On the Farm
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Staving off Hen-O-Pause
As her matronly birds produce an increasingly unreliable egg supply, a farmer looks to a new generation.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Cold Winter, Sweet Carrots
Low temperatures in central Texas have made it a carrot year, and the farm stands are full.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
On a Texas Farm, Sunshine Is Back
After a cold snap, the author tears out damaged crops and sticks to her motto: "Keep planting."read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Braving a Central Texas Cold Spell
How to save the crops during the worst weather in nearly two decades? The author prepares and waits.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
On Christmas Eve, Unwanted Guests
The author's chicks usually live in the kitchen. But no one wants them as a centerpiece on the holiday table.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
In Winter, Even Hens Need a Heater
As temperatures drop, feathers can't keep out the cold. Here's how two farmers protect their flock. read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
In Search of Healthy Holiday Food
The author seeks out local, green dishes among the processed, brown fare on the Thanksgiving table.read more
Photo by Rob!/Flickr CC
The Cost of Wasted Food
Americans toss up to half their food, causing hunger and harm to the environment.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
When Maternal Instincts Kick In
A group of beloved hens with no interest in motherhood suddenly show signs of wanting chicks.read more
Photo by The Bitten Word/Flickr CC
More Tips For Finding a Good Turkey
The rancher explains where to look and what to look for in buying a Thanksgiving bird--and offers cooking advice.read more
Photo by Nicolette Hahn Niman
The Guide To Buying a Good Turkey
The rancher shows how to avoid industrial meat for Thanksgiving and says why it's so important to do so.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Weird Weather Means Summer Plants in Fall
Unusually warm temperatures make eggplants and tomatoes spring from the ground during radish season.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
When the Farm Gets Unwanted Gifts
Frustrated pet owners drop their unwanted dogs and cats at the author's doorstep. What to do with these orphans?read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Tamales: Mexico's Comfort Food
With winter closing in, the author finds herself craving the dish, made of corn meal, cheese, and more.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Why I Eat Meat
After attending a panel about the hot topic of eating animals, the author reflects on the end of her 18 years as a vegetarian.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Fighting Hunger with Food and Music
Life on the farm isn't all hard work. The author hosts a party for hundreds of people for a good cause.read more
Photo by Nicolette Hahn Niman
Life and Death on the Ranch
After a beloved cow succumbs to pneumonia, the authors are reminded of the importance of small family farms.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Addicted to Tractors
Every male farmer starts with just one--but, as the author knows, soon enough that multiplies into a fleet of four or more.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Why We Grow Strawberries
Cultivating the fruit requires a host of less-than-ideal farming practices. Why the author does it anyway.read more
Photo by st0rmz/Flickr CC
Schwarzenegger Lets Cows Keep Tails
The California governor signed a bill ending a procedure that hurts livestock.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
On the Farm, There Are No Leftovers
Whatever remains after the market goes to the farmers, a local soup kitchen--or the hen house.read more
Photo by thebittenword.com/Flickr CC
Is Meat Bad for the Environment?
The legendary ranchers provide an emphatic answer to a ubiquitous question.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Intervention in the Hen House
After watching Ping Ping the hen brood over chick-less eggs for days, the author is forced to take action.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Raising Chicks in the Kitchen
Cool, rainy weather forces the author to bring her 79 newly purchased chicks into the house to keep them warm.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Recession Fears and Fruit Theft
The author wonders if desperation will drive people to steal and sell the pears that grow on her farm.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
As Summer Ends, A Need for Green
The oppressive heat makes the farm's plants die early, creating a desire to see something growing again.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Are Exotic Vegetables Worth the Trouble?
As the demand for exotic foods increases, the author asks if they're worth the pain of growing them.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Getting the Farm Camera-Ready
When The Wall Street Journal comes to photograph the author's house, some tidying up is in order. read more
Photo by law_keven/Flickr CC
Looking Out For All Animals
Pets are protected from abuse by national legislation. Why not farm animals?read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
A Loner Hen Makes a Secret Nest
A reclusive hen surprises everyone when she disappears and is later caught incubating eggs in a secret nest.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Crops Surrender to the Sun
Even after the plants drop their final sun-burnt fruits to the ground, the work on the farm isn't over.read moreWhy Raise Your Own Chickens?
