Gretchen Kruesi

low-risk silvopasture

Low-Risk Silvopasture: Chickens, Turkeys, Guinea Hens, Ducks and Geese

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Low-Risk Silvopasture: Chickens, Turkeys, Guinea Hens, Ducks and Geese

Want to get started with silvopasture? The first step is figuring out which type of livestock works best for your ecosystem.

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apple snack cake

Triple Apple Snack Cake: The Perfect Autumn Treat

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 5, 2023 / Comments Off on Triple Apple Snack Cake: The Perfect Autumn Treat

Nothing says “autumn” like the smell of baked apples and spices fresh out of the oven. This triple apple snack cake uses applesauce, apple cider, and fresh apples to give it a one-two-three apple punch. Don’t take our word for it though, give this recipe a go yourself! The following recipe is from The Fruit Forager’s…

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big year

Starting A Big Year of Birdwatching: Bicycle Beginnings

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 3, 2023 / Comments Off on Starting A Big Year of Birdwatching: Bicycle Beginnings

At a personal and professional crossroads, a man reset his life and found sobriety, love, and 618 bird species, cycling his way to a very Big Year. Join him on his journey as he recounts beginning his Big Year on bicycle! The following is an excerpt from Birding Under the Influence by Dorian Anderson. It has…

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October garden planning

October Garden Planning: 10 Tips for Success

By Gretchen Kruesi / October 2, 2023 / Comments Off on October Garden Planning: 10 Tips for Success

Just because fall is here, that doesn’t mean gardening season is over! There’s still plenty of time to wrap up the season, prepare for next year, and tackle all of those pesky to-dos around the homestead. So without further ado, here’s your October garden planning cheat sheet. October Garden Planning: The Harvest 1. Pumpkins and…

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applesauce

Homemade Applesauce: A Life-Changing Fall Snack

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 20, 2023 / Comments Off on Homemade Applesauce: A Life-Changing Fall Snack

Want an on-the-go snack without having to go to the grocery store? Whip up a batch of this must-try homemade applesauce for a fresh fall snack whenever you get the craving! The following recipe is from The Fruit Forager’s Companion by Sara Bir. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Life-Changing Applesauce Makes about 2…

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How to Harvest, Store, and Cure Squash

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 19, 2023 / Comments Off on How to Harvest, Store, and Cure Squash

Squash newbies, this one’s for you! Learn how to harvest, cure, and store squash with these tried-and-true techniques.  The following excerpt is from The Resilient Gardener by Carol Deppe. It has been adapted for the web. Featured Image Credit: Johnny’s Selected Seeds Harvesting Squash When we harvest, we don’t want to break the fruit off…

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lean vegetable farm

5 Steps to Achieve A Lean Vegetable Farm

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 18, 2023 / Comments Off on 5 Steps to Achieve A Lean Vegetable Farm

Looking to create a lean vegetable farm? The lean system, designed to cut out waste and increase profits, allows you to operate a successful and healthy farm with a fraction of the work it usually takes. Here are five simple steps to help you get started! Unless otherwise noted, all photographs copyright © 2017 by Ben…

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medicinal herbs

Growing Medicinal Herbs: An Agricultural Revolution

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 18, 2023 / Comments Off on Growing Medicinal Herbs: An Agricultural Revolution

Growing & using your own medicinal herbs keeps you healthy AND helps improve our environment. So what’re you waiting for? Check out these quick tips and get ready to start an agricultural revolution with medicinal herbs! The following is an excerpt from The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer, Revised Edition by Jeff and Melanie Carpenter. It has been adapted for…

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hazelnuts

A Guide to Harvesting Hazelnuts

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 13, 2023 / Comments Off on A Guide to Harvesting Hazelnuts

Today, hazelnuts are all the rage. These small nuts, known for their one-of-a-kind flavor, are both delicious AND hearty enough to be grown and harvested in almost any weather conditions. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to start harvesting hazelnuts! The following is an excerpt from Cold-Hardy Fruits and Nuts by Scott Serrano and Allyson…

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bokashi bins

Bokashi Bins: Easy and Affordable Kitchen Composting

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Bokashi Bins: Easy and Affordable Kitchen Composting

