The lunatic farmer who made sustainability personal Joel Salatin calls himself a “Christian libertarian environmentalist capitalist lunatic farmer.” And somehow, that wild mix fits. From his family-run Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia, Salatin has become one of the most recognizable voices in regenerative agriculture—and one of the most influential community educators in the local foodContinue reading “🌾 Community Spotlight: Joel Salatin”
Author Archives: Traci Houston
Farm Table Talk: The Courage to Change
I’ve spent years doing the inner work.Facing my own biases.Naming my character defects.Learning how to love people I once judged.And through that process, I’ve come to believe something deeply:Everyone deserves compassion.Not just the polished.Not just the agreeable.Not just the ones who make it easy. Everyone. I’ve seen addicts who once did horrendous things become gentle,Continue reading “Farm Table Talk: The Courage to Change”
Seasonal Forage for Rabbits: How Fallen Leaves Support Regenerative Living
Feeding rabbits safe, dried fallen leaves can reduce feed costs, support digestive health, and align with regenerative, seasonal practices—if done with care. Fallen leaves are more than autumn clutter—they’re a free, renewable resource that can supplement your rabbit’s diet, especially in small-scale or homestead settings. When properly selected, dried, and introduced, they offer nutritional, behavioral,Continue reading “Seasonal Forage for Rabbits: How Fallen Leaves Support Regenerative Living”
Farm Table Talk: When Judgment Replaces Neighborliness
I’ve been on the receiving end of a lot of comments lately.Some curious.Some critical.Some downright cruel. And while I’m used to public dialogue—used to explaining, clarifying, and educating—I want to pause and ask a deeper question:When did we start treating our neighbors like enemies? I’ve received comments on my posts from people who’ve driven byContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: When Judgment Replaces Neighborliness”
What Kids Learn from Worms: Simple Experiments with Big Impact
Turning squirmy fascination into lifelong stewardship Kids love worms. They’re wiggly, mysterious, and oddly charming. But beyond the giggles and squeals, worms offer one of the most powerful teaching tools in sustainable living. Through simple experiments and hands-on care, children can learn about biology, ecology, and responsibility—all from a bin of red wigglers. 📝 GettingContinue reading “What Kids Learn from Worms: Simple Experiments with Big Impact”
Farm Table Talk: The Great Glove Disappearance of Winter
By Traci I know Farm Table Talks are usually about the big stuff—politics, justice, survival.But today? We’re talking gloves.Specifically: Why do kids lose them like it’s their job? I’ve had the same pair of winter gloves for three years.Three winters of chores, hauling hay, wrangling livestock, and scraping ice off windshields.I am a menace whenContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: The Great Glove Disappearance of Winter”
🔥 The Heart of the Home: Why Wood Heat Still Matters
There’s a fire roaring in our woodburner this morning. Outside, the wind cuts through the trees and the thermometer reads a record-low high for November. But inside, the warmth is steady. Earned. Alive. This isn’t just heat. It’s memory. It’s rhythm. It’s the heart of our home. In a world of smart thermostats and fossilContinue reading “🔥 The Heart of the Home: Why Wood Heat Still Matters”
Farm Table Talk: You Don’t Have to Erase Yourself to Belong Here
By Traci I’m a farmer. A livestock farmer, to be exact. I’ve got dirt under my nails, hay in my hair, and a family line that’s been rooted in this country for generations. And I’m here to say something that shouldn’t be controversial:You don’t have to erase your culture to belong in America. We’ve alwaysContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: You Don’t Have to Erase Yourself to Belong Here”
🛠️ A Day in the Life: What Actually Goes Into Running This Farm
Spoiler: It’s not just cuddling chickens and watching sunsets. People love the idea of farm life. They picture peaceful mornings, happy animals, and a wholesome rhythm of tending the land. And yes, those moments exist. But they’re woven into a daily grind that’s relentless, exhausting, and often invisible to anyone not living it. So here’sContinue reading “🛠️ A Day in the Life: What Actually Goes Into Running This Farm”
Farm Table Talk: You Can’t Eat Without Us—So Slow the Hell Down
By Traci We’re wrapping up harvest season out here. That means long days, heavy equipment, and roads filled with tractors, combines, grain carts, and semis hauling the literal fruits of our labor. And every year, without fail, we see the same thing:Impatient drivers flying around farm equipment in no-passing zones.Tailgating semis like they’re sports cars.SwervingContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: You Can’t Eat Without Us—So Slow the Hell Down”
