The increased and widespread use of artificial light at night is not only impairing our view of the universe, it is adversely affecting our environment, our safety, our energy consumption and our health. The good news is that light pollution, unlike many other forms of pollution, is reversible and e...

Did you know Nov. 4 is National Bison Day? More than just a symbol of America, this large and in-charge ruminants make for great beef animals. Read more about them below: Raising bison may sound like an easy way to raise meat animals, as bison don’t require shelter, even in northern climates; howeve...

The following has been adapted from a post at Zero to Hunt : Some people struggle with whether to hunt alone or with a buddy. We may tell ourselves that we work better alone, and that may be true for some. But at a certain point, we can’t grow anymore without someone else to give us that gentle nudg...

Halloween conjures a plethora of different visuals for different people depending on your upbringing and what you enjoy about this spooky holiday. Cute kids in costume. Lots of candy. Apple and pumpkin everything (who doesn’t love apple cider?). Parties. Bobby Pickett’s seminal hit “Monster Mash” bl...

The family automobile is not the only piece of equipment that requires routine upkeep to ensure it is operating properly. Life on a farm or homestead can come to a screeching halt if farm equipment is not properly maintained. Farmers invest thousands of dollars on agricultural equipment, such as tra...

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...