From the Editor — September/October 2019

With autumn just around the corner, it’s time to start preparing the homestead for the dreaded winter ahead. Your chicken coop will need to have some special treatment to get ready for the winter season. Janet Garman shares what she does in the fall to be sure her feathered friends will have a safe and secure home for winter.

If you’re like me and have apples coming out of your ears, you will want to check out the Farm to Fork section for some delicious ways to use up some of those extra bushels of fruit. Apple butter is a great way to preserve them and if you have a sweet tooth, the apple brownie and apple crisp recipes are going to be right up your alley.

Have you ever thought about raising your own chemical-free fish? Kenny Coogan explores a tilapia fish farm and includes which types of tilapia are best to raise along with several other tips to help you be a successful fish farmer.

With autumn near, that means deer hunting season is near too! I so much enjoy the peacefulness of being in the woods awaiting a big buck to wander by. Although I’ve never been in the right place at the right time to bag a monster, I have had my share of luck in getting several nice deer for the freezer. Ellen Grunseth joins in on how to care for your game from field to freezer.

I want to thank each and every one of you who have sent letters or emails to share your ideas and stories with me and your fellow Countryside readers. Each letter brings a smile to my face and I appreciate them all! Keep ‘em coming!

I feel there’s a little something for everyone in this issue of Countryside. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did putting it all together.