If you’re like me, the last couple of months have run away from you. November is far from the exception. It’s hard to believe that we find ourselves a little more than a week from Thanksgiving 2022. Planning for a major holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas can be daunting, whether you’re a seasone...

With more than 98% of Americans having little to no direct connection to farming or ranching, now, more than ever, there’s a need and opportunity for the agriculture community to tell its story. In honor of National Ag Day, the New York Beef Council is sharing one story of a New York beef producer w...

Green, red, kidney, lima or soy are just a few of the different kinds of beans recognized on National Bean Day – Jan. 6. This day celebrates the bean in all sizes, shapes and colors. Humans have been cultivating beans (legumes) since the early seventh millennium BCE. And today, just as throughout th...

There was a saying back in the ‘80s – “real men don’t eat quiche” – that was provoked by American screenwriter and humorist Bruce Feirstein, who questioned one’s masculinity if you ate the French tart. Political incorrectness aside, my morning “pie” is a staple for a busy grab-and-go farmer while be...

December 17 may be one of my favorite holidays going forward, because it has been declared National Maple Syrup Day. While the sugaring season is still a few months away (hopefully – the weather hasn’t exactly been cooperating of late), today’s a day to celebrate what we already have. Today’s a good...

Hung in doorways to spread holiday cheer, mistletoe is rich in mythology and tradition. Mistletoe comes from the Old English word “mistiltan,” in which “mistil” means “dung” and “tan” means “twig.” This reference to bird droppings is certainly counter-intuitive to mistletoe’s romantic symbolism. Ame...

As the holidays approach, many people mull over gift selection. Giving someone food is a thoughtful and kind gesture. Giving someone food poisoning? Not so much. To help gift-givers spread holiday cheer rather than foodborne illness, Martin Bucknavage, senior food safety Extension associate in Penn ...

Are you always hoping for that perfect holiday meal, be it the golden-brown turkey, moist and tender, or the rolls hot from the oven ready just as everyone is sitting down, or the table set just so? In my many years of hosting holiday dinners I confess it’s never happened. My potatoes are mashed and...

From pumpkin spice lattes to harvest-themed front porches, pumpkins are an iconic staple for autumn. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Serviceexperts have some tips on how to use these popular gourds in and around your home. Odessa Keenan, AgriLife Extension program coordinator for the agency’s Dinner To...

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...

Today is National Hug A Sheep Day. Why would you want to hug a sheep, you might ask? For starters, they are adorable, soft, warm and fuzzy. If you have dry skin, the lanolin in their fleece will be helpful. More than that, they provide wool and meat for us – so they really do deserve some hugs. In t...

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...

Weirdly specific holidays can make for some great memories and some fun annual traditions, and a great example of this is Goose Day. September 29 is Goose Day in Mifflin and Juniata counties in Pennsylvania. Not all of the Keystone State, mind you – just those two counties. But where did it come fro...