Gretchen Kruesi
Meat production can be a tricky business. Everyone wants to consume real chicken and pork, but meeting this demand can be difficult for farmers and food companies. To ensure that we’re eating high-quality chicken and poultry, we must even out the demand for real meat. The following is an excerpt from Saying NO to a Farm-Free Future…
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Want to start your own medicinal herb garden? Passionflower, lemon balm, and goldenseal are the best place to begin! These herbs are not only jam-packed with medicinal properties; they’re also extremely easy to grow in a majority of climates. With a little background information on the proper growing conditions, medicinal uses, and harvesting and drying tips,…
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School’s out for summer! Fill the lull between beach trips and camp with some of our favorite kid-friendly activities for summer vacation fun. From sunrise to sunset, there’s always something to do in the kitchen or the garden that will keep the kids entertained and educated all season long. How to Get Your Kids in the…
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Raspberries: they’re sweet, flavorful, extremely versatile, and can be found in your own backyard or local forest. Forage for raspberries yourself and use them to create delicious dishes, as well as some lasting memories! The following excerpt is from The Fruit Forager’s Companion by Sara Bir and has been adapted for the web. The Freedom of Foraging For…
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Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, the most commonly used weedkiller in the world. Nearly 300 million pounds of glyphosate-based herbicides are sprayed on farms (and food) every year, making them almost impossible to avoid. What actually is glyphosate, and what does it do to us? Keep reading to find out more about this…
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We’re over plain vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. This summer, we’re craving some new and original ice cream flavors! Forage for your own ingredients and create a one-of-a-kind seasonal dessert. The following is an excerpt from The Forager Chef’s Book of Flora by Alan Bergo. It has been adapted for the web. Spruce Tip Ice Cream…
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Tired of trying different traditional medicines to relieve inflammation and joint pain? Give bee venom therapy a try. Apitherapy and bee venom therapy is an emerging medicinal treatment that uses the stinger of a honey bee to alleviate pain and aid in healing. Bee venom therapy works by catalyzing the body’s natural healing processes. Most…
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Wondering where to put all the grains you grew? Storing grains accurately is essential for a successful harvest; and how you store them can make or break the quality of your crops. Check out the following grain storage container options to see which is best for your farm or homestead. The following is an excerpt from The…
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Gremolata is most commonly used for a final flourish of flavor to add a fresh taste to rich meaty dishes. This traditional Italian condiment is sprinkled over any number of dishes and it will make every mouthful pop with its bright flavor. It is a great addition to grilled meat, roasted or grilled vegetables, and pasta…
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Summer is the perfect time to enjoy a picnic in the sun. Next time you want to go for a picnic, grab your foraging basket first and gather your meal from nature’s bounty! We have everything you need to get started, from foraging recipes and tips to advice on preserving wild food. Foraging for Food: 10…
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When you create a forest garden, you give nature the reigns and let it take the hard part off your hands. All you need to do is get to work on creating the seven layers, and the forest will take care of the rest. The following is an excerpt from The Home-Scale Forest Garden by Dani…
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Searching for a new way to use salt and seasonings in your kitchen? Look no further than this recipe for mint salt! This fresh, natural salt is a game-changer that is bound to mix up the way you season your dishes. The following is an excerpt from Salt and the Art of Seasoning by James Strawbridge.…
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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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