The Amish are often viewed as simple -- they’re known as the “Plain People,” after all. We consider them part of the “old world”; they don’t use much technology, drive cars, or educate past the eighth grade. But to only categorize them as a quiet, ...
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Honey Bees – Interesting Facts
There are a million facts (an exaggerated guess) about honey bees available on the Internet. Why the need for another list? I came to realize that my knowledge was somewhat lacking after helping an apiarist with the hives on our farm and completing a ...
Thickening Forage with Spring Oats
During mid to late March in many regions, you'll notice a slight greening on pastures from a variety of cool seasonal perennial grasses starting to sprout. Rather than spreading manure for planting warm weather crops, you might consider thickening ...
Covered Bridges of PA
You don’t have to be a Bridges of Madison County fan to appreciate a covered bridge. They are charming historical marvels, harkening back to a time when the wilderness was uncharted and unpredictable. Covered to protect the wooden trusses from the ...
Crostata, Umbria’s Favorite Pie
I live with my family in an old farmhouse perched on top of a magical mountain near Assisi in Umbria, Central Italy. Sixteen years ago, but it feels like a lifetime, I chased insects in unusual corners of the Earth, from the Zimbabwean savannah to ...
Seed & Plant Catalogs 2018
There's not a better way to begin planning your gardens than flipping through seed and plant catalogs. As each page is turned, you're rewarded with stories, tips and colorful images on every conceivable plant, flower, vegetable, tree, and bush. Just ...
Hex Signs – PA Dutch Folk Art
If you’ve spent any time in rural Pennsylvania, you may have noticed barns with ornately painted stars and designs. This kind of stunning artwork is a tradition of the Pennsylvania Dutch, a distinct cultural group concentrated in southeastern ...
My Rooster Laid An Egg
I never expected it, but yet it happened. My rooster laid an egg. This was not a typical brown or white egg. It was a blue colored treasure one might find in a holiday basket. There are two Ameraucana chickens on our farm. They are one of the few ...
Grow Delicious Mushrooms by Planning Early
Many prefer to be indoors when it's winter and bitter cold. Sitting by a fire, reading a book and having a glass of wine sounds perfect. This vision most likely does not include taking hikes along the forest's edge and marking trees for ...
Historical Round Barns
When you picture a barn, you likely envision the traditional red banker barn, with four sides and a gable roof. The first image to pop into your mind probably isn’t a round barn, but these were once an immensely popular design. Thought to be more ...