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Making Cranberry Nut Bread at the Homestead

Making Cranberry Nut Bread at the Homestead

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Making Cranberry Nut Bread at the Homestead

Last updated:  February 27, 2025

Disclosure of Material Connection:  Some of the links in this page or post may be “affiliate links”.  This means that if you click on the link, Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC may receive an affiliate commission at no direct cost to you.   Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC only recommends products or services that the owners, managers, or employees of Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC use or believe will add value to the readers of this website.  This disclosure is made with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Cranberry nut bread at the homestead is a rare treat for us. This is mainly due to the number of ingredients that I must purchase. We mainly try to eat everything from what we harvest or raise, but every once in a while you have to splurge. This is our splurge (don’t laugh).

I tossed some clips together of the process. If you want to make it, the recipe follows. I try to get all organic ingredients if possible. This is a hearty loaf and not sickening sweet. Melted butter on top is the best way to serve it in my opinion. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE FOR PDF COPY.

CLICK HERE TO SKIP DIRECTLY TO RECIPE.

Cranberry Nut Bread
Watch video on Rumble
Spatulas
I used one of these spatulas in the video. This is a good quality, very reasonably priced set, and every one of the spatulas is very useful. The long, narrow spatula is a handy tool to release bubbles from jars when canning.
Strainers - 3 sizes
These are the sifters I use for my flour. They are stainless steel and come in three sizes. The one fits well in a canning funnel if you want to strain broth before putting it in the canning jar.
Colanders
This is a nice stainless steel set of colanders. I used them to wash the berries in the video, but they are very handy for washing many fruits and vegetables.
GrainMaker Model No. 99 Grain Mill
This is the grain mill we use at the homestead. It is solid built and used multiple times per week. Highly recommend.
Green Grain Mill
This is the grain mill that Chuck's daughter has. She uses it often and says it does a great job.
Soft Winter Wheat Berries
I used soft white winter wheat berries in the recipe. These are great for flour for baked goods that don't use yeast as the gluten is not as high. The taste of the soft white wheat berry is not as strong as some wheats making it more suitable for those that don't care for a strong wheat flavor.

CRANBERRY NUT BREAD

 

¼ cup lemon juice

¼ cup water

2 Tbsp. butter, melted

1 egg

1 cup sugar

1 cup cranberries, chopped

½ cup walnuts, chopped

2-1/4 cups flour

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Butter a loaf pan.

3. Mix the lemon juice, water, and melted butter.

4. Beat the egg and add to the lemon juice mix.

5. Add the sugar to the mix.

6. Mix the remaining ingredients into the batter.

7. Spoon batter into the pan and bake for one hour.

8. Insert a toothpick to check if finished (toothpick should come out clean).

9. When finished baking, remove from the pan and finish cooling on a rack.

Blue Striped Mixing Bowl
I have two of these that I've had for many years. In addition to mixing bowls, they make excellent bowls for bread dough raising. If you heat them with warm water before putting your dough in, they maintain the warmth very nicely.
Lodge cast iron loaf pan
This is the cast iron bread pan I used in this video. It is made by Lodge. In my opinion, it is a "must have" for your cast iron collection. I also use it to bake meat loaf.
Cast Iron Melting Pot
This cast iron melting pot gets regular use at our homestead. If you are a griller or outdoor fire cook, you will appreciate it, too. It is perfect for melting butter or heating up sauces.
Thank you so much for your support!

We are full time homesteaders at Pioneer Mountain Homestead in the Appalachian Mountains of south-central Pennsylvania.   We have a sawmill, produce garden, honeybees, layer hens, laying ducks, pigs, and goats. We provide boat and camper storage to nearby visitors of Raystown Lake and sell firewood and lumber in south central Pennsylvania.  Our journey is to be as self-reliant as we can be; to live as much as we can from the resources we have at hand; to effectively be productive with as minimal environmental impact as possible; to raise food in an organic manner; and to give back to our community through education or demonstration. We are always learning, as well. Life is always an adventure! We enjoy learning from others and seeing what other people are doing as well.  – Bren and Chuck

Pioneer Mountain Homestead
16477 Sharman Lane
James Creek, PA 16657
814-505-6426
"Embracing Everything Farm and Forest"

Disclosure of Material Connection:  Some of the links in this page or post may be “affiliate links”.  This means that if you click on the link, Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC may receive an affiliate commission at no direct cost to you.   Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC only recommends products or services that the owners, managers, or employees of Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC use or believe will add value to the readers of this website.  This disclosure is made with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Interesting Information on Firewood

Interesting Information on Firewood

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Firewood Information

Interesting Information on Firewood

Last updated:  February 15, 2025

This blog is just a mix of information on firewood, some charts, and some data. It is unlike my typical blogs, but I wanted to share to those who have an interest in wood burning.  

