Modern Homesteading
Practical skills for urban or rural self-sufficiency; includes home business ideas.
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11/16/2009 3:20:14 PM
A unique feature of emu eggs makes them an excellent choice for carving. With a minimal investment in equipment, you can create marvelous art for a hobby or a bootstrap business.
11/12/2009 2:58:44 PM
Some breeds of chickens are better at ranging for their own feed, hatching eggs and raising chicks. Others mature quickly or lay particularly dark-brown eggs. Which breed has the combination of traits you’re looking for? We’ve launched a new survey to determine the characteristics of each breed of chicken.
11/12/2009 12:50:22 PM
Mother Earth News embraces controversial topics that affect the lives of readers and the health of the planet, as well as practical, every-day topics of sustainable living.
11/9/2009 3:32:53 PM
Lyanda Haupt talks about the challenges and rewards of protecting her chickens and garden from local wildlife.
11/9/2009 11:09:42 AM
Geoff Taylor remembers a quality discussion with his cat, in which the amazing benefits of owning free-range chickens are the primary topic.
11/5/2009 12:13:05 PM
It's fall, time for fall garden clean up and planting garlic for next summer's harvest.
11/3/2009 3:09:10 PM
Find out what MOTHER EARTH NEWS readers have to say about Joel Salatin, Treska Stein, colony collapse disorder, our Relish! food blog, plastic safety, contaminated compost, farming vs. commercial agriculture, black-eyed peas, ads on the MOTHER EARTH NEWS website, the energy-efficient solar home, self-reliance, guineas, small-scale logging and sawmills, and more. Plus, let us know what you think in the comments section of this article, or by writing to Dear MOTHER.
10/30/2009 12:30:00 PM
By making good plans and imagining the future with a positive outcome, you can be ready to take advantage of opportunities when they come your way.
10/30/2009 11:06:13 AM
Jenna Woginrich reflects on her journey from fresh out of college, city-dwelling designer to determined homesteader, and offers encouragement to those with similar dreams.
10/28/2009 4:08:33 PM
Eastern red cedar trees make great free Christmas trees. Ask a neighboring farmer or landowner whether you can cut one down for your holiday tree. From the December 2009/January 2010 Country Lore department.
10/27/2009 12:17:34 PM
When Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell and her husband, Dale, decided to move to the country, they knew they would be downsizing — but they didn’t realize just how much. Find out how they successfully made their petite country cabin a cozy, beautiful and energy-efficient small home. Check out photos of their little house and learn more about the small home movement. Plus, read their tips for making your own small house an inviting, comfortable home.
10/23/2009 4:31:25 PM
Killing poison ivy can be tricky — especially if it’s entwined in a tree near your house. But you can kill the plant and remove the vines without using chemicals, and without getting a case of poison ivy yourself.
10/21/2009 2:25:19 PM
Many people who keep chickens or other poultry have concerns about how to manage their flock when cold weather sets in. But winter shouldn’t be a problem for your flock, but rather a steppingstone to the following year! Check your poultry often, follow these guidelines and you can even raise baby chicks in the winter! Tips from an expert.
10/21/2009 9:52:28 AM
You can "bootstrap" (put up the funding) a home-based business to get started. Then look for outside funding when you have reached a measure of success.
10/15/2009 10:07:10 AM
The Community Chickens project is about sharing the joy of keeping poultry and spreading the knowledge to help people successfully raise chickens, ducks and other poultry. Here’s a summary of some things we’ve learned through the project.
10/9/2009 4:57:52 PM
Find out what MOTHER EARTH NEWS readers have to say: Read letters about Joel Salatin and his farming methods, outdoor wood boilers, cordless reel mowers, homemade butter, global warming, Country Lore, colony collapse disorder, a Swiss chard offer, Treska Stein’s Firsthand Report, clay ovens and raising chickens for meat. Plus, let us know what YOU think in the comments section, or by writing to Dear MOTHER.
10/9/2009 9:29:00 AM
You can build a firewood storage or drying woodshed from used wood pallets. From the October/November 2009 Country Lore department.
10/6/2009 1:37:40 PM
If you’re planning to buy a small backyard chicken coop to protect a few hens, you might be interested in this coop from GardenEggs.com.
10/6/2009 9:20:14 AM
There are many benefits to purchasing grass-fed eggs, but finding them is not always easy. Robert Plamondon suggests ideas and resources for making grass-fed eggs more available and popular.
10/1/2009 2:17:12 PM
Jenna Woginrich discusses the more difficult aspects of homesteading, and why it's worth it anyway.
