Countryside Magazine Contributor, Author at Countryside

Stocking Your Food Pantry with Emergency Essentials

December 28, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Self-Reliance

When planning your emergency food pantry, you should first ask yourself two questions: If an emergency occurs, what are the things I will most likely lack; and, what cooking facilities will I have in an emergency?

All About Ankole Watusi Cattle

December 20, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Cattle

Ankole Watusi are known as the “Cattle of Kings.” Their unmistakably large horns can spear a lion. The tribes of Africa that rely on them for survival call them sacred.

How to Start Pig Farming Today

December 20, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Pigs

I’ve always wanted pigs and been curious to learn how to start pig farming. I’ve never owned pigs, never even was a close friend of someone who raised homestead pigs.

Quick Tips For Fixing Metal and Wooden Gates

December 14, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Fences, Sheds & Barns

Keeping metal and wooden gates in good repair can sometimes be a challenge, but it is an important part of homesteading today.

The Versatile Mint: Peppermint Plant Uses

December 2, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Growing

Peppermint plant uses are endless; this versatile mint does a lot more than make a refreshing drink. Peppermint is indispensable in my herb garden and so vigorous I can pull handfuls up by the roots and it always comes back, as fresh as ever.

Safely Castrating Calves

November 23, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Cattle

The best age and method for castrating calves may vary, depending on your situation. Some stockmen feel that a calf should be allowed to grow all summer before being castrated, since calves grow faster as bulls.

A Guide to Buying Your First Wood Stove

November 16, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Self-Reliance

Wood stoves are a great addition to any home. A home centered on a wood stove not only offers financial benefits and self-sufficiency but adds a place for the family to make lasting winter memories.

Build an Inexpensive Hay Shed

November 15, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Fences, Sheds & Barns

There are many ways to store hay and protect it from the weather, but some methods are more reliable than others.

KuneKune Pigs: A Hardy Homestead Breed

November 15, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Pigs

KuneKune pigs are making their way into small scale farming operations across the country. You may ask yourself what makes these pigs so special … the simple answer is everything!

How to Treat Colicky Calf Bloat

November 2, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Cattle

Some calves develop calf bloat, an acute enterotoxemia (toxic gut infection), caused by bacterial toxins. These calves are usually about a month old but may be as young as a few days of age or as old as two to three months.

The Joy of Growing Horseradish (It’s Great With Almost Anything!)

October 31, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Growing

Add to Favorites By Sue Robishaw – Cold-climate gardeners can boast few crops that prefer their freezing winter abode, but the sturdy horseradish not only prefers it that way, it requires …

Burdock Slivers Can Cause Eye Irritations

October 19, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Cattle

Eye problems in livestock and horses can be caused by foreign material in the eye, and one of the most challenging problems is burdock slivers. Burrs from this invasive weed stick to hair or clothing.

How to Repel Rats, Mice, Skunks, and Other Interlopers

October 12, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Homesteading

Add to Favorites By Cheryl K. Smith – We’re not the only ones that want to spend our time indoors. Rats, mice, skunks, and other furry interlopers are busy finding their …

Removing Porcupine Quills From Cattle

October 12, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Cattle

Removing porcupine quills from pets, cattle, and other livestock is an unpleasant task for everyone involved.

The porcupine is a peaceful, timid rodent whose unique method of self-defense often causes grief to inquisitive animals.

Why You Should Consider Wintering Geraniums

September 29, 2021 · Countryside Magazine Contributor · Growing

Wintering geraniums not only saves money, it also saves special memories. As a warm October day arrives, I force myself to uproot blooming pots of geranium plants to store away for winter.

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