Lenora L.Parr

I grew up seeing hens loose along creek bottoms, hedge rows, and old windbreaks  not penned tight, not fed heavy all year.
It makes me wonder: in the Midwest, was grain really for chickens… or was it insurance for frozen ground and snow cover?
From April through first hard frost, the bugs are thick, seeds everywhere, pasture alive. A good foraging breed works dawn to dusk if the land is right.
So here’s what I’m curious about  especially from folks who remember pre-industrial scale homesteads:
If you’ve got acreage, water, hedgerows, and rotation  is year-round feeding a modern habit, not a necessity?
I’m not talking about selling eggs. Just a household dozen, slower and seasonal.
Curious what folks in Missouri  Kansas  Iowa  Nebraska actually saw work  not what the feed store says.

Hi everyone, I go by Lenora.
I’ve been gardening and tinkering around with permaculture for a little while now, but I feel like I’m at a point where I could really benefit from learning directly from someone who has hands-on experience. I’m hoping to connect with an older gentleman who’s done a lot of practical work building beds, working with livestock, managing water systems, or just the day-to-day of running a homestead. I do not mind long harmless conversations... Just someone whose real and has spare time.

I’ve been gardening for many years, mostly in heavier soil, and one thing that’s stood out to me is how slowly real improvement shows up. Some of the best changes I’ve seen didn’t happen in one season, but over several years of leaving things alone more, disturbing the soil less, and letting biology catch up. Especially with clay and weather swings, it feels like patience has mattered more than any single amendment. I’m curious how others here have seen their soil change over the long term what shifts took years to show results, and what ended up making the biggest difference looking back?