Often framed in terms of austerity and sacrifice, minimalism, as a concept, isn’t actually about minimizing anything of authentic value in our lives. Instead, it’s about embracing and cherishing the things we currently have. Sure, many who enjoy a mi

Extreme weather events can pose a threat to you and your home. To keep your property and loved ones safe, begin by investigating your risk in various weather situations. Risk mainly depends on where you live and the types of severe weather that can o

Before I bought my first vacant lot, I walked the perimeter of the land and crisscrossed through the interior of the plot to get a feel of its atmosphere. At that point, the land was free from any domesticated care, and filled with wildlife such as d

As an experienced sewist, I’ve wanted a sleeve ironing board for years but was always stopped by the price — up to $50. So, when I saw an old wooden one for $5 at an estate sale, I snatched it up, even though its cover was stained and crumbling. I wa

Guinea fowl are a welcome addition to any farm or homestead. They’re low-maintenance, they eat their weight in pests, and they’re considered flock guardians because they’ll sound the alarm when anything that doesn’t belong comes near them. Over my ye

Beer-can chicken is a classic on the American competition barbecue circuit. The idea is startlingly simple: You grill or smoke (or bake in an oven) a chicken upright over an open can of beer. What results is some of the moistest, most succulent, and

Change is inevitable, isn’t it? But inevitability doesn’t mean change is bad, just different. Still, change is certainly easier to deal with when faced with others. Spring is the epitome of change and new beginnings. As I write this letter, it’s stil

Mason Creek isn’t a particularly remarkable stream as it flows through the backyards of suburbs in Salem and Roanoke, Virginia, before merging with the Roanoke River. But this little creek is where I caught my first smallmouth bass and is also the wa

About 15 years ago, I was introduced to clicker training by a co-worker at an animal shelter who was studying to become an accredited professional dog trainer. The staff learned how we could use this method to positively enrich the lives of the anima

Branding is the process of naming and creating a visual identity for your business. When you have a farm, homestead, or other agricultural business, branding is an opportunity to set yourself apart from other farms in your region or industry and buil

Share your visual perpective! post your photos at www.Facebook.com/GritMagazine, tag us on Instagram (@Grit1882), or email us at letter@Grit.com. Share your best shots, and we just might select one of your photos for a future issue of the magazine. ■

These “bombs” take the rich, hearty, overflowing biscuits and gravy we love and wrap them into a compact breakfast waiting to explode with filling and flavor. They’re easy to prepare, and they double as make-ahead meals for those with busy morning ro

I grew up in Trout Cove near Brasstown, North Carolina, and we always had a vegetable garden. Daddy would religiously follow the signs of the zodiac and the moon in the Farmers’ Almanac to plant all his crops, and every year, he and Uncle Joe Lee wou

Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite crops to grow. This healthful food contains high amounts of beta carotene, an antioxidant that may help reduce your risk of developing some types of cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, sweet potatoes also conta

Fresh-cut flowers are a great way to draw customers to your farmers market booth, whatever else you might be selling. Eye-catching and attractive, they can offer rewarding sales too. Maybe you’ve considered selling your homegrown blooms but don’t kno

Many of us have come to rely on our tractors, and lacking a tractor is a great inconvenience. We’d all like to avoid losing the use of this critical piece of equipment, and we can do so by following a basic tractor-maintenance checklist. Your tractor

These are the words no farmer ever wants to hear. Escaped pigs are fast, ornery, and destructive. A couple of pigs rooting around in your garden can do catastrophic damage in no time, turning up entire rows of vegetables or trampling small trees and

My animal knitting patterns are born out of collaboration with two of my children, who record the sightings in nature and sketch them for me to draft. The patterns are also the culmination of a lifelong love of both knitting and animals. Animals make

Farmers markets have long been a staple of agricultural communities as a way to connect farmers with their customers, to build local economies, and to distribute high-quality goods you may not be able to find elsewhere. For those on the small-to-medi

My cheese-making journey began almost 20 years ago with a couple of online resources, a few informative recipe books, an abundance of fresh milk from my goats and cows, and a desire to figure it all out. Of course, I made some mistakes along the way,

My old German Shepherd, Gozer (nickname “Dude”), doesn’t drink enough water, though we keep it fresh and available. We also prefer to raise our own meat or purchase from local farmers, which means I end up with more bones than I’d get if I purchased

Every businessperson wants to make a profit, but profit margins are often small for livestock raisers. Nevertheless, raising grass-fed beef offers opportunities for livestock producers to succeed. Because regenerative grazing is based on working with

This past spring, my wife, Elaine, asked me to gather some greens for a salad. So, naturally, I headed for our fenced-in garden to see what had appeared. Between two of our raised beds grew several dandelions, and I clipped a number of their leaves a

Hauling livestock or horses can be uncomplicated and safe — or cumbersome and risky, depending on the experience and judgment of the person driving the rig. Even if you’ve never pulled a stock trailer before, it’s not difficult for a good driver mind