Growing up, my grandmother’s upstairs sewing room was a source of fascination. The room was bursting at the seams with vivid colors of fabrics, the mesmerizing patterns and miles of thread that would hold my attention – until Grandma would lift me up on her lap and we would begin to design and creat...

I have five dogs that are my world. They range in age from 13 years old to six months old. With all the recalls on dog food, I decided a few years ago to either cook my dogs their own food or feed them a raw food diet. This way I know what’s in their food and the grade of ingredients used. I feel it...

For the most part, we’ve had a relatively warm October. Don’t let that lull you into a false sense of cozy security. Much colder temperatures are on the way, and with that comes the yearly game of chicken many of us play – how long can we realistically go before we have to turn on the furnace? If yo...

Today is National Mushroom Day, and with that in mind, we share this intriguing news from Penn State. Mushrooms have been making headlines due to their many health advantages. Not only do they lower one’s risk of cancer and premature deathbut new research led by Penn State College of Medicine also r...

Every year on Oct. 12, the U.S. celebrates those who keep this country fed and running: its farmers. Formerly known as Old Farmers Day, the day is now National Farmers Day. Editor Courtney’s great-grandfather Irving Pett Farmers set an example with their endless hard work. They provide the food we e...

The importance of farm chore traditions and food preparation for kids Including your kids in the process of homesteading, farming and growing food for your family leaves an indelible mark on them. If you had asked me at age of 7 or 8 my thoughts on the matter, I probably couldn’t be bothered. They w...

If you don’t grow your own, you can find an orchard near you through your county or region’s tourism site. September is known for a lot of things, with “back-to-school” generally getting most of the attention, but it’s also a great harvest month for a lot of tasty produce. The first harvest we’ll be...

The school bus ride is an important part of country life . I grew up in a school district that spanned all or parts of 12 towns, spread across areas of four counties in Upstate New York – Otsego, Herkimer, Oneida and Madison. This meant that some of us had to be up incredibly early to catch our scho...

As a homeowner, landowner, gardener, farmer, parent – or just generally a human being in 2021 – labor never stops, not even on Labor Day. Still, if you get the chance, take a moment to slow down, sit down and relax a little today, especially with a good book, if you can. September 6 is National Read...

The homeschooling movement traces its roots back to the 1970’s, emerging in earnest as a viable alternative to the public school system in the 1980’s. Many in more rural settings (especially farmers) embrace homeschooling as they raise their kids: it’s less restrictive than rote learning environment...