Well, here’s a frustrating reality—my final Agriculture class for my Associate’s Degree got canceled this semester due to lack of enrollment. On the surface, it might just seem like a scheduling hiccup, but really, it’s a symptom of a much bigger issue. Why aren’t more students pursuing Agriculture as a degree? The truth is, it’sContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: Why Isn’t Anyone Taking Ag Classes Anymore?”
Author Archives: Traci Houston
Floods vs. Puddles: Understanding the Power, Perils, and Perks of Water Gone Rogue
Water is essential to life—it nourishes crops, sustains ecosystems, and hydrates us on a daily basis. But too much of it, in the wrong place and for the wrong length of time, can quickly become a nightmare. Whether it’s a fast-moving flood rushing through the streets or a deceptively stagnant patch of standing water thatContinue reading “Floods vs. Puddles: Understanding the Power, Perils, and Perks of Water Gone Rogue”
Farm Table Talk: Sustainable Farming Isn’t Cheap—and That’s OK
Sustainable farming doesn’t come with shortcuts. It’s deliberate, thoughtful, and, yes, more expensive than conventional methods. But here’s the thing: that’s not a bad thing. The choices we make as small farmers—deep bedding, natural laying cycles, keeping older hens, and avoiding government subsidies—are not just about how we farm. They’re about why we farm. AndContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: Sustainable Farming Isn’t Cheap—and That’s OK”
Creating a Balanced Ecosystem to Manage Predators
Managing predators is a challenge every farmer faces. But what if we could create a balanced ecosystem on our land that naturally keeps predators in check? It might sound like a dream, but it’s possible with a bit of planning and effort. Joel Salatin, a renowned advocate for sustainable farming, emphasizes the importance of biodiversity.Continue reading “Creating a Balanced Ecosystem to Manage Predators”
Farm Table Talk: 40 Days, 40 Nights, and One Very Muddy Dog
If there’s one thing I’ve learned this week, it’s that Mother Nature has a flair for the dramatic. In the span of seven days, we’ve had snow, rain, tornadoes, flooding, an earthquake (yes, really), and more rain—because apparently, the deluge wasn’t quite thorough enough. At this rate, I half expect a pair of giraffes toContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: 40 Days, 40 Nights, and One Very Muddy Dog”
If You Give a Homesteader a Garden Bed
If you give a homesteader a garden bed, they’re going to want to fill it with soil. Once they start filling it with soil, they’ll realize they need to add compost. When they go to the compost pile, they’ll notice it hasn’t been turned in weeks. So they’ll grab a pitchfork to turn the compost,Continue reading “If You Give a Homesteader a Garden Bed”
Farm Table Talk: The Hidden Cost of Perfect Eggs
“I actually prefer store-bought eggs. They’re always the same size, shape, and color.” It’s a comment we’ve all heard before, and on the surface, it seems harmless enough. People are used to seeing rows of perfectly uniform eggs in grocery stores, lined up neatly in their cartons like little soldiers. But behind that pristine imageContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: The Hidden Cost of Perfect Eggs”
Cowboy Life: Tools, Traditions, and Techniques
The cowboy life evokes images of rugged landscapes, wide open skies, and a deep connection to the land and animals. While the romanticized view of the cowboy has evolved over time, the core of cowboy life—the tools, traditions, and techniques—remains as vital today as it did in the Old West. Modern cowboys and ranchers, especiallyContinue reading “Cowboy Life: Tools, Traditions, and Techniques”
Farm Table Talk: Valuing Quality Over Price
“Why pay $5 for a dozen farm-fresh eggs when I can get them at the store?” Well, funny you should mention it—right now, farm-fresh eggs like ours are actually cheaper than the ones sitting on those grocery store shelves. Yep, you read that right. Even when we’re offering the better product, with all the careContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: Valuing Quality Over Price”
Keep Your Chickens Healthy: A Guide to a Thriving Flock
Backyard chicken keeping has skyrocketed in popularity—and with good reason! Fresh eggs, entertaining feathered friends, and a connection to where your food comes from are all wonderful benefits of raising chickens. But here’s a hard truth that many homesteaders don’t want to hear: some of the most unhealthy birds out there are found in backyardContinue reading “Keep Your Chickens Healthy: A Guide to a Thriving Flock”
