Community, Chickens & The Joy of Sharing What You Have
Hey, it’s Ronai!
I’ve been thinking a lot about community lately—real, in-person, knock-on-your-neighbor’s-door kind of community. The kind that used to be completely normal… before everything became Uber-fast, Amazon-easy, and “don’t talk to strangers.”
But even though I live in a big city, tucked inside all that concrete and convenience is our weird, wonderful little pocket of land. My neighbors and I each have anywhere from 1 to 12 acres, right in the middle of the city, and we’re all quietly hanging on to a way of life the modern world is trying its best to swallow.
It’s like a tiny village wrapped in suburbia — chickens clucking on one side, bees buzzing on the other, fruit trees everywhere, and a small group of people who still believe in sharing, bartering, and being there for each other.
Learning to Homestead… Again
When I first moved here 3.5 years ago, I wasn’t starting from zero… but I was definitely rusty.
About 20 plus years ago, when my kids were little, I used to can all the time. And I learned a lot from my husband’s Aunt Cheryl, who lives on a farm and lovingly called me “city girl” every time I asked a question. (And honestly… she wasn’t wrong.)
But life got busy. Kids grew up. And the skills faded.
So when we bought this place and I jumped back into the world of chickens, canning, and gardening, I needed help — a lot of help.
That’s when I found Katie (@thehomesteadingrd).
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched her videos while standing in my kitchen with jars, lids, and ingredients spread everywhere. Thanks to her, I learned how to safely can again, how to handle chickens properly, and how to do all the things Aunt Cheryl tried to teach me back in the day.
And fun fact:
My very current salsa recipe didn’t come from YouTube or a cookbook…
It came from my new neighbor.
He welcomed me with a jar of the best salsa I had tasted in years, and later he shared his recipe with me. I of course have added a few tweaks of my own and now it has become one of the most requested things I share or trade in our neighborhood — full circle community at its finest.
Trading, Bartering & The Rhythm of “I’ve Got Extra — Want Some?”
We raise layer hens (no roosters…yet. The bears ate them), so eggs are one of the things we trade. Others on the list:
Eggs for apples
Salsa for berries
Maple syrup from our own trees for local honey
Homemade bread for pears
Soups and chili for garden herbs
Jams and jellies for whatever someone has too much of
That’s community.
That’s connection.
That’s homesteading — even in a city.
The Tools We Share Matter Too
Out here, nobody owns everything— but together, we own anything we need.
One neighbor has a tractor.
Another has a chainsaw.
Someone else has a bobcat.
We’ve got a wood chipper.
Another neighbor has a rototiller.
And it works.
Nobody keeps score.
Everybody respects each other’s stuff.
And everything gets done.
Food Builds Bridges. Bread Builds Friendships.
One of my favorite ways to show up for neighbors is with a warm loaf of homemade bread. There is something ancient, simple, and deeply comforting about it.
Here’s the recipe I love to share:
My Favorite Simple Homestead Bread Recipe
In a large bowl combine:
4 cups flour
2 tsp salt
1 tsp active dry yeast
Mix well.
Add 2 cups hot tap water (not boiling).
Stir with a fork until it forms a doughy blob.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and poke one small hole in the top.
Let it sit 3–6 hours until puffy.
When ready:
Put your cast iron dutch oven (with lid on) into the oven.
Preheat the oven to 450°F with the pot inside.
Place parchment paper on the counter and dust lightly with flour.
Turn dough onto the paper and shape into a loaf (don’t knead!).
When the oven reaches temp, place the parchment + dough into the hot dutch oven.
Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes.
Remove lid and bake 4 more minutes until crust is light brown.
Cool on a cutting board and cover loosely with a clean cloth.
For best slicing, let it sit overnight.
Store in a covered bread container.
Note: Real bread has no preservatives — enjoy within a week.
A Few Homesteading Tips to Spark Your Own Community
(Whether you live on 3.5 acres or in a city lot — these work anywhere.)
Save your veggie scraps — onion skins, carrot tops, celery ends — and turn them into broth.
Start with one thing: herbs, tomatoes, or even backyard chickens if your city allows it.
Bake extra bread and gift a loaf. It opens doors (literally).
Try bartering: eggs for honey, jam for apples, broth for herbs — whatever you’ve got, someone needs.
Share equipment: one tool between 10 houses is still a win.
Say hello more often: community starts with eye contact and a smile.
Learn from each other: the oldest skill we have is passing knowledge down.
Why This All Matters
Community doesn’t just happen.
It grows — like a garden — when we share what we know, what we grow, and what we make.
I’m still learning.
My neighbors are still learning.
And together, we’re holding onto something precious as the city creeps closer:
A way of life built on generosity rather than convenience.
Skills instead of shortcuts.
Connection instead of isolation.
You don’t need acres to do this.
You don’t need chickens or maple trees.
All you need is what you already have — and someone to share it with.
Because community isn’t built by land.
It’s built by people.
And I think we all need a little more of that.
