http://www.motherearthnews.com/rss/ModernHomesteading.xml Practical skills for urban or rural self-sufficiency; includes home business ideas.http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2008-02-01/Why-We-Love-Woodstoves.aspx Readers from across the continent report on their positive experiences with wood-fired heat: Jane and Jim Foster in Arkansas, Lyn Ankelman in Alabama, Janice Bever in New York, Todd Quatier in South Dakota, Sue Shipley on Prince Edward Island, Janet Hughes in British Columbia, Jim O’Donnell in Pennsylvania, Dean Gamage in Maine and Martha Ann Burgard in Alabama. Mother Earth News Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:59:31 GMT http://www.motherearthnews.com/Ask-Our-Experts/Modern-Homesteading/Cow-or-Goat-for-Family-Milk.aspx An experienced homesteader discusses the pros and cons of one family keeping either a cow or a goat for their milk supply. Mother Earth News Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:29:01 GMT http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2008-02-01/Truth-About-Septic-Systems.aspx Homeowners and small communities across the nation are being persuaded to install expensive, complicated and often unnecessary wastewater disposal systems. This article explains how septic systems and alternatives work and provides good background information in the event that you’re in a similar situation. Think it couldn’t happen to you? Read what others are saying about their situations. Mother Earth News Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:00:27 GMT http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2008-02-01/Keep-Bees-Naturally.aspx There are many reasons you might consider keeping a couple of beehives. Not only do you benefit from the honey, but the pollination bees provide is essential to achieve good yields for some flowering crops. You don’t need a lot of land, in fact there are many urban beekeepers. And these days, you don’t need to use dangerous chemicals to keep a healthy hive of bees. What you do need is a little basic equipment to get started. The spring is a good time to start a new hive, just after the first frost. Mother Earth News Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:46:31 GMT http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2008-02-01/Homesteading-with-Heritage-Breeds.aspx Heritage breeds are a great option for those with a small acreage. The breeds are hardy and versatile. They’re excellent at foraging for their own food and do well in grass-based systems. In addition to preserving the genetic diversity of these wonderful old breeds, one Ohio couple is enjoying the rich bounty of nutritious and flavorful food they produce: eggs, milk, cheese and meat. Mother Earth News Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:29:07 GMT http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2008-02-01/Electric-Generators-and-Emergency-Power.aspx With the right generator, you’ll be prepared when storms or blackouts leave you without electricity. Learn how to choose the best generator for your needs, including fuel and safety tips. Mother Earth News Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:59:12 GMT http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2008-02-01/Dear-Mother-February-March-2008.aspx Letters from our readers on home brewing, wind power, raising chickens, breast feeding, no knead bread, tomato soup, health care and living on less. Mother Earth News Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:52:19 GMT http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2008-02-01/Make-a-Sawdust-Toilet.aspx A sawdust toilet, such as this one made from recycled materials, can come in handy when the house toilet is out of order. Mother Earth News Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:33:58 GMT http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2008-02-01/Shovel-Attachment-for-Pain-free-Digging.aspx Using this sturdy shovel attachment will make digging easier on your legs and feet. Mother Earth News Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:32:00 GMT http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2008-02-01/Best-Low-Tech-Tools.aspx What tools are most useful when you’re working in your home vegetable garden? People often assume that power tools will accomplish any given task faster than hand tools, but for home gardeners, hand tools often are a better choice. For example, for any large garden, tillage can be a chore, and many people turn to a power tiller. This misses the obvious question, why till at all? In this article, Harvey Ussery explains why the low tech alternatives for breaking new garden soil can achieve better results than a power tiller, with garden soil that is richer and more productive. Mother Earth News Sun, 03 Feb 2008 06:53:04 GMT