Description

Stories in this issue:

• Relay Cover Cropping: Anne and Eric Cordell explain their method of relay cover cropping (planting into already established crop) in their market garden fields. The goal is done to protect the land and the same time increasing its productivity.
• Brush Creek Plow Day: Many images of the teams that gathered in Melber, Ky. for comraderie and fun…oh, and plowing!
• Market Garden No-Till: Stephen Leslie teaches us about the history of his farm and its soil. He is transitioning to no-till regenerative soil practices from a mostly cover crop system. He explains his reasons for this and how they went about it in their draft powered market garden.
• Soil Health, Tenants and Landowners: Jenifer Morrissey researches a number of farmers who lease land from owners. The goal of improved soil health requires collaboration and she tells of how this is achieved.
• Hobbles & the Haynes Hitch: Dick Courteau imparts tidbits of knowledge about peanut butter on a bit, using a hobble, oiling leather harness and a detailed explanation of what he calls a Haynes Hitch including nice drawings to illustrate this technique.
• Beginning Beekeeping: Hazel Freeman gives good advice for anyone wanting to begin keeping bees. She includes all the basics, warnings, questions to ask and resources to consult to start up this rewarding hobby.
• Pack Saddle Building: Another in his homestead recreation series, Jerry Hicks builds a custom pack saddle for his mule. He steps us through the process of finding the right fork, splitting, shaping and assembling the saddle using vintage tools. Included are many great pictures to illustrate the process.
• Land Grab:  Chiara Dowell talks about businesses buying up farmland and her own small farm. And “how to live in a small sphere” and be content.
• Tomatoes, Wasps & Candy: Did you know that the juice from tomato leaves alleviates the pain from a bee sting? Well, leave it to Jerry Hicks to entertains us with an early childhood memory while teaching us a valuable lesson.
• It couldn’t happen to me – preventing a wreck: Ralph Rice tells a story about his own misfortune with a neck yoke coming off the pole. He thanks everyone for teaching him that a safety strap is a good idea to prevent a wreck when this happens.
• ​​​​Montgomery Wagon Train: Publisher Joe Mischka joins the annual Montgomery Wagon Train for a couple of days from Forney to Montgomery, Ala. He brought back a lot of great pictures.