Local Foods and Small Farms Blogs

During the recent warm period in January, I checked the status of my bees. As you can see in the above photo, the bees seem to have survived the very cold temperatures of late November and the first half of December just fine as of the first 10 days of January. What surprised me was the...

We have been hearing for months that two broods of periodical cicadas will emerge from the ground this May in central Illinois: the 13-year Brood XIX and the 17-year Brood XIII. These cicadas have been living underground, feeding on tree roots for either 13 or 17 years, depending on the brood. Is...

When temperatures start getting cold in late fall, it's time to make those last-minute preparations that help your bees have the best chance of surviving the winter.Check for Varroa mitesThis is your last chance to treat for Varroa mites. In the late fall, your Varroa mite sampling should show less...

Winter begins challenges to the small flock chicken owner. There are issues that need to be solved: keeping the water from freezing, preventing the birds from getting frostbite, and maintaining egg production. Winterize the Coop Chickens need a dry, draft-free, and well-ventilated building to...