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
Farm Animals

How to get started with raising chickens

Small chicks - how to get started with raising chicks hero

A beginner’s guide to raising chickens

Backyard chickens have gone fully mainstream. What started as a niche hobby has grown into one of the most popular forms of small-scale homesteading across the country. There are plenty of ways to get started, whether you have a farm or just a modest backyard.

With millions of households now keeping their own flocks, there are still plenty of questions about how to get started. After all, raising chickens is not the same as owning a goldfish or hamster.

Chickens need to be treated differently and cared for in a way that ensures they live long and healthy lives. Given this, you’re probably wondering: How do I get started with raising chickens?

Well, we have the answers you’re looking for. We’ve put together this simple guide to help you get started and make sure that your chickens live a long and good life.

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Farm Supplies Home & Garden

Bokashi Composting Guide: How to start Bokashi Composting

Bokashi vs. Traditional composting hero image

If you’re looking for an easy way to start composting, or have a lack of space for a traditional compost, the Bokashi method may be the right choice for you. Once a niche technique, bokashi has gone mainstream among urban and suburban homesteaders and is now one of the most accessible composting methods around.

This guide will show you how to get started with Bokashi composting, including what materials you’ll need and how to set up your system.

What is Bokashi?

Bokashi composting is a very simple composting method that allows you to add kitchen waste, directly into the composter without creating unpleasant odors. Unlike traditional composting, which takes several months to years, Bokashi can process your organic food waste in just 4 weeks!

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Categories
Homesteading

Living off grid in Homestead

Beautiful homestead garden

Homesteading is a lifestyle choice that has surged in popularity, particularly since 2022. Homesteaders are people who want to live off the land and produce their own food, energy, shelter and goods.

They do this by producing as much of what they need on site as possible or trading for it with others that have excess production capacity.

The homesteader’s goal is sustainability – living with minimal impact on natural resources so we don’t leave a footprint that future generations will regret.

Most people think of rural farmers when they hear the term “homesteader”, but you can be a city slicker too! You just need to make some changes in your life: no more going out to eat each night, fewer trips to the shopping mall and think about making your own food at home.

The next level of homestead is to combine this with an off grid lifestyle. Off grid homesteaders do what we’ve been talking about – producing their own food and energy – but the difference is that they often live in remote areas where it isn’t practical to directly connect to the utility grid.

Read on if this is a topic that interests you!

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Categories
Farm Animals

Becoming a Beekeeper of honey bees

How to get started with bees - hero image

How to get started with bees

Becoming a beekeeper with your own bees is a wonderful way to connect with nature and help the environment. Hobby beekeeping has grown steadily in the US over the past decade, and there are now over 3.5 million managed hives across the country as of 2026.

The beehive creates an absolutely stunning smell around your backyard. It’s also a great way to get some exercise and spend time outdoors.

But before you can start as a backyard beekeeper, there are a few things you need to know.

In this article, we will discuss the basics of beekeeping so that you can get started on this rewarding hobby. If you’re thinking about starting a homestead, keeping bees is one of the most rewarding first steps you can take.

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Categories
Home & Garden

Why You Should Grow Your Own Vegetables

Homegrown vegetables in a greenhouse

There has never been a better time to start growing your own vegetables. Whether you have a sprawling backyard, a modest patio, or just a sunny windowsill, cultivating your own food is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It saves money at the grocery store, puts fresher and healthier produce on your table, and gives you a hands-on connection to the food you eat every single day. If you have been thinking about starting a vegetable garden, this guide walks you through exactly why it matters and how to get going, even if you have never planted a seed before.

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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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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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