About the Author
Countryside Contributor
Articles by Countryside Contributor
Artisanal Sheep Cheese: Shepherds Manor Creamery Part 2 of 2
The Histons considered producing “mixed milk” cheese (where goat or cow milk is added to the sheep milk), but have found that their niche in sheep is what makes them stand out. All of the artisanal sheep cheese produced at Shepherds Manor Creamery is made from 100% sheep milk.
Read More
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?
Read More
Growing a Traditional Victory Garden
During WWI and WW2 the vast majority of people grew some of their own food. It was not only expected, it was patriotic and a symbol of helping to win the war.
Read More
Are You Stumped?
We have had plenty of old tree stumps on our tiny farm over the years. In fact, there have been as many as a dozen stumps scattered all around the property at one time.
Read More
Heritage Sheep Breeds: Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em
Heritage sheep are rare, but their wool is special. The Livestock Conservancy’s new Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em project is focusing fiber artists on using rare breed wool and yarns to draw attention to their unusual and fine qualities.
Read More
Avoid Lambing Problems with This First Aid Contents Checklist
Most of the time when you have lambing problems or experience a sheep illness emergency, the vet and local livestock supply stores are closed for the weekend, and sheep farm and ranch specialties dealers are days away by mail.
Read More
A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Hügelkultur Raised Bed
Do you wish that you had more gardening space, but you don’t want to add more summer watering chores to your to-do list? Then a building hügelkultur bed may be the perfect solution for you.
Read More
Collecting Wild Mushrooms
Collecting wild mushrooms is a fascinating hobby rewarding us with tasty wild food. Nature’s bounty is endless.
Read More
Life on the Homestead Post COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many lives and livelihoods. Many of us have spent time hunkering down in our homes, eating too many goodies, wearing jammies and sweatpants with t-shirts, and swiping online apps, only to see hundreds of messages accumulate while we quarantine ourselves.
Read More
The Shocking Truth About Electric Fencing for Sheep
People have mixed feelings about the use of electric fencing for sheep and other livestock. For people unfamiliar with them, the word “electric fence” conjures up images of a well-done corpse hanging off a prison fence.
Read More
Sea Buckthorn: It Started With a Prayer
Studies have shown sea buckthorn is able to actually remove cholesterol from arteries. The seed and berry oil are used topically after radiation exposure due to medical treatments, accidental exposure or severe frostbite/sunburn.
Read More
Growing Fruitful Apple Trees
Forget pumpkin spice. Apples are where it’s at in autumn. It’s too late to get your apple tree to produce a bountiful harvest this year, but growing fruitful apple trees next year can be a whole new story.
Read More
Our Artesian Well: A Deep Subject
An artesian well is a very handy water source to have on the homestead. Long ago, my wife and I visited our little homestead for the first time on a warm September afternoon.
Read More
Are Rams Dangerous? Not With Proper Management.
Many people who are interested in keeping sheep hesitate because they have heard that rams are dangerous and hard to keep. So, are rams dangerous?
Read More
Shed or Pasture Lambing
The muffled, deep Maaa of a ewe “talking” to her newborn lambs reaches my ears before I open the barn door. Newborn lambs nursing, tails whirling, makes walking to the barn on frigid mornings worthwhile.
Read More