“But ask the animals what they think—let them teach you; let the birds tell you what’s going on. Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics. Listen—the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories. Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree that God is sovereign, that He holds all things inContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: Learning From the Land”
Author Archives: Traci Houston
Farm Table Talk: The Worm Box Experiment
“Why would you eat something worms won’t eat?” That was the question posed to a group of middle school students after a week-long experiment in an 8-foot-long worm box. The setup was simple: half the box was stocked with real food—an apple, a banana, beef, boiled eggs, and fresh green beans. The other half? AContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: The Worm Box Experiment”
Dilution in Rabbits: Understanding the D/d Gene and Its Effect on Color
Rabbit coat colors can range from deep, rich shades to soft, muted tones, and one of the key genetic players in determining intensity is the D/d gene—the dilution gene. This gene decides whether a rabbit’s color appears at full strength (D_) or is diluted down to a lighter version (dd). Unlike some coat genes thatContinue reading “Dilution in Rabbits: Understanding the D/d Gene and Its Effect on Color”
Farm Table Talk: When Experience Trumps Facts—Or, Why Some People Will Never Consider They Could Be Wrong
There’s a particular kind of frustration that comes from debating someone who refuses to entertain the possibility that they might be wrong. Not just skepticism, not just hesitation—full-scale, impenetrable denial that someone else’s knowledge, research, or experience could possibly challenge their worldview. Take rabbit genetics. I recently had a conversation with a breeder who wasContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: When Experience Trumps Facts—Or, Why Some People Will Never Consider They Could Be Wrong”
The Worm Test: How Earthworm Activity Reveals Soil Health
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of plunging your hand into rich, loose soil and discovering it crawling with earthworms. It’s a moment of affirmation—a sign that the soil is alive, thriving, and responding well to your care. Earthworms aren’t just garden companions; they’re nature’s soil inspectors. Their presence (or absence) tells us a lotContinue reading “The Worm Test: How Earthworm Activity Reveals Soil Health”
Farm Table Talk: The Thin Line Between Protecting Children and Government Overreach
There are certain things that demand intervention. A child being abused? Step in.A child being exploited? Step in.A child in immediate, undeniable danger? Step in. Those are the clear, unambiguous cases—the ones where stepping in isn’t just justified, it’s morally necessary. But then there’s the other side of intervention—the side where bureaucracy decides parenting standards,Continue reading “Farm Table Talk: The Thin Line Between Protecting Children and Government Overreach”
Farm Table Talk: Planting Without Guarantees
“Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.”—Ecclesiastes 11:4 Farming is full of uncertainty. The weather doesn’t always cooperate. The market shifts. Animals don’t always thrive the way we expect. There’s always a reason to hesitate—to wait for better conditions, to hold off until the timing feelsContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: Planting Without Guarantees”
Farm Table Talk: Masculinity Isn’t the Problem—But Toxicity Is
The conversation around masculinity has been wrecked by extremes. On one side, you have people claiming masculinity itself is toxic, that men need to be softer, weaker, or erased altogether. On the other, you have people clinging to outdated stereotypes of dominance, control, and emotional suppression like their sense of worth depends on it. NeitherContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: Masculinity Isn’t the Problem—But Toxicity Is”
Canning Ground Beef: A Guide to Shelf-Stable, Ready-to-Use Meat
When it comes to food preservation, canning ground beef is one of the most practical and convenient ways to ensure you always have protein on hand—without relying on freezer storage. Unlike freezing, which depends on consistent electricity, canned ground beef stays shelf-stable for months and is ready to use straight from the jar. Whether you’reContinue reading “Canning Ground Beef: A Guide to Shelf-Stable, Ready-to-Use Meat”
Farm Table Talk: No Trademarks, No Patents—Just Real Solutions
In a world obsessed with ownership—patents, trademarks, proprietary secrets—there’s something radical about saying: Take what we know. Use it. Build something with it. That’s the philosophy behind truly sustainable food systems. It’s the mindset that says knowledge isn’t meant to be hoarded—it’s meant to be shared. Joel Salatin has long championed this idea, refusing toContinue reading “Farm Table Talk: No Trademarks, No Patents—Just Real Solutions”
