The Blog Barn

"Catnip" The Ancient Herbal Remedy

The Artistic Farmer   -   Jul 29, 2013 - By Petra

Nepeta cataria. Labiatae                                        &...

Feeding the Birds

Pleasant Valley Farm   -   Jul 28, 2013 - By Emily

Most people these days have lost any real connection to farms & livestock.  Years ago, most folks at least had extended family living on a homestead...perhaps not farmers, but Grandma or Uncle so-and-so had a garden, or a couple cows, or some...

Local Blueberry Sources

Arcadia Farms   -   Jul 28, 2013 - By Katie

I love blueberries. When I was growing up, my Aunt and Uncle owned a blueberry farm. In fact, my first job was picking blueberries. This also means I grew up spoiled – free blueberries, as many as I could pick. We (my family) usually picked three or four...

The growing season has been excellent for some crops. The cole crops, beets, carrots, peas, potatoes, onions and the early summer staples including beans, summer squashes and cukes have produced heavy yields. CSA customers are beginning to say “Enough!” The...

"Burdock" Most Valued in Herbal Medicine

The Artistic Farmer   -   Jul 28, 2013 - By Petra

Arctium lappa, Compositae                                        ...

Smart Banty Rooster

Triton's Farm   -   Jul 28, 2013 - By Triton

My little banty rooster is quite a smart little guy. Tonight as I was putting all the animals to bed he came up to me chattering away. This was not chicken cussing, as they sometimes do when we walk by, but actual chicken words. I thought m aybe his door to...

Blackberries!

Arcadia Farms   -   Jul 27, 2013 - By Katie

Oh my. It’s been a long time since I’ve written a blog post. As you can imagine summer time is a busy time for farming and market-gardening. There has been SO much going on – great, homesteading things I’d like to share with you and great, local-food...

"Borage" the Starflower

The Artistic Farmer   -   Jul 27, 2013 - By Petra

Borago officinalis. Boraginaceae Found in fields and woods, likes dry ground. Leaves are rough, flowers of wheel form and brilliant blue shade. Use, internal: To strengthen the heart and limbs. Mildly laxative, it is good for ailments of the digestive...

Makin' Hay

North Star Homestead Farms, LLC   -   Jul 26, 2013 - By Ann, Laura, and Kara

In farming, there are seldom any certainties, though a few things hold true—like baby animals in the springtime; frost in the fall; and a hot, dry, sunny stretch in early July that signals it’s time for making hay.  This is not a task just for fun or...

The Alarm Call

Sweet Harmony Farm   -   Jul 26, 2013 - By Mona

Things are still strangely quiet on our little farm.  I just can’t explain it but it all seems so oddly quiet.  The alpacas have their occasional moments of rough housing and it’s odd not to see Julio step up.  Sometimes Guinness...