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, […]

Are you part of the Next Generation who want to launch a social enterprise that creates a better life for yourself and has a positive impact in your world? If so, you’re reading the right blog post. In this series of blog posts you’ll get to join other folks from around the globe who are […]

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. […]

Most hustlers understand that it’s important to have a Facebook page for their business, but it can be a challenge to figure out exactly what to post! A Facebook page that’s friendly to your target audience can be a great way to build excitement and loyalty toward your brand. We talked about why a social […]

Types of Hay and Determining Quality   I wish there was better language to describe the type of hay that can be sold. “Hay” is often  a very loose term for any vegetation that can be put through a baler. As anyone who’s ever been to a hay auction can attest, hay comes in many […]

Making Hay and Buying Equipment   The first post in this 3 – Part Haying Series I will cover the basics of making hay as a product to buy or sell and our equipment (as an example of one method). If you can collect the equipment, have an open field, and can master some fundamental […]

Agritoursim is a big word that sounds intimidating. It’s simply the idea of making your farm a destination, somewhere with something interesting to do or see beyond buying your products. Still, farm open houses, hayrides and the like can be overwhelming. Customers have suggested opening up a spare bedroom in our farmhouse as a bed […]