Blog Sections

Disclosure of Material Connection:  Some of the links in this page or post may be “affiliate links”.  This means that if you click on the link, Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC may receive an affiliate commission at no direct cost to you.   Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC only recommends products or services that the owners, managers, or employees of Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC use or believe will add value to the readers of this website.  This disclosure is made with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Click Here if you want the PDF printout of this blog (No email required). 

Wood Densities

The denser the wood, the better it is as fuel. Woods in High and Medium categories are the best fuel

woods.

 

The chart below lists woods from densest to least dense. Density varies with conditions. Some softwoods are denser than hardwoods because these terms relate to taxonomy, not physical properties.

Chart of various softwood and hardwood densities.
Front view of Wood Stove Fan.

This is one of the Wood Stove Fans that we use at the homestead.  This model just happens to be our favorite.  It oscillates, it is super quiet, and is the best balanced fan of all that we have.

Click For More Information.

Wood Stove Fan

Fuel Value of Woods

An air dried cord of firewood has about 20% moisture still remaining in it (this is often referred to as “seasoned” firewood). As every wood species weighs differently, breaking down firewood by the pound to conclude the amount of fuel value it contains makes comparing various wood types easier.

A bone dry pound of wood represents 8600 BTUs (this would be as if you could get the wood to zero percent moisture). Since, in the real world, an air dried cord is about 20% moisture, this is taken into consideration when calculating BTUs. Therefore, air dried (20% moisture) hardwood firewood contains about 7,000 BTUs per pound with Douglas Fir containing 7360 BTUs per pound and White Pine containing 7200 BTUs per pound. (Why are Douglas Fir and White Pine different? The answer is because they have inflammable resins in the wood that the others do not).

By knowing the type of wood you are burning, you can calculate the number of anticipated BTUs you will get from the wood. However, there is one more important factor to consider in how much fuel value you will get from your firewood. That factor is the efficiency of the wood stove burning it. For example, if you have a wood stove that is only 50% efficient and you are burning white oak, you can anticipate 15.4 million BTU’s from the wood. If your wood stove is 60% efficient, you increase your BTUs to 18.5 million which is a 20% increase in BTUs for raising efficiency 10%.

Knowing all this information is helpful when determining whether wood is your best choice for heat (over oil, gas, or electric) and for determining whether upgrading to a more efficient stove is cost effective.

Firewood splitter
This is one of the splitters we use at the homestead. It is the easiest and fastest way to make kindling to use to get the fire started. I usually will do an arm load at a time and take it to the various woodstoves in the house and outbuildings at the homestead. It's so nice to have everything ready at the woodstove for the next time it's needed.
Fuel Values in BTUs of common woods.
Wood Cart with firewood.
This is the wood cart we use to take wood into the house. It is reasonably priced and we've had ours for many years. I think we've had to refill the tires with air maybe twice in all the years we've had it. It definitely saves your back from having to carry arm loads of wood.
LogOX to pickup log rounds or splits.
This is a LogOX. Chuck surprised me with one to help me when lifting log cuts. It's great as you just put the two pointy ends into the log and the weight helps to hold it closed as you lift with the handle. It reduces bending your back and potentially injuring yourself. I love mine. It is solid built and made in USA.

Can I Burn Wet Wood?

 The simple answer is “yes”. In fact, extra moisture in wood does not lower the fuel value. However, burning wet wood is not recommended because it reduces efficiency. It takes energy to vaporize the water in the wood. Additionally, full combustion is often not achieved due to the cooling effect of vaporizing the water. You will therefore lose efficiency of your fuel (wood). Additionally, water vapor from wet wood can cool your chimney flue gases.

