Sustainable Farming
Expert commentary on sustainable agriculture, plus advice on raising livestock.
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11/10/2009 10:20:31 AM
Raising heritage turkeys is a great way to preserve rare breeds and add diversity to your homestead — or backyard poultry flock. Experts from S and S Poultry compare the qualities of six heritage breeds of turkeys.
11/9/2009 11:25:43 AM
Anyone who says that cows do not have feelings has not seen my bovines!
11/6/2009 12:03:59 PM
The voting outcome of Ohio's Issue 2 is seen as a win for industrial agriculture.
10/27/2009 11:38:21 AM
Support local, sustainable meat producers (and get more meat for your money) with a little help from the free “Beef and Pork Whole Animal Buying Guide,” created by Iowa State University’s Small Meat Processors’ Working Group.
10/26/2009 12:56:42 PM
Weed killers such as Roundup, which contain glyphosate herbicides, are more dangerous than previously thought. New studies have shown that, when mixed with certain “inert” ingredients, glyphosate can cause DNA damage, endocrine disruption and cell death. The effects are particularly harmful to developing fetuses. So, it may come as a surprise that we’re using more Roundup than ever before.
10/23/2009 11:13:52 AM
Ducks produce valuable meat and eggs, and they’re fun to watch. But their most valuable asset to a garden or homestead may be their natural ability to hunt and eat pests of all sorts. They instinctively forage for mosquito larvae, slugs, bugs, grasshoppers and other creepy-crawlies that want to eat your garden (or take a bite out of you). Find out how these web-footed wonders can help you with insect pest control.
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.
10/15/2009 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.
10/13/2009 2:25:07 PM
Want to start your own small dairy farm? Not sure where to begin, or about how the economy might affect your chances for success? Which produces more milk, Holsteins or Jersey cows? How much land do you need? Tim Iwig, of Iwig Family Dairy in Tecumseh, Kan., answers our dairy farming questions and lends his expert advice to anyone considering their own dairy business.
10/12/2009 6:05:24 PM
Tell us about your ideal homestead. What would it be like?
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.
9/28/2009 9:21:56 AM
Dutch Belted cows are an ideal dual-purpose homestead addition, providing just the right amount of nutritious milk and meat. But that’s not all — they’re efficient grazers, hardy and healthy, and they have great personalities. To top it all off, by raising Dutch Belted cows, these homesteaders are helping to preserve a breed that is in danger of becoming extinct.
9/28/2009 8:52:21 AM
Harvest time brings back memories for many of us. What do you remember about the harvest?
9/25/2009 5:50:50 PM
Kubota Reinforces Important Tractor Safety Reminders in Observance of Harvest Season National Farm Safety and Health Week, September 20-26, 2009
9/23/2009 1:09:46 PM
Parents share stories about getting better food into school lunches.
9/15/2009 5:53:43 PM
The White House will launch an open-to-the-public farmers market.
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.
9/14/2009 11:12:12 AM
Have you ever been injured on the farm? Tell us how you're doing, and share your advice on how we can avoid the same accident.
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.
9/9/2009 12:42:56 PM
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking comments on how to implement the new Conservation Stewardship Program. Here's the lowdown, plus instructions on how to submit your opinion — it's easy!
9/9/2009 12:07:56 PM
The Chefs Collaborative National Summit will bring together leaders from around the country for conversations and workshops about our food and food systems. The Summit provides a great opportunity for chefs interested in sustainability to engage in meaningful conversation, continue their education through practical workshops, and share expertise from the culinary field.
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 1:34:14 PM
It’s funny how we can sometimes lose sight of the simpler ways of doing things. Top-bar beekeeping is an easier and more affordable method of raising bees, which can give you fresh honey and higher yields of fruits and vegetables from your garden.
8/25/2009 11:47:16 AM
You can build an inexpensive top-bar hive and start keeping bees next spring! In the top-bar system, you build simple box hives with slats (bars) of wood laid across the top, to which the bees attach their wax comb. Enjoy the benefits of having pollinators close to your garden — increased yields of squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries and other crops — plus organic honey. This natural method of raising bees is better for the bees and easier for the beekeeper.
8/14/2009 3:39:58 PM
Anyone can raise a few chickens and enjoy eggs that are far more delicious and nutritious than supermarket eggs that come from inhumane factory farms. Plus, free-range eggs are much lower in cholesterol than factory farm eggs.
8/3/2009 1:43:50 PM
Legislation to control the use of antibiotics on the farm is gaining momentum in D.C., and emotions on both sides of the issue are heating up. Tell us what you think of the bill.
8/3/2009 10:29:19 AM
Small-breed milk cows eat only a third to half of what a standard-size cow eats, and they produce a more manageable amount of milk. Plus, they’re easier to handle because of their small size. Learn more about buying and caring for small-breed milk cows from an experienced breeder. Miniature breeds are an easy entry into the world of dairy cattle.
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.
7/22/2009 1:20:33 PM
Grains Across America
If there’s a lesson we can learn from America’s native prairie, it’s to plant a diversity of grains, for our health and the health of our land.
July 22, 2009
By Scott Russell Sanders
Just beyond Wes Jackson’s office at The Land Institute, a 370-acre research farm in Salina, Kan.
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.
7/20/2009 4:40:06 PM
An expert from the Union of Concerned Scientists says the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture — just as in human medicine — is undercutting the efficacy of important human therapies and generating more virulent pathogens.
7/20/2009 11:57:12 AM
Poultry predators are one of the biggest concerns of owners of chickens and other poultry. Here are a few tips for fighting chicken enemies. Plus some thoughts on common wildlife that are not predators of chickens.
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.
7/15/2009 4:46:17 PM
A hive of bees will produce honey and help pollinate your garden and orchard, but beekeeping is also a relaxing and enjoyable hobby. These tips from an experienced beekeeper will help you get started and have a great first year.
7/14/2009 4:10:33 PM
Farming isn’t a skill that can be easily learned from a book. Here’s some advice and a collection of resources to help you decide whether you’re ready to try your hand at it.
7/6/2009 1:30:25 PM
There are layer chickens, and there are broilers. We talk a lot about eggs, but now we'd like to hear your thoughts on raising and butchering your own meat chickens. Is it too much reality? Is it worth the unpleasantness?
7/2/2009 3:56:21 PM
Past administrations haven’t shown much interest in organic farms and their place in the American landscape, but that may change under Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. He’s had an organic vegetable garden planted at USDA headquarters, and named an organically minded deputy to his staff. Read more about what the future may hold for sustainable agriculture.
7/1/2009 4:21:55 PM
LocalHarvest is asking for your help in expanding its online database of community supported agriculture organizations in the United States. The person who adds the most new organizations wins a gift certificate to spend at Localharvest.com.
7/1/2009 11:46:01 AM
A recent advertising campaign from one of the world’s largest agribusinesses misses the larger point when it uses the term ‘sustainable.’ Sooner or later, we’ll all have to recognize the elephant in the room.
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.
6/25/2009 11:18:37 AM
Smithfield's hog farms produce a lot of meat and make a lot of money, but at what cost? Can we continue to look the other way as they pollute waters, abuse animals and terrorize their neighbors?
6/18/2009 9:39:05 AM
Instead of using a heat lamps to brood just a few chicks, consider using a broody hen to do the job. This system takes less time to manage and uses no fossil fuels!
6/12/2009 5:01:07 PM
Guard donkeys and a good pen for nighttime can be vital to protecting new lambs and kids, especially with coyotes on the prowl. Find out how all it takes is one small mistake to produce fatal consequences on the farm.
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.
6/9/2009 12:45:25 PM
Advice from a sustainable farming expert on how to get started with livestock on a small piece of land.
6/2/2009 3:02:20 PM
What is organic cotton and how is it better than regular cotton? Read this article and have your questions answered.
6/2/2009 8:43:48 AM
The turkey nursery (a.k.a. the hen house) is busy at Rancho Cappuccino. One turkey hen is raising a mini-flock of chicks, while another hatches a surprise batch of poults.
5/19/2009 4:51:31 PM
Advice on how to find eggs that are truly healthy and humanely raised.
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.
5/15/2009 5:22:38 PM
In the event of a disaster, what would happen to your pet?
5/14/2009 3:56:33 PM
Tell us what kind of barns and sheds you prefer for your poulty and farm animals.
5/13/2009 5:03:42 PM
This is a great collection of information and tips on raising poultry, chicken coops and hatching poultry eggs. You can learn about brooders, coops and poultry equipment.
5/12/2009 2:49:57 PM
Raise lambs for meat without the hassle of shearing wool.
5/11/2009 11:08:48 AM
What skills are you learning in hopes of saving money?
5/8/2009 5:51:35 PM
The Center to Expose and Close Animal Factories employs a strong legal background to take on industrial agriculture. Learn about their plan to clean up the business for good.
5/7/2009 11:47:16 AM
Discuss the strange and mysterious ways of broody hens. Plus, the Community Chickens project will be hatching duck eggs!
5/6/2009 10:19:59 AM
The commercially grown vegetables, fruits and grains that we are eating today are significantly less nutritious than these foods were 100 years ago, or even just 30 years ago.
5/1/2009 5:45:06 PM
H1N1, or swine flu, didn't have to be the epidemic it is today. Are factory farms to blame?
5/1/2009 3:08:08 PM
If growing your own food means more to you than starting a vegetable garden, consider raising broiler chickens. It’s a fun and rewarding experience that results in a freezer-full of healthy, antibiotic-free meat. Plus, it actually costs less than buying your chicken at the supermarket. In this article, read about how to purchase, care for, and process your own poultry. Haven’t you always wanted to host a community chicken harvest?
4/27/2009 9:30:55 AM
We’re testing incubators, equipment and feed for the Community Chickens project.
4/24/2009 2:35:18 PM
A new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists evaluates the overall effect genetic engineering has had on crop yields in relation to other agricultural technologies. Despite claims from the biotech industry that genetic engineering has increased U.S. crop yields over the past decade, the report found that natural farming approaches are actually better capable of boosting output.
4/10/2009 3:46:10 PM
Discover how much better free range eggs are than commercially produced factory farmed eggs; why eggs are different colors; how eggs are seasonal; and more.
4/7/2009 9:04:23 AM
Our guest blogger is positively enchanted by the convenience, not to mention the benefits, of keeping worms in the garden.
3/27/2009 3:57:25 PM
More on the much-feared food safety bill, HR 875, and its Congressional counterparts.
3/24/2009 11:47:28 AM
Keeping a few hens for eggs is a wonderful part of growing your own food, but finding just a few female baby chickens can be a challenge.
3/20/2009 11:01:04 AM
Relax: HR 875 isn't a bill to outlaw organic farming, as you might have heard. But it's not exactly good news for pesticide-free producers, either. Here are the details.
3/13/2009 4:07:01 PM
This coming Tuesday, March 17, new legislation will be introduced in an attempt to protect Americans from antibiotic resistance. The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2009 will end the use of certain antibiotics in agriculture unless animals are sick.
3/11/2009 3:45:14 PM
The National Animal Identification Plan will be easily implemented by large factory farms, but it means trouble for smaller operations. Will the system really keep us safe from disease, or will industrial ag and tracking system manufacturers be the only beneficiaries?
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.
3/2/2009 10:20:39 AM
Deciding on and finding the best breeds of chickens for you.
2/23/2009 1:37:50 PM
Using horses rather than tractors may turn out to be the greenest way to farm.
2/20/2009 2:05:13 PM
Managing Cover Crops Profitably, 3rd Edition, is now available in print and by download from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. Learn how to make your soil perform at its very best!
2/19/2009 3:35:07 PM
Build a movable chicken coop for a few hens from recycled materials and scrap lumber.
2/18/2009 4:39:43 PM
The USDA will soon decide whether to allow the widespread cultivation of a new ethanol corn engineered for biofuel production. Experts from the Union of Concerned Scientists say the corn product — made up of proteins obtained from three unusual and relatively unclassifiable organisms — will likely contaminate the food supply, and people would wind up consuming these new proteins, which have never been in food and were never intended for human consumption.
2/13/2009 2:56:48 PM
Tell the U.S. Department of Agriculture to abandon their efforts to create and enforce a National Animal Identification System. We've made it easy for you with sample wording and directions on where to submit your comments.
1/28/2009 2:20:09 PM
Columnist Ann Fisher writes about the unfair animal ordinances in Worthington, Ohio, which may surprise chicken owners.
1/27/2009 10:56:51 AM
If you raise free-range poultry, you're likely to lose some birds to predators, but you can minimize your losses. Here are some tips that can help protect your chickens from hawks and owls.
1/27/2009 10:45:49 AM
After testing 55 common food products containing HFCS, researchers found mercury in nearly one-third.
1/19/2009 9:11:21 AM
It's hard to shop responsibly sometimes, especially for meat. There are so many different label claims that it's hard to remember which are meaningful and which are just fluff. Here's a handy reference card that will give more power to your purchases.
1/14/2009 3:46:13 PM
Learn what to expect when you get to the sale barn.
1/13/2009 2:55:33 PM
It's official: The USDA has finally hammered out the details on country of origin labeling. The rule will take effect March 16, but some say it could use a little tweaking first.
12/18/2008 9:35:26 AM
Guest blogger and longtime advocate of sustainable food Gwen Roland reflects on the new popularity of local eating, and highlights some of the innovative local food projects funded by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grants.
12/10/2008 10:34:53 AM
Beware of what you use in your garden! Cocoa bean mulch may cause serious gastrointestinal problems for dogs, if eaten in large amounts.
12/4/2008 3:25:27 PM
Keeping sheep and goats safe from predators can be a headache, but many farmers have found a natural solution. Donkeys, llamas and some species of dogs can help protect vulnerable livestock from coyotes, wolves and feral dogs. So if you’re interested in adding a llama to your life, an ass to your grass or plopping down a puppy with this spring’s lambs here's what you should know about these livestock protectors.
12/3/2008 11:14:06 AM
If you're concerned about laws regarding keeping a few hens for eggs, take time to attend meetings on the topic.
11/26/2008 10:52:31 AM
Sun-dried leaves make great treats for your goats.
11/21/2008 12:34:06 AM
This Thanksgiving consider opting for a pastured turkey instead of a commercially raised bird, and think about buying local Thanksgiving foods, too.
11/17/2008 4:44:54 PM
Eating locally and responsibly includes a broad spectrum of things. You've visited local farms, seen the cattle grazing in the pasture and maybe even fed the chickens yourself. But this locavore wanted to know what happens between the field and the frying pan.
11/14/2008 7:23:28 AM
Garden soil left exposed in winter is easily damaged by compaction, erosion and leaching. Use mulches or cover crops to safeguard and build your soil during the winter months.
11/13/2008 4:40:30 PM
In some circumstances, fruit pulp can be a good food for livestock. Here are a few examples of how it can be used.
11/5/2008 4:26:06 PM
Raising chickens is illegal in some cities, but the urban farming movement across the country is changing that. Not only will you enjoy them and save money, but you’ll have healthier eggs.
11/3/2008 10:39:18 AM
Goats are a great way to get rid of weed problems while also reducing the use of chemicals and fossil fuels.
10/31/2008 10:12:46 AM
In order to compete in the global food and fiber system, farmers have often had to overlook wildlife preservation and landscape conservation to ensure short-term economic survival. But farmers can and should be encouraged to manage their lands more sustainably while protecting wildland values, in the interest of securing the long-term profitability of the two intertwined systems. Pollinators and beneficial insects are critical for the success of sustainable agriculture and are dependent on the presence of permanent vegetation. Healthy riparian systems are essential for agriculture, protecting against floods, providing stable banks, clean water and habitat for fish and wildlife. Winter-flooded fields can become migratory waterfowl habitat while also reducing weed pressures. The list of benefits goes on and on.
10/28/2008 11:53:44 AM
Help grow an organic food garden on the White House lawn. Here are some easy ways you can participate.
10/28/2008 9:55:21 AM
University of Florida entomologist Russell Mizell investigated ways to attract stink bugs to trap crops rather than cash crops—with great success. His experience can help you learn how to design trap crop scenarios of your own.
10/17/2008 2:13:18 PM
The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico has expanded to nearly the size of New Jersey, and if no action is taken to reduce the nitrogen and phosphorous runoff, it will only get worse.
10/16/2008 10:25:13 AM
Sustainable farming expert Michael Pollan has some words of wisdom for the next president of the United States.
10/15/2008 3:37:53 PM
The results of our latest nutrition tests show that eggs from hens raised on pasture (true free-range eggs) exceed commercially raised eggs in vitamin D content.
10/10/2008 5:15:45 PM
Jacobs Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif. was recently awarded $1 million in damages for lost income due to pesticide drift.
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