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 Mother Earth News and Friends  ? Podcasts https://www.motherearthnews.com/Podcast/  ? Articles https://www.motherearthnews.com/  ? Store https://store.motherearthnews.com/  ? Instagram    / mot ..read more

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 grow through these chick-hatching ventures. More from Mother Earth News and Friends  ? Podcasts https://www.motherearthnews.com/Podcast/  ? Articles https://www.motherearthnews.com/  ? Store https://store.m ..read more

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://www.motherearthnews.com/Podcast/ ? Articles https://www.motherearthnews.com/ ? Store https://store.motherearthnews.com/ ? Instagram    / motherearthnewsmag   ? TikTok    / motherear ..read more

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 Forage for Mushrooms Without Dying.   More from Mother Earth News and Friends  ? Podcasts https://www.motherearthnews.com/Podcast/  ? Articles https://www.motherearthnews.com/  ? Store https://store.moth ..read more

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 humidity in an incubator, and candling. More from Mother Earth News and Friends  ? Podcasts https://www.motherearthnews.com/Podcast/  ? Articles https://www.motherearthnews.com/  ? Store https://store.mothe ..read more

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 covers all the basics about growing vegetables for beginners, including some recommendations for the best vegetables to grow at home, as well as the worst. For more of this podcast, visit https://www.motherearthnews.com/po ..read more

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 safety measures involved with making soap with lye, as well as general soap-making procedure and ingredients, you'll be able to fearlessly make your own! For more resources, view this podcast at https://www.motherearthne ..read more

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.motherearthnews.com/  ? Instagram    / motherearthnewsmag    ? TikTok    / motherearthnewsmagazine    The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of lea ..read more

Story by Stacy Benjamin, read by Jessica Mitchell. A safe space for your flock means less stress on your birds and more peace of mind for you. This story comes from the June/July 2023 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine. The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast shares the stories of leaders in sustainable and rural living. We’re passionate about helping people learn more about natural health, homesteading, sustainability, and more. You can catch new interviews and audio articles on Thursdays. To see more podcasts, visit www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podcast. Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Boo ..read more

Story by Jason Knight, read by John Moore. Construct a simple but effective sanctuary to keep you warm during a wilderness emergency. This story comes from the November/December 2023 issue of Grit magazine. This audio article is brought to you by the Mother Earth News and Friends podcast. We feature stories from leaders in sustainable and rural living so you can learn more about natural health, sustainability, homesteading, and more. Catch new interviews and audio articles from us on Thursdays. Listen to us wherever you listen to your podcasts, and check us out at www.MotherEarthNews.com/Podca ..read more