So, you found a frozen chicken on your homestead. What do you do? Set the microwave to defrost? Fire up the fryer? Just kidding. If the chicken is still alive, there are ways to help save her. This happened to us recently. One of our Americuanas didn’t come into the coop at night and was caught outside in a freezing rain storm. We found her the next morning huddled beside a … [Read more...] about Winter Homestead: How to Save a Frostbitten Chicken
Farmyard First Aid: Creating a Kit
While first aid may not seem exactly in the purview of the humble homesteader, reality (and mother nature) oftentimes force us to tackle situations and scenarios far outside our comfort zones. As a result, its oftentimes a good idea to learn some basic first aid principles, in case you run into trouble around the farm. After all, many of us like to live a decent trek from … [Read more...] about Farmyard First Aid: Creating a Kit
Landowner Programs Available via Conservation Reserve Program
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) offers several programs for landowners to enroll environmentally sensitive farmland into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The continuous and general CRP signups provide annual rental payments to producers and landowners for establishing long-term, resource-conserving plant species on cropland, to control soil erosion, improve … [Read more...] about Landowner Programs Available via Conservation Reserve Program
RMEF Commits Funds to Wildfire Restoration
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation committed more than $1 million to landscape-scale efforts to help restore thousands of acres of public and private forestland, meadows and other landscapes charred by recent wildfires. “This commitment only solidifies RMEF’s ongoing strategic efforts dating back decades to enhance habitat for elk and a myriad of other wildlife species for … [Read more...] about RMEF Commits Funds to Wildfire Restoration
Snow on the Fields
Chances are, if your homestead sits anywhere north of Texas this year, you have seen a fresh blanket of snow or two coat your land. If you live near where I do, that blanket didn't just fall, but has lasted for several weeks now (and counting). We all love the fluffy white stuff for our favorite wintertime traditions, such as snowman making, sledding and snowball fights, but … [Read more...] about Snow on the Fields
