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...

When I was just three years old, I received the best birthday gift a little girl could dream of – a beautiful palomino Shetland pony thought to be around four, Dude. Dude and I were best friends. He taught me how to ride, how to care for something else and most importantly, what I was passionate abo...

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 ...

With the holidays right around the corner, all the holiday festivities, parties, decorations, visitors and deliveries, we don’t realize that there can be unforeseen dangers lurking in the shadows for our pets. This time of year I become a more avid online shopper, which means more deliveries to my h...

December 9 is National Llama Day, and to help you learn why these interesting animals are worthy of their own holiday, check out this passage (adapted from a post on their website) from CriVen Llamas farm in Marshfield, MO : Llamas and their relatives are no strangers to our land.Llamas are members ...

Those who like to go snowmobiling are probably chomping at the bit, waiting for enough snow to fall so they can take their sleds out. Whether you’re new to the pastime or heading out on the trails as a well-traveled winter wanderer, it’s important to review some safety guidelines so that everyone ca...

My father and grandfather were some of the hardest-working, Bible-believing people I knew. My grandfather raised a family of four kids, and together with his wife they ran a small farm (110 acres), with some help from my grandmother working at Beech Nut Foods in Canajoharie, NY, when the kids became...