If done right, buying something secondhand can save you a lot of money upfront. Whether you’re updating your wardrobe at the local thrift shop or buying a new-to-you car for the family, purchasing something used can definitely help your budget – as long as you pay your due diligence. You wouldn’t bu...

“Adopt don’t shop” is a mantra utilized by many organizations devoted to finding loving homes for shelter animals. With thousands of dogs, cats and other companion animals residing in shelters or being fostered until they can find their forever homes, rescue organizations urge the pet-loving public ...

Sugarmakers (as those who make maple syrup are known) have, for centuries, had to contend with whatever Mother Nature throws at them come late winter and early spring. The maple season is short and entirely subject to weather conditions. The traditional maple sugaring season extends from early Febru...

“I just want good products for my homestead that will last. I am tired of cheaply built products that are built to be cheap but only last for a year or so, and sometimes not even that long. I wish I could connect with some small family shop who makes products like they used to.” If that sounds like ...

When the time came to replace the friendly neighborhood traffic cop, the go-to design in 1926 was the dummy light. Standing sentinel in the intersection of town square, this small-town traffic light took center stage during the industrial revolution leading up to World War II and was the go-to desig...

American Heart Month is in February – as is National Barley Month – and Ground Up is on a mission to share the heart-healthy qualities of barley flour with bakers and diners everywhere. Barley, an often-overlooked grain for bakers, is officially recognized by the FDA for its high soluble fiber conte...

February is International Hoof Care Month – and that’s always a timely discussion for any livestock owners. Hoof care and maintenance is a vital part of owning and working with any breed of hoved livestock; improper or absent care can set off a domino effect that causes poor health, improper nutriti...

There’s a lot to consider when developing a maintenance plan for your pastures over winter, says Extension Educator Laura Kenny with Penn State Extension. Though Laura’s emphasis is equine, much of what she has to say applies to livestock across the board ( https://tinyurl.com/3b94t37b ). Though som...

When working in their sugarbush this winter, maple producers are encouraged to be on the lookout for signs of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). This wood-boring insect, native to southeast Asia, will kill many hardwood trees. However, its preferred host is the beloved maple. This highly destructive...