Grit

Change is inevitable, isn’t it? But inevitability doesn’t mean change is bad, just different. Still, change is certainly easier to deal with when faced with others. Spring is the epitome of change and new beginnings. As I write this letter, it’s stil

Before I bought my first vacant lot, I walked the perimeter of the land and crisscrossed through the interior of the plot to get a feel of its atmosphere. At that point, the land was free from any domesticated care, and filled with wildlife such as d

I grew up in Trout Cove near Brasstown, North Carolina, and we always had a vegetable garden. Daddy would religiously follow the signs of the zodiac and the moon in the Farmers’ Almanac to plant all his crops, and every year, he and Uncle Joe Lee wou

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Guinea fowl are a welcome addition to any farm or homestead. They’re low-maintenance, they eat their weight in pests, and they’re considered flock guardians because they’ll sound the alarm when anything that doesn’t belong comes near them. Over my ye

Often framed in terms of austerity and sacrifice, minimalism, as a concept, isn’t actually about minimizing anything of authentic value in our lives. Instead, it’s about embracing and cherishing the things we currently have. Sure, many who enjoy a mi

Branding is the process of naming and creating a visual identity for your business. When you have a farm, homestead, or other agricultural business, branding is an opportunity to set yourself apart from other farms in your region or industry and buil

Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite crops to grow. This healthful food contains high amounts of beta carotene, an antioxidant that may help reduce your risk of developing some types of cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, sweet potatoes also conta

These “bombs” take the rich, hearty, overflowing biscuits and gravy we love and wrap them into a compact breakfast waiting to explode with filling and flavor. They’re easy to prepare, and they double as make-ahead meals for those with busy morning ro

As an experienced sewist, I’ve wanted a sleeve ironing board for years but was always stopped by the price — up to $50. So, when I saw an old wooden one for $5 at an estate sale, I snatched it up, even though its cover was stained and crumbling. I wa

Beer-can chicken is a classic on the American competition barbecue circuit. The idea is startlingly simple: You grill or smoke (or bake in an oven) a chicken upright over an open can of beer. What results is some of the moistest, most succulent, and

Fresh-cut flowers are a great way to draw customers to your farmers market booth, whatever else you might be selling. Eye-catching and attractive, they can offer rewarding sales too. Maybe you’ve considered selling your homegrown blooms but don’t kno

Extreme weather events can pose a threat to you and your home. To keep your property and loved ones safe, begin by investigating your risk in various weather situations. Risk mainly depends on where you live and the types of severe weather that can o

Mason Creek isn’t a particularly remarkable stream as it flows through the backyards of suburbs in Salem and Roanoke, Virginia, before merging with the Roanoke River. But this little creek is where I caught my first smallmouth bass and is also the wa

These are the words no farmer ever wants to hear. Escaped pigs are fast, ornery, and destructive. A couple of pigs rooting around in your garden can do catastrophic damage in no time, turning up entire rows of vegetables or trampling small trees and

Many of us have come to rely on our tractors, and lacking a tractor is a great inconvenience. We’d all like to avoid losing the use of this critical piece of equipment, and we can do so by following a basic tractor-maintenance checklist. Your tractor

About 15 years ago, I was introduced to clicker training by a co-worker at an animal shelter who was studying to become an accredited professional dog trainer. The staff learned how we could use this method to positively enrich the lives of the anima