Comedian Bob Marley, a native of Maine, has a bit (an oldie but a goodie) about all the nonsense his dad let him get away with as a kid. For example, he could take the entire roof off the house and his dad would just laugh and say, “Ha! It’s gonna suck if it snows.” His father – who named his son no...

Rest is a fundamental human need. Sleep, sure. But sometimes that just looks like needing a break from our daily routine and an opportunity for relaxation and fun away from our normal schedule and surroundings. The farming and homesteading crowd are no different. The demand of a busy schedule someti...

By now, you’ve likely thought about getting that wood stove or fire place up and running. Or you already have! Those mornings can be chilly. You’ve done the important task of cleaning your chimney or flue and are ready to stay cozy. You’ve also likely stocked up on firewood all summer and autumn, bu...

October 12 is National Farmers Day every year, and every year, one day doesn’t seem like enough time to thank them for all that they do. Out of curiosity, I searched “What does a farmer do?” Oddly enough, one of the first links that popped up came from Indeed – that’s right, the job search site. The...

It’s the time of year when strangely-shaped, multi-colored, warty gourds begin to appear in gardens, markets, CSA boxes and on front porches. If you planted any type of gourds in your garden this year, enjoy peeking under leaves now to see what variations have developed. Decorative gourds belong to ...

There is a difference between planting an orchard that survives and one that thrives. To create an orchard that grows well and produces quality apples, a number of considerations should be addressed before any trees are planted. Choose the Right Site The site chosen for an orchard can mean the diffe...

This vibrant orange squash is the hallmark of the autumn season. As the golden days of October fade away into clear, light blue skies, crisp windy afternoons and the fiery colors of changing leaves, pumpkins begin to dot the landscape. As porch decorations on your neighbor’s home. In large bins at l...

October is upon us, which means there are likely pumpkins everywhere you look these days. Between the festive gourds, the changing leaves and the Halloween decorations, one can be overwhelmed with the amount of orange in October. The most important place to find it, though, it gearing up for hunting...

Being a neighbor in the countryside is a little different than being a neighbor anywhere else, but several very important reasons. National Good Neighbor Day took place on Sept. 28 this year, but being a person or family someone enjoys living next to (or near to) is something that requires thoughtfu...

No matter where you live, be it an urban, suburban or rural setting, if you are outside a lot – or your animals are – you need to be concerned about rabies. According to the CDC, rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people, pets and livestock if they are bitten or scratc...

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the rabbit’s “natural geographic range in the Western Hemisphere encompasses the middle latitudes.” In the East, rabbits are found in parts of Africa, India and Asia. Domesticated rabbits descend from the European rabbit. Rabbits are a welcome addition to any fa...

It’s almost that time again. The days are growing a little shorter, a little cooler. Apple cider is becoming more prominent at the grocery store and orchards. Pumpkin spice everything is everywhere. And soon, it will be time to rake leaves (or not). The folks at the Farmers’ Almanac have come up wit...

September is National Chicken Month, and those of us that already raise these feathered friends know how awesome they can be. They all have their own personalities and can either frustrate you or make you laugh. They provide eggs and meat. They serve as pest control. But more than that, they can als...

Become an adaptive gardener! Gardening is an activity that most of us do because we want to. We do it because it’s pleasurable, healthy, puts fresh produce on the table, beautifies our environment – and the list goes on. However, when the breathing gets more difficult or the knees or back give out, ...

Conservation is a collective responsibility shared by individuals across the globe. Protecting the planet and ensuring its future has never been more important, as various organizations and environmentalists warn that, without immediate action, many of the more harmful effects of climate change coul...