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Countryside Contributor
Articles by Countryside Contributor
Secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep
Add to Favorites By John Kirchhoff – For many people, mentioning hair sheep evokes either “I wouldn’t have anything else” or a “No way would I have them” response. My wife …
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Raising Heritage Breeds
Heritage livestock breeds are facing extinction worldwide, and some in the United States are in critical danger. Heritage livestock breeders play a critical role in conservation, but raising them is not the best choice for everyone.
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Much Ado About Mulch
From flower gardens to homestead veggie gardens, mulching is an integral part of bed cultivation. But are you mulching the right way?
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An Introduction to Angora Rabbits
Angora rabbits can be an adorable and productive addition to a homestead because of their wonderful capacity to produce a fiber that is highly sought-after by hand spinners and mills.
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All About Beans
Even in prehistoric times, our ancestors were enjoying the flavor and nutrition of beans. For thousands of years, beans have served us as a source of good nutrition, especially in protein, B vitamins, and fiber.
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Tips for Growing Sweet Corn
When I was a kid, it seemed like everyone in our rural community had tips for growing sweet corn as everyone grew it. I can remember that we planted a field full of it and harvest time was rather busy.
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Florida Weave Tomato Trellising System
I don’t know about you, but there’s one thing about growing tomatoes that I don’t care for — caging them.
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How to Take an Accurate Soil Sample
Do you want your garden to produce the best-tasting food in town? Do you want to maximize production to fill your farmers market stands?
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5 Best Rural Rice Recipes
Rice is extremely versatile and a rice recipe can go with just about any cuisine. According to Ricepedia, more than half of the world’s population (or 3.5 billion people) derive 20% of their daily calorie intake from rice — and for good reason.
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American Tarentaise Cattle
When I first heard about American Tarentaise cattle back in 2015, I was intrigued to learn all about a widely unknown breed. My husband had a coworker who was raising these cattle.
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A Salute to the Mighty Come-Along Tool
Thanks to the fabulous come-along tool, an endless variety of monumental pulling tasks can be performed by one individual. In countless sheds and barns across this nation is one of the greatest tools known to man.
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Sheep Breed Profile: Bluefaced Leicester
In today’s world, the term “BFF” is a texting shortcut that stands for Best Friends Forever. In the world of sheep, however, “BFL” is the common nickname for the Bluefaced Leicester, and it might as well be interpreted as “Best Flock for Life,” because of the wonderful characteristics of this breed of sheep.
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Why Raise Miniature Cattle?
Add to Favorites By Professor Richard Gradwohl Washington – As 100-500-acre family farms continue to disappear, the small acreage family homestead farm is becoming more common. Miniature cattle breeds are particularly …
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Belfair Miniature Cattle: A Small, All-Around Breed
Belfair miniature cattle are the first dual-purpose miniature cattle developed in America. Developed by Tracy Teed of Conway, Washington, Belfair cattle are 50% Jersey, from high test Jersey cows bred to a small 35” Dexter bull, developed for the small acreage farmer who wants a small family milk cow which will also produce a good beef calf for the locker.
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Sheep Giving Birth: Tips for Successful Lambing
Over the past 12 lambing seasons, the main thing the sheep giving birth has taught me is that every season will bring a new lesson. I’ll never forget meeting a seasoned shepherd with 50 years of lambing behind him who told me that he still learns something new every year.
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