Author: Zoe Smith

My name is Zoe. I'm the Editor here at Urban Farm Store. I'm completely in love with our farm and my cute little garden! I hope to make the world a better place by minimising my own impact on the environment. Let me teach you how!

Categories
Homesteading

The Best States for Homestead

Man with lamb in homestead ground. Idaho is one of the best states to start a homestead.
Man with lamb in homestead ground. Idaho is one of the best states to start a homestead. Photo by Zoe Schaeffer.

Are you looking for the best states for homesteading? Not sure if there are favorable homesteading laws in the states you’re looking into?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll reveal the top states for homesteading and provide essential information to help you make the best decision for you and your family.

We understand that everyone’s preferences and needs are different, so we’ll discuss various factors you should consider, including:

  • Homesteading laws
  • Property taxes
  • Geography and climate

So, let’s dive in and explore the best places to start your off-grid, sustainable lifestyle!

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Categories
Farm Feed

Grow your own Livestock Feed with Crops

A recently harvested cornfield in Smithville, OH, with freshly cut corn stalks glimmering in the sunset light. Photo by Leslie Saunders.
A recently harvested cornfield in Smithville, OH, with freshly cut corn stalks glimmering in the sunset light. Photo by Leslie Saunders.

Raising livestock and poultry may be very rewarding and offers many benefits—homesteads, however, frequently run into issues with the cost of the feed.

What can you grow for your own livestock feed? This might have crossed your thoughts if you have a tight budget or are just starting.

Not only does growing your animal feed help you save money, but it also improves animal health and provides a safe, organic livestock diet.

Let’s discover what you can plant for animal feed and how to prepare it to grow livestock feed easier!

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Categories
Farm Supplies

Gates for Dog Owners

Dogs (and farms) sometimes need protection for their own good.
Dogs (and farms) sometimes need protection for their own good. Image source: Rover.

Sometimes, it’s essential to create boundaries around our homes to ensure our beloved pets remain safe and secure.

The best dog gates enable you to designate off-limits areas for your pet, whether it’s to protect them from newborns, guests, your bed, predators, or even for training purposes.

However, there are instances when a farm gate might be overkill for a situation that could be resolved with a baby gate. Baby gates offer a more economical solution, acting as an excellent farm supply, as they tend to be less expensive and easier to install.

These options are perfect for indoor spaces and smaller areas where a full-sized farm gate isn’t necessary. Additionally, baby gates are often more lightweight and portable, making them a versatile choice for dog owners who need a temporary or adjustable barrier to keep their pets safe and secure.

These gates are also easier to install; simply lock them in place. They grant your dog more freedom while alleviating the responsibility of dog-proofing your entire space.

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Categories
Farm Supplies

Poultry Manure Pellet Machine, Why Do Small Farmers Need One?

Backyard chickens and rooster
Backyard chickens and rooster. Photo by Zosia Korcz.

Most people consider the manure from chickens, cows, horses, sheep, pigs, and other livestock waste. Yet, it serves as a valuable source of organic fertilizer.

To use raw materials as fertilizer, poultry farmers must dehydrate and ferment them. The machine for drying chicken manure can dewater chicken poo rapidly and effectively.

However, relying solely on native fermentation may not result in high-quality granulated organic fertilizer. This is due to unstable nutritional composition and a low supply of trace elements.

In the sections below, we’ll delve into the world of chicken manure pellet equipment, reveal our top pick, and guide you through the factors to consider when selecting the perfect chicken manure pellet machine for your needs.

So let’s dive in and turn that livestock waste into organic gold!

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Categories
Farm Feed

Fodder Types Explained and How to Know Which You Should Use

Bale of hay on a field. The different types of fodder explained for your farm.
Bale of hay on a field. The different types of fodder explained for your farm. Photo by Peter Kleinau.

Taking proper care of your farm’s livestock is of the utmost importance for their well-being and success.

Green fodder production can provide a cost-effective solution to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.

Cereal grains and legumes are ideal for growing nutritious fodder that will help keep your animals healthy and strong.

