
Mother Earth News and Friends
411 episodes — Page 3 of 9
Ep 198Farmers Markets, Food Systems, and Community Building
In this episode of Mother Earth News and Friends, we're talking with April Jones, who's been on the podcast before, and is one of the Mother Earth News Voices for 2023. We'll be talking about urban farming and ways communities can be more sustainable, including farmers markets and food systems. The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of leaders in sustainable and rural living. We're passionate about helping people learn more about natural health, homesteading, sustainability, and more. You can catch new interviews on Thursdays and our audio articles on Tuesdays. To see more podcasts, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore at Store.MotherEarthNews.com for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com for webinars and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Audio Article: All About the Heat
Story by Marissa Ames, read by Jessica Mitchell. These answers to FAQs will help you learn how to keep chicks warm and healthy and when to transition them to outdoor coop life. This story comes from the April/May 2023 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. MOTHER EARTH NEWS's sister publications include Grit, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.

Ep 197How to Raise Geese with Dave Holderread
We have a very special guest for this episode of Mother Earth News and Friends. Dave Holderread, author of Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks and The Book of Geese, has a decades-long, successful career in raising waterfowl, and we're so excited he joined us to talk about incubating and raising geese. Listen in to learn more about Dave, breeds of geese to consider raising, and how to care for them from hatching to adulthood. The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of leaders in sustainable and rural living. We're passionate about helping people learn more about natural health, homesteading, sustainability, and more. You can catch new interviews on Thursdays and our audio articles on Tuesdays. To see more podcasts, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore at Store.MotherEarthNews.com for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com for webinars and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.
Ep 196Raising Heritage Goat Breeds for Milk
Who's ready to learn about goats? Whether you're already a goat-owner or are dreaming about getting some of your own one day, this is the episode for you. Kenny Coogan talks with Jon Kain, a goat-owner and the co-host and creator of "Ringside: An American Dairy Goat Podcast." We'll be talking with Jon all about dairy goats, including raising and milking them. The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of leaders in sustainable and rural living. We're passionate about helping people learn more about natural health, homesteading, sustainability, and more. You can catch new interviews on Thursdays and our audio articles on Tuesdays. To see more podcasts, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore at Store.MotherEarthNews.com for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com for webinars and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.
Ep 195Discussing Animal Care with Dr. Pol
For decades, Dr. Jan Pol has been dedicated to helping animals. His hit show (you may have heard of it), "The Incredible Dr. Pol" on Nat Geo WILD, shows the daily operations and hard work of his vet practice in Michigan. And we're so excited this expert vet is joining us not just on this podcast episode, but also at the Mother Earth News Fair this year! So, before Dr. Pol joins us at the Fair, we're sitting down with him to learn more about who he is and answer some questions from our readers. If you want to see Dr. Pol in person, join us at the Wisconsin Mother Earth News Fair! We want to remind folks to always use caution when caring for your animals, and to consult your local vet before administering any new treatments. The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of leaders in sustainable and rural living. We're passionate about helping people learn more about natural health, homesteading, sustainability, and more. You can catch new interviews on Thursdays and our audio articles on Tuesdays. To see more podcasts, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore at Store.MotherEarthNews.com for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com for webinars and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Audio Article: Food Versus Fuel
Story by Robert Turner, read by John Moore. In a new column for MOTHER EARTH NEWS, author Robert Turner explains how new biofuels could ease the energy crisis. This story comes from August/September 2023 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine. The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of leaders in sustainable and rural living. We're passionate about helping people learn more about natural health, homesteading, sustainability, and more. You can catch new interviews on Thursdays and our audio articles on Tuesdays. To see more podcasts, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore at Store.MotherEarthNews.com for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com for webinars and courses on everything, from gardening to livestock management.