Looking for a new way to compost? With Bokashi bins, the organic matter from your compost is broken down and turned into a preserved or pickled substance. Plus, the whole design is affordable and easy to build & use! The following is an excerpt from The Ecological Gardener by Matt Rees-Warren. It has been adapted for the…

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boreray sheep

Boreray Sheep: A “Woolly” Remarkable Flock

By Gretchen Kruesi / September 4, 2023 / Comments Off on Boreray Sheep: A “Woolly” Remarkable Flock

“Ewe” won’t believe how much Boreray sheep have to offer! This breed provides much more than just a cute face and a full coat of wool. When raised in an ideal environment, Boreray sheep can have a huge positive impact on your farmland. The following is an excerpt from The Lost Flock by Jane Cooper.…

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gut health

Easy 15-Minute Meals to Promote Gut Health

By Gretchen Kruesi / August 31, 2023 / Comments Off on Easy 15-Minute Meals to Promote Gut Health

Want to improve your gut health, while also enjoying the food you love? Try out these easy, 15-minute recipes to indulge in a delicious meal while still being good to your gut.  The following is an excerpt from Covid Vaccine Adverse Reaction Survival Guide by Caroline Pover. It has been adapted for the web. Recipes to Promote…

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Enrich Your Soil

How to Use Vinegar Extracts to Enrich Your Soil

By Gretchen Kruesi / August 21, 2023 / Comments Off on How to Use Vinegar Extracts to Enrich Your Soil

Want to enrich your soil and get the most out of your garden? Mastering soil amendments is a must! Soil amendments, such as composting and natural sprays, enhance soil and increase nutrients available to your plants.  Use just a little bit of vinegar and some leftovers in your kitchen to create an extraction that will give your crops a…

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fruit kvass

Fruity Ferments: End of Summer Fruit Kvass

By Gretchen Kruesi / August 15, 2023 / Comments Off on Fruity Ferments: End of Summer Fruit Kvass

Fruit kvass is a great first ferment for beginners. All you need is fruit, whey or ginger bug, and jar to hold the ferment. Start this recipe today, and you’ll be enjoying a delicious fizzy drink in about three days! The following excerpt is from The Wildcrafting Brewer by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for…

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demand for real meat - chickens

A Game Of Chicken: The Demand for Real Meat

By Gretchen Kruesi / August 14, 2023 / Comments Off on A Game Of Chicken: The Demand for Real Meat

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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activities for summer vacation

5 Activities for Summer Vacation Fun

By Gretchen Kruesi / August 7, 2023 / Comments Off on 5 Activities for Summer Vacation Fun

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

The Radiant Raspberry: Foraging For and Cooking With Wild Raspberries

By Gretchen Kruesi / August 4, 2023 / Comments Off on The Radiant Raspberry: Foraging For and Cooking With Wild Raspberries

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

So What Exactly Is Glyphosate?

By Gretchen Kruesi / August 3, 2023 / Comments Off on So What Exactly Is Glyphosate?

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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ice cream

I Scream, You Scream, We All Forage For Ice Cream

By Gretchen Kruesi / August 2, 2023 / Comments Off on I Scream, You Scream, We All Forage For Ice Cream

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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All In The Sting: Health Benefits of Honey Bee Venom

By Gretchen Kruesi / August 1, 2023 / Comments Off on All In The Sting: Health Benefits of Honey Bee Venom

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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grain storage

From Field to Storage: Grain Storage Container Options

By Gretchen Kruesi / July 28, 2023 / Comments Off on From Field to Storage: Grain Storage Container Options

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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lemon gremolata

The Perfect Slice: Watermelon Radish and Preserved Lemon Gremolata

By Gretchen Kruesi / July 23, 2023 / Comments Off on The Perfect Slice: Watermelon Radish and Preserved Lemon Gremolata

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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foraging recipes

8 Foraging Recipes for Your Perfect Summer Picnic

By Gretchen Kruesi / July 21, 2023 / Comments Off on 8 Foraging Recipes for Your Perfect Summer Picnic

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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forest garden seven layers

The Seven Layers of A Forest Garden

By Gretchen Kruesi / July 19, 2023 / Comments Off on The Seven Layers of A Forest Garden

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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mint salt

Mint Salt: A Fresh Take on Seasoning

By Gretchen Kruesi / July 10, 2023 / Comments Off on Mint Salt: A Fresh Take on Seasoning

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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