Gretchen Kruesi

Birch & Walnut Syrups: Beyond the Maple

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 6, 2024 / Comments Off on Birch & Walnut Syrups: Beyond the Maple

Move aside, maple! We have two new syrups to add to the table. Check out this insight on tapping, selling, and eating syrup from walnut & birch trees. The following is an excerpt from Farming the Woods by Steve Gabriel and Ken Mudge. It has been adapted for the web. Walnut Syrup Walnut (Juglans spp.)…

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planting site

7 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Planting Site

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 6, 2024 / Comments Off on 7 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Planting Site

With spring starting soon, now is the perfect time to start planning out your garden. For those new to gardening or homesteading, the location of your planting site is one of the first things to consider. The following is an excerpt from Cold-Hardy Fruits and Nuts by Scott Serrano and Allyson Levy. It has been…

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grow mushrooms on woodchip

How to Grow Mushrooms on Woodchip

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 5, 2024 / Comments Off on How to Grow Mushrooms on Woodchip

These days, growing mushrooms is all the rage. It is extremely simple, and they will grow pretty much anywhere — from milk cartons to denim to the always-reliable woodchip. The following is an excerpt from The Woodchip Handbook by Ben Raskin. It has been adapted for the web. Grow Mushrooms On Woodchip Growing mushrooms on woodchip can…

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wild greens and daikon achar

Fermented Mixed Wild Greens and Daikon Achar

By Gretchen Kruesi / March 1, 2024 / Comments Off on Fermented Mixed Wild Greens and Daikon Achar

Let’s forage and ferment! This wild greens and daikon achar recipe is simple but delicious – an ideal recipe to hone your fermentation skills. The following is an excerpt from Wildcrafted Fermentation by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web. (Unless otherwise noted, all photography curtesy of Pascal Baudar.)  RECIPE: Fermented Mixed Wild Greens…

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bread

Knead Some Bread Baking Inspiration?

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 28, 2024 / Comments Off on Knead Some Bread Baking Inspiration?

Any bread baker can tell you: After you take that first loaf out of the oven, you’ll never want to eat store-bought bread again. Whether you’ve been feeding your sourdough starter for years or you’re just getting into the bread baking game, we have a bread recipe for you! Making Amazing Amazake Rye Bread Ready…

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goats

Good Fences and Gates Make for Great Goats

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 27, 2024 / Comments Off on Good Fences and Gates Make for Great Goats

Wondering how to get your goats to stay in one place? The secret is all in choosing the right fences and gates to keep them safe, happy, and healthy. The following excerpt is from Holistic Goat Care by Gianaclis Caldwell. It has been adapted for the web. All photographs courtesy of Gianaclis Caldwell unless otherwise noted. Finding…

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cover cropping

Optimize Your Soil with Cover Cropping

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 23, 2024 / Comments Off on Optimize Your Soil with Cover Cropping

Make use of these slow gardening months by preparing your soil for the year ahead! Cover cropping creates nutrient-rich soil for winter gardening AND provides an extra boost to your seedlings come springtime.  The following is an excerpt from The Resilient Farm and Homestead, Revised and Expanded Edition by Ben Falk. It has been adapted…

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wolf

In Search of the Shadow Wolf: Beginning the Hunt

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 22, 2024 / Comments Off on In Search of the Shadow Wolf: Beginning the Hunt

What ever happened to the wolves in Britain? Rewilder Derek Gow seeks to answer this question as he embarks on a quest for the shadow wolf. The following is an excerpt from Hunt for the Shadow Wolf by Derek Gow. It has been adapted for the web. Starting the Search for the Shadow Wolf When…

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cheez-its

Healthy Homemade Cheez-Its: Cheese with a Crunch

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 21, 2024 / Comments Off on Healthy Homemade Cheez-Its: Cheese with a Crunch

Do you love Cheez-Its, but not the nutrition facts? Try your hand at this healthier, homemade version. These crunchy, cheesy snacks are not only ridiculously yummy, they’re also very easy to make! The following recipe is from The Heal Your Gut Cookbook by Hilary Boynton and Mary G. Brackett. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE:…

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black raspberries

Growing Cold-Hardy Black Raspberries

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 20, 2024 / Comments Off on Growing Cold-Hardy Black Raspberries

Black raspberries are unique, delicious fruits that can be grown in almost any weather condition. Keep reading for tips & tricks on growing these delightful berries yourself! The following is an excerpt from Cold-Hardy Fruits and Nuts by Scott Serrano and Allyson Levy. It has been adapted for the web. Growing Cold-Hardy Black Raspberries For many years…

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mushroom beer

Candy Cap Mushroom Beer: Brewing Wild Beers

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 19, 2024 / Comments Off on Candy Cap Mushroom Beer: Brewing Wild Beers

Yes, you read that right…mushroom beer! This recipe is perfect for beginners who want to try making their own wild, homemade brews. The following is an excerpt from The New Wildcrafted Cuisine by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web. Making Wild Beers There is something primal and almost magical about making beers using…

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insects - ladybugs

Love Bugs: Why We Need to Love Insects

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 14, 2024 / Comments Off on Love Bugs: Why We Need to Love Insects

Remember when bugs used to be all the rage? This fascination  is something that we need to re-gain as a society and instill in the next generation. Instead of shying away from these controversial creatures, it’s time to teach kids (and ourselves) how amazing insects really are! The following is an excerpt from Rebugging the…

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flower farm

Starting & Growing A Flower Farm: What to Consider

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 13, 2024 / Comments Off on Starting & Growing A Flower Farm: What to Consider

