Kindred Acres

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

Permaculture in action. Watch this! The power and the proof. EVERYONE CAN DO THIS!

https://youtu.be/oZ1Y4FXxJos?is=KMVfRLTYgqAt-5pL

06/17/2026

Kaliah went out to harvest. She got a good bit and it looks like she didn’t even take any. The bushes are still fully loaded. We will pitch away at harvesting again later when it cools.

06/17/2026

Every now and then, I like to step back and simply observe.

Walking through this space feels incredible, especially when I think back to what this property looked like when I first purchased it. The backyard was practically bare. There was one single waist-high magnolia tree. No gardens. No food forest. Not even grass—just recovery weeds and little else.

To see it go from that to this is nothing short of amazing to me.

So much hard work, time, sweat, learning, and love went into creating this space. And now I get to sit back and enjoy it. I get to watch rabbits roam through the gardens and nibble on plants. I get to see bees, butterflies, pollinators, and beneficial predators going about their work. We have an incredible variety of birds, along with foxes, opossums, raccoons, and so much more.

Not long ago, my friend Maureen came to visit after not having been here for quite some time. What made that moment especially meaningful is that Maureen has watched alongside me as I’ve walked this journey of transforming Kindred Acres into a permaculture food forest. She has seen the vision, the planning, the planting, the experiments, the successes, and even some of the setbacks along the way.

When she walked into the backyard, she stopped, looked around, then looked at me and said with a chuckle, “Well, you got your food forest.”

I can’t even explain how joyful that was for me to hear.

Coming from someone who has witnessed this transformation unfold over time, it felt like such a beautiful acknowledgment of how far this land has come. After not seeing the property for quite a while, she was able to immediately recognize what it had become.

And she was right.

It definitely is a food forest now—and we’re still not done. 😂

Here at Kindred Acres, we use permaculture principles: layering and stacking functions, cover crops, companion planting, soil building, and natural pest predation. Not a single drop of herbicide, pesticide, fungicide, or synthetic fertilizer has been used in this food forest.

I’m proud of that.

So many people told me it couldn’t be done. I’ve had people tour the property and question my methods. I’ve been told certain plants would take over and “eat the whole world.” 😂 But instead of following fear, I listened. I listened to the land. I listened to the plants. I listened to the food forest as it developed and evolved.

This is the result.

And the beautiful thing is, we’re still just getting started. I’m not just growing the space for me. I’m growing the space for the next generations to come. To lead the way and show people that it can be done and that it needs to be done. That you too can do this. The bulk of this food forest that you’re about to see is on less than a quarter of an acre. The rest of our property is elsewhere and barely visible in this video. There’s so much you can do even on a quarter of an acre.

This food forest has been my heart and soul. It has been my therapy, my classroom, my sanctuary, and one of the greatest joys of my life.

I hope you enjoy walking through it as much as I enjoy creating it.

And honestly, I’m even more excited to do this tour again next year because I already know some of the changes that are coming. Hehehe. 🌿❤️

Take a look at our Summer 2026 Food Forest Tour.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

06/17/2026

I’m about to upload a video tour that I took just a few minutes ago of our homestead. In that video, you’ll see the very same bush I’m sharing here, and the difference is striking.

This bush did not die from these worms. In fact, I did absolutely nothing to treat it because of these worms. The birds and other natural predators took care of the situation for me.

As you can see, plenty of leaves were chewed on, but when you watch the new video, you’ll see how full, lush, healthy, and vibrant this exact same plant is today.

We need to break free from the mindset we’ve been taught—that bugs are terrible, that every pest must be feared, and that we need to spray everything in sight to get rid of them.

Think about it: we are the only species that sprays pesticides on our food to kill insects and then turns around and eats that same food. How does that make sense?

You don’t need pesticides for every problem. Natural predation works. Permaculture works. Healthy soil biology works. Growing plants as part of a functioning ecosystem works.

And yes, this works on farms too.

I’ve worked with plenty of farms that grow row crops and use traditional agricultural systems that have successfully incorporated permaculture principles. Does it look different from a food forest? Of course. But practices like fostering beneficial predators, building soil biology, planting cover crops, reducing chemical inputs, and working with nature instead of against it can absolutely be integrated into conventional farming systems.

Not only can these methods work, but in many cases they can improve resilience, reduce input costs, and ultimately increase profitability.

