To say that boron is important to plants would be the height of understatement. To put it more plainly, plants simply would not exist without boron. The reason boron is so crucial to plant health is that it is involved in ion exchange and the movement of other nutrients across cell membranes. Without boron, plants […]
Field Crops
Aluminum in Plants
Most people probably don’t think of aluminum as a key nutrient for field, garden, or orchard crops, and indeed scientists don’t consider it essential for plant growth. Nevertheless, it appears to have an important role in keeping pathogens in check. In particular, we know that aluminum helps prevent late blight in potatoes, and it appears […]
What is Biochar?
Biochar is basically charcoal produced with little or no oxygen and a temperature above 660 degrees Fahrenheit.
Draft Animals
Welcome to the world of draft animals! We are pleased to announce the release of a new book: Draft Animals: 100 Answers for Harnessing Animal Power by Michelle Lindsey. Acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to choose and purchase a draft team, and then learn to work them in the field, woodlot, or market garden. […]
The Bioengineered Food List
Take comfort in the fact that not everything in the food supply is automatically bioengineered.
Rain Follows the Plow
Around 1880, a wet spell descended on most of the Great Plains. Wild speculations were indulged in as to what caused it.
How the Kansas Legislature Tried to Eradicate the Sunflower
The sunflower was first deemed a weed by the state legislature in 1886.
The Backyard Homestead Seasonal Planner
No matter what your country living interests are, you must have this book. This may seem like an exaggeration. Rest assured, it’s not.
The Homesteading Bucket List Part 2: 25 More Practical Country Living Projects
Ready for 25 more skills to build on the ones you mastered previously? This set is considerably more advanced than the first, so take your time and be prepared for the learning curve.
USDA Releases 2017 Ag Census Results
The average American farmer is still getting older, and his net farm income is still declining. But the number of young farmers is increasing, the value of their production is above average, and the number of farms consisting of nine acres or less is on the rise. Here are the highlights from the 2017 USDA […]