Want to start a flower farm? Most of your decisions when starting and growing a farm are interdependent, so it can be hard to know where to start. The following is an excerpt from Flower Farming for Profit by Lennie Larkin. It has been adapted for the web. Featured photo by Molly DeCoudreaux. Take Stock…

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amazake

Making Amazing Amazake Rye Bread

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 12, 2024 / Comments Off on Making Amazing Amazake Rye Bread

Ready to take your rye bread to the next level? Whether you’re in the mood for a piece of toast or an elaborate sandwich, this new twist on an age-old amazake bread is sure to satisfy your cravings! Note: This recipe calls for koji. If you don’t know how to make it, check out our…

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vinegar in soup

Vinegar in Soup: The Soup-er Secret Ingredient

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 9, 2024 / Comments Off on Vinegar in Soup: The Soup-er Secret Ingredient

Move aside, chicken noodle and tomato bisque! We’re trying out some new soups with one ingredient in common: vinegar. Flavorful and unique, these recipes will have you including vinegar in soup for years to come. The following is an excerpt from Wildcrafted Vinegars by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web. Adding Vinegar in…

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layoffs

Mass Layoffs: Destructiveness and Doubt

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 9, 2024 / Comments Off on Mass Layoffs: Destructiveness and Doubt

Addressing the pressing issues affecting everyday Americans is essential—and one of our nation’s most profound challenges is the devastating impact of mass layoffs. Layoffs upend people’s lives, cause enormous stress, and lead to debilitating personal debt. The societal harm caused by mass layoffs has been known for decades. Yet, we do little to stop them.…

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herbalism

9 Ways to Improve Your Health with Herbalism

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 8, 2024 / Comments Off on 9 Ways to Improve Your Health with Herbalism

Herbal remedies are a great way to naturally support overall bodily health. Here are some useful tips on all things herbalism — from starting your own herb garden to making remedies for any number of everyday ailments. Start Your Own Medicinal Herb Garden with These 3 Herbs Want to start your own medicinal herb garden? Passionflower, lemon balm,…

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collecting seeds

The Art and Joy of Collecting Seeds

By Gretchen Kruesi / February 2, 2024 / Comments Off on The Art and Joy of Collecting Seeds

It all starts with a seed. Collecting seeds from your plants will propagate more life from what you already have. Different plant species require varied methods of seed collection. Below are some tips to help you understand plants’ specific wants and needs when collecting their seeds! The following is an excerpt from The Ecological Gardener by…

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miso

Greater Flavor: How to Make A Basic Miso Paste

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 30, 2024 / Comments Off on Greater Flavor: How to Make A Basic Miso Paste

There are reasons that miso paste has become popular around the world: it’s versatile, relatively inexpensive, and can be made in a range of flavors you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. And better yet, you can even make miso at home! The following is an excerpt from Koji Alchemy by Jeremy Umansky and Rich…

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Medicinal Uses for 8 Herbs Already in your Kitchen

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 29, 2024 / Comments Off on Medicinal Uses for 8 Herbs Already in your Kitchen

We all know a dash of cayenne pepper is great on roasted sweet potatoes and a little bit of cinnamon goes a long way in a batch of cookies, but did you know many of the kitchen herbs already in your spice rack can also be used medicinally? The following is an excerpt from Energetic Herbalism by…

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gardening tools

Must-Have Tools for Successful Indoor Gardening

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 25, 2024 / Comments Off on Must-Have Tools for Successful Indoor Gardening

Who says cold weather has to stop you from gardening? With the right tools, you’ll be all set to create your own indoor garden at home. The following is an excerpt from Year-Round Indoor Salad Gardening by Peter Burke. It has been adapted for the web. Tools for Indoor Gardening The list of tools you…

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Starting A Flower Farm: 7 Steps to Crop Planning

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 23, 2024 / Comments Off on Starting A Flower Farm: 7 Steps to Crop Planning

Thinking about starting your own flower farm? Before putting seeds in the ground, it’s important to plan out which crops you want to plant. The following is an excerpt from Flower Farming for Profit by Lennie Larkin. It has been adapted for the web. Crop Planning for A Flower Farm in 7 Steps Crop planning…

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recipes

5 Recipes to Warm You Up This Winter

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 22, 2024 / Comments Off on 5 Recipes to Warm You Up This Winter

Looking for some delicious and simple recipes that will keep everyone in your house warm while snow rages outside? You’ve come to the right place! The following recipes are some of our favorites and will help you ward off the cold. Winter Root Veggie Potpie From Black Trumpet by Evan Mallett Looking for new ways…

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Wood-fired Pizza Oven

Winter Pizza Duo Using a Sourdough Starter

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 18, 2024 / Comments Off on Winter Pizza Duo Using a Sourdough Starter

Turn any night into pizza night! This sourdough pizza holds the secret to a stress-free weeknight dinner. Make the crust ahead of time and let it rise in the fridge. By dinnertime all you’ll need to do is shape the dough, add your toppings, and bake! This excerpt is from The Occidental Arts and Ecology…

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simple sugars

Simple Sugars & The Sweet Side of Fermentation

By Gretchen Kruesi / January 16, 2024 / Comments Off on Simple Sugars & The Sweet Side of Fermentation

As the name suggests, simple sugars are very easy to work with — especially when used as a ferment. From tepache in Mexico to mauby/mabí in The Caribbean, fermented simple sugars are often used to create delicious beverages all around the world. The following is an excerpt from Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys by Sandor Ellix…

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