Greg Schieber

Greg Schieber

Greg Schieber is an attorney in Harmony, Minn. and an amateur homesteader. He lives with his wife and four kids on a small acreage in southern Fillmore County’s Big Woods.

Author's Archive

A small red and white child’s bicycle lies on its side in patchy melting snow on a wooden porch. A thin layer of fresh snow coats the bike’s frame, seat, and tires. Behind it, a red tricycle and a larger red bicycle lean near the house’s light-colored exterior wall and a dark-framed door. The ground shows a mix of ice, slush, and exposed wood, suggesting a late winter thaw.

Essay | Fool’s Spring

Our February thaw brought “fool’s spring” to Minnesota, says Greg Schieber, as he shares in this essay on homestead life, winter chores and a family walk along the South Fork of the Root River.

A young girl wearing sunglasses, a pink hoodie, gloves, and colorful boots tosses a piece of firewood into a blue wood cart outdoors. She stands on a large pile of split logs next to evergreen trees, with bright sun shining behind her and a red barn in the background.

Essay | Putting Up Firewood: A Family Affair

Just in time for holiday gatherings…Greg Schieber’s original essay about putting up firewood for the winter, from memories of his own youthful years to the help lovingly shared by his own kids today.

A red-brown hairy calf with ears sticking out to the sides stands in front of a large black cow in a green pasture.

Essay | The Cows are Out!

In this charming essay, Greg Schieber shares the highs, lows and unexpected roundups of life in Fillmore County’s Big Woods.

A young child wearing a blue sweatshirt stand next to the trunk of a large maple tree. On the side of the tree is a silver metal bar holding a blue clear plastic bag that is half filled with clear maple sap. The sunshine peeks behind the tree and across the brown woods in early spring.

Essay | Maple Syrup–A Homesteading Tradition

An impulse-buy at a local farm store leads to a sweet new family tradition.

A barn in the distance covered in snow. In the foreground is a large tree with snow covered branches.

Essay | A Big Woods Snow Day

Where have all the snow days gone?!? Greg Schieber shares memories from the past — and lessons learned.

A well-loved 1985 Ford F250 diesel truck waiting for its next task. (Photo by Greg Schieber)

Essay | Setbacks Are the Norm on My Small Farm

Greg Schieber shares the challenges of owning and maintaining a farm truck.

<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #6c6b6b; ">Freshly cut hay on a perfect summer day. (Photo by Greg Schieber)</span>

Essay | Making Hay…as Well as Memories

Greg Schieber on carrying on the tradition of cutting hay with his own kids.

Reclaiming the garden was one of the first projects after moving to the Big Woods. (Photo by Greg Schieber)

Essay | Time is Illusive on Our Farm in the Big Woods

There is never enough time for all the projects on this small farm.

calf

Essay | Scottish Highlands South of Highland

A Big Woods amateur homesteader raises Scottish Highland cattle.

The 1936 barn was built by Ole Peterson and once served more than 20 milk cows. (Photo by Greg Schieber)

Essay | Little Barn in the Big Woods

Greg Schieber explores the small barn on his farm in the Big Woods.

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