Not sure where to begin when it comes to producing green fodder? We’re here to help – our guide has everything you need to know about creating a nourishing feed for your animals quickly and easily.

With just a little bit of effort, lush, nutritious feed will be within reach in no time!

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Categories
Farm Animals Farming

Poultry Farming for Beginners

Free ranging chickens roaming a small poultry farm in the US.
Free ranging chickens roaming a small poultry farm. Photo by Jan Kraus.

Poultry Farming is the process in which a variety of different domestic birds are raised for their eggs, feathers, and meat.

First things first, you’ll need to decide what type of poultry farm you want to start. We’ve got a comprehensive breakdown of the different types of birds you can choose from to get you started.

Choosing the right location is also crucial to the success of your poultry farm. We’ll provide tips on how to find a suitable and accessible location for your feathered friends.

Of course, you’ll need to equip your farm with the essentials to keep your birds healthy and happy. We’ve compiled a list of must-have equipment for your small-scale poultry farm.

And before you jump headfirst into this new venture, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of poultry farming, so you can make an informed decision.

So, whether you’re a complete novice or have some experience under your belt, this guide will provide you with everything you need to start your poultry farming journey.

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Categories
Farming

Growing Microgreens: The Most Popular Ones Rising to Fame Among Urban Farmers

Beautiful purple radish microgreens
Beautiful purple radish microgreens. Photo by Russ Ward.

Microgreens have become a popular choice for urban farmers looking to grow their own food in a small space, much like an urban farm.

These tiny greens are packed with nutrition and flavor, making them an ideal way to add freshness, texture, and color to any meal or to your urban garden.

Not only are they easy to cultivate indoors or outdoors, but they also require minimal effort compared to other types of gardening.

The most popular types of microgreens for urban farmers are arugula, basil, chard, kale, cilantro, and radish.

In this article, we’ll explore why these delicious little plants have become popular among city dwellers and provide helpful tips on how you can start growing your own microgreens today!

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Categories
Home & Garden

Best Uses for Beeswax around a Farm Home

Beeswax craft hero image on UrbanFarmStore

What is beeswax used for? This is one of the typical questions that’s been around for ages – but no one really bothers to explore the topic in-depth. If we particularly talk about the best used for beeswax around a farm home, there are a lot of DIY crafts you can try out. So, think about how helpful these beeswaxes can be in terms of kitchen, cooking, and home appliances!

Beeswax is natural, and that’s why it smells so good. Its secrete wax esters are produced from its wax glands. It was once used to create beeswax candles, but it now has a wide range of applications.

For instance, beeswax makes excellent lotions and creams, works as a coating for wood or leather, and even makes DIY shoe polish.

This article will look into some of the most effective uses for beeswax and what it’s beneficial for. Read on to find out which incredible items you can make with this natural wax.

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Categories
Farm Supplies

Farm Equipment Maintenance

Maintaining Farm Equipment is hard work. But keeping your equipment spotless will reward your work on the farm.
Maintaining Farm Equipment is hard work. But keeping your equipment spotless will reward your work on the farm. Photo by Kelsey Todd.

Farm equipment is expensive, and high-quality devices can boost productivity. Hence, you’ll want to keep it running for as long as feasible.

Fortunately, keeping up with farm equipment preventive care can help stop some of these disruptions, keeping your farm running smoothly and reducing unexpected downtime.

We’ve compiled some of our favorite maintenance advice to help you stay organized and keep your machinery in excellent condition.

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Categories
Farming

What is Permaculture? Embracing the Permaculture System on Your Farm

Vegetables from a permaculture garden
Vegetables from Permaculture Gardening. Photo by: Megan Thomas.

Have you ever wanted to create a garden that is sustainable, produces no waste, and is benefitted from the natural ecosystem? Then permaculture gardening is what you need.

Permaculture is about designing agricultural ecosystems that are sustainable and self-sufficient. It is founded on ecological principles and strives to develop productive, effective, and resilient systems.

Permaculture has five main zones: the house, the garden, the orchard, the farm, and the wilderness. Each zone has a different purpose and is managed differently.

But before we dig into the details of permaculture gardening, let’s discover what permaculture is!

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