Let’s learn together.
Dirt Under My Nails Homestead 