We humans are a diverse lot and when it comes to beef, we definitely want it our way. But where does all that focused food come from? Thanks to the fact that more than 70 breeds of cattle have been introduced to the United States through the years, many of today’s beef producers are putting […]

By the second week in October the reality of the arrival of fall is sobering. Especially for small-scale flower farmers. By small scale, I mean backyard flower farmers, like myself and other growers who are getting swept away in the beauty and romance of growing old-fashioned cut flowers like the ones they remember from grandma’s […]

In Making Your Small Farm Profitable (Storey Publishing, 1999), Ron Macher shares proven methods for farming smarter and explores today’s new crops, new livestock, and new markets that translate into new ways to make money. He explains how to capitalize on lucrative niche markets that others overlook, plan for optimal farm efficiency, compare costs against profit for […]

This is always a busy time on our farm. The garden is at peak production and I try to preserve any produce left over at the end of our market days. On days the stand isn’t open, I’m usually found in our processing kitchen making jams, salsas, pickles, and more. There are also plenty of […]

Here at Pleasant Valley Farm, we raise a number of heritage breeds and try to be active in helping to conserve them as well. We like Dexter cattle because they are great homestead cows, produce a nice beef carcass, calve easily and are great mothers, are hardy, easy keepers, give a nice amount of milk […]

Just when you think you have your marketing strategy figured out, think again.  The same methods will not work for everyone and doing so can leave your sales stagnant.  When it comes to making money, you need to stand out and give people what they want….even if they don’t know it yet. Let’s face it, […]

Homesteading is the aim for a more self-sufficient lifestyle, and is an admirable pursuit for any individual or household. No matter how large or small your collection of livestock, the moment you begin nurturing your own farm animals, provender becomes a major concern. Unlike a large farm, homesteaders plant to primarily use their crops. The […]

Have you heard of livestock being called a heritage breed? Have you ever wondered what exactly that meant? Is it a buzzword, or something that matters? Most importantly, could they be a good fit for your homestead? Simply put, a heritage breed has been around for a long time and was generally developed in a […]

Franny and Karissa are are sharing their love for the Plymouth Barred Rock! These birds are a hearty healthy breed that are also great parents and easy to tame! Find out more about Barred Rocks and other heritage breeds @ https://goo.gl/QV4zMA For more Homestead videos and good advice visit The MOTHER EARTH NEWS and Friends Youtube. […]

Have you ever considered selling your goods at a local Farmer’s Market? If so, there are many things to think about before you plant a garden with every vegetable known to man. THE FIRST STEPS You need to become acquainted with all the laws, rules and regulations surrounding Farmer’s Markets in your state. They can […]