9/17/2009 11:49:02 AM
Hens that lay white eggs are lighter weight and eat less feed to produce the same amount of eggs as brown-egg layers. So, does that mean that if you’re concerned about conserving resources and care about the environment, you should eat white chicken eggs instead of brown chicken eggs? Color is only shell deep. There’s more to this debate than meets the eye.
9/15/2009 10:45:18 AM
An experienced pasture-raised poulty expert, Robert Plamondon, shares his thoughts on the best methods of keeping free-range chickens. He gives tips on four different kinds of electric fencing designed to contain chickens and repel predators, and calls it a less time and money consuming alternative to other fencing options.
9/11/2009 2:56:38 PM
The Farmers’ Almanac is a blend of useful information, entertainment and fascinating lore.
9/11/2009 1:09:59 PM
Lots of people order hatching eggs that are shipped through the mail before setting them in an incubator or under a broody hen. But what kind of results should you expect from shipped hatching eggs? Read what an expert has to say about realistic expectations.
9/10/2009 3:22:23 PM
Planting flowers and vegetables that are attractive to honeybees will help to bring these garden pollinators into your yard.
9/9/2009 2:43:10 PM
There’s never been a better time to raise chickens in the city, but if your only hesitation is where to put them, check this out the chicken tractor coop — a coop on wheels!
8/31/2009 4:29:54 PM
We want to hear your county or state fair stories: What did you enter this year? How did you do? If you're still waiting for yours, what are you preparing to enter?
8/31/2009 3:42:56 PM
Lloyd Kahn’s home building books, including “Shelter,” “Home Work” and “Builders of the Pacific Coast,” have featured hundreds of unique, handcrafted buildings. Kahn took the time to speak with us about his life and work. Here’s what he had to say about the art and craft of home building, the perils of bureaucracy, and the next generation of homesteaders.
8/27/2009 9:39:03 AM
Lots of factors are involved in hatching poultry eggs successfully: consistent temperature, the right amount of humidity and frequently turning the eggs. Not all incubators work equally well, and some have features that make operating them easier. Read about our most recent incubator test.
8/25/2009 4:22:26 PM
The Kubota RTV1140CPX has the ability to convert from best-in-class cargo to four-passenger seating. Add its additional amenities, and you have the perfect homestead hauling machine.
8/25/2009 2:59:46 PM
You can use plant cuttings, clearance-sale plants and recycled baskets to make attractive “green” plant gift baskets. From the October/November 2009 Country Lore department.
8/25/2009 2:54:56 PM
Rubber hoses attached to the goat’s horns discourages the goat from getting its horns stuck in fencing. From the October/November 2009 Country Lore department.
8/25/2009 2:32:14 PM
You might be able to collect the gleanings from a local harvest — after the harvesting is complete — if you first ask permission from the farmer. From the October/November 2009 Country Lore department.
8/25/2009 10:58:59 AM
From planning your home to laying out garden beds, long-time homesteader Steve Maxwell offers advice 20 years in the making.
8/17/2009 5:12:17 PM
A list of weapons to fight those evil chiggers!
8/17/2009 10:16:51 AM
You can't just hit the ground running when you make the transistion from rat race to homestead. There are lots of lessons to be learned. What wisdom can you share with the homestead hopefuls?
8/14/2009 2:05:50 PM
Look for local foods, such as fresh peaches, from your local farmers' market to make delightful summer desserts such as peaches and cream.
8/7/2009 4:15:00 PM
Try these six tips to prevent chickens from eating their eggs.
7/31/2009 4:42:54 PM
All of the work of readying the garden and waiting for it to produce is worth the wait once the harvest begins.
7/27/2009 4:03:30 PM
Quails make an excellent urban choice for poultry raising, chiefly for their tranquil nature, minimal noise and egg-producing efficiency. In this, the second installment of my series on quail-raising, you'll learn how to identify gender from color and marks and see how quail eggs compare with those of chickens.
7/20/2009 4:42:21 PM
Bob Berry owns a small hatchery business that specializes in two old breeds of chickens. He offers suggestions for incubating eggs and starting chicks that are shipped through the mail.
7/17/2009 3:42:44 PM
Whether you live in town or in the country, if you have animals (pets or livestock) you have humorous stories to tell.
7/16/2009 11:35:00 AM
Does turning eggs frequently during incubation improve hatch rates? Can storing the eggs before incubating them lower the hatch rate? Find out what we learned from our experiment hatching pheasant eggs.
7/9/2009 3:51:54 PM
Helen and Scott Nearing's farmstead, near Harborside, Maine, is now The Good Life Center, where you can tour the grounds, listen to lectures and participate in workshops.
7/8/2009 4:02:55 PM
If you're looking for a new lawn mower this year, consider buying a zero-turn lawn mower, which will really help you maneuver around obstacles such as trees and bushes.
