hardy
Planting Kale in the Fall Garden
By Nancy Pierson Farris – Planting kale isn’t just a spring activity in our gardens. When spring crops wilt from summer’s heat, and we have the pantry lined with the …
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The Dorper Sheep: A Hardy Adaptable Breed
Would you like to raise Dorper sheep, one of the fastest growing breeds in the United States and many other countries? There is good reason for the popularity of the Dorper …
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How Do Blueberries Grow?
How do blueberries grow in my garden when there seems to be so much stacked against them? For the last few years, I have been enjoying homegrown blueberries. Not an …
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5 Critical Sheep Breeds for the Homestead
Raised for their hides, meat, milk, and wool, sheep are versatile. In addition to providing a local source of food and fiber, small flock owners are looking to support livestock conservation …
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KuneKunes: The Pigs That Smile Back
By Jill J Easton – Are you looking for pigs you can live with and enjoy, but that will also provide delectable table fare? Consider KuneKunes. These heritage pigs have many …
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Akaushi Cattle Provide a Delicious, Healthy Meat
By Heather Smith Thomas – The word Akaushi means red cow in Japanese. Akaushi cattle were introduced to the U.S. in 1994. “This is the only free-grazing beef cattle breed in …
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Raising Spotted Pigs: Gloucestershire Old Spot
By Kay Wolfe – We love raising pigs for meat, so I was excited to try a new pig breed. One bite of that succulent pork roast, and I knew I was …
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Breed Diversity and Results of Inbreeding
Urgent warnings from the United Nations to protect genetic diversity apply to livestock too. The results of inbreeding and a focus on high-yielding, high-maintenance breeds raises sustainability issues in the …
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All About Ankole Watusi Cattle
By Klaire Bruce, Missouri – Ankole Watusi are known as the “Cattle of Kings.” Their unmistakably large horns can spear a lion. The tribes of Africa that rely on them …
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Hair Sheep Breeds – The Right Choice for You?
Hair sheep breeds are growing in popularity as consumers look for economical ways to raise homestead meat animals. Hair breeds have many positive traits that make them an ideal animal for …
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Try Suffolk Sheep for Meat and Wool on the Farm
Suffolk sheep were first recognized in 1797 in sheep breed books. Since 1888, the Suffolk sheep have traveled to new continents and become a staple of American and Canadian sheep …
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8 Pig Diseases the Small Producer Should Know
While pigs are generally a hardy livestock to raise, you should be aware of certain pig diseases and how to proceed, should your pig become ill. Pigs raised with good …
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10 Pig Breeds for the Homestead
Has the time come to add pig breeds to your list of homestead goals? With the proper homestead fencing and pig shelter, the quick grow out time for most pig …
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Homesteading For A Living
By Kenny Coogan “Our original goal was to produce as much of our own food as possible,” Landis Spickerman, 53, of High Bridge, Wisconsin, says. She and her husband Steven, 56, began living …
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Your Guide to Growing Lettuce in Containers
For years I struggled with how and when to grow lettuce. So, I decided to try growing lettuce in containers. For three years now, we’ve enjoyed more lettuce than I …
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