Starting your own chicken coop may not save money, but it offers other rewards.read more
Photo by Nicolette Hahn Niman
Keeping the Ranch Safe From Predators
Animals from dogs to llamas can protect the ranch from coyotes, bobcats, and more.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Peppers Beat the Texas Heat
After trying to extend salad season, the author realizes peppers, not salad greens, have it made in the shade.read moreThe Ranch's Newest Residents
A colony of a dozen swallows has made its nest on the authors' barn.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Eggs Without Fear of Salmonella
Food producers go to to great lengths to keep salmonella out of eggs. The author offers simpler methods.read more
Photo by artbandito/Flickr CC
The Dangers of Animal Antibiotics
Overuse of antibiotics on livestock poses risks for animals and humans alike.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Summer Heat Takes On The Tomatoes
The sweltering summer heat wreaks havoc on the farm's system for naming fruits and vegetables.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Beans, Okra Fight the Texas Heat
Water is scarce in the Texas summertime, causing even the farm's toughest plants to whither.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Why Tomatoes Make Smelly Houseguests
Tomatoes are stored in the air-conditioned guest room to stay cool. But sometimes, they go bad.read more
Photo by Kelsey Robinov/Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
The Growing Demand for Goat Meat
After years of being popular everywhere else in the world, goat meat is finally starting to catch on in the U.S.read more
Photo by Nicolette Hahn Niman
Why We Raise Goats
Why two legendary ranchers started raising goats--and why you should add their meat to your diet.read more
Photo Courtesy of the Animal Welfare Institute
The Lesson of Swine Flu
The swine flu pandemic highlights a decades-old problem: industrial animal farming poses serious public health risks. The authors, who practice humane farming practices on their California ranch, explain how they think the food system should change to keep both animals and people healthy.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Lettuce: A Farmer's Ideal Crop
Lettuce isn't just the base of a good salad. It plays a crucial role on the farm by keeping other plants healthy. The author describes the process of saving one year's lettuce seeds for use in the next growing season and explains how the plant works to support other parts of the farm as well.read more
Photo by re-ality/Flickr CC
The Downside of Lower Feed Prices
The price of hay, an essential part of a cow's diet, is down 40 percent this year. But many cattle ranchers aren't celebrating because it's a sign of tough times for dairy farmers. The authors explain the complicated calculations that occur as they decide how much hay to buy this year.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
From Garden Weeds to Salad Greens
Eating weeds in salad puts garden pests to good use--plus, they are packed with nutrients. The author explains how she and her husband discovered the joys of eating amranth, lambs' quarters, and purslane--and why others should follow their lead. read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
The Challenge of Growing Tomatoes
They taste great in sandwiches and salads, but tomatoes are hard work for the farmers who grow them. Tilling fertilizer and compost into bed after bed is no fun, especially in the Texas almost-summer humidity. But there's also a satisfaction in knowing the plants will grow into tomatoes to be enjoyed.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
The Downside of Year-Round Farming
For farmers in Texas, the start of summer means one thing: time to harvest in the blistering heat. Farmers in other parts of the country enjoy more forgiving weather, but they miss out on the joy of being able to provide their customers with fresh produce 12 months a year.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Can Small Farms Feed the World?
Whether or not organic farming can work globally, it already plays a vital role in nourishing communities, bringing them together, and providing them with healthy, fresh foods. And it also provides an invaluable opportunity for the farmers themselves to connect with the world around them.read more
Photo by thomas pix/FlickrCC
Why Backyard Chickens Are a Trend
The author says more Americans are raising chickens in their own backyards and reaping the benefits of fresh, organic eggs--even if Slate says otherwise. Even if chickens can be a challenge to their owners, the benefits of having them often outweigh the negatives. read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
For Spring, Outdoor Dining, but Also Rain
An outdoor meal for 54 -- yes, 54 -- is threatened by the coming Texas rains. But the show must go on. Starting with strawberry cocktails, here are the dinners 11 full courses, all of native Texan cuisine.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
The USDA Visits the Hen House
Austin's small farmers prepare to protest a food safety regulation that could burden them unfairly. The author explains why the National Animal Identification System could invade her privacy, increase the amount of work she has to do, and cut into her bottom line if it's enacted.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
The Tomato Plant's Mischievous, Tiny Foe
A welcome rainstorm after a stretch of drought leaves the farm brimming with life and ushers in a period of happiness and harmony. But a visit from some tomato-loving pests that leave pollen-like markings on the plants they attack ruins the honeymoon.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Poppies are Weeds, But You Gotta Love 'Em
What to do when beautiful weeds compete with lucrative but less eye-catching flowers? The author struggles to pull out plants that are pleasing to the eye but understands that the farm can't survive when it's weedy. She ends of saving a few bunches, just for beauty's sake.read more
Photo by Nicolette Hahn Niman
What Do Fresh Turkey Eggs Taste Like?
