Episodes
147
Latest episode
Jun 2026
Language
EN-US
Welcome to the Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow, chronicles and lessons from a life tied to family, community and the land. I'm Shannon Hayes, and I own and operate Sap Bush Hollow Farm with three generations of my family in the Northern Catskills of Upstate New York. I'm the chef owner of Sap Bush Cafe, and I'm the author of a few books, including Radical Homemakers and The Grassfed Gourmet. This podcast features my weekly essays, where I explore the adventures of keeping life, business, family, community and fun in the balance.
Mom and I once took a class in farm transition planning, where the instructor taught us an important lesson: family farms are ALWAYS in transition. And that’s definitely true. But some days, I feel that more keenly than others. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 10 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Looking for the written version? Find it over on the blog. Support the show
Ula is not the only one graduating with her associates degree this spring. Saoirse earned her degree as well. But she wasn’t sure if she even wanted it. It took four batches of caramel to come to a decision. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 9 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Want a text copy of this story? Find it over on the blog. Support the show
I was raised on this farm to view shirking responsibility as a failure of character. But there’s a difference between being irresponsible, and not being responsible. I struggle with that distinction.I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 8 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the full text version of this story over on the blog. Support the show
If we could, Bob and I would continue operating our cafe together forever. But we’re realizing, much as we love the work, that if we don’t start transitioning our skills, the cafe will only last as long as our knees and feet will hold up. If it’s going to last forever, it has to stand without us. And that brings it’s own travails to our hearts and minds. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 7 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the transcript of this story over on the blog. Thanks to Thomas Oxford with Unsplash! for the toad image. Support the show
Did you ever think about the adjectives we choose to describe a good female student, vs a good male student? Ula graduated this weekend, and we heard a lot of adjectives being thrown about for the scholars. But what word should be chosen for a girl like Ula, who wondered if she would ever be able to complete a college degree?I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 6 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the text of this story on the https://www.sapbushfarmstore.com/s/stories/fearless.Support the show
The school year is coming to an end for our daughters. Finishing projects and finals is not just about escaping classes….It’s about weighing the demands of the classes up against the siren call of spring. Apparently this is a recurring issue in our family. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 5 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the text version on the blog. Support the show
Last summer, Bob and I moved down to the farm at the start of lambing season to help pull things together in the wake of Mom’s death. All in all, it was a bad idea. I’d do it again. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 4 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the text of this story here. Support the show
Farming’s a tricky business, and managing for cash flow is hard. Managing for profit is even harder. So we farmers learn to be careful with our money. Those management skills mean we get pretty good at living within our means. But they can cause a total head trip on those rare occasions when it’s time to stretch beyond them.I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 3 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Want a text copy of this story? Find it over on the blog. Support the show
Did you ever notice what makes a community feel inviting? It’s not the big box stores. It’s not the chain restaurants. It’s the small businesses that create a true sense of place, that let a traveler know that a given corner of the world is cared-for and cherished. But how much burden and responsibility can a small business shoulder for a community’s well-being before they are unable to exist?I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 2 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Prefer the written version? Find it here. Special thanks to Tanya Barrow at Unsplash for this week's image!Support the show
Healing isn’t really possible unless we’re willing to look at the wounds we’ve been hiding. For most of my life, I haven’t been willing to look. That’s changing. I’m Shannon Hayes, and you’re listening to Season 7, Episode 1 of The Hearth of Sap Bush Hollow. Find the text version on this story over on Shannon's blog. Support the show
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