I spent the majority of my time as a kid roaming the neighborhood with my friends. Playing kickball in the street. Chopping out forts through the blackberry brambles that covered empty lots. Riding bikes literally everywhere. We were a tight nit band of knuckle-headed warriors blazing our way through adolescence in the early 80s. This... Continue Reading →
I was reading the other day that the FDA has lifted its consumer advisory to avoid romaine lettuce grown in the Salinas region of California. I'm sure the growing community is happy to have this ban over with. However, this was the fifth recall on leaf crop grown in the area that I can remember,... Continue Reading →
I'm thinking about what kind of people my children will be when they grow up. I think about this often. Mostly because I wonder if I'm doing enough to equip them for their future. Are we preparing our children to take care of themselves after we're gone? In our house, we try to balance technology... Continue Reading →
I know. I know. I can hear the sighs. What do you mean you don't home school your kids? Isn't that a big reason why homesteaders...homestead? Maybe. Before I go off the deep end with this post, I want to point out very emphatically that we have LOTS of wonderful friends and family members who... Continue Reading →
I sat down with a local agronomist to go over soil samples he pulled from both of our fields. I was encouraged, but not necessarily surprised by the results. For the most part, our soil is pretty healthy. Nitrogen levels are good, which is to be expected after years of conventional soybean and corn rotation.... Continue Reading →
So we've been here in rural Iowa for over three months now, and I've had some time to reflect on our experience so far. I'm sure if given a year, or even five more, I'd have much more insight to share, so take my perspective with a grain of salt, or perhaps with a... Continue Reading →