As we kick off what I can only imagine will be a fairly long-running series on the rearing of our cantankerous caprine friends, as well as their broader usages, I feel compelled to present a disclaimer--I am far from impartial. I grew up caring for a small flock of goats, and they are far and away my favorite four-legged companions, tied even with the loyal canine. As such, if … [Read more...] about Get Your Goats: Part 1
Sweet Sorghum: A Southern Sugar Substitute
If you’re from anywhere south of the Mason-Dixon, you can likely stop reading right now--chances are you could write your own piece on sweet sorghum, and may even have some growing in your yard at this very moment. If this is the first you’re hearing about this sweet little substitute however, read on for some information on how this type of sorghum could fill the sorely missed … [Read more...] about Sweet Sorghum: A Southern Sugar Substitute
Got Goat Milk?
Cow’s milk has been a staple on the American continent since the Spanish brought the first cattle to Mexico in 1525, and it’s not too hard to see why. Milk has a plethora of uses--from cereal, to cheese, to pancakes and more, milk can be utilized in just about anything. It is, however, not the only option. One far older choice has largely fallen out of vogue in this country, … [Read more...] about Got Goat Milk?
Breaking Up a Cock Fight
Few things make one feel more like a farmer, and provide as much return, as a small flock of chickens. From the cock’s crow in the morning, to the contented chatter the hens provide throughout the day, to the obvious benefit of eggs and meat, raising poultry can be a very rewarding experience. However, as the experienced farmer knows, even if you’re not hatching your own, … [Read more...] about Breaking Up a Cock Fight
Building a Root Cellar: Part Two
Welcome back to our two-part series on root-cellar fundamentals. As a quick recap, in the previous article we discussed the ways a root cellar uses the natural insulation of the earth to keep food fresh in any season (read more about that here). The simplest type of root cellar, therefore, is a dug hole, usually into the side of a hill for convenience, with flared walls to … [Read more...] about Building a Root Cellar: Part Two
