Self-taught farmers confidently raising chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs. Our focus is on practices that are environmentally harmonious and respectful to our livestock. We appreciate the beauty around us, clean eating, fermenting, and responsibly utilizing the bounty of the land. If you like thinking for yourself, continuous learning, and connecting with the homesteader lifestyle, check us out.
One morning, as I filled one of several five gallon buckets for the geese, I noticed a sunflower seed spinning around and around in the eddy created by the water. We feed black oil sunflower seeds as treats to the poultry, so seeing one in a bucket is not usually cause for alarm. Until you realize that it’s not a seed at all.
Continue reading “Around the Farm: Who’s Looking at Whom?”
You may already know that black-colored animals are less likely to be adopted from shelters than animals of other colors, but there’s no logical justification for it.
Black cats (and dogs, both of which I’ve had the privilege to live with) are just as lovable as full of personality as those of other colors, but superstition and lower photogenicity (not their fault – cameras struggle to show nuance with black) mean that they’re avoided or overlooked…unfairly.
If you’re considering adding a cat to your family, consider a wonderful, glorious black cat – or two or three. All hail the beautiful and mysterious black cat!
The universe – or Mother Nature? – has an incredible way of snapping us out of our own self-absorbed reveries and grounding us in the present. Today, as I finished the morning chores and was hosing off my boots, I looked down and noticed that there was some kind of pod nestled in the grass. It was the same color as the grass, but the oblong shape drew my attention. I needed to find out more about this strange object.
Continue reading “Daily Wonder: A Perplexing Pod”
Hello, friends – I know it’s been a while. My newest article, “Maintaining Your Pastures for Poultry”, will be in the Feb/Mar issue of Backyard Poultry. You can also find it on our Published Articles & Podcasts page.
Continue reading “In Print: Read My New Article in Backyard Poultry”
If you’re fortunate enough to live in an area that has farm stands – those small, typically “self serve” and “honor system” stands with produce situated off the road in front of the owner’s property – this is a great time of year to make the most of the amazing deals you can find there. Recently, we discovered a couple of new ones on our way to run an errand and bought some lovely produce. Why not cut out the “middle man”, help farmers keep more of the money, and get a great deal on fresh produce?
Continue reading “Eat This: Farm Stand Finds”
The natural world is full of wonders. If you’re like me, you can’t help but notice – and revel – in these amazing moments that demand your full attention. One hot summer morning, as I was loading up my Gorilla Cart with 5-gallon buckets of fermented feed to begin the animal chores outside (there are “inside” animal chores, too, of course), something caught my eye. It looked like a floating bit of cottony matter. I watched it for a bit, soon realizing that it wasn’t merely drifting on the breeze – it was flying. It invited a closer look.
Continue reading “Daily Wonder: Fairy Fly-By”