Ep 194Sustainability and Houseplants with Summer Rayne Oakes
In this episode of Mother Earth News and Friends, we're excited to be speaking with Summer Rayne Oakes, a science communicator, conservation activist, and entrepreneur. We'll be discussing sustainability with Summer Rayne, including sourcing plants and mindful fashion, as well as some of the exciting projects she's been involved in. The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of leaders in sustainable and rural living. We're passionate about helping people learn more about natural health, homesteading, sustainability, and more. You can catch new interviews on Thursdays and our audio articles on Tuesdays. To see more podcasts, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore at Store.MotherEarthNews.com for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Ep 193Sustainability and Community: A Talk with the 2023 Mother Earth News Voices
We're bringing you a special episode this week, recorded from our 2023 Mother Earth News Fair in Lawrence, Kansas. Six folks joined editor Jessica Mitchell for this episode to talk about the amazing work they're doing in their fields of self-sufficiency and sustainable living. We talked about what sustainability means to them in the context of community, what they're excited about, and so much more. The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of leaders in sustainable and rural living. We're passionate about helping people learn more about natural health, homesteading, sustainability, and more. You can catch new interviews on Thursdays and our audio articles on Tuesdays. To see more podcasts, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore at Store.MotherEarthNews.com for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com for webinars and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.
Ep 192Heritage Poultry Update: Threatened Rare Chicken Breeds & More
One of the many beautiful things about nature is biodiversity -- more specifically, the diverse array of poultry breeds. It's becoming increasingly important to pay attention to the breeds that are struggling and finding ways to prevent losing them altogether. In this episode, a friend of the podcast, Jeannette Beranger of the Livestock Conservancy, returns to talk about rare and heritage poultry breeds and which ones are on the Conservancy's Conservation Priority List. The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of leaders in sustainable and rural living. We're passionate about helping people learn more about natural health, homesteading, sustainability, and more. You can catch new interviews on Thursdays and our audio articles on Tuesdays. To see more podcasts, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore at Store.MotherEarthNews.com for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.
Ep 191Ep. 191 Herbal Spotlight: Wild Medicinal Plants to Forage
The world is full of aromatic, flavorful, medicinal, and powerful herbs, and we're taking a whole podcast episode to celebrate just a few of them. In this episode, our returning Mother Earth News Friend, Bevin Cohen of Small House Farm, highlights some herbs you can forage or cultivate around your area and incorporate into numerous dishes and products to enjoy. The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of leaders in sustainable and rural living. We're passionate about helping people learn more about natural health, homesteading, sustainability, and more. You can catch new interviews on Thursdays and our audio articles on Tuesdays. To see more podcasts, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore at Store.MotherEarthNews.com for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com for webinars and courses on everything, from gardening to livestock management.
Audio Article: Cation Exchange Capacity in the Garden
Story by Andy Wilcox, read by John Moore. Learn how you can improve you soil's cation exchange capacity to grow healthier, more nutrient-dense crops. This story comes from the May/June 2023 issue of Grit magazine. This audio article is brought to you by the Mother Earth News and Friends podcast. We feature stories from leaders in sustainable and rural living so you can learn more about natural health, sustainability, homesteading, and more. Catch new interviews from us on Thursdays and audio articles on Tuesdays. Listen to us wherever you listen to your podcasts, and check us out at www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to www.MotherEarthNews.com. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, check out our MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com. Grit's sister publications include MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.
Ep 190Ep. 190 What to Know about Elk Farming
Demand for high-quality elk is on the rise in North America, but what's happening on the supply end of things? Jon Reed, president of the North American Elk Breeders Association, chats with podcast team member Kenny Coogan all about raising elk and provides a snapshot of the elk industry for those who are interested in getting involved. The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of leaders in sustainable and rural living. We're passionate about helping people learn more about natural health, homesteading, sustainability, and more. You can catch new interviews on Thursdays and our audio articles on Tuesdays. To see more podcasts, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore at Store.MotherEarthNews.com for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com for webinars and courses on everything, from gardening to livestock management.

Audio Article: How the Electric Car Killed the Corn Industry
Story by Robert Turner, read by Jessica Mitchell. If we all switch to driving electric vehicles, the market could drown in excess corn. Tobacco farmers offer solutions. Robert Turner unpacks agriculture's most intractable problems in a new column for MOTHER EARTH NEWS. This story comes from the June/July 2023 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. MOTHER EARTH NEWS's sister publications include Grit, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.
Ep 189Ep. 189 Raising Emus for Profit
As the second-tallest bird in the world, you may think raising emus would be a near-impossible feat. But these birds have plenty of advantages that come with raising them and can be an enjoyable addition to your farmstead. In this episode, Kymara Lonergan of the American Emu Association talks with us about the benefits of keeping emus on your property. The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of leaders in sustainable and rural living. We're passionate about helping people learn more about natural health, homesteading, sustainability, and more. You can catch new interviews on Thursdays and our audio articles on Tuesdays. To see more podcasts, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore at Store.MotherEarthNews.com for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com for webinars and courses on everything, from gardening to livestock management.

