ANOTHER KIND OF DREW  

by Andrew Odom

Brooklyn is a long way from Barnesville, Georgia but sometimes our path in life takes us to a place of quiet reflection. Not all who wander are lost. And in his life Drew has done some wandering. From the moss of Savannah and beaches of Miami to the quaint cafes of Paris and busy streets of Brooklyn, he has learned a number of lessons including how to live simply and how to love what you have. Years ago he introduced himself as Drew. Now – a handful of years later – he introduces himself as anotherkindofdrew.

A GREAT PLACE TO RETIRE 

by Nancy Nemec

Nancy and Husband are learning to retire in a small town in Northeast Nebraska. They have lived in six large and small communities in three states, and worked in middle management in Senior Retirement and Nursing Homes, Banking, and large Feed Corporations. They raised three terrific children and have three wonderful grandsons.

CITY GAL MOVES TO OZ LAND  

by Oz Girl

Follow this city girl with the good fortune to move to nearly 27 acres in south central Kansas. Country life can be a daily struggle to move towards a more simplistic approach to life, and a more eco-friendly approach to our landscape. You can also find her at City Gal Moves to Oz Land or Lazy G Ranch all-natural dog biscuits website.

CLOSE THE GATE 

by Nancy Kraayenhof

A transplant from the city to the rural life in small town Southwest Minnesota, I share a perspective from both sides of the wind row from our small hobby farm. You can email her at Nancy861@msn.com.

A LONG TIME COMING  

by S.M.R. Saia

As an army brat, Shannon grew up in a string of suburbs, but she has roots in rural Mississipi, where during summer vacations she watched her grandparents raise cows and later, pine trees. They showed her how to garden, forage, fish, and preserve food – though she didn't realize or appreciate how much they were teaching her at the time. Now that they have both passed on, she's having to relearn it all herself. You can follow her family's suburban homesteading efforts at Homestead on Earth.

TRANSITIONAL TRADITIONS  

by Becky & Andy

Andrew and Rebekah live on a fourth generation farm in Wisconsin where they are transitioning the farm to an organic, grass-fed meat and produce CSA along with educating friends and family on the wonders of raw foods.

RURAL LEGEND 

by Brent & LeAnna Alderman Sterste

Brent and LeAnna live in Western Massachusetts and are trying to preserve their rural heritage for themselves and their two young daughters. Despite living in an urban area, they’re having a ton of fun rediscovering some old-fashioned skills and making their home into the best little farmhouse their depressed former mill-town has ever seen.

A LAKESIDE VIEW 

by Cindy Murphy

Master gardener, certified nurseryman and freelance writer, Cindy Murphy reports from rural Michigan and Lake Michigan’s eastern shores.

RUSS-STICK RAMBLINGS 

by Sherry & Russ Sutherby

At Russ-Stick Acres, life is simple, but demanding. It is also rewarding. Every building on our 40-acre farm is hand constructed by Russ. The animals on the farm include Alaskan and Siberian sled dogs, BLM adopted Mustangs, Irish Dexter cattle, Heritage Breed chickens, and American Silver Fox rabbits. Follow along with the Russ-Stick Acres daily picture blog.

GARDENING WITH VICKIE  

by Vickie Morgan

Vickie and her husband Bat  live on just under an acre of land with a vegetable, herb, and flower gardens. This year they have gone organic – no fertilizer (only compost) and no pesticides. In Michigan the vegetable garden usually starts on Memorial Weekend, so come and go through the summer with us. Read more on Gardening in Lower MI.

HOMESTEADING WITH MRS. D  

by Robyn Dolan

At age 34 Robyn Dolan traded city life for the High Desert "wilderness" of Northern Arizona.  She has been working backwards ever since.  More of her true homesteading adventures and her homemade soaps and lotions can be found on Mrs. D's Homestead. 

DOMESTIC EPISODES OF A RODEO PRINCESS 

by Shirley "Rodeo" Landis VanSoyk

Shirley, aka "Rodeo," adventures with her Son and daugher-in-law (Ripper) near Honey Brook, Pennsylvania. You can read more domestic episodes on Domestic Episodes of a Rodeo Princess.

LOAGAN RANCH  

by Elizabeth Furry

Welcome to my life here on Loagan Ranch under the great open skies of Northern Nevada! I am the wife of 20 years to my high school sweetheart and the mother of three country girls. Join my family in the day to day happenings of running an equine farm/ranch. Experience our passion for these beautiful creatures. Through my eyes you will get to see the romantic and not-so-romantic side of living on a horse ranch. Come visit us at Loagan Ranch and 
Horsetweet.com.  

FEATHER BRAINED 

by Michelle Hernandez

Michelle started raising backyard poultry nearly three years ago on her 5-acre homestead. She has been involved with the Austin Funky Chicken Coop Tour since the idea first hatched. A Project Manager in Information Technology, she has released the Pickin' Chicken iPhone App by Mother Earth News, which guides users to find the perfect chicken breeds for their own backyards. Read more on the Funny Farm Industries blog.

