May is National Beef Month, and it almost seems like the month was made to celebrate this protein. Between taking Mom out for a fancy steak dinner, finally firing up the grills as spring warms up and graduation parties for certain regions, May is made for beef. The good news is, as a homesteader or ...

I live for a wide, open view of the world. That’s why I love the ocean so much – and deep valleys, and high mountaintops (my fear of heights would make me falter, but the majesty of it all takes your breath away). It’s a beautiful thing to stand, your feet planted firmly and connected and grounded w...

The North Country Quilting Guild, celebrating its 38th anniversary in 2022, has announced plans to host its biennial quilt show June 3 – 5, 2022 at the Cerow Recreation Park Arena, 615 East Line Rd., Clayton, NY. The Guild’s 2020 show was cancelled due to the pandemic. Several members of the North C...

It’s that time of year to start thinking about backyard picnics and patio drinking. What do you have in your garden that could make a fresh cocktail? While we think about the cocktails we’re going to sip, we should also think about what we could plant in our gardens or have growing around us to add ...

With more than 98% of Americans having little to no direct connection to farming or ranching, now, more than ever, there’s a need and opportunity for the agriculture community to tell its story. In honor of National Ag Day, the New York Beef Council is sharing one story of a New York beef producer w...

On National Poultry Day, we would like to remind you to keep your flock safe from the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This deadly disease for poultry has been found this year in many states, from South Carolina to Maine and west to South Dakota. It can infect all types of chickens and turk...

Every year, Worship of Tools Day is celebrated on March 11. Often not very large, often held directly in your hands, tools are the key to a good life. Where would we be if we couldn’t create things by hammering nails into wood? How would we dig holes without shovels? Think of all the things you own ...

Any living organism that is normally found in one specific region and is introduced to another region with incredibly negative effects on the new environment is bad news. Invasive species take that negativity a step further by outcompeting native species, taking away the nutrients, water and even su...

Without getting too deep, we may have missed out on a lot of things over the past two years, but one thing we definitely can’t get enough of is quality time spent with our best walking buddies – our dogs. February 22 is Walking the Dog Day, and even if the weather isn’t ideal where you are, grab tha...

Love Your Pet Day is Feb. 20, and while it seems like an easy enough thing to do, there are good, healthy ways to show your love best. I’m always being told “When I die, I want to come back as Tracy’s dog.” I know it sounds morbid, but if you knew how my fur babies are treated, you’d understand. The...

The Millers Mills Community in the town of Columbia is again planning their annual Ice Harvest for Sunday, Feb. 13. As always, this event is subject to Mother Nature’s fickle ways. Both sufficient ice to cut and snow for sleighs to carry the ice are critical. The Millers Mills Grange sponsors the ev...

In light of it being International Hoof Care Month, we thought we’d share this story from Country Folks columnist Judy Van Put, who writes the monthly “Horse Tales” column. Lameness issues and possible bowed tendon? This past year has been a difficult one for our 17-year-old mare, Morgan. Back on Ma...

Some of my fondest memories of my grandfather involved a not-so-silent war he was involved in for years. It was Grandpa and the birds versus the scavenging squirrels. My grandpa loved passively birdwatching, seeing who would flit up to the bird feeder throughout the year, noting all the different co...

What are the perks of homemade soup versus something from a can? The obvious answer is love, but another obvious answer is health. February 4 is National Homemade Soup Day, and it’s an excellent reason to get into the kitchen and experiment with fresh foods. Think about it – that canned soup you buy...

It’s never a bad time to learn a new skill, and as we settle into month three of winter, maybe you should try your hand at canning. January is Canned Food Month, and while some people’s first thoughts are the cans at the grocery store, we know you, Country Culture maven. You’re a home canner. But ma...