 

If you have no choice but wet (green) wood, it is best to split it into small pieces. Green ash wood is the most preferred wet wood due to its low moisture content on the stump.   

Burning wet (green) wood is not recommended because it reduces efficiency.
Pickeroon, Hookeroon, Pickaroon, or Hookaroon Tool.
We have several of these, but one this is the cream of the crop. If you need to roll logs around, this will help save your back. It is the best tool for loading rounds into the splitter. It is especially appreciated during the summer months as snakes like to hide in wood, and this keeps you away from them. We call it a pickaroon, but I know there are a bunch of names for them including hookeroon, hookaroon, and pickeroon.
Felling wedges.
According to Chuck, you can never have too many of these if you take down your own trees. These are the brand he chooses because they last a long time and are not made cheap like some on the market. At our homestead, we don't mess around with items that might split or collapse when you're taking down a tree. Safety is always #1 for us.
Thank you so much for your support!

We are full time homesteaders at Pioneer Mountain Homestead in the Appalachian Mountains of south-central Pennsylvania.   We have a sawmill, produce garden, honeybees, layer hens, laying ducks, pigs, and goats. We provide boat and camper storage to nearby visitors of Raystown Lake and sell firewood and lumber in south central Pennsylvania.  Our journey is to be as self-reliant as we can be; to live as much as we can from the resources we have at hand; to effectively be productive with as minimal environmental impact as possible; to raise food in an organic manner; and to give back to our community through education or demonstration. We are always learning, as well. Life is always an adventure! We enjoy learning from others and seeing what other people are doing as well.  – Bren and Chuck

Pioneer Mountain Homestead
16477 Sharman Lane
James Creek, PA 16657
814-505-6426
"Embracing Everything Farm and Forest"

Disclosure of Material Connection:  Some of the links in this page or post may be “affiliate links”.  This means that if you click on the link, Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC may receive an affiliate commission at no direct cost to you.   Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC only recommends products or services that the owners, managers, or employees of Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC use or believe will add value to the readers of this website.  This disclosure is made with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Improving Goat Health with Zinc – A Homesteader’s Experience

Improving Goat Health with Zinc – A Homesteader’s Experience

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Improving Goat Health with Zinc – A Homesteader’s Experience

Last updated:  December 21, 2024

As someone who’s been raising goats for over two decades, I’ve learned that healthy goats start with healthy habits and a good eye for spotting when something is wrong. I keep a close watch on my herd. I observe them externally; I look for odd behaviors; and I observe their overall health. However in 2020, something changed. The goats I’ve always been proud of, with their glossy coats and lively spirits, began to look… well, …“off”. Their fur seemed dull, and the goats with black fur had a slight reddish tinge to their coats. This wasn’t normal.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  Some of the links in this page or post may be “affiliate links”.  This means that if you click on the link, Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC may receive an affiliate commission at no direct cost to you.   Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC only recommends products or services that the owners, managers, or employees of Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC use or believe will add value to the readers of this website.  This disclosure is made with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Noticing Changes in
Goat Health
in 2020

Moonpie Goat

At first, I thought it might be a seasonal thing, but it persisted. The change was subtle but noticeable—something just wasn’t right. Their coats, which were usually vibrant and thick, were now lackluster. There was a definite change, but I didn’t know what was causing it. I hadn’t changed their feed, so I began to think back to the different factors that might be impacting them. I have always been a stickler for keeping their diet relatively consistent, so when I noticed the changes, I got suspicious.


After years of raising goats, I’ve learned that small changes in their health often point to something deeper. As I analyzed the situation further, I wondered if the pandemic might have played a role. With supply chain disruptions, I suspected that feed stores might have been cutting corners on quality. Maybe the feed wasn’t what it used to be. Could something as simple as that be the cause of my goats’ decline in health?

Suspecting Feed Quality Issues Due to the Pandemic

During the early months of the pandemic, I noticed that supplies were delayed, feed stocks were low, and suppliers were having trouble keeping items in stock. With the global crisis in full swing, I suspected that the feed I had been buying for years could have been affected by shortages or changes in quality. Was there a lack of nutrients in the feed? The goats’ coats were telling me something was wrong, and I had a hunch that the feed might be the culprit. I had not changed my hay or the browse that the goats had access to. They were contained in the same barn area as they always had been. Basically, I had changed nothing in their environment. Plus, I was hearing about changes others were experiencing – especially in chicken feed – so, I immediately suspected the goat feed might have also been impacted.