NEWS FROM THE NEST 

by Lori Dunn

Sawyer turned freelance photographer, Lori Dunn shares the joys of living the GRIT lifestyle in remote Juniata County, Pennsylvania.

THE PHILOSOPHICAL HOMESTEADER 

by Mishelle Shepard

A writer and language teacher with a passion for travel and photography, Mishelle lives in East Texas and  also blogs at PeaceCorpsWorldwide.org.

FEED ME FARMS  

by Sandy Bates Bell

Sandy lives on her crazy talented artist boyfriend's big farm (5th generation to live here) with seventy or so Brahman cattle, a family of miniature donkeys, several spoiled rotten bottle fed calves, a miniature Zebu bull, lots of crazy chickens and Guineas, 4 dogs and 2 very fat cats. You can read more about her at Feed Me Farms.

JOURNEY TO A LIFE OF OUR OWN  

by Tricia Millix

Currently living in the Northeast corner of Connecticut in the small town of Willington, Tricia and her husband, Tyler, are the proud parents of five children. They have a small farm and bakery, you can visit them at www.millixfamilyfarm.com.
 

TACKLING THE COUNTRY LIFE  

by Steve Daut

Steve and Sue Daut decided they were becoming citified and moved to 2 acres and a pond near Chelsea, Michigan. Steve hopes to complete many projects while rediscovering the country life.

LE COUP DU JOUR  

by Kahuna/ChickenMan

Kahuna is a suburban chicken farmer, gardener and guitar player. Find more from him at  Le Coop Du Jour.

LIFE AND ADVENTURES AT DIAMOND W RANCH  

by Jacqueline Wilt, R.N., C.E.M.T.

Jackie is a nurse and Certified Equine Massage Therapist who lives on a ranch in the Flint Hills of Wabaunsee County, Kansas, with her husband, Doug, and their young daughter, Kate. They raise registered Boer goats, and Jackie works on certifying others in equine massage therapy.

BACKYARD POULTRY WITH THE CHICKEN WHISPERER 

by Andy G. Schneider

Better known as the Chicken Whisperer, Andy is the host of “Backyard Poultry with the Chicken Whisperer.” A nationally broadcast radio show all about keeping backyard poultry, and living a self sufficient lifestyle. Tune in Monday through Friday at 12:00 pm EST at BlogTalk Radio. Over the years he has helped many people start their very own backyard flocks.

GROWING POSSIBILITIES  

by Paul Gardener

Paul and his family live in suburban Utah and over the last few years have started to redefine what “normal” means. They raise chickens, cook and bake from scratch, and grow much of their own food on their ¼ acre lot in the burbs. Now they’re trying to help others see what’s possible by sharing their experiences. Read more about their journey at A posse ad esse.

NEWS FROM RAZOR FAMILY FARMS 

by Lacy Razor

Living the GRIT life in Harris County, Georgia, Lacy and Josh Razor report on their adventures with everything from making use of seasonal garden bounty to building farm structures with recycled materials. For even more from Lacy and Josh, visit Razor Family Farms.

HOMESTEADING TALES FROM ROWANGARTH FARM  

by Fiona Wagner

Many people dream of trading their suburban lot for greener pastures. Fiona and her family did just that. Today, they’re learning how to raise animals, grow their own food and rediscover a simpler, self-reliant way of life on 71-acres in eastern Ontario, Canada. Follow their story, the ups and the downs, at Rowangarth Farm. 

THE BUZZ AT WINDY RIDGE APIARY  

by Doug Fulbright

Doug grew up on a small farm in southeast Missouri and worked for a row crop farmer during his high school years. He has owned a 60 acre cattle farm, a 10 acre farmette, and now own 20 acres with his wife and three children.

MUSINGS FROM THE PINEY WOODS  

by Katherine Turcotte

Katherine Turcotte writes from her home in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. She is a regular contributor for Herb Quarterly magazine, and you can reach her at kathy@enchanted woodherbs.com.

AS MY GARDEN GROWS 

by Debbie Nowicki

Sharing tales of gardening from Iuka, Illinois, Debbie and Stan Nowicki have been married 24 years and share 2 teenagers, 4 dogs and a small business in the restaurant industry. Read more at Deb's Gardens.

EASTERN SANDHILLS DIARY  

by Jennifer Burtwistle

Jennifer Burtwistle ranches with her husband Jim and two children Laura and Will in the Eastern Nebraska Sandhills. An accomplished writer and photographer, she also makes regular contributions to biology textbooks and teaches college-level biology courses remotely. 

FLOCKING TO THE CITY  

by Cevan Castle

Cevan Castle moved from the suburbs to Detroit a decade ago and quickly became an active participant in the city’s urban agriculture movement.  Castle now explores the addition of chickens to the inner-city home garden.  Along with urban agriculture, she enjoys welding projects, historic home renovation, and grass roots community development.

GET THE STOREY ON COUNTRY LIFE  

from Storey Publishing

Several authors from Storey Publishing collaborate
on this blog to offer their own stories along with
tips and tricks on livestock and gardening.