One of the Grange’s core values is good stewardship of the earth and resources. Another is enjoying a good potluck. This summer, take the challenge to marry the two by organizing a sustainable potluck. This can be a rewarding way to promote environmentally friendly practices and potentially bring yo...

Mother’s Day is a time to express love and appreciation for mothers, sentiments that are often expressed with gifts. Flowers are a popular present to bestow on Mother’s Day, as they can brighten a room and bring a sweet aroma to any household. While any flowers may ultimately suffice on Mother’s Day...

Environmental and recycling businesses, organizations, community groups and individuals around the U.S. are making plans to celebrate the annual International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) coming up the week of May 5 – 11. The goal of ICAW is to build public awareness on the benefits of compost use ...

The connotations of “spring cleaning” lead to images of sunny days, clearing out the old and shaking down the cobwebs. Of wiping down walls until they shine and filling the air with the scent of lemony goodness. Your pantry deserves the same love as your den or your bedroom! It’s easy to fall into b...

American Heart Month is in February – as is National Barley Month – and Ground Up is on a mission to share the heart-healthy qualities of barley flour with bakers and diners everywhere. Barley, an often-overlooked grain for bakers, is officially recognized by the FDA for its high soluble fiber conte...

Everyone is familiar with Valentine’s Day (and know that the go-to sweet on Feb. 14 is chocolate). But there’s another day (and another way) to show your loved ones you care. January 25 is St. Dwynwen’s Day. St. Dwynwen was a fourth century Welsh princess who was rather unlucky in love, so she becam...

Sigh. The holidays are over. Christmas decorations need to go back in closets, the tree should come down and the hardwood in the living room is begging to be rid of glitter. Spare room linens and extra towels need to be washed – and it might take days to reclaim your kitchen. Let’s talk through a fe...

The county, regional and state fairs are some of our most anticipated and beloved traditions, especially for rural folk. Some families work all year long to have their animals, quilts, canning and other entries ready for the local fairs. For years, we went as a family to see the sights, check our ri...

Many people know the late September changing of the season as “the first day of fall.” Those who want to sound more intellectual will call it “the autumnal equinox.” But going back to the misty moors of Europe, this date has another name: Mabon. Mabon is a pagan holiday, and one of the eight Wiccan ...

School. The word triggers memories for a lot of us, stress for others. I admit I disliked school. I love learning, still do, but the confines of regimented classes aren’t for me. My favorite class periods were lunch and recess. That’s when I felt a bit of freedom and could find a few minutes to actu...

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners (MOFGA)’s upcoming Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops are designed for apprentices, Journeypeople, farmworkers and other beginning farmers. They follow an informal format including a farm tour and conversation on the topic of the day. All events are free but re...

Just as summertime is synonymous with concerts and carnivals, autumn is a prime time for its own opportunities for seasonal entertainment, such as harvest festivals. Certain features overlap between summer carnivals and fall festivals, but the latter offers some unique offerings as well. The followi...

Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., will host a nationwide farmers market on Saturday, Aug. 19 in all of the retailer’s 2,100-plus communities. The event will showcase the talent and products of local farmers, growers, craft makers, artisans and other producers....

All are welcome to attend homesteading, homemaking and natural wellness classes on Saturdays with Stephanie Bandosik at Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community, 4934 State Highway 5, Fonda, NY. Topics include meditation, reiki, upcycling, sewing, foraging, gardening, baking, refreshing summer drinks like fr...

Remember that song “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” by Eiffel 65? The one you couldn’t escape in the summer of 1999? (I’m sure if you know it that it’s stuck in your head now. I apologize.) All day and all night and everything the protagonist of the song sees is blue – and that’s the color of the berries we’re ce...