7/6/2009 8:36:12 AM
Thirteen-year-old Treska Stein writes about learning to grow her own food and live off the land in the foothills of New Mexico. From tending her own garden to visiting local farms, she learns the basics of self-reliance and building community — next, she’s starting her own seed business! Find out more about how she got started, what she’s learned so far, and what’s up next for this next-generation farmer.
7/1/2009 4:55:22 PM
Raising baby coturnix quail is an exciting adventure. Taylor is completely new to raising poultry and shares his experiences.
7/1/2009 2:01:55 PM
Find out what MOTHER EARTH NEWS’ readers have to say: Read letters about raising meat chickens, a Swiss chard seed offer, overpopulation, corn ethanol and water, clothes drying racks, What to Plant Now, the DIY three-wheeled car plan, MOTHER EARTH NEWS garden ideas, the Neuton electric mower, global warming validity, adobe building, the environmental impact of pets, and the five-minute bread recipe. Plus, let us know what you think in the comments section, or by writing to Dear MOTHER.
7/1/2009 11:25:53 AM
You can take advantage of the effects of passive cooling by planting vines to cover your mobile home or the side of your house. From the August/September 2009 Country Lore department.
7/1/2009 10:35:57 AM
You can use a Buna-N O-ring as a hose gasket.
7/1/2009 10:20:58 AM
Hatching eggs using natural or artificial incubation is great fun, but there are no guarantees. Things can go wrong with either system.
7/1/2009 10:04:21 AM
The outdoor clay oven we built bakes the sourdough bread that we market for our home-based business.
6/24/2009 10:05:22 AM
Life with goats, sheep, cows, chickens and other livestock isn't all roses. Publisher Bryan Welch considers the value of finding and keeping the right partner for tackling life on the farm, goose poop and all.
6/24/2009 9:53:46 AM
This collection of rare and historic poultry books offers an amazing amount of information on poultry.
6/22/2009 5:01:38 PM
The garden is growing better than I could have expected in the raised beds at my "new" urban homestead.
6/22/2009 3:32:10 PM
You can control damage caused by carpenter bees with these nontoxic methods.
6/18/2009 9:54:02 AM
Jenna gets a pack goat to help carry gear for hiking trips. Share her experience of buying a buck kid and raising him to be a pack goat.
6/17/2009 1:30:23 PM
If you need a little horsepower for your homestead, a two-wheeled tractor may be a good choice.
6/11/2009 11:43:23 AM
I tested a new incubator against my old Styrofoam incubator. Find out which one is the best for incubating duck eggs. The difference was amazing.
6/10/2009 3:12:55 PM
The Homestead Act of 1862 opened up 270 million acres of public domain land for settlement. The Homestead National Monument of America tells the stories of many of the people who claimed land and tried to "prove up" their claim.
6/4/2009 11:34:34 AM
Chicken eggs usually hatch on the 21st day of incubation, but this hen hatched two chicks on the 23rd day.
6/3/2009 10:09:38 AM
Finding out how much manure an average chicken produces is a challenge.
6/2/2009 4:56:44 PM
Helpful advice on the dangers of lightning and how to protect your home from its damaging effects.
5/28/2009 10:44:43 AM
Dogs can perform a variety of useful tasks on farms and rural properties, but can cause problems if they stray.
5/28/2009 9:57:22 AM
We’re trying out several incubators with chicken, duck and quail hatching eggs.
5/21/2009 2:36:29 PM
Using natural products, such as grass clippings and homemade organic fertilizer, can turn the worst clay soil into an acceptable growing medium.
5/21/2009 2:11:43 PM
You can save (and earn) money by buying (and selling) your textbooks on the Internet.
5/21/2009 2:08:32 PM
Washing well with oil-busting dish soap, immediately after exposure, will remove the poison ivy oil from your skin.
5/21/2009 12:54:58 PM
Use tape to catch and dispose of fleas before they can bite you.
5/21/2009 11:50:09 AM
Keep underground wires and cables safe from the shovel by laying a flat brick or paver fluch with ground level, above the buried lines.
5/21/2009 11:41:03 AM
Find out how to use a shallow container filled with soapy water to attract and then drown house flies.
5/21/2009 10:21:28 AM
You can make your own sandals from worn out shoes and sneakers.
5/18/2009 5:13:47 PM
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Heritage has officially defined “heritage chicken.” Find out what a heritage chicken is, learn more about the certification process, and hear — firsthand — what an expert on heritage chickens has to say about pastured poultry and breed selection.