Breeding season begins and, with it, a new turkey flock on the ranch. The eggs spark endless curiosity as people ask what they look and taste like. Though turkey eggs may look much different than their more popular chicken counterparts, they actually taste quite similar.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Movie-Star Chickens, Adjusting to Farm Life
Three actor-chickens were left at the farm after the filming of an indie movie wrapped up. They've miraculously escaped the fate of factory farms, but it's clear they miss the spotlight, so they try to grab attention any way they can.read more
Photo by Svadilfari/FlickrCC
Rhubarb: Dessert From the Farm
The challenge: to grow Rhubarb, a northern crop, in Texas. Yanks love it in pies. It can also be in pudding or, with this recipe from Deborah Madison, made with berries and candied ginger.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Austin's Funky Chicken Coop Tour
Over 250 aspiring "chickenists" visit the hen house in honor of the city's first Funky Chicken Coop Tour, and the author finds out first-hand what life is like inside the coop. read more
Photo by Vicki Moore/Flickr CC
Making Farming Truly Sustainable
Government agriculture subsidies should make farming a full-time job.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Is There New Interest in Production Farms?
In cosmopolitan Austin, surprisingly high interest among locals in a reals working farm calls attention to changing values. Some, it seems, are seeking to repossess the knowledge and skills, once common, of their subsistence farmer ancestors.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
A Visit From the Rooster Hobo
Recession-minded city folk are buying chicken eggs. Surprise, surprise--some of the baby chicks turn into roosters, which make a lot of noise. Those urban roosters get abandoned, and often end up here, where they cause real trouble in the henhouse.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Planting, with a Helping Hen
Aided by Tootie J. Tootums, head hen of the Henhouse, tucking in 1,400 baby heirloom tomato plants that, in a few months time, will delight even the most discerning tomato aficionados.read more
Photo by law_keven/FlickrCC
Produce Is Seasonal. Why Not Meat?
Most Americans assume meat is year-round, but it has a season. Animals grace on grass, after all, which, like any plant, is seasonal itself. Ignoring the seasonality of meat is bad for animals, bad for the environment, and bad for us.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
The Happy Disbelief of Our First Rain
An unfamiliar sound in the early morning hours brings the promise of relief from a year-long drought. Rain, after three long months, finally has finally arrived on the Texas farm. Stunned family and friends barely know what to do with themselves.read more
Photo by rick/ Flickr CC
"Natural" Meat: Still as Unnatural as Ever
It's shocking what passes for "natural" at your local grocer's meat counter. It would be easy to just blame factor farms, but the truth is that the USDA's weak animal treatment standards let agribusinesses run wild. But it doesn't have to be this way.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Aphids, Tiny Harlots On the Loose
Multiplying prolifically, they're the scourge of farms, flying in on gusty, dry north winds. Or they are placed on the vegetable plants by their pimps, the fire ants. We cannot abide the aphids, as they obviously don't possess morals, and are greedy to boot.read more
Photo by ktylerconk/FlickrCC
How About a White House Chicken Flock?
The Obamas' new garden is great news -- just ask Alice Waters. But why stop there? Keeping a live chicken flock was once the norm for farmers as well as city-dwellers, and, more than just eco-friendly, live chickens are great exercise. read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Onesy: The Little Hen That Could
A small red hen named Onesy survives the skunk attack that killed her sisters -- but barely, and she becomes an outcast among her competitive cousins. But a bit of help and nurturing puts her back in the pecking order.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Compost: Come On In, It's Warm Inside
The pile doesn't care if it's Sunday morning and you're tired. It's hot and it wants to be turned. A compost pile is full of living beings, you know, and while the tiny critters don't complain, they do want to keep on living. Getting down and dirty on the farm.read more
Photo celesteh/FlickrCC
The Politics of Animal Antibiotics
Feeding growth-promoting antibiotics to farm animals is dangerous, immoral, and unnecessary, and the practice is contributing to serious diseases in humans. Fortunately, it can be done away with as long as we are willing to improve the conditions in which animals are raised.read more
Photo by Carol Ann Sayle
Little Farm in the Big City
Boggy Creek Farm has been thriving in Austin for generations. Farming just two miles from downtown isn't always easy, but it is well worth it. Running the stand at the Austin farmers market and getting to know the regular customers is just one of the many joys.read more
Photo by Nicolette Hahn Niman
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