Gretchen Kruesi
There are a number of herbs & herbal treatments that help reduce skin discomfort. Herbal formulas serve as remedies for burns, help fight infection, aid in repairing the skin, prevent the formation of scar tissue, and more! The following excerpt is from Herbal Formularies for Health Professionals, Volume 1 by Jill Stansbury. It has been…
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Who needs a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down when you have galium? This wild herb not only has a sugary sweet aroma on its own, but can also add a delicious vanilla-like flavor when added to desserts. Forage for your own galium in the woods or even your own backyard to…
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It’s no secret that overly manufactured food isn’t good for our health. The production of these foods is also extremely harmful for agriculture and the environment. The end result of manufactured foods lead to the elimination of many small farms. We must change the way we grow and purchase food to stay healthy and keep…
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Summer is a time to be outside and enjoy the much-needed sunshine. And what’s more fun than creating something yourself while soaking up everything the season has to offer? Whether you consider yourself a cook, a gardener, or a crafter, there’s a summer DIY project that is sure to fit your interests & lifestyle. Here are…
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Shrubs, known as a forest garden staple, have the potential to produce beautiful flowers and delicious fruits. One of these fruits is the delightful and versatile currant. Read on to learn about the main types of currant shrubs, along with how to prune currants annually to help the shrub continue producing fruit for years to come.…
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If you’re not a fan of insects, adding more bugs to your neighborhood may sound like a bad thing, but it’s really not! Bugs play a huge role in maintaining an ecosystem and without them, things would start to look pretty grim. Follow these tips for making your neighborhood more bug-friendly, and play your part…
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If you’re in need of some soil remediation, give woodchip a try! One of woodchip’s secret superpowers is its ability to restore soil. From bioremediation to erosion to soil compaction and more, woodchip is here to save the day. The following is an excerpt from The Woodchip Handbook by Ben Raskin. It has been adapted for the web.…
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Small farms are being held back. It’s time for a new vision. It’s time for bold new regenerative farming policies that restore both ecosystems and rural communities. We must avoid or eliminate policies that can be exploited by industrial producers at the expense of small or midsize farmers. “As it stands now, it is not…
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Do you dream of fresh produce at your fingertips but only have access to a small balcony or window sill? Do you have a community garden or allotment but still want more? If you answered yes to either of those questions, you should start container gardening! Highly adaptable and hugely rewarding, container gardening is a…
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We’ve been told to destroy any lanternflies because they’re “invasive and destructive” to our environment. In reality, these small pests are simply living like any other insect would — so why is the lanternfly under attack? The following is an excerpt from Love, Nature, Magic by Maria Rodale. It has been adapted for the web.…
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You don’t need to use chemicals or other unnatural ingredients to give your seedlings a boost. Just use a combination of seaweed, apple cider vinegar, and other nontoxic ingredients create the perfect blend. Each recipe can be modified to complement the soil and climate for the best-producing crops. The following is an excerpt from No-Till Intensive…
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Mulch is essential to soil health because it acts as a barrier against water loss and heat, reduces weeds, improves soil structure, and provides a habitat for animals. Once you’ve found the right method for your garden or homestead, mulching is an easy way to boost your soil’s health. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive if you collect…
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The vinegar used in a dish can make or break the flavor altogether. With this simple raw fermentation recipe for apple scraps vinegar, you’ll have all the tools you need to create a crisp concoction that serves as the perfect addition to almost any condiment or dish. Hungry for more? Add a little of your…
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What do you think of when you think of the history of agriculture? Plants, vegetables, maybe some livestock? The basis of farming is actually much more complicated and intricate. Agricultural processes have been taking place right under our noses since the beginning of time — and they occur in the most unlikely and unexpected of…
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Summer is here, which means gardening season is in full swing! It’s time to weed, plant, and dig in the dirt. If you are relying on herbicides to keep weeds out of your lawn and garden, it’s to time to reconsider your weed management methods. Glyphosate, an ingredient in most weed-killer products and a nonselective…
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A good stock takes time. This is part of the pleasure — making stocks is meditative and meaningful, if you allow yourself the occasion. Making stocks often happens in the background of most kitchens — a smell that permeates a residence, a gentle warmth that radiates from the kitchen. Mastering Stocks and Broths is the definitive…
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“The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all.” —Wendell Berry, The Art of the Commonplace Humans, animals, and plants all rely on healthy soil when it comes to the food they eat and the environment they live in. But what happens when soil quality starts deteriorating? And what can…
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Very often, the best things come in small packages, and the humble woodchip is no exception. We’re all familiar with the use of woodchips in mulch, and while they are an excellent mulching material, woodchips have many other uses. Think mushroom growing material and animal bedding; think plant propagation and soil amendments — the list goes…
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Want to create your own garden, but don’t think you’d have the room for it? Think again. According to Mark Ridsdill Smith, author of The Vertical Veg to Container Gardening and creator of the Vertical Veg website, almost any small space can transform into a garden with a little bit of soil, seeds, and inspiration. In…
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When Sandra Baer and Lynn Cassells founded Lynbreck Croft in Scotland, they had no money, no plan, and no experience in farming. But they did have a goal: to produce wonderful food for themselves and the people around them by learning to work with nature. Through their efforts over the past several years, Sandra and Lynn…
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Worms aren’t just the squiggly, pink creatures found on the sidewalk after it rains. They are so much more than that. These highly regarded specimens play a vital role in enhancing our soils and revitalizing the health of the plants we need to survive. But how do we get them to work their magic? Through…
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Want to grow grains this spring, but weeds keep getting in the way? With the right tools and practices, you can keep weeds from affecting your grains and handle them without hurting the environment. In the passage below, farming expert Jack Lazor explains the characteristics of the weeds that might appear along the way and offers…
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Lynn Cassells and Sandra Baer left their friends, family, and jobs in England to travel north to Scotland to find a bit of land that they could call their own. They had in mind keeping a few chickens, a kitchen garden, and renting out some camping space; instead, they fell in love with Lynbreck Croft—150…
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Believe it or not, the Internet wasn’t exactly a human invention. The World’s First Internet was created by microbes, the tiny organisms that are responsible for all life on Earth. Before humans were even close to existing, microbes were hard at work creating their very own Internet of Things — and today, our very own…
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Looking for advice on maintaining a happy herd? These tips will help you care for your goats in ways that will keep them healthy, safe, and productive. The following is an excerpt from Holistic Goat Care by Gianaclis Caldwell. It has been adapted for the web. Understanding Goats Understanding an animal’s complete needs—including mental and…
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