Predators, pollinators, woodlots and stewardship that keeps the land healthy. Every guide lists its sources and who to ask locally.
- Wildlife Habitat on Small FarmsMake room for wildlife on a small farm with cover, food, water and quiet corners, while keeping crops, animals and…
- Pollinator Habitat BasicsHelp bees, butterflies and other pollinators with continuous bloom, nesting spots, careful chemical use and plants…
- Native Plant GardeningStart a native plant garden by learning your site, choosing regional species, preparing the ground and being patient…
- Managing Wildlife DamageDeal with animals that damage crops, buildings or livestock by identifying the cause, using exclusion first and…
- Deer Fencing OptionsCompare deer fencing types for gardens, orchards and pastures, including height, design, cost categories and upkeep…
- Rabbit and Rodent ControlKeep rabbits, mice and rats out of gardens, feed and buildings with exclusion, sanitation, habitat changes and a…
- Bird Control in GardensProtect fruit and seedlings from birds with netting, timing and layout choices, and learn which birds are protected…
- Predator Control BasicsProtect poultry and small livestock from predators with secure housing, fencing, habits and a calm plan for what to do…
- Living with CoyotesCoexist with coyotes by securing animals, removing food sources, understanding their habits and knowing when to call…
- Bear Safety on Rural PropertiesReduce bear conflicts on a rural property by removing attractants, securing animals and feed, using proper fencing and…
- Snake Safety and PreventionReduce unwanted snake encounters around barns and homes by removing shelter and food, learning local species and…
- Tick Prevention on HomesteadsLower your tick risk with yard design, habit changes, daily checks and good records, and learn when to call your…
- Mosquito Control Without HarmCut mosquito numbers by removing standing water, managing ponds and troughs, protecting yourself and using products…
- Integrated Pest Management BasicsUse integrated pest management to deal with pests step by step: identify, monitor, prevent, act with the mildest…
- Beneficial Predators on FarmsEncourage helpful insects, spiders and other predators that keep pests in check by providing food, shelter and fewer…
- Composting and WildlifeHow to compost on a small farm without feeding raccoons, rats and bears: what to add, what to leave out, and how to…
- Managing Woodlands for WildlifeA beginner's guide to caring for a small woodlot so it supports birds and animals: set goals, vary the habitat…
- Pond Ecology BasicsLearn how a farm pond works: sunlight, nutrients, plants, fish and bugs. Understand what keeps water healthy and what…
- Aquatic Weed ControlHow to deal with weeds in a farm pond: identify the plant, understand the cause, and choose between physical…
- Stream and Creek ManagementWhat small landowners should know about caring for a stream or creek: how streams move, bank protection, vegetation…
- Riparian BuffersWhat a riparian buffer is, how it protects water and wildlife, how to plan one on a small farm, and where to ask about…
- Wetland Protection BasicsA plain-English look at wetlands on small farms: what they do, how to recognize them, why rules apply, and who to ask…
- Erosion Control and Water QualityHow small farms can keep soil in place and water clean: find erosion trouble spots, use cover and drainage fixes, and…
- Cover Crops for WildlifeHow cover crops can feed and shelter pollinators, birds and other wildlife on a small farm, plus planning tips on…
- Food Plots BasicsWhat small landowners should know before planting a wildlife food plot: purpose, site, soil test, plant choice…
- Hunting and Land ManagementHow hunting fits into managing your own land: seasons and licenses, harvest goals, safety, boundaries, habitat work…
- Invasive Plant RemovalA practical approach to removing invasive plants on small acreage: identify them, set priorities, choose methods…
- Native Grass RestorationA beginner's overview of restoring native grasses on small acreage: planning, site prep, seed choice, planting…
- Tree Planting for WildlifeChoosing, siting and planting trees and shrubs that help wildlife on small acreage: native species, spacing…
- Hedgerows on FarmsWhat a hedgerow can do on a small farm: shelter, wildlife corridors, pollinator support and wind protection, with…
- Windbreaks for Energy and HabitatHow a well-designed windbreak can cut wind around your home and animals while giving birds and other wildlife shelter…
- Agroforestry and WildlifeAn introduction to agroforestry practices such as buffers, windbreaks, alley cropping and silvopasture, and how each…
- Silvopasture BasicsWhat silvopasture is, how to combine trees and grazing livestock on small acreage, and how to protect trees, animals…
- Prescribed Grazing for HabitatHow planned grazing can improve pasture and wildlife habitat on small acreage: timing, rest, stocking, nesting season…
- Managing Brush for WildlifeHow to decide what brush to keep, thin or remove for wildlife on small acreage, including brush piles, timing, safety…
- Firewise LandscapingHow to reduce wildfire risk around your home and outbuildings with smart plant choices, spacing, clearing and upkeep…
- Wildfire Preparedness for HomesteadsA practical wildfire plan for a homestead: reduce fuel, prepare people and animals, protect buildings, plan evacuation…
- Drought-Resilient LandscapingWays to make yards and garden areas handle dry spells: healthy soil, mulch, plant choice, smart watering, grouping and…
- Water Conservation on FarmsPractical ways a small farm can use less water: find where it goes, fix leaks, build soil, time irrigation well…
- Rain Gardens BasicsHow a rain garden catches runoff from roofs and lanes: where to put it, how to size and shape it, what to plant and…
- Greywater and WildlifeHow greywater from sinks and laundry can draw wildlife, pets and pests, and how to plan reuse so animals and your…
- Reducing Farm Plastic UsePractical ways a small farm can cut plastic from mulch, twine, feed bags and containers, with a clear first step and…
- Composting Toilet BasicsHow composting toilets work, what to ask your local health office first, and the daily care they need to stay safe and…
- Humanure Safety and RulesWhat humanure composting involves, why health offices regulate it, and the questions to ask before you handle or use…
- Solar Energy for SustainabilityHow to think about solar on a small farm: what to measure, grid-tied or off-grid choices, funding to look into and who…
- Energy Efficiency on FarmsWhere small farms waste energy in barns, water systems and shops, and how to find and fix the biggest losses before…
- Renewable Energy Options for HomesteadsA plain comparison of solar, wind, small hydro and biomass for a homestead, and the site questions that decide which…
- Reducing Food Waste on FarmsPractical ways a small farm can cut losses from field to market, from harvest timing and storage to gleaning and…
- Feeding Livestock from Food Waste SafelyWhat to know before feeding kitchen scraps or surplus food to animals, including why rules are strict for pigs and who…
- Soil Carbon BasicsA plain look at soil carbon: what it is, why it matters for fertility and water, and which farm habits build it slowly…
- Regenerative Agriculture PrinciplesThe common ideas behind regenerative farming, how they apply to a few acres, and how to tell useful practices from…
- No-Till and Soil LifeWhat no-till means for gardens and small fields, how it protects soil life, and how to handle weeds, compaction and…
- Cover Crop DiversityWhy mixing cover crop species can help soil and weeds, how to choose a mix by goal, and what to watch for when you…
- Compost and Soil BiologyHow compost feeds the living community in soil, what makes good compost, and the safety and sourcing questions to…
- Reducing Chemical InputsHow to cut back on pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers on a small farm by testing, scouting and fixing causes, with…
- Organic Pest ManagementHow organic growers prevent and manage insects and disease through habitat, rotation, scouting and careful use of…
- Organic Weed ManagementA practical approach to weeds without synthetic herbicides: prevent seed, cover soil, cut at the right time and keep…
- Organic Fertilizer SystemsHow to build soil fertility from compost, manure, cover crops and tested amendments, and how to avoid overapplying…
- Rotational Grazing for SustainabilityHow moving animals through paddocks with rest periods can protect pasture, soil and water on a small farm, and what it…
- Manure Nutrient CyclingHow manure moves nutrients through a small farm, how to store and apply it with care, and how to protect water and…
- Water Quality Testing on FarmsHow to test well, pond and stream water on a small farm: what to ask for, how to collect samples and how to act on the…
- Protecting Wells from ContaminationPractical steps to keep your well safe: keep contaminants away, maintain the wellhead, test regularly and know when to…
- Septic System CareHow a septic system works, what to do and avoid each week, and when to call a licensed professional so repairs stay…
- Managing Runoff from LivestockHow to keep rain from carrying manure and mud off your animal areas, using small, low-cost fixes that protect streams…
- Buffer Strips for Water QualityHow planted buffer strips along streams, ditches and fields slow runoff and trap sediment and nutrients, and how to…
- Sustainable Forestry BasicsA plain guide for small woodland owners on forest goals, management plans, thinning, regeneration and when to call a…
- Firewood SustainabilityHow to heat with wood without exhausting your woodlot: sourcing, seasoning, storage, burning cleanly and avoiding the…
- Seed Saving and BiodiversityLearn which vegetables are easy to save, how to prevent crossing, how to store seed and why saving locally adapted…
- Heritage Breeds BasicsWhat heritage livestock and poultry breeds are, why they matter, what to expect from them and how to start with a few…
- Heirloom Vegetables BasicsUnderstand heirloom, open-pollinated and hybrid vegetables, what each does well and how to grow and save heirlooms in…
- Pollinator-Friendly FarmingPractical ways to support bees and other pollinators on a small farm: food through the season, nesting spots, careful…
- Beneficial Insect HabitatHow to attract and keep ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies and parasitic wasps with the right plants, shelter and…
- Bird-Friendly FarmingSimple, low-cost ways to support songbirds, grassland birds and raptors on a small farm through cover, timing, water…
- Bat Houses and Pest ControlWhat a bat house can and cannot do for insect control, where to place one, and how to handle bats and health concerns…
- Owl Boxes and Rodent ControlWhat owl nest boxes can do about rodents, when they help, where to place them, and why poison and careless rodent…
- Habitat PondsHow to plan, shape and care for a small pond that supports frogs, birds and insects, including permits, safety, plants…
- Wildlife-Friendly FencingHow to keep livestock in and let deer, birds and small animals move safely, including design principles, visibility…
- Dark Sky Lighting on FarmsHow to light barns, yards and paths for safety while cutting glare, wasted energy and harm to wildlife, livestock…
- Noise and Dust ManagementPractical ways to keep farm noise and dust from becoming neighbor problems, with timing, buffers, equipment habits and…
- Annual Sustainability ReviewA simple yearly checkup for a small farm: soil, water, energy, waste, wildlife, money and workload, with questions to…