Living the Country Life

Make the most out of your small farm or acreage with tips and resources from Living the Country Life. This section contains information on raising animals, gardening tips, machinery maintenance, improving pastures, and maintaining ponds.

Buy digital copies of Living the Country Life magazine here.

Farm dog health risks

Our farm and ranch dogs are always there for us and we owe it to them to protect their health. Parasites and tick-borne illnesses are preventable.
Child petting dog
Audio

Harvesting cantaloupe

Harvesting melons can be difficult because it’s often hard to tell when they’re ripe. Hi, I'm Jodi Henke. If you’re growing cantaloupe, there are several signs that will indicate when it’s ready.
Cantaloupe among its leaves
Audio

What not to put in a septic system

A septic system that's working right shouldn't need a lot of maintenance – unless you're putting stuff into it that you shouldn't. Avoid septic cloggers and the killers.
Washing a leek in the sink
Audio

Women in Agriculture

Betsy Freese: Boss Lady

By Women in Agriculture
Throughout her career, Betsy Freese served up no-nonsense advice with a side of heartfelt wisdom.
Betsy Freese walking two pigs
Article

Agronomy Insider

Leading the field

By Agronomy Insider
These four agronomists move the needle forward to serve farmers.
28742Leadingthefield
Article

Farmland

Farming Prairie Potholes

By Farmland
If there is a pesky spot in the field that doesn’t drain well, it might be a prairie pothole. Here’s what to do about it.
Audio

Toy train barn

A barn in Wisconsin that was home to a herd of dairy cows has been transformed into a toy train museum. Buck Guthrie loves to share his passion.
Toy train on track near toy barn
Audio

Horse health after the show

Keeping your horse healthy and happy during show season also includes after you get home. Monitor the horse for any late-manifesting diseases.
Horse sticking its head out of the stall
Audio

The drunken botanist

You just never know the secrets your plants are holding. A California woman explores the link between botany and booze.
cocktail in a glass
Audio

Making sauerkraut

Extend the cabbage harvest by turning it into sauerkraut. Shred it up, add some salt, let it rest for a few weeks, and you'll have a healthy addition to family meals.
Shredding cabbage
Audio

Compass plant

You could say that the very first GPS was discovered long ago on the prairie. The compass plant is hardy in the garden and useful if you’re directionally-challenged.
Blooming compass plant
Audio

Raising tadpoles

When the kids say they're bored this summer, catch some tadpoles. Raising tadpoles is simple, and watching them turn into frogs is fun and educational for both young and old.
Tadpoles resting on a log in the water
Audio

Tip of the Day

Agronomy Tip: Equip Yourself with the Best Herbicide Application Machinery

A no-till soybean field at sunrise. “We have so many tools to combat weed resistance between herbicides, seed technologies, and our application equipment,” Dave Eckhoff,... read more

News News

All News

Marketing