And this isn’t just for large farms.

I completely understand that when you have a small yard, a handful of raised beds, or even an HOA lot, every single plant feels precious. I started with a much smaller space too, so I understand that perspective. But the same principles still apply.

I regularly do consultations for people with small backyards and limited growing spaces, and there are still plenty of ways to garden naturally and regeneratively. You can attract beneficial insects, improve soil biology, build healthier soil, use companion planting, create habitat for predators, and work with nature instead of constantly fighting it.

Whether you’re growing on 1/10 of an acre, 100 acres, or somewhere in between, permaculture principles work. The scale may change, but the ecology doesn’t.

Nature already has solutions. Sometimes we just need to get out of the way and let them do their job.

Take a look at this video showing the pests enjoying the blueberry bush. Next I’ll post the new video in the comments below as well as in a post of its own above. You can see the comparison.

🌱 A little garden wisdom for you all… 🌱When it comes to growing f...

06/17/2026

Passionfruit:

There are two native passionflower vines in North Carolina: Passiflora incarnata, also known as Maypop, and Passiflora lutea. Passiflora incarnata is the species most commonly grown for its edible fruit, medicinal uses, and ecological benefits. It serves as a host plant for the beautiful Gulf Fritillary butterfly and is a wonderful addition to wildlife-friendly landscapes. Plus, it’s absolutely gorgeous when in bloom!

Growing Maypops

Maypops are incredibly easy to grow and, in many areas, spread quite enthusiastically. They are a vining plant, so you can allow them to sprawl naturally or provide a trellis for support.

Anywhere the vines touch the ground, they can re-root. They also spread through underground runners and suckers, allowing them to travel surprisingly far from the original plant. Because of this, they may not be the best choice for very small spaces unless you plan to contain or manage them.

One of the things I love most about Maypops is their adaptability. They can grow in everything from shade to full sun and from relatively dry to damp conditions. That said, they tend to spread more vigorously and produce more fruit when grown in full sun with adequate moisture.

Harvesting Maypops

Not all species of Passiflora are edible, and some species may contain compounds that make them unsuitable for consumption. It is important to correctly identify your plant before consuming it or using it medicinally.

To harvest Passiflora incarnata fruit, allow the fruits to fully ripen and wrinkle. They will often fall to the ground when ready. Crack open the soft outer shell and enjoy the seed-filled pulp inside. The texture is somewhat similar to pomegranate seeds, and we eat the seeds and all.

To me, they taste a bit like sour apple candy, though opinions on the flavor vary widely. Some people absolutely love them, while others aren’t fans. Personally, I enjoy them.

Medicinal Uses

Passiflora incarnata has a long history of use in herbalism. The leaves and flowers are commonly prepared as a tea and are traditionally used to promote relaxation, support restful sleep, and help calm a busy mind after a long day.

Some herbalists also prepare tinctures to create a more concentrated preparation. As with any herb, it’s important to research proper use and consult a qualified healthcare professional if you have medical conditions, are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

Below are two excellent resources from NC State Extension covering our two native passionflower species here in North Carolina:

Maypop (Passiflora incarnata)
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/passiflora-incarnata/

Yellow Passionflower (Passiflora lutea)
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/passiflora-lutea/

06/14/2026

Tonight’s dinner was the kind that makes all the hard work worth it. ❤️

Homegrown squash, homegrown mashed potatoes, and a perfectly cooked steak on the side. There’s something incredibly satisfying about sitting down to a meal and knowing exactly where so much of it came from.

The potatoes were grown right here on the homestead and mashed with our own homegrown sautéed garlic and onions. Even the squash was sautéed in homemade garlic oil that we made from our garlic scapes. Talk about bringing the garden to the table! 🤤

From planting and watering to harvesting and cooking, meals like this remind me just how rewarding it is to grow your own food. Every bite tells a story of patience, hard work, and a whole lot of gratitude.

And let me tell you—it was absolutely delicious. ❤️

This is why we do what we do.

06/13/2026

https://amzn.to/43uLyX5

06/13/2026

Our new berry picker. Link in the comments below!

06/13/2026

Our Jujube trees are loaded with flowers. Each flower is a potential fruit! Super productive year. If you zoom in you can see our little friend protecting the tree from pests. 😍