While I didn’t have hard proof at the time, I trust my experience. After all, I’ve been raising goats long enough to know when things aren’t right. So, I started looking into it more closely. My next step was to examine how I could address the issue, using everything I knew about goat nutrition.

Manna Pro Goat Mineral

Using Data to Solve the Problem

As a homesteader, I don’t just rely on instinct alone. I’ve learned that combining observation with data is the best way to solve problems on the farm. I keep written and mental records of the goats’ health, plus I’m constantly researching. My gut told me that something was missing in their diet.

One thing that is difficult with goats is determining what a goat nutritionally “needs”. Even among the “experts” there are disagreements. Plus, I raise Nigerian Dwarf Goats which are a smaller breed that have different nutritional needs than the much larger breeds. Other factors include regional factors and soil health, season, climate, sex of the goat, age of the goat, and whether the goat is bred or nursing.

Molly and Polly goats

It is, however, generally accepted that goats need minerals. It also seems to be generally accepted that goats need more minerals than other livestock. To me this makes sense as goats are naturally browsers as opposed to grazers. Browsers tend to eat forbs, shrubs, and trees. All these plant types have deep root mineral collection systems. Grazers are grass eaters (for example, sheep or cows). Goats prefer browse over grasses, but will eat grasses when nothing else is available.


I do give my goats hay which is mainly grass, but they are also allowed to forage the woodlands. Since nothing had changed to my knowledge with the hay and the woodland, I dismissed this as not being the answer to the problem I was trying to solve.

Moonpie and Polly goats

As for the feed, I switched to a 12% Sweet Feed that I had mixed at the local mill near my homestead. Prior to this transition, I was using a pelleted goat feed from a national company. I immediately saw an improvement in the goats and mainly in their behavior level. They seemed more alert and peppy. I knew I was on the right track. The sweet feed mix I was feeding did not have the amounts of copper I wanted, so I added a mineral supplement to the mix.

Deficiencies in copper can cause a goat’s coat to look dull and can cause a red tint to black furred animals. However, too much copper can be toxic. In addition, copper, which is a micro mineral, is impacted by other minerals and metals digested so it is tricky to adjust to the correct amount.

Fortiflex Bucket

Too much silver or cadmium (both metals) can cause a copper deficiency. Additionally, too much sulfur (a macro mineral) can also cause a copper deficiency. Too much copper can cause Phosphorus (a macro mineral) to be deficient in the diet. However, there are three micro minerals that must be in balance with copper to be mutually effective. These micro minerals are molybdenum, zinc, and iron.

 

Interestingly, a zinc deficiency will also cause a goat coat to be lackluster. In fact, in most of my research, zinc is listed as the number two mineral deficiency after copper for coat issues in goats. Just like copper, zinc absorption is also impacted by other minerals. Too much zinc can cause a deficiency in sulfur (a macro mineral) and iron (a micro mineral). Too much calcium (a macro mineral) can cause a zinc deficiency. Zinc and copper (both micro minerals) and zinc and phosphorus (a macro mineral) mutually effect each other’s absorption. My mind went to zinc being the “missing link”.

Mini feeding bucket

I wanted a way to incorporate zinc into the goats’ diets without adding a lab based supplement to the feed. I looked at various foods and settled on sunflower seeds (with the shells). Sunflower seeds are an excellent, natural source of zinc, and adding them to my goats’ feed was a simple and effective solution. I mixed 20% sunflower seeds with 80% sweet feed (in volume), and over time, I began to see a dramatic improvement. The goats also continued to have free choice minerals.

Within months, the goats’ coats began to return to their former glory. The dullness faded, and the reddish tint disappeared. Their energy levels picked back up, and I could see that they were feeling better. It was a win! Adding sunflower seeds was the game-changer I needed, and I was relieved to see my goats thriving again.

