how-to

Why Raise Miniature Cattle?
March 31, 2022 · · 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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Cherishing the Natural Beauty of Icelandic Sheep

We were ready to give up on the sheep business altogether when we discovered Icelandic sheep.

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5 Meat Rabbit Facts to Know Before You Buy
March 22, 2022 · · Homesteading, Rabbits

Raising rabbits for meat is a wonderful way to harvest your own meat in a small area. But there are some rabbit facts you should know before buying your first rabbit.

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A Field Guide to Common Owl Species
March 16, 2022 · · Homesteading

Add to Favorites Many of us have resident owls on our farm and wonder what kind of owl species we are hosting. This field guide shows identifying features and behaviors …

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Crop Rotation: Benefits and Why it Matters
March 14, 2022 · · Growing

Add to Favorites Not sure about crop rotation benefits? Here’s a science lesson for you. Our produce contains wonderful nutrients. After all, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are the reasons our …

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Drop Spindle Spinning: Making and Using Your First Spindle

Add to Favorites By Angela Hammer – I’ve always liked making things with my hands. I learned how to crochet years ago, so spinning became the next logical step for me …

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How to Work a One-Acre Homestead

Add to Favorites When we purchased our home in upstate New York, we had no intention to create a one-acre homestead. We were thrilled that we had so much space …

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Recycling Materials on Hand for Compost Bin Plans
January 26, 2022 · · Growing

Add to Favorites There are endless compost bin plans available online. A basic understanding of what components a compost bin must have is essential. Composting is among the easiest, environmentally …

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Choosing Yarn for Rigid Heddle Loom Weaving Projects
January 4, 2022 · · Homesteading

Add to Favorites When learning to weave, the rigid heddle loom is a good choice. It’s easy to work and you will quickly master the basics of weaving. Plus, setting …

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

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 …

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10 Frugal Homemade Fire Starters for Your Hearth or Emergency Pack
September 29, 2021 · · Holiday, Self-Reliance

Add to Favorites Save money on your survival gear list by making items from scratch. Homemade fire starters combine free or upcycled materials with inexpensive combustibles. Whether you need to …

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Seed Saving 101: How to Get Started
September 23, 2021 · · Growing

Add to Favorites By Nino G. Cocchiarella – For us, one of the primary elements of a more resilient/sustainable lifestyle is growing and raising as much of our own food as …

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15 Essential First Aid Kit Contents
August 31, 2021 · · Self-Reliance

Add to Favorites Though we know we should carry a first aid kit, contents can vary box by box. Should you purchase ones sold on department store endcaps or build …

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Get An Early Start With Carrots

Carrots are one of the most versatile vegetables I grow in my garden. We plant them once a month through spring, and again after Labor Day. Except during summer’s intense heat, I harvest a continuous supply for salads or for cooking.

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Milkweed Plant: A Truly Remarkable Wild Vegetable

Milkweed plant isn’t your average weed; in fact, I feel guilty calling it a weed at all. The common milkweed, Asclepias syriacqa, is one of the best known wild plants in North America.

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