MOTHER EARTH NEWS

A Presidential “Stomp” of Approval

Despite a long history of livestock breed development in America, few breeds can claim they originated from the vision of an American president. The American Mammoth Jackstock, however, can.

George Washington understood the growth of our new country would be dependent on superior draft animals, such as the fine working mules of Europe. At the time, America didn’t possess the large donkeys needed to breed such desirable animals. But during Washington’s presidency, the king of Spain gifted him with an Andalusian jack (a male donkey) named Royal Gift, along with two jennets (female donkeys) of the

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from MOTHER EARTH NEWS

MOTHER EARTH NEWS3 min read
Can I Be Prevented from Going Off-Grid?
Welcome to our series answering reader questions and concerns about how to cut the utility-company cord. Hoss Boyd is founder, president, and CEO of TeraVolt Energy and a recognized solar and energy-storage expert. Learn more about TeraVolt Energy at
MOTHER EARTH NEWS2 min read
Plant-Based Textile Dyes
I’ve spent the past year learning how to create custom colors using marigold and coreopsis. I picked these two flowers because of their brilliant colors, though you may have to dye something multiple times. Natural dyes adhere best to natural fibers,
MOTHER EARTH NEWS3 min read
Keep Chickens Sustainably
Opting out of industrial agriculture and keeping your own chickens is an environmentally friendly choice already, so a lot of choices you make about your flock, such as which breeds to keep, are neutral from an environmental perspective. However, oth

Related Books & Audiobooks