 

(I should note that I don’t feed much grain (sweet feed) to my goats as too much grain can upset the gut of a goat. On average, a maintenance ration is about 3/4ths of a cup per day with pregnant and lactating does receiving more. My goats also receive free choice of good quality hay and browse the wooded forests in our Appalachian Mountain area. I don’t experience thin or malnourished goats among my herd even with such low amounts of grain. I attribute their condition also to the environment we live in. Our area has many wild deer (a relatively close genetic cousin to the goat) and I also see many of them as thriving in the environment on nothing more than forest browse. I would suspect that if I was located in a different area, some of the mineral needs and possibly grain quantity of the goats would change).

Zinc and Its Role in Goat Health

Zinc is one of those vital nutrients that often flies under the radar. For goats, it plays a crucial role in skin health, immune function, and even reproductive performance. When zinc is lacking, it can cause a variety of problems, like poor coat quality, slow growth, and weakened immune systems. In severe cases, it can even lead to more serious conditions like hair loss or scabby skin lesions.


For goats, a deficiency in zinc can manifest as dull, coarse coats, skin issues like scaling or redness, and a lack of luster. Fortunately, zinc is relatively easy to supplement in their diet. Sunflower seeds are just one of the many foods that are rich in zinc. Other sources include zinc supplements, mineral blocks, and certain types of forage. But adding sunflower seeds to the mix proved to be a great and cost-effective solution in my case.

Moonpie goat eating grass.

Conclusion: The Importance of Staying
Vigilant and Data-Driven

This experience reinforced the importance of staying vigilant when it comes to the health of your animals. If I hadn’t noticed the change in my goats’ coats and tracked their health closely, I might not have realized there was a problem. I also learned that taking a data-driven approach—coupled with years of experience—helps me solve problems effectively and keep my herd in top condition.


If you’re raising goats, remember to keep an eye on their health, and don’t be afraid to investigate changes, no matter how small. A little research, observation, and a willingness to adapt can go a long way in ensuring your goats stay happy and healthy. And, if you notice a change in their coat condition or behavior, consider evaluating their zinc intake—you might just find that’s the missing piece of the puzzle.


As I write this information in 2024, I do believe I made a good decision in the health of my goats. A few years later and I’m still seeing positive results. If you have any information regarding zinc in your goat herd’s diet and are willing to share, please reach out. I’m always interested in experiences that others have had, and I truly appreciate you taking the time.

Sources of Information:

Belanger, Jerry. Storey’s Guide to Raising Dairy Goats. Storey Publishing, 2001.

Caldwell, Gianaclis. Holistic Goat Care. Chelsea Green Publishing, 2017.

Coleby, Pat. Natural Goat Care. Acres U.S.A., Publishers, 2001.

Dettloff, Paul, D.V.M. Alternative Treatments for Ruminant Animals Revised, Expanded Edition. Acres U.S.A., 2009. 

National Research Council of the National Academies. Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants. The National Academies Press, 2007.

Niemann, Deborah. Raising GOATS Naturally. New Society Publishers, 2013.

Raising Goats Naturally by Deborah Niemann

Want to learn more about goats?  Check out this article on how we bottle feed kid goats.

Goat kid, Mary, drinking from a bottle.

Here’s a link to our FREE goat milking stand plans.

Thank you so much for your support!

We are full time homesteaders at Pioneer Mountain Homestead in the Appalachian Mountains of south-central Pennsylvania.   We have a sawmill, produce garden, honeybees, layer hens, laying ducks, pigs, and goats. We provide boat and camper storage to nearby visitors of Raystown Lake and sell firewood and lumber in south central Pennsylvania.  Our journey is to be as self-reliant as we can be; to live as much as we can from the resources we have at hand; to effectively be productive with as minimal environmental impact as possible; to raise food in an organic manner; and to give back to our community through education or demonstration. We are always learning, as well. Life is always an adventure! We enjoy learning from others and seeing what other people are doing as well.  – Bren and Chuck

Pioneer Mountain Homestead
16477 Sharman Lane
James Creek, PA 16657
814-505-6426
"Embracing Everything Farm and Forest"

Disclosure of Material Connection:  Some of the links in this page or post may be “affiliate links”.  This means that if you click on the link, Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC may receive an affiliate commission at no direct cost to you.   Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC only recommends products or services that the owners, managers, or employees of Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC use or believe will add value to the readers of this website.  This disclosure is made with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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