5/8/2009 12:34:29 PM
Find out what Mother Earth News readers are thinking about the topics in the magazine and online. Plus submit your own opinions, as well — they may appear in the magazine! From the June/July 2009 issue, read letters to the editor about biochar, NAIS, septic systems, building codes, poultry predator control, electric lawn mowers, creating a sustainable future, a solar revolution and more.
5/7/2009 2:58:49 PM
When Ellen and Robert Sousa first saw the property, they knew it would be a perfect horse farm — and provide ample room for Ellen's passion for gardening, as well. Find out how they turned their dream horse farm into a sanctuary for native plants and wildlife.
5/7/2009 2:16:50 PM
This historical neighborhood, with a strong sense of community, offers the feeling of small-town living.
5/6/2009 9:06:34 AM
How to safely dispose of or make use of human waste is becoming a hot topic.
4/23/2009 2:50:43 PM
Creating new no-dig garden beds is easier and quicker with raised-bed stakes and two-by-six lumber.
4/22/2009 4:41:51 PM
Here are a few helpful books on homesteading skills and old-time crafts.
4/22/2009 2:21:34 PM
Can you live on less? See how far you can make $20 go for a week or a day.
4/14/2009 3:09:25 PM
Nothing says spring like the sound of newly hatched chickens in my incubators. It's the time of year when folks stop into the feed store or local hatchery expecting to begin their selection of new birds.
4/14/2009 11:55:24 AM
Moving to an urban homestead is a challenge, but the boxes are getting unpacked and the birds are at the feeders.
4/3/2009 3:40:03 PM
If you are keeping a small flock of chickens in your backyard or on a small acreage, which breeds have you come to admire and why?
4/1/2009 4:13:52 PM
Making the move to a historical neighborhood will offer an opportunity to develop community ties and try some new gardening techniques.
3/30/2009 11:15:57 AM
Burning driftwood in a stove produces dioxin, a hazardous pollutant. Here's why that happens, and what you should know.
3/27/2009 10:01:36 AM
What do you think of composting toilets and would you consider installing one?
3/24/2009 1:03:08 PM
If you like steam- and gas- powered engines and farm equipment, you will love these three magazines and websites: Farm Collector, Gas Engine and Steam Traction.
3/12/2009 11:29:04 AM
Check out these terrific free apron patterns.
3/11/2009 2:26:23 PM
Build a simple do-it-yourself small barn or shed to house livestock, garden tools and machinery.
3/5/2009 11:59:00 AM
Discover the difference between the labels "free range" and "pastured" when it comes to eggs and chicken meat.
3/4/2009 1:15:55 PM
Dan Kidd developed a successful home business with his PEX Pocket Crimper tool.
2/27/2009 10:25:29 AM
Enjoy visiting green living fairs, shows and workshops from Maine to Texas in every season of the year.
2/19/2009 3:51:19 PM
Dishwashing soap combined with vinegar works well to remove clothing stains.
2/19/2009 2:50:23 PM
We’re proud to announce the first three picks for best Tools for Wiser Living. Learn more about Rogue garden hoes, NRG trowels and the Zeon electric riding mower from Hustler Turf — and why they made the cut for top tools for gardening and farming.
2/19/2009 2:16:59 PM
From making a duckweed pond to cleaning up contaminated soil with compost tea, the new book Toolbox for Sustainable City Living offers a wealth of do-it-yourself ideas — with illustrations! — for sustainable living in the city. These ideas are only two of many suggestions in this resource for creating self-reliance and sustainability in an urban home.
2/19/2009 9:56:10 AM
Reader letters on seed swaps; farm policy; NAIS; cabbage maggots; bread recipe; self-reliance; the cost of cheap food; biochar; Mother Earth News; GMO crops; tool-sharing for hurricane relief; and cigarette ads.
2/17/2009 10:44:42 AM
Using an arched, corrugated-steel building, the Hakansons built a home in less than two months — for less than $35,000. Find out why they chose this Quonset-style structure, and how they turned it into an inexpensive, sustainable and cozy home.
2/16/2009 1:37:40 PM
How do you get started homesteading? While many people dream of buying a few acres in the country, or even running a whole farm, the good news is you can start wherever you are. In this article, Jenna Woginrich explains why she decided to start living a more self-sufficient lifestyle, including using less energy, and raising some of her own food. These days she maintains a garden and raises chickens and sheep, all in the backyard of a rental property in Vermont.
2/6/2009 4:55:46 PM
If you’re the first of your friends to move to the country, get some chickens and plant an organic garden there will be some inevitable social fallout.
2/5/2009 2:46:27 PM
Hanging your clothes up to dry rather than using an electric dryer is a great way to save energy. Here are links to a couple of sturdy wooden indoor drying racks.
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