Seeing as May is Respect for Chickens Month , we thought we’d share this article about how to keep them safe from avian flu, which remains a very serious concern across much of the U.S. This story was originally published in our sister publication, Country Folks . Cases of highly pathogenic avian in...

Grilling was one of the first responsibilities I inherited in my house during the summer. Along with being trusted to mow the lawn, it was a rite of passage and I remember my dad talking me through the basics as young as 11. Grilling season is as American as apple pie, baseball or the Red, White and...

Just as getting your cows’ hooves trimmed regularly is vital to their overall health, so is finding the right person to shoe your horse. That’s where farriers come in. The word farrier first came into common use in the 1560s – “one who shoes horses,” from the French ferrier meaning “blacksmith” and ...

National Scavenger Hunt Day is May 24 – are you ready for an adventure? Grab a basket and a camera and head outside to join in the fun! See if you can find these things in and around your home and farm: Egg Feather Clover (extra points if it has four leaves) Cow patty Yellow flower Green crayon Maso...

Are the white grubs you dig up in your garden friend or foe? White grubs are the larval stage of certain species of beetles from the Scarabaeidae family including June bugs ( Phyllophaga ), European chafers ( Amphimallon majale ) and Japanese beetles ( Popillia japonica ). These grubs are inch-long ...

The allure of the great outdoors compels many people to hike, kayak, fish, and engage in myriad other activities in the fresh air. The call of nature can be difficult to ignore, but inclement weather can quickly turn a fun day under the sun into a race to escape the elements. Regardless of which act...

Tree huggers unite! May 16 is Love a Tree Day, and you can celebrate by thinking about one of the many ways trees love us back – by providing welcome shade. Various factors motivate the decisions homeowners make when designing their landscapes. Some may be motivated by the ways additions will affect...

The great outdoors beckons people of all ages. Fresh air can be hard to resist, and the benefits of spending time outdoors are so numerous that it behooves anyone, including seniors, to answer the call of nature. According to researchers with the USDA’s Forest Service , human beings benefit both phy...

Basil is an easy-to-grow annual herb that thrives in Northeast summers and has several culinary uses. Many varieties are readily available. Plant some in your garden this summer to enjoy year-round. Plant basil seeds directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed and water thoroughly. E...