Reviews, guides, and insights for small farms and homesteads
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in March 2025 and has been updated to reflect current data on farm bankruptcies, right-to-repair legislation, and federal policy developments through May 2026. If there is one group of workers you would expect to have full support and freedom to do their jobs, it would be America’s farmers. … Read more
When you set up a brooder for the first time, you need to decide on how to heat it. Heat lamps have been the standard for decades. Heat plates are a newer option, gaining significant ground among backyard keepers in recent years. How Heat Lamps Work A heat lamp is a reflector fixture with a … Read more
A good pair of work boots is one of the most important purchases you make. You’re often on your feet for hours at a time, in conditions that range from muddy barn alleys to dry gravel drives to frozen ground. The wrong boot isn’t just uncomfortable. It can become a larger problem over a long … Read more
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in April 2025 and has been updated to reflect Bayer’s February 2026 program expansion and 2025 season data. Short-stature corn is not a new concept among growers. But Bayer’s Preceon Smart Corn System is the most advanced commercial version of it available in the United States right now, … Read more
Chickens, often referred to as the gateway animal, are often a budding homesteader’s first foray into livestock. The barrier to entry is low, the payoff is immediate, and the learning curve is forgiving compared to most livestock. Fresh eggs from your own flock taste different from what you buy at a store. Many people who … Read more