The Refuge Food Forest is quiet. The hum of summer insects among the fruit trees has disappeared, the leaves have all fallen, and their dormant branches stand bare against a cold blue sky. Now is the time for careful pruning with sharp shears...
“It wouldn't be too bad outside if it weren't for the wind...” What a wonderful Midwest saying as we are gearing up for the best season for wind. March is the windiest month of the year in Bloomington, with an average hourly wind speed of 12.6 miles per hour. Wind speed varies at a...
When the weather turns cold, windy, and snowy, many of us prefer to stay indoors and keep warm at home. However, for those who venture outside, clear and safe roads are essential for traveling any distance. Using road salt lowers the freezing point of water, which prevents ice from forming. Salting...
“I just heard that Central Illinois Poultry Processing, the only processor in a four-hour radius of us, will no longer be offering ground chicken as a processing option. I’m worried about our ground turkey plans. Possible wrench in the 2025 farm business plan. AHH!”This was the note I received from...
During the holiday season, many hope for a white Christmas, and kids love to make snow angels while they are on school break. In Bloomington, Ill., where I'm located, January typically has the coldest average temperatures, with an average low of 19 degrees Fahrenheit and an average high of 33...
In the 16th century, St. Nick's counterpart, Krampus, was fictitiously known to gift naughty children coal in their stockings. By the early 1900s, coal grew in popularity as a gift, since many families used coal to heat their homes. While today most of us no longer receive coal in our stockings, it...
The Poinsettia, a vibrant red flower that graces our Christmas décor, has a rich history of cultivation and symbolism, beginning with the ancient Aztec people of Mexico, where it thrives as a tall perennial shrub, often growing over 10 feet in height in its native environment. Poinsettias have...
What do cover cropping in garden beds, companion planting of corn, beans, and squash, crafting herbal gifts at home, DIY sausage making, and sourdough bread making all have in common? Each of these practices empowers community members to boost self-sufficiency, enhance household resilience, and...
During the holiday season comes tasty food, festive decorations, and precious time spent with those dear to us. It also means an array of holiday plants in your home or office, like poinsettias, amaryllis, and holly. One plant that may not be on your holiday décor list, the holiday cactus, is a...
The holiday season is quickly approaching, and while we might all celebrate differently, many of us are purchasing gifts for loved ones over the next few months. Before you start adding items to your shopping cart, here are some facts to consider about the environmental impact of holiday shopping...