Ep 188Ep. 188 Spicy Chiles: What Makes Peppers Hot?
Profile episode to learning about spicy chile peppers. Whether we can handle their heat like a champ or break out in immediate sweats, many of us can agree these peppers offer unmatched flavors and excitement for numerous dishes. Danise Coon, a research specialist with more than two decades of experience researching chile peppers, joins Kenny Coogan for a conversation all about these plants that pack a powerful punch. The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of leaders in sustainable and rural living. We're passionate about helping people learn more about natural health, homesteading, sustainability, and more. You can catch new interviews on Thursdays and our audio articles on Tuesdays. To see more podcasts, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore at Store.MotherEarthNews.com for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.
Ep 187Ep. 187 Edible Insects for Pets and People
What comes to mind when you think, "edible insects"? In this episode, we're going to address some of the concerns or aversions to eating insects people may have and talk about why and how you can incorporate edible insects into both your diet and your pet's diet. Podcast team member Kenny Coogan chats with entomologist Dr. Bill Kern and CEO Anne Carlson of the pet food and treat company Jiminy's. The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of leaders in sustainable and rural living. We're passionate about helping people learn more about natural health, homesteading, sustainability, and more. You can catch new interviews on Thursdays and our audio articles on Tuesdays. To see more podcasts, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore at Store.MotherEarthNews.com for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page at www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Audio Article: Transitioning to a Certified Organic Farm
Story by Keba M. Hitzeman, read by Jessica Mitchell. If you're considering organic certification for your farm, this expert advice can help you navigate the daunting process. This story comes from the May/June 2023 issue of Grit magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the Grit website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. Grit's sister publications include MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.

Ep 186Ep. 186 Learn to Build with Natural Materials
Have you ever dreamed about building a home that's energy-efficient and built with natural materials, while being both beautiful and functional? In this episode, we're excited to be talking with Sigi Koko of Down to Earth Design, who founded a business that does exactly that. We'll be learning more about Sigi and the work she does for clients at Down to Earth Design, and what it means to build with natural materials. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinars and courses on everything, from gardening to livestock management.

Audio Article: Draft Horses on the Homestead
Story by Dana Benner, read by Jessica Mitchell. These powerful animals can provide modern farmers a fuel-efficient way to work the land. This story comes from the May/June 2023 issue of Grit magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the Grit website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. Grit's sister publications include MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.

Ep 185Ep. 185 How to Raise Ducks for Eggs in Your Backyard
Do you know that you can successfully keep ducks in urban and suburban spaces? If raising ducks is your dream, our guest today is here to show you that it's possible. In this episode, editor Jessica Mitchell chats with fellow podcast team member Kenny Coogan, who's spent years raising backyard ducks. We'll be learning about the benefits ducks bring, equipment to have on hand, and things to consider when raising them in towns, cities, or suburbs. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fair page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Ep 184Ep. 184 Caring for Carnivorous Plants
Ever wonder what it takes to grow and care for carnivorous plants? It's probably less daunting than you think! In this episode, we're talking with Jacob Soule all about the many different types of carnivorous plants as well as successfully jumping into carnivorous plant care. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Ep 183Ep. 183 Dealing with Parasites in Your Beehives
Pollinators – bees in particular – have crucial roles to play in our world, but the threat of parasites on a colony can be daunting. What's a beekeeper to do? In this episode, we're excited to be talking with entomologist Dr. Sammy Ramsey. We'll be chatting about some of Dr. Sammy's expertise and research on insects, and we'll be tackling the topic of protecting bees from parasites and preventing them from wreaking havoc on your hives. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Ep 182Ep. 182 Building Sustainable Communities
Our planet looks a lot different than it did even a few decades ago. How can we move into the future and find ways to live well while also valuing Earth and people? In this episode, podcast team member Kenny Coogan chats with climate scientist Eloisa Lewis about her mission to help build sustainable communities as well as sustainable solutions for our changing world. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Audio Article: How to Help Wild Baby Birds
Story by Linda Bowen, read by Jessica Mitchell. With a little knowledge of bird biology, you'll be prepared if you encounter a wild bird egg or baby bird this spring. This story comes from the April/May 2023 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. MOTHER EARTH NEWS's sister publications are Grit, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.

Audio Article: Repair the Nitrogen Cycle in Your Garden
Story by Andy Wilcox, read by Jessica Mitchell. Restore your soil's ability to circulate nutrients by cultivating the intricate and fascinating networks between plants and microbes. This story comes from the April/May 2023 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. MOTHER EARTH NEWS's sister publications are Grit, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.

Audio Article: Raising Goslings
Story by Kenny Coogan, read by Jessica Mitchell. What makes goslings so fun to raise? Learn from a long-time geese-raiser about what you need to know to successfully incubate, hatch, and care for goslings. From the February/March 2023 issue of Backyard Poultry magazine. For more great articles about chickens, geese, ducks, and other manner of fowl, head to the Backyard Poultry website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. Backyard Poultry's sister publications include MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Grit, and Backyard Beekeping.

Ep 181Ep. 181 How to Care for Baby Chicks in Summer or Fall
Summer and fall will be here before we know it, which means it's not too early to start thinking about when you want to welcome some new chicks to your property. We're talking with Queren King-Orozco, associate producer for national events at Ogden Publications and a chicken-keeper herself, about the ways you can understand your environment and gather resources to prepare for new summer and fall chicks. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Audio Article: After Day 22
Story by Bruce Ingram, read by John Moore. It's Day 22, and no chicks. What should you do? From the February/March 2023 issue of Backyard Poultry magazine. For more great articles about chickens, geese, ducks, and other manner of fowl, head to the Backyard Poultry website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. Backyard Poultry's sister publications include MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Grit, and Backyard Beekeping.

Audio Article: Weather-Related Power Outages
Story by Ed Brotak, read by Jessica Mitchell. Knowledge and preparedness is key to anticipating the spectrum of damage that hurricanes, winter storms, and more can bring to the grid. This story comes from the March/April 2023 issue of Grit magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the Grit website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. Grit's sister publications are MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.

Audio Article: Seek Out Small Farms
Story by Dana Benner, read by John Moore. Shop sustainably with local farms and discover the lively place they occupy within the community. From the September/October 2022 issue of Grit magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the Grit website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. Grit's sister publications are MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Backyard Poultry and Backyard Beekeeping.

Audio Article: Saving Biennial Seeds
Story by Wren Everett, read by John Moore. Keeping cabbage, collards, and carrots in the garden for their second year of growth will gift you with more seeds than you need for the next growing season. From the September/October 2022 issue of Grit magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the Grit website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. Grit's sister publications are MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Backyard Poultry and Backyard Beekeeping.

Ep 180Ep. 180 Dragonflies on Your Property
For 300 million years, dragonflies have been a part of our world. What makes these insects so important, and why do we want to encourage them to be a part of our property? In this episode, Kenny Coogan chats with Virginia Overstreet to understand more about these remarkable flying hunters. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Audio Article: Host a Successful Farm Workshop
On-farm classes can supplement your income without the need to peddle a product. Learn how to host a full day of in-person learning that'll leave participants happy and well-educated. From the October/November 2022 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the Mother Earth News Fairs. MOTHEREARTH NEWS's sister publications are Grit, Backyard Poultry and Backyard Beekeeping.

Audio Article: Dickering, The High Art of Going Low
Story by Cary Rideout, read by Jessica Mitchell. Build camaraderie while standing your ground to get the best bargain in a country negotiation. This story comes from the March/April 2023 issue of Grit magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the Grit website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. Grit's sister publications are MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.

Audio Article: Prevent Compost Toxicity in Dogs
Story by Amelia Eigerman, read by John Moore Keep your home Earth-friendly and dog-safe by guarding your compost bin against curious pups. From the February/March 2023 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. MOTHER EARTH NEWS's sister publications are Grit, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.

Ep 179Ep. 179 How to Make Biogas at Home with a Biogas Digester
Have you ever heard of biodigesters? Whether you're familiar with this system or not, you're in the right place to learn more about them. In this episode, Kenny Coogan chats with Dr. T.H. Culhane all about these "domestic dragons." To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management. Photo credit: T.H. and Enas Culhane

Audio Article: Breeding Ratios for Chickens and Ducks
Story by Doug Ottinger, read by Jessica Mitchell. Find out how many males you need in your flock for fertile eggs. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the Grit website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. Grit's sister publications are MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.

Ep 178Ep. 178 How to Incubate Eggs of Mixed Birds Together
Ducks and geese, chickens and turkeys… what do these two pairings have in common? You can incubate them together. In this episode, we're learning about how you can successfully incubate mixed species of birds together, and why you'd want to. Join Editor Jessica Mitchell on two interviews with some great poultry keepers: Rebecca Krebs and Patrice Lewis. Since we have two different poultry keepers on the podcast this episode, they're both coming with their own expertise and perspectives, so there may be some practices they do slightly differently based on their experiences. We encourage listeners to determine the right poultry-keeping practices for their own situations. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Ep 177Ep. 177 Navigate New Antibiotics Guidelines with Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship
One June 11, 2023, over-the-counter sales of specific medically important livestock antibiotics in the United States will end. What does that mean for livestock and companion animal owners, and what will be important to know moving forward into this year? In this episode, podcast team member Kenny Coogan talks with three doctors to help break down the change and how to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Ep 176Ep. 176 Planning and Preparing a Garden for Spring
For many of us, springtime is just around the corner! To celebrate, we have a special springtime gardening podcast episode with Joe Lamp'l. We'll be learning about caring for your garden and how to welcome new plants to your property. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Ep 175Ep. 175 Black Farmer Stories with Myriah Towner
Myriah Towner is a storyteller. In 2019, she started traveling around her home state of Texas with a team to document the stories of Black farmers and ranchers. Four years later, her nonprofit, Black Farmer Stories, is on its way to releasing the first collection of these amazing stories. In this episode, Myriah joins Editor Jessica Mitchell on the podcast to share more about how Black Farmer Stories came to be, what she's learned through this process, and more. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Ep 174Ep. 174 How to Start an Agritourism Business to Diversify Farm Income
Matt Stephens has been a guest on our podcast before and has written articles and spoken at our MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs numerous times. This year, MOTHER EARTH NEWS is proud to be publishing his new book, Adventures in Agritourism! To celebrate that, podcast team member Kenny Coogan chats with Matt about his book and how anyone can follow their dreams to create a viable agritourism business. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Bonus Episode: "Let's All Keep Chickens!" Book Interview with Dalia Monterroso
Dalia Monterroso is a frequent guest on Mother Earth News and Friends, where she shares her knowledge and experience on keeping chickens. This year, she's publishing her first book — titled Let's All Keep Chickens! — and we're excited to interview her about the writing process, what's in her book, and what she hopes readers will take away. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Ep 173Ep. 173 Extreme Weather Poultry: How Hot Is Too Hot for Chickens?
Do you want to raise chickens but live in an area that experiences extreme cold or extreme heat? Good news – you can still achieve your poultry-raising dreams! In this episode, Dalia Monterroso of Chickenlandia shares a collection of chicken breeds that can adapt well to extreme environments, in addition to steps you as the chicken-keeper can take to keep your feathered friends safe and healthy. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Ep 172Ep. 172 Where to Put House Plants So They Thrive
Whether you live in the country or the city – or somewhere in between – chances are, you're able to grow house plants. So, we're dedicating a whole episode to them! In this episode, Darryl Cheng of House Plant Journal joins podcast team member Kenny Coogan to talk about the joys of house plants, how to care for them, and more. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Audio Article: Why Is There Still a Seed Shortage?
Story by Aden Tate, read by Jessica Mitchell. Listen in to understand a continuing seed supply problem from gardeners, farmers, and seed company owners and distributors. From the February/March 2023 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. MOTHER EARTH NEWS's sister publications are Grit, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.

Audio Article: Birds of a Feather Incubate Together
Story by Marissa Ames, read by Jessica Mitchell. With some careful planning, you can save on time and effort by incubating chicken and duck eggs together. From the February/March 2023 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. MOTHER EARTH NEWS's sister publications are Grit, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.

Audio Article: Decoding Growing Zones
Story by Robert Pavlis, read by John Moore. To make the best plant selections, learn plants' preferred conditions and how they adapt to new environments. This story comes from the November/December 2022 issue of Grit magazine. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the Grit website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. Grit's sister publications are MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Backyard Poultry and Backyard Beekeeping.

Ep 171Ep. 171 What Are Brassicas and How Do You Cultivate and Cook Them?
It may not feel like you can plant and grow much in wintertime, in comparison to the abundance of other seasons. But gardeners in colder climates can still dream, plan, and even cultivate cold-hardy crops. In this episode, Dr. Jeanne Osnas gives us a deep-dive into brassicas, including how to grow them and how to eat them. This is the first of several seasonal crop profile podcast episodes we'll be sharing this year, and we hope you can harvest some helpful tips to apply in your garden. To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals. Go to the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for webinar and courses on everything from gardening to livestock management.

Audio Article: What to Know About the New Antibiotics Restriction
Story by Karen Kopf, read by Jessica Mitchell. The sale of over-the-counter livestock antibiotics will end soon. Learn more about how you can keep your animals healthy. This story comes from the January/February 2023 issue of Grit magazine. Thanks to Allivet for sponsoring this audio article. For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the Grit website. If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs. Grit's sister publications are MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.