Mother Earth News and Friends

Have you ever wanted to add some fun-loving ducks to your property? In this episode, John, Mark, and Katie Metzer of Metzer Farms share how to care for baby ducks, including how to prepare for their arrival, what to feed ducklings, if ducks can go broody, and more. By the end of this episode, maybe you’ll want to welcome a few web-footed friends to your homestead! More from Moth

Hatching baby chicks can be a great way to introduce kids to the world of incubation, poultry, and all the challenges and joys of homesteading – not to mention leadership and entrepreneurship. In this episode, Ann Accetta-Scott shares more about egg-hatching curriculum for children, whether using it as a family side project or a homeschooling lesson, and the ways children can gro

Story by Elizabeth Mack, read by John Moore. A new, peeping box of fluffy little chicks can be scary, but this excellent advice can help you. This story comes from the February/March 2024 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine. Read more at https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/chickens-101/bringing-new-chicks-home/ More from Mother Earth News and Friends 🌳 Podcasts https:

The word is out: Mushroom foraging is in. For those new to the world of mushroom hunting, we have a guide for you from author and mushroom hunter Frank Hyman. In this episode, we discuss with Frank some advice when out foraging for mushrooms, some popular edible mushrooms, and tips for avoiding toxic mushrooms. Plus, find out how you can order Frank’s excellent book, How to Forag

Spring hatching is around the corner! For those new to the world of incubating eggs and hatching chicks, we’re here to let you know it’s not as daunting as it may see. In this episode, Pascale Pearce of Brinsea joins us to discuss the basics of using an incubator and how to solve any challenges that may come your way, including when to stop turning chicken eggs, how to adjust h

It be may be cold for many of us, but it’s not too early to start dreaming about next season’s garden! In this episode, Benedict Vanheems, a contributor to MOTHER EARTH NEWS, a lifelong gardener, and presenter at GrowVeg, shares about how you can start planning and planting your next vegetable garden – from in-ground to raised bed gardening, to where to start your garden. He

Making your own homemade batches of soap can be rewarding, therapeutic, and allows you to craft beautifully aromatic soaps tailored for your skin’s needs. In this episode, Melanie Teegarden, a soap-maker and business owner, shares the beneficial properties of homemade soaps and provides a simple recipe for you to get started making them at home. Once you've got a handle on the sa

Story by Linda Bowen, read by John Moore. Make this nature-friendly pastime safer for you and your feathered neighbors. This story comes from the December 2023/January 2024 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine. More from Mother Earth News and Friends 🌳 Podcasts https://www.motherearthnews.com/Podcast/ 🌳 Articles https://www.motherearthnews.com/ 🌳 Store https://store.mo

Thinking about getting solar? Before jumping in, know the types of solar setups available to you, what it’ll cost you, the questions to ask solar-installation companies, and more. Hoss Boyd of TeraVolt Energy joins us on the podcast to discuss what you need to know before you set up solar energy for your home. For more resources, view this podcast at https://www.motherearthnews.c

Parasites, such as fleas and ticks, are tiny organisms that can pose a big threat to our animals. How can we look out for our furry and feathered friends? Dr. Caroline Sobotyk, assistant professor of clinical parasitology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, joins us to discuss parasite threats, behaviors, and how to prevent infestation in your pets and