CATEGORIES

MACHINE MAINTENANCE

Your tractor is your farm's workhorse, so you need to care for it to keep it running smoothly.

Celebrating 50 Episodes!

What started as a casual conversation series with farmers, gardeners and land stewards two years ago has become a podcast with more than 50 episodes! We’re celebrating having recorded all these interviews exploring the inner workings of farming and food systems and looking forward to bringing you many more.

Be My Little BABY

Hardy, docile, and without big space requirements, Babydoll Southdown Sheep make a great addition to hobby farms.

Container Hacks

Once, after a successful cookout, I was pouring the dregs from glasses of beers and wine down the kitchen drain.

LAWN LESSONS

In addition to being safer and more environmentally friendly, an organic lawn will also appear nicer.

GET AN EXTENSION

County extension services offer an abundance of information on all things ag-related when you have crop, livestock or farming questions.

GARDEN-FRIENDLY Mushrooms

Produce more of what you eat, make the most of your garden space and try something new by raising mushrooms.

Improving Traction

It’s impressive how much power and versatility can be packed into relatively small tractors. Subcompact utility tractors and garden tractors often boast engine horsepower in the 20 to 25 range.

Beyond Chicken

Raise and market specialty poultry for meat and profit.

HOBBY FARMS PRESENT - GROWING GOOD

Meet Jeff Tober

Provisions for Poultry

t's never my intention to embarrass my wife when we go out to dinner. Don't get me wrong.

HIVE STYLES

There are several types of beehives to consider.

PERENNIAL Perks

Perennials plants can produce and produce if you put in the work upfront.

GROWING OUTSIDE THE LINES

Your USDA hardiness zone isn't the be-all and end-all when it comes to planting what and when.

PEN & TELL'ER

Building a sustainable chicken tractor has its ups and downs.

MORE SUPPORT

Before you hit the ground running, be sure to follow this advice for Individual outbuildings.

POULTRY Plans

There isn't one correct way to raise chickens, as these two families show.

TWO-WHEEL TRACTOR ESSENTIALS

Small but mighty, two-wheel tractors work great for gardeners, homesteaders, landscapers and farmers.

Sweet Corn

Sweet corn is one of the universal tastes of the summer season.

Rats in the Run?!

I couldn't believe my eyes. As bold as you please, a rat walked along the inside of my chickens' run and helped itself to my hens' food.

An Industry in Crisis

The shortage of rural veterinarians can no longer be ignored.

Working the Woodlot

How much wood could a hobby farmer cut, if a hobby farmer could use the wood?

125 Farming Tips

Celebrate the 125th issue of Hobby Farms with 125 handy farming tips.

Meet Felicia

Did you know that you could get free technical assistance for your small farm from the National Center for Appropriate Technology (www.ncat.org)?

breeds you need

Hundreds of varieties of livestock are suitable to raise on a hobby farm! Here are a few more.

Surviving Winter

Winter is often a real nail-biter for beekeepers. We may think our honeybees have plenty of stores to get through the cold winter months, but then we sustain colony losses anyway. Fortunately, from sugar syrup and fondant to candy boards and beyond, you can offer some important extras to help your most vulnerable colonies make it through.

Setting a STANDARD

Certified Naturally Grown offers a grassroots option for responsible agricultural production and guidance.

Prepping for COLD WEATHER

It doesn't matter if the almanac says it'll be frosty, snowing, warmer than average or downright frozen, winter is coming and you and your farm need to be ready.

Farm Wells

While no longer plentiful, family farms dating back multiple generations still populate the scenic valley that I call home. From my farm, it's easy to think of a member of our farming community whose unique expertise lends itself well to the column topics I seek to cover. In each issue, I'll spotlight farming operations whose practices aren't only applicable across the country but that you can take and make use of for your own farm. - Hope Ellis-Ashburn

ATV/UTV Enhancements

ATVs and UTVs are highly capable machines, especially when enhanced with attachments and implements.