Author Archives: GCSDev
Molting Blues
As the daylight hours grow shorter, your chickens will slow or stop their egg laying, and begin to molt. This … Continue reading
Tips for Pet Proofing Your House
Both dogs and cats can suffer accidents and injuries in and around the home. Here are a few tips that may help keep your pets safe from common household accidents. Continue reading
Mani/Pedi for your Goats and Sheep
Your goats and sheep like to have their nails clipped too! Sheep hooves tend to grow more slowly than goat, and the sole is more sensitive on a sheep, but otherwise the technique is pretty much the same. Continue reading
Garden Rows
Click the headline above to find useful tips for this season! Continue reading
Birdscaping
As wildlife habitats are threatened by development, the creation of a bird-friendly environment that provides food, water and shelter is crucial to the existence of our wild bird population. Caring for our feathered-friends is an educational and enjoyable activity for the entire family that brings beauty and song to our lives. Continue reading
Involve the Next Generation
Running a hobby farm can be a job that your whole family can share. Teaching your children to help with the chores on your farm not only helps you with your workload, but also teaches the children responsibility. Continue reading
The Raw Deal
There is a lot of buzz about organic, non-processed foods. Running a hobby farm gives you easy access to fresh, organic foods, but if milk is one of them, you may wish to handle with care. Continue reading
Draft Horse Power
Modern technology has given today’s farm a lot of advantages – but is it always the best choice? Tractors and other farm equipment can be costly to purchase and maintain, can compact the soil, and dirty up the air on your farm. For a possibly more economical, and definitely more organic choice, consider using draft horses on your farm. Continue reading
Deep Doo-Doo: Built-Up Litter System or Deep Litter Method
Chicken manure can be a valuable source of nutrients for your garden. Though it is too strong to be used directly on your plants, when composted, chicken manure is superior to other manures because of the nutrients it contains, how much moisture it holds, and the beneficial bacteria it adds to the soil. Continue reading
Lyme Disease, Your Dog, and You
Lyme disease is a multi-system disorder caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme positive dogs have been reported in all 50 states. Continue reading
Dealing with Flies
There’s no getting around it. If you keep any kind of livestock, you will have flies buzzing around as soon as the weather starts to warm up. But you don’t have to let the flies overrun your farm. Here are a few things to try to keep the fly population under control. Continue reading
Growing and Storing Herbs
Growing herbs, whether inside or out, may be one of gardening’s most gratifying experiences. Because of their beauty and versatility, herbs may be grown amid vegetables, ornamentals, or in a garden dedicated strictly to their kind. Continue reading
GARDEN CALENDAR
Click the headline above to find great tips for this season! Continue reading
Partnering with your Community
As a hobby farmer, you are in a unique position to both help and be helped by your local community. Several national programs are in place to help you do this, but also take some time to find out about statewide or local programs that are designed to benefit local farms and the community. Continue reading
And You Can Eat Them!
Fruits, vegetables, leaves and roots, all from your carefully cultivated garden, make for healthy and tasty eating. But did you know there are a few things that are growing in your garden or wild around your yard that are healthy and tasty too? Continue reading
