Cowland Homestead

Cowland Homestead Join us in our homestead journey with exciting plans for 2026!

06/01/2026

After a long week of work and constantly being on the go, sometimes the best thing you can do is take 20 minutes to slow down, lay in the grass, and enjoy some cow cuddles.

Zynn, you are truly the best, and we are so thankful you joined our family. ❤️ There’s something special about the quiet comfort of a cow who simply wants to be near you. Moments like these remind us to pause, breathe, and appreciate the simple things.

05/28/2026

Feeding our broilers fresh raw Jersey cow milk daily along with moving them onto fresh pasture several times a day.

It has been really interesting watching the difference already. We are going through less grower feed and even less water since incorporating the milk into their diet. Excited to see the end result and how these birds finish out.

Honestly, what these cows provide for the whole farm is pretty amazing. They feed not just us, but Thelma the pig, our four dogs, the broiler chickens, and the laying hens too.

There is something really special about sitting quietly and taking it all in… watching the animals thrive and seeing how connected everything on the farm truly is. Feeling pretty thankful for this life, this property, and all these incredible animals that give so much every single day.

05/25/2026

This raven and I are officially at war!!!

If I don’t keep the chickens in full lockdown — which I hate because I love them free ranging — this bird will clear out a DOZEN eggs a day if I’m not out there every 45 minutes to an hour.

At 7am two days ago it was already perched on the fence post watching my newest anti-raven tactic unfold. So far… I’m winning. The girls, however, are not impressed with their temporary lockdown situation.

And the eggs aren’t even the worst of it. When we first moved the broilers into the field runs, this menace took out SIX of them before we completely redesigned the setup.

This morning it sat outside the living room door just watching me through the glass like some tiny feathered supervillain plotting its next move.

Safe to say… NOT A RAVEN FAN.

05/24/2026

A little homestead adventure today… we picked up our first 2 nucs!

Safe to say I feel a bit like a first-time parent over here. Lots of reading, lots of research, and maybe a healthy amount of nerves too. But both nucs looked amazing and we even spotted both queens right away.

We decided to place them down in the blueberry patch, tucked away from the house and lights. The patch is fully fenced with electric to help keep the bears out, so hopefully everyone stays safe and happy.
We let them settle in before moving the frames over, then did one final PM check tonight. Everything looked calm, active, and adjusted well. Now comes the hard part… waiting a full week before the next hive inspection. Though let’s be honest, I’ll definitely still be visiting daily just to watch them.

There is something incredibly calming about bees. Standing there surrounded by them, hearing the hum and buzz, watching every bee know its job… it’s mesmerizing. Tiny little creatures working together so perfectly.

Feeling pretty grateful for this beautiful life and all the opportunities to keep learning something new around the homestead.

Thank you

❤️

Year 5 in these gardens and they’re finally starting to feel like the dream I imagined when we first planted them.Consta...
05/23/2026

Year 5 in these gardens and they’re finally starting to feel like the dream I imagined when we first planted them.

Constant blooms, buzzing bees, and little moments of beauty everywhere you look. It’s amazing what time, patience, and a lot of hard work can create.

Life is beautiful.

❤️

05/22/2026

Apparently 5 days away was enough for the cows to completely forget how fences work.

While I was gone, leaving my husband to manage all the crazy around here, these hooligans decided to push through the fence and were found “weedwhacking” along the roadside like they owned the place.

Chris got them back in, fixed things up, and pulled the panels these shelter tops sit on. And just to be clear… they NEVER used to go under them before.

But now? Oh now it’s apparently their favourite place to hang out. Constantly under them. Every single day!

Farm animals really do make the silliest choices sometimes. Just ridiculous.

❤️ ❤️

05/22/2026

Some days, after a long week, there’s nothing better than sitting quietly in the paddock with a horse who just knows.

Sat down with my 3-year-old mare Olive tonight, and within moments she found the perfect snuggle spot. Somehow these animals always seem to know exactly when we need a little extra comfort.

The stress, the worries, the busy thoughts… gone in an instant. Just peace, quiet, and the kind of connection that’s hard to put into words.

Feeling pretty blessed for my family, this lifestyle, and all the amazing animals that fill our days with so much love.

❤️

05/20/2026

My mom came over to help me cut into five of our latest aged cheeses, and what a fun tasting it was!

On the board:
Jarlsberg
Gouda
Asiago
Havarti
Dry Monterey Jack

Each one had its own unique flavor and texture, and honestly, they were all delicious.

But the clear winner of the day? The Asiago!!!
Rich, and full of flavor, it absolutely stole the show.

All of these cheeses are now vacuum packed and ready for others to enjoy!

There is something incredibly rewarding about opening a wheel after months of aging and tasting the results of all that fresh Jersey milk, patience, and care.

Which cheese would you reach for first?

05/20/2026

Our pasture-raised broilers are thriving! Moved to fresh grass daily, they spend their days pecking the ground, soaking up the sunshine, and enjoying plenty of fresh air.

Raised the way nature intended, these birds are healthy, active, and growing beautifully.

They will be ready in approximately 3 weeks.

If you're interested in reserving farm-fresh, pasture-raised chicken for your freezer, send us a message to secure yours now!

Apparently… I have more cheese than I thought.As the cheese cave warms up, I’ve been moving everything into the fridge, ...
05/09/2026

Apparently… I have more cheese than I thought.

As the cheese cave warms up, I’ve been moving everything into the fridge, and I’m still finding more wheels and blocks tucked away. There are even more cheeses in the house waiting to come out too!

Emmental, Gruyère, Jarlsberg, Cheddar, Havarti, Parmesan, Gouda, Asiago, Blue, Brie, and Feta… oh my!

Months of fresh Jersey milk, patience, and a little bit of magic have filled our shelves with an incredible variety of artisan cheeses.

I guess there’s no such thing as too much cheese right?

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Courtenay, BC

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