October/November 2026
Rural Heritage is a bimonthly journal in support of farming and logging with draft horses, mules, and oxen. The 2026 Oct/Nov issue was mailed to subscribers on Sep 28, 2026. Below is this issue’s annotated Table of Contents, with a link to a full feature article to showcase the good reading delivered to your door every other month when you
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If, in your reading, you run across a drafty word you don’t recognize, consult our online Draft Dictionary.
Table of Contents
Departments
Joe Mischka writes about time spent with Jerry Hicks and Jerry’s proclivity toward storytelling. He explains that 26 of the stories he wrote for Rural Heritage magazine appear in a new book called Out Past the Gatepost, now available on the Rural Heritage Bookstore website.
(contacts for breed registries and regional draft clubs)
(frequently updated online)
(please tell ‘em you saw it in Rural Heritage)
Features
A View From Holmes County
Mary Ann Sherman provides her overview report on the 2026 Horse Progress Days held in Arcola, Ill., including a bus tour of the farms and businesses in the area, the day before the event. During the tour, she visited a goat dairy farm, a portable building construction company, a farm that produces dairy products and raises and boards horses, a pasture-raised and organic egg farm, and A2A2 dairy, a high-tunnel vegetable farm, harness shop and creamery.
2026 Horse Progress Days Equipment
We provide photos, descriptions and pricing of most of the field equipment demonstrated at the 2026 Horse Progress Days in Arthur, Ill.
2026 Horse Progress Days Seminars
Mary Ann Sherman reports on 8 of the most interesting seminars held during the two days of Horse Progress Days, including using a high tunnel greenhouse, benefits of A2A2 milk, starting a 2-year old horse, transitioning the farm, multi-species grazing, therapeutic riding and building healthy soil.
Tales From Carter County: The Passing of Calpernia Holbrook
Jerry Hicks recounts the story of his great-great aunt who was rumored to be a witch.
Living History Sites Teach Livestock Conservation
Les O’Dell of the Livestock Conservancy writes about how living history farms and museums work to preserve and promote heritage breeds.
Raising My Own Team … Featured Article.
Maggie Smith talks about her journey to raising her own team of draft horses and some of the blessings it brings.
Oxen at the Solstice: Notes on 10 Days in June
Rob Collins writes about several events taking place in June 2026. First was the Association of Living History Farms and Agriculture Museum’s national conference in Dearborn, Mich. Then was the Oxen Basics and Yokemaking class at Tiller’s International, and finally, the Midwest Ox Drovers Association annual gathering at Tillers.
Anne Wiltafsky’s Circle
Rob Collins writes about the reflections Anne Wiltafsky had during the Midwest Ox Drovers Association gathering at Tillers International.
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