Through the decades, homesteading has changed. The government is no longer giving away tracts to those that occupy and improve the land by constructing buildings or planting windbreaks. Horsepower is not necessarily a mule team, but rather a gas-powered engine. And the words of Horace Greeley imploring, “Go west young man” is relegated to the […]
Life on the Homestead
Eat Your Urban Homestead
A growing trend in the United States is urban homesteading. It is popping up from the suburbs through city centers; communities large and small. Whether they have a window sill, small patio, or a backyard, folks are taking steps to become more self-sufficient. One way they can accomplish that is through raising their own food. […]
5 Steps to Remove Mold from Wooden Clothespins
Line-dried laundry is one of life’s simple pleasures. Clothes smell fresh without artificial fragrance. Gravity pulls out most wrinkles without the need of an iron. And one of my favorite reasons… enjoying the sounds of nature while sheets dry on the line… no hmm of a dryer interrupting song birds. But one other item goes […]
A Modern Spin on Backyard Homesteading
While the Homestead Act of 1862 granted land to applicants after five years of living on the land and demonstrating improvements (such as planting windbreaks and constructing buildings), modern homesteading has no such requirements. Believe it or not, it is taking place right now in backyard across urban America. People are returning to a lifestyle […]
Can You Really Homestead in the City?
I have farming in my blood. My dad was a farmer. His father was a farmer. His grandpa was a farmer. You get the point. Yet as an adult, I moved to the city and left the country life behind me… or so I thought. I had an urge to get my hands in the […]
Cheesemakers: Butter Muslin or Cheesecloth?
Making cheese at home is a wonderful experience. Right before your eyes you get to see the magic. Milk converts into curds and whey. After draining (separating) the curds from the whey, cheese begins to form. With the right ingredients, time, and a few basic tools, you too can make milk at home. But before […]