Not every birth is picture-perfect on a cattle farm.  Instead of standing tall and springing up like newborn calves usually do, this little one’s front legs bent forward at the pasterns, making it tough to get stable footing. It’s a condition that can happen from being a bit cramped in the womb.  He is a big calf!  Thankfully he has a seasoned mother.  

When choosing Echinacea, purple coneflower, it's important to read the Latin name.  Of 9 species, 3 are most commonly used for medicinal purposes.

 Psoralens have powerful antioxidant properties which--besides fighting cancer-- are particularly               beneficial for normalizing skin pigmentation.  

Moving cattle is never just about loading animals onto a trailer and hitting the road. It’s about timing & preparation. This week, we moved a group of our heifers to a new location—a process that’s always exciting, a lot of work,  and incredibly satisfying when done right.

For years, I would rid my front, corner flower bed of these evasive "weeds".

     Wild Onion is also known as onion weed or onion grass.  Like garlic, it belongs to the allium family.  Onionweed is a prebiotic that supports gut health and enhances the bioavailability of iron and zinc.  It is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as minerals like potassium, calcium, and selenium.  Wild onions contain compounds with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. 

Purple dead nettle is easy to identify with its square stem (like all mint family plants), fuzzy leaves, and purple tops with little pink flowers.  It will appear in early spring and is usually one of the first plants you will see blooming.  It grows in gardens, wild spaces, and backyards.  

John Macgregor / Getty Images

As Autumn's cool breeze whispers and the laundry line becomes less efficient, it's time to gather herbs for the winter months. Jeff starts cutting firewood and I bring down the quilts and blankets to put on beds. 

cul·ti·vate

The history of using pine needles for healing invites us to consider another approach to wellness.