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…
Read More
If you love grilling, you probably know that various woods add delicious smoky flavors to grilled meat, fish, and vegetables; but where do you find them? Here are some tips on foraging for wood, bark, and aromatics to help you add a wild twist to anything you toss on the grill this summer. The following…
Read More
Looking for a faster way to ferment your vegetables? Lacto-fermenting, a fermentation method widely used in Japan, involves a special glass or plastic container that has a device for constantly pressing down the vegetables. With this method, you’ll be ready to eat your fermented veggies in as little as a few days! The following is an excerpt…
Read More
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…
Read More
Raspberries: they’re sweet, flavorful, extremely versatile, and can be found in your backyard or local forest. Forage for raspberries 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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
Buying fresh produce feels like a waiting game — if you blink, your food will go from ripe to rotten all too soon. Beat this game by preserving vegetables, such as tomatoes, in salt. This process will keep them fresh and ready for sauce, stock, and more. The following is an excerpt from Preserving Food Without…
Read More
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…
Read More
Summertime is here, which means it’s officially grilling season! Whip up a delicious grass-fed steak at your next BBQ to support small-scale farmers, help protect the environment, and give your guests a meal they’re going to be talking about all summer. The following is a collection of recipes from cookbooks by Shannon Hayes, author of…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
There’s nothing much better than having a drink after a long, hot day. What could make it better is drinking something that you brewed yourself. Create great drinks all on your own this season with help from these recipes for summer brews! The following is an excerpt from Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz. It has…
Read More
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…
Read More
Daydreaming of extending your growing season and building your own greenhouse? After considering the following factors and making a few additional preparations, you’ll be all set to grow food for you and your family in your backyard greenhouse for years to come. The following is an excerpt from The Forest Garden Greenhouse by Jerome Osentowski.…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.…
Read More
Gardening takes hard work; so it may slip your mind to take a moment, step back, and look at all you’ve accomplished. You might just come across some new ideas to improve your garden. In the excerpt below, author Carol Deppe reflects on her time spent garden weeding and how her actions can often transcend…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More