No matter how far in denial one might be, winter is here – and there is nothing quite as jolting as a strong draft. This is the weather for snuggling by a fire or space heater, not worrying about being blasted with an unwanted current of icy winter wind. There are a lot of different options dependin...

Before hopping on an all-terrain vehicle this autumn, take a moment to prioritize safety over fun. “People want to get out and explore nature and experience the outdoors,” said Scott DeNoon, senior farm product and underwriting manager for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. and member of the ...

There once was a wisdom that was prevalent in our great-grandparents’ era that has all but disappeared into the mists of time – a necessary knowledge of the flora and fauna and how to use their vast resources. My parents have shared some of the “home remedies” their mothers used when they were child...

As hours of daylight shorten and autumn gives way to winter, thoughts shift from fall foliage to spending time cuddling under warm blankets and being cozy indoors. A fireplace can improve the ambiance of any room and help to create a warm and welcoming gathering spot. Home fireplaces typically are w...

Hunting is popular throughout North America. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said that 40% of the population of the U.S. ages 16 and older participated in wildlife-related activities in 2016, the most recent year for data. As is the case with many hobbies and pastimes, hunting requires some unique ...

Decorating is one of the joys of the holiday season. Families often decorate together, and such traditions may include dressing the Christmas tree and hanging holiday lights around the house. A day spent making homemade ornaments is another great way to decorate and spend quality time together as a ...

Among those who enjoy dairy, there tend to be two camps when it comes to cheese: those who like it and those who love it. If you’re a cheese lover like most of us at Country Culture, you may want to consider making your own cheese. It can be a fun way to try new flavors and make some unique holiday ...

Nearly 75% of Americans are estimated to participate in this year’s Halloween festivities, and with that comes Halloween-related waste. This includes costumes, decorations, pumpkins, candy wrappers and more. The Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority is here to help “green” your Halloween. Costumes E...

Hunting is a thrilling hobby for millions of people across the globe. In fact, non-hunters may be wide-eyed to learn just how popular the sport is. A recent report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that 11.5 million Americans participated in hunting in 2016. Many hunters spend a lifetime...

As Americans prepare for Halloween this year, American Humane – the country’s first national animal welfare organization – is reminding pet owners to think about their four-legged friends. As children gear up to go trick-or-treating and adults pick out costumes and decorations, American Humane is pr...

Have you ever wondered why plant names are in Latin? Latin, a language originating from Italy, spread throughout Europe with the expansion of the Roman Empire. It was widely spoken during the Middle Ages and used by scholars in science and literature as early as the fifth century. Although scientist...

October is peak season for admiring fall foliage and soon those leaves will begin to fall, if they haven’t already done so. Before you start to clean them up, Virginia Tech turf experts suggest that you try a different approach instead of bagging and tossing. “If you collect leaves, it’s ideal to co...

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...

After your lawn gets its last cut before winter, it will be time to put away spring and summer outdoor power equipment, like lawn mowers, leaf blowers and trimmers. It’s also important to ready snow throwers, generators and other small engine equipment for winter use. How and when you prepare your e...

No matter carrots, turnips or potatoes, the scope of my experience with preserving garden vegetables was fairly limited growing up. We usually put up and froze a few bushels of corn, but that was usually about it. Aside from a few frozen items, my family subsisted